Chapel Hill Magazine May/June 2025

CHAPEL HILL • CARRBORO • HILLSBOROUGH • OR ANGE COUNT Y

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Dan Shannon & Ellen Shannon Chapel Hill Magazine is published 6 times per year by Triangle Media Partners, founded in 2006

by Dan and Ellen Shannon. | 1777 Fordham Blvd., Ste. 105, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 | 919–933–1551 Subscriptions $38 for 2 years – subscribe at chapelhillmagazine.com

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MAY/JUNE 2025

CO NT EN TS

CHAPELHILLMAGAZINE.COM

VOLUME 20 NUMBER 3 FEATU R ES 40

A Fresh Start One Ukrainian family finds refuge and new life in Chapel Hill

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Woodland Retreat A Chapel Hill family transforms a 1980s home into a modern retreat that embraces nature

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Golden Opportunities Discover local spots that help older adults keep moving, stay engaged and live life to the fullest

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The 2025 Directory of Assisted Living, Continuing Care, Independent Living, 55+ Living & Cohousing Retirement Communities

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Our Top Dentists

DEPA R TMEN TS

WO M E N O F AC H I EVEM ENT 60

Emily Kreutzer Co-owner, Carrboro Plumbing

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Mary Stowe Owner, Yarns Etc...

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Sylvia Sloan Black Founder and President, Black Star Strategies

66

Flicka Bateman Director, Refugee Support Center

68

Ronit Freeman Associate Professor, UNC

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Loryn Clark Deputy Town Manager, Town of Chapel Hill

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Dr. Michelle Pearlstein Physician & Owner, Morgan Creek Dermatology

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Dr. Amy Fox Physician & Owner, Morgan Creek Dermatology

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Julie McCauley Exceptional Children Director, The Expedition School

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Letter From the Editor

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About Town Events not to miss

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Musical Notes A survey of the latest albums from area musicians

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Blast From the Past President James K. Polk arrived in Chapel Hill on May 31, 1847 – the first sitting president to visit the town

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Glow Getters Laura Zimmerman Whayne celebrates those who shine bright in our community

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What We’re Eating News from our restaurant community, plus a dish we love

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

PEOPLE & PLACES 24 26 27 28 29

The Chamber for a Greater Chapel HillCarrboro’s Community Heroes Chamber Annual Meeting Nerys Levy art installation at Hodge & Kittrell Webster’s Rock the Hill Elizabeth ‘Libba’ Cotten Day Celebration

WEDDI N GS 118 120

Dyal & Smith Daly & Wilson

SPON SOR ED CON TEN T 43

The Big Give Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved

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Faces of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough Celebrating the people behind our local businesses

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pring is nature’s reminder that fresh starts are always possible. Trees bud, flowers bloom and the sun lingers a little longer every evening. Around here, spring feels like permission to open the windows (once the pollen is done doing its worst!), clear out the clutter and breathe in something new.

We did just that with this issue.

You’ll notice a few recent additions to our pages – fun, new features meant to bring more joy, meaning and discovery to your reading experience. We’re especially excited to debut a recurring column that celebrates those bright lights in our community who quietly make everything feel a little warmer and kinder. We’re calling it Glow Getters, and it was pitched and written with heart by Laura Zimmerman Whayne. You can meet the first “yellow” – her word, meaning someone who brings you sunshine – on page 32.

In anticipation of the magazine’s 20th anniversary next spring, we also take a look back.

Our history column, Blast From the Past, debuts with quick glances into pivotal moments in time, fascinating figures and stories that shaped our county. Enjoy the inaugural one on page 20.

Spring cleaning isn’t always about scrubbing floorboards or dusting – sometimes it’s about refreshing your perspective and finding inspiration. CHM

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THE COVER Photo by J ohn Michael Sim pson

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SCULPTED CABLE COLLECTION

A B O UT TOWN EVENTS NOT TO MISS

Compiled by Laney Crawley EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE; CHECK WITH ORGANIZERS PRIOR TO ATTENDING

Movie Under the Stars

PHOTO BY MARK MCSPADDEN

chapelhillarts.org Head to the Carolina MAY Square Lawn to snag your 4 spot for a free film screening 7:30 P.M. under the stars. Before the movie begins, enjoy themed activities, snacks and community fun. Don’t forget to bring blankets and lawn chairs!

Family House Classic

Art in the Garden

secufamilyhouse.org/familyhouseclassic Tee off at Finley Golf Club for a tournament benefiting the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals, a nonprofit providing a safe and affordable home away from home for patients and their loved ones who travel great distances to receive critical care at UNC Hospitals. The celebration begins with a Pre-Par-Tee for all supporters on May 1 from 5:30-7 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a silent auction. The golf tournament kicks off with a shotgun start at 10:30 a.m. on May 2.

garden-art-gallery.com The 30th annual sculpture exhibition returns to Hillsborough at 1902 Borland Rd., showcasing new works by acclaimed artists. Visitors can explore winding paths and intimate garden nooks where smaller sculptures are perfectly nestled, while larger statement pieces take center stage in the open meadows. The exhibition will be held rain or shine over the three days. Special celebratory surprises are planned for the second Saturday to mark the event’s anniversary – attendees can meet the sculptors, purchase unique garden art directly from the artists and more. 

May 1 and 2

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May 3, 4 & 10

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ABOUT TOWN

Pride Promenade chapelhillarts.org Don your most colorful outfit and gather at Peace and Justice Plaza

JUNE

7

NOON

for Chapel Hill’s fourth annual Pride Promenade.

March through town and enjoy festivities at 140 West Franklin Street Plaza. The event is part of June’s monthlong Small Town Pride celebration in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

‘In Our Time’

by Ernest Hemingway PHOTO BY SAMUEL COOKE

Carrboro Celebration Day The ArtsCenter’s May 4, 1-5 p.m.

GALAxy 51 carrbororec.org Grab a blanket and a friend and head to Carrboro Town Commons to celebrate the annual celebration on the first Sunday in May. Meet your neighbors and learn about the town’s history, as well as the occupants of the new Drakeford Library Complex, while enjoying live music, crafts, food and more!

Freight Train Blues May 16, 23, 30 and June 6

musicmaker.org Join the Music Maker Foundation at the Carrboro Town Commons for its 11th annual celebration of Carrboro blues legend Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten. The series honors her contributions to the American roots genre by highlighting the cultural significance of the Carolina Piedmont style and its connections to current artists. Join artists like Diana Tuffin as she brings jazz, gospel and blues to the stage, and groove with multinational salsa band Conjunto Breve.

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May 17, 6-9 p.m.

artscenterlive.org Prepare for an unforgettable evening as The ArtsCenter’s 51st annual gala takes off at the Haw River Ballroom! The out-of-this-world event features catered fare from Tandem and a Dessert Dash with treats from more than a dozen bakeries. Bid on incredible experiences in the live auction, including special getaways, a whiskey tasting for six at The Crunkleton and more, starting May 1.

Carolina Garden Moonlight Party May 17, 6-9 p.m.

ncbg.unc.edu Join the North Carolina Botanical Garden Foundation for its annual party to support the garden’s youth and family programs.

Dress in your best floral attire and enjoy live music in the courtyard gardens, followed by dinner among the wildflowers and a spirited auction.

May 6, 10 a.m. - noon humanities.unc.edu

Carolina Public Humanities invites readers to a book group at Flyleaf Books, delving

into Ernest Hemingway’s first collection of short stories, renowned for its minimalist style and emotional depth. Led by Hilary Lithgow, a teaching professor at UNC, the discussion will explore Hemingway’s cryptic prose and the unspoken emotions beneath his sparse words. While the group will touch on the collection as a whole, the focus will be on five key stories, including the iconic “Big Two-Hearted River.” A limited number of virtual seats are available on a first-come, firstserved basis.

Bluegrass Festival May 24, 2 p.m.

catscradle.com Start your summer with the sweet sounds of bluegrass at the inaugural event hosted

by Cat’s Cradle. This new addition to North Carolina’s festival scene features an impressive lineup, including Grammywinning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale, the high-energy Po’ Ramblin’ Boys and standout artists like Woody Platt, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Graham Sharp. 

Pilobolus • Photo by Jason Hudson

2025 American Dance FestivaL

We invite you to gather your friends and family to experience a spectacular season of dance!

June 12–July 26 Tickets On Sale April 29

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ABOUT TOWN

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration June 19, 4 p.m.

chapelhillarts.org Commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate Black community and culture with food, live music, a nonprofit expo, kids activities, vendors and more at Carrboro Town Commons. This event is hosted by the Town of Carrboro and Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture.

Southern Village Annual Concert June 20, 8 p.m.

southernvillage.com The North Carolina Symphony plays on the village green for the 11th annual year. The performance is free and open to the public – bring a blanket, chairs, your friends and a picnic. Make sure to arrive early for a good spot to enjoy the show! CHM

Chapel Hill July 4th Celebration chapelhillarts.org Celebrate the holiday with a fireworks show at Southern Community Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs and pack a JULY picnic. Parking is available at 7 p.m., 4 and the display 7 P.M. begins at 9:20 p.m.

WE’VE MOVED! Great new location. Same great traditions!

Featuring work from more than 60 local artists Pottery • Jewelry • Home Goods Decorative Glass • Fine Art Clothing and Accessories • Greeting Cards

Monday-Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm

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919.929.3300

250 S. Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill

“Wheel of Misfortune” by the Ron Wayne Band Released February 2025 Southern rock quartet the Ron Wayne Band released its debut EP, “Wheel of

musical

Misfortune,” on Valentine’s Day; indeed, its six tracks offer much to love for music fans of all stripes. There’s the hard-charging title track; a ska cover of The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry”; and cuts infused with rockabilly, glam rock and funk. “Wheel of Misfortune” is chock-full of future dance floor staples from back to front. Fun fact: The Ron Wayne Band enlisted Triangle musicians for the operatic horn sections in songs like “Fallin’ Flyin’” during a session at the Manifold Recording Studio in Pittsboro.

notes A survey of the latest albums from area musicians “Antenna Legs Hear Everything”

by Entrez Vous Released March 2025 Entrez Vous is an atmospheric

By P ho e b e M ar te l

“Believer” by Blue Cactus Released April 2025

Chapel Hill-based cosmic Americana duo Blue Cactus spent two years crafting their third album, “Believer,” amid health struggles and pandemic-related upheaval. The record marks the first time Steph Stewart takes on sole vocal duties, with lead single “This Kind of Rain” showcasing her voice over Mario Arnez’s twangy slide guitar. Other standouts include the folksy, epic title track and the meditative “Take All Day,” which the duo brought to life with the help of Nashville veterans like Whit Wright, Thomas Rhett’s steel guitarist, and Hozier keyboardist Ryan Connors. Mixing engineer Derek Garten, the mastermind behind Taylor Swift’s “Taylor’s Version” album reworkings, also contributed to the project. Despite the music industry heavyweights involved in crafting the vibrant sonic patchwork that is “Believer,” Blue Cactus remains rooted in a Southern folk confessional tradition, allowing their partnership to flourish like the sunflowers on the album’s cover.

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twee rock outfit whose songs strike a gratifying balance between experimental and earworm. The duo is composed of singer-songwriter Kelly Reidy, a self-professed Lou Reed devotee, and multiinstrumentalist Clark Blomquist, who has played in a number of Chapel Hill bands across the genre spectrum. Kelly and Clark’s diverse palettes coalesce into psychedelia characterized by soaring synths and distorted guitar. Their latest album, “Antenna Legs Hear Everything” is equally expansive; at 14 tracks, it takes listeners from “Palm Springs” back to the Piedmont.

“Kickless Kids” by The Mayflies USA Released May 2025 Power pop legends The Mayflies USA

formed in 1996 at the tail end of Chapel Hill indie rock’s golden age and went on to release a trio of critically acclaimed LPs that epitomize a bygone era of melodic rock.

After a two-decade hiatus, The Mayflies are back, still signed to Hillsborough’s Yep Roc Records. “Kickless Kids” is a 12-song collection of infectious alt-pop that transports listeners back to the band’s formative years at UNC. Standouts include “Summer Kept Slippin’,” a nostalgiasoaked lullaby, and the title track, which fuses Southern rock with The Mayflies’ distinctive whimsy, but the entire album is a reminder that ’90s power pop is an evergreen sonic delight. CHM

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B LAST FROM THE PAST

O

n May 31, 1847, President James K. Polk arrived in Chapel Hill.

Though he had graduated from UNC in 1818, this visit to his alma mater made him the first sitting president to visit the town. As a student, he “made an impression less by native intelligence than by the way he applied himself,” according to historian William E. Leuchtenburg. It was a trait that he continued to exhibit as president; his ability to set an agenda and achieve his goals earned him the recognition of being consistently ranked among the most successful presidents.

The last leg of his trip to Chapel Hill began in Raleigh around 8 a.m.; his entourage of carriages would take nine hours to cover the distance, stopping frequently to meet local residents. In Chapel Hill, he stayed at Nancy Hilliard’s Eagle Hotel; an addition had been added to the hotel specifically for his use. Polk made use of his two-day stay in town to meet local dignitaries, including University president David Swain and his old science professor, Elisha Mitchell. Polk also visited his old dorm room in South Building before delivering the Class of 1847 commencement address and returning to Washington, D.C. This photo shows an early view of the Eagle Hotel; the two-story annex to the left of the photo is the portion built for Polk’s use. Located near the present site of Graham Memorial on East Franklin Street, it burned to the ground in 1921.

– by Thomas Jepsen CHM

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHAPEL HILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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P E O P L E & P L AC E S

community

heroes The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro named the 2024 Service Award winners to honor the efforts of the men and women who serve Orange County in first response and emergency departments

1 Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department Firefighter of the Year Bryce Jungbluth was recognized for his dedication to protecting the community and serving well alongside members of his department.

Bryce volunteered to be deployed for relief efforts in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

2 Officer Shayna Cox, the Carrboro Police Department Officer of the Year, uses a people-centered approach to connect with and support citizens in crisis situations.

Shayna helped to develop new officers both formally as a field training officer and informally as a mentor during nine years with the department.

3 Capt. Sam Smith’s commitment to organizational advancement and increased efficiency earned him the honor of Chapel Hill Fire Department Firefighter of the Year. Sam took on extra responsibilities in 2024 to manage the transition of preincident plans to the department’s new program, which has positively impacted emergency response.

4 Chapel Hill Police Department Officer of the Year Derek Jackson connects with citizens to offer positivity and empathy in difficult situations. Derek is dedicated to helping others and often goes the extra mile to assist and support team members.

5 School Resource Officer Deputy Jurmarr Tolber, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year, is a role model for students at A.L. Stanback

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Middle School. Jurmarr interacts and engages with children while maintaining situational awareness to protect the school community.

6 Jake Pulley was named Orange Rural Fire Department Firefighter of the Year for his consistent hard work and initiative.

Jake frequently volunteers to cover staffing shortages, puts in extra time outside of shifts and assists with department projects.

7 South Orange Rescue Squad Member of the Year Caroline Williams inspires team members through strong leadership and engagement as head of the community education and programs division. In her 25 years of continued service, Caroline has expanded the squad’s impact through accessible community programs and partnerships.

8 Hillsborough Police Department Officer of the Year Cpl. Amber West goes beyond the typical duties of an officer to engage with the community, mentor young people and help other officers. Amber makes an impact through compassion and care for her team and community members.

9 James Johnson, battalion chief and field training and evaluation program coordinator, is the Orange County Emergency Services Employee of the Year, recognized for his humble leadership and exemplification of organizational values. In his dual roles, James navigated obstacles to successfully onboard and provide guidance to 31 new employees last year. CHM

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PEOP LE & P LACES

1 1 Chamber President & CEO Aaron Nelson and UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts.

2 Top of the Hill Proprietor Scott Maitland.

3 UNC Health Vice President of Professional and Support Services and immediate past Chamber chair Dan Lehman with Aaron Nelson.

4 Educator and poet Dasan Ahanu.

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Chamber Annual Meeting Members of the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro convened at UNC KenanFlagler Business School’s Koury Auditorium on Feb. 27 for their annual gathering to recognize achievements from last year, announce priorities for 2025 and honor three community leaders. Highlights from 2024 included workforce development and education in the community, advocacy to promote affordable housing, impressive fundraising efforts and a continued commitment to serve membership.

The program featured a fireside chat with UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts and Chamber President & CEO Aaron Nelson discussing the effects of reduced federal funding on the university’s budget, plus a spoken word poem performed by poet and educator Dasan Ahanu celebrating Black history in our community as a tribute to Black History Month.

The co-chair of the Chamber’s Campaign for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro and proprietor of Top of the Hill Scott Maitland received the Service to The Chamber award while the Public-Private Partnership award was given to Chapel Hill Transit Executive Director Brian Litchfield. President and CEO of the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service Jackie Jenks was named the recipient of the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award.

Photography by Trevor Holman Photography CHM 3

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P EO PLE & PLACES

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Nerys Levy Art Installation at Hodge & Kittrell Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty welcomed Carrboro artist and Frank Gallery member Nerys Levy to install a selection of her work in its Franklin Street location on Jan. 30. Attendees enjoyed Champagne and charcuterie cups from Carrboro’s The Cheese Shop while mingling with local realtors and members of the community, including Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson. Nerys led guests on a tour of her collection, sharing the stories behind each piece and the inspirations woven into her work. Guests also had the opportunity to take home a piece of her journey by purchasing her art. CHM

1 Hodge & Kittrell Chapel Hill managing broker Claire Pope, Carrboro artist Nerys Levy, Hodge & Kittrell owner and vice president Gilliam Kittrell and Hodge & Kittrell senior agent and owner Mollie Owen.

2 Nerys Levy shows off a piece of her collection installed in the office.

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PEOP LE & P LACES

1

1 Ian Bouma, 10, Jackson Howes, 8, and Peter Bouma, 7.

2

2 Sam Brooks and Bryan Kempter.

3 Jimmy Kempter, 16, Betsy Kempter and Diane Joseph.

3

Webster’s Rock the Hill Climbers from all over the Triangle gathered at the Chapel Hill Community Center Feb. 28-March 2 to compete in the oldest indoor rock climbing competition in the United States.

This year’s theme, “The Mythical Ascent,” invited attendees to don vibrant costumes inspired by legendary creatures of lore like unicorns, mermaids, dragons and other fantastical beings borne by imagination. In its 36th year, Webster’s drew in a record 160 competitors, including enough climbers to hold nonbinary and adaptive divisions for the first time. In addition to four competitive divisions – youth, intermediate, open and “stone masons” (50 years and older) – climbers also battled it out in four categories of mini games – speed time, hang time, campus only (climbing without the use of feet) and crate stacking. The first-place Orange County-based winners were Weston Morris (youth male), Carina Richardson (youth female), Jimmy Kempter (recreational male), Lilly Kohout (recreational female) and Annabella Qian (intermediate female). Words and photography by Lauren Rouse CHM

Quality Investments. Trusted Advice.

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P EO PLE & PLACES

1 2

Elizabeth ‘Libba’ Cotten Day Celebration

1 Jordan Evans, Myles Fennell, Kemi Fennell, Brenda Evans, Juliana Evans, John Evans and Jared Evans.

3

The Town of Carrboro marked the life and legacy of legendary musician Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten with a special celebration at the Carrboro Century Center on Jan. 5, the anniversary of Libba’s birthday. More than 100 attendees gathered for the occasion, hosted by Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee, to honor Libba’s contributions to music, including her iconic Carrboro-inspired song “Freight Train.” The event featured presentations from Rep. Renée Price and Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis as well as a performance of Libba’s song “Shake Sugaree” by her great-granddaughter Brenda Evans, great-great-grandsons Jordan Evans, Jared Evans and John Evans, and great-great-greatgrandchildren Myles Fennell, Kemi Fennell and Juliana Evans.

Photography by Jonathan Drake/Town of Carrboro CHM

2 Carrboro Town Council member Randee HavenO’Donnell, Jared Evans and Carrboro town manager Patrice Toney.

3 Brenda Evans and Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee.

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BOLD WOMEN BOLD Companies is a leader in commercial and residential real estate, development, luxury home building, and philanthropy. At its core is a team of women whose determination has reshaped their industries.

Grounded in experience and guided by integrity, they redefine what it means to lead boldly. This feature highlights the inspiring women behind BOLD Companies& and what makes them, and our company, truly BOLD. Director of Sales BOLD Construction

Director of Operations & Broker-In-Charge BOLD Real Estate

Selections Coordinator BOLD Construction

Christine Weise

Kristine Holm

Jessie Quinones

Christine is proud to be a female voice on

Kristine is a proud co-founder of the BOLD

Jessie revolutionized onsite design

the leadership team. She tackles challenging

Foundation. She approaches real estate with

communication by introducing R codes. She

conversations directly and guides her team

confidence and extensive expertise, helping

consistently balances current trends with

with intention and purpose. Outside of work,

others achieve their goals. Outside work,

classic design elements to create timeless

Christine is passionate about fitness, health,

she focuses on instilling resilience and

spaces. Jessie spends her weekends enjoying

wellness, and longevity.

determination in her children.

embroidery, gardening, and margaritas#

Commercial Property Manager BOLD Commercial Real Estate

Finance Manager BOLD Construction

Designer & Selections Manager BOLD Construction

Cindy Harper Covington

Liz Carpenter Bayer

Andrea Enns

Cindy transitioned into commercial property

Liz excels at training trade partners and staff,

Andrea brings over 30 years of interior design and

management and 5uickly excelled in her

enhancing financial efficiency across BOLD. She

construction management experience, earning

role. She is known for handling challenges

embodies continuous improvement, consistently

Rookie of the Year at BOLD. With strong vendor

compassionately and effectively. In her

refining processes with determination and care.

relationships, she expertly guides clients through the

personal life, Cindy plays competitive

Outside the office, she fuels her spirit through

design process. Outside of work, she enjoys hosting

basketball, regularly medaling in events.

her lifelong passion for dancing.

and embracing her new role as a rammy.

Broker & Homes for Heroes Specialist BOLD Real Estate

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Senior Associate BOLD Commercial Real Estate

Jasmine Lubbad

Cathy Twigg

Chela Tu

Jasmine earned the Rising Star Award for her

Cathy proudly served as a Court Appointed

Chela achieved her CCIM designation under

advocacy in helping heroes achieve

Special Advocate ACASAE, supporting children

demanding circumstances, demonstrating

homeownership. She stands out by

navigating challenging situations. She excels by

resilience and determination. She energizes her team with enthusiasm, passion, and expertise in

passionately supporting veterans and first

providing clients with a patient, personalized

responders. Jasmine finds fulfillment outside

approach to buying and selling homes. Her

commercial real estate. In her personal life,

of work by actively promoting veteran

love for travel and interior design deeply

Chela enjoys time spent with her children and

entrepreneurship and community involvement.

inspires her professional and personal life.

training as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Desiree Goldman

Jill Ehrenfeld

Desiree spent over two years successfully

Jill is a top producing agent selling the second-

advocating for the economic growth and

highest-priced home in Chapel Hill last year.

housing development in Chapel Hill’s Blue Hill

She leads boldly by relying on teamwork and

District. She boldly and directly tackles issues

her extensive experience in real estate. Jill

with unwavering honesty. Desiree is fueled by

remains inspired by her lifelong desire to learn

her love of travel and exploring other cultures.

and tackle new challenges.

Administration Specialist BOLD Real Estate

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Kimberly Lovegrove Kimberly was the #1 sales agent in 2024, rapidly excelling in her real estate career. She pushes clients to think beyond their initial vision, driving impactful results. At home, Kimberly enjoys making everyday moments extraordinary while raising her three children.

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Elizabeth Sullivan

Rose Farrales

Elizabeth specializes in turning complex ideas into

Being voted "Best of Chapel Hill" highlights

Jenny Mathena

efficient solutions that drive the success of BOLD Real

Rose’s dedication and strong client

Estate. She infuses her role with enthusiasm and

relationships. Her positive attitude and proactive

creativity, creating a positive and inspiring environment.

mindset define her approach to every challenge

authenticity, heart, and genuine care for her

Outside of work, Elizabeth loves paddleboarding, live

she encounters. She enjoys coaching Brazilian

clients. In her personal life, Jenny finds inspiration

music, and writing children@s books.

Jiu-Jitsu alongside her husband in her free time.

in books and exploring new destinations.

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Bookkeeper BOLD Companies

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Dana Harshaw

Jana Ehrenfeld

Becca Ferris Chavez

Dana proudly opened barre3 Chapel Hill,

Jana takes pride in managing financial records

Becca was named Chatham Chamber’s Young

guiding it successfully through the challenges of

for numerous BOLD development and holding

Professional of the Year, recognizing her integrity

Jenny proudly helped an

5-year-old client find

her dream home after more than

0 years in her

previous house. She approaches her work with

the pandemic. She brings persistence,

companies. She infuses her role with a sense of

and strong commitment to her clients. She believes

compassion, and flexibility to everything she

fun and positivity that energizes those around her.

being BOLD in this community means doing the

does. Outside of work, Dana loves yoga, barre3,

Jana finds happiness spending 5uality time

right thing. Outside of work, she loves creating

and long walks with her dog.

outdoors, hiking, gardening, and with family.

new pizza recipes with friends and family.

Broker BOLD Real Estate

Executive Assistant BOLD Companies

Office Assistant BOLD Real Estate

Nicole Baxter

Melissa Bartosik

Susan Winters

Nicole brings over 25 years of residential design and

Mel brings a “How can I help?” mindset and a

Susan has been an integral part of the BOLD

construction experience to real estate. She is known

willingness to take on any challenge. She thrives

brand for over 15 years, providing invaluable

for uncovering her clients’ uni5ue style and helping

in the fast-paced environment, embracing each

support to the team through her dedication and

them find or prepare homes with intention and care.

day’s uni5ue projects with enthusiasm. Outside

expertise. Outside of work, she loves spending

With a deep understanding of design, staging, and

of work, she enjoys learning hands-on skills like

time with her family, her two Jack Russell

transaction management, Nicole ensures a seamless

welding, machining, woodworking, and

Terriers, and cherishing her role as a

and personalized real estate experience.

anything that sparks her curiosity.

grandmother to her grandson, Ari.

glow getters “Who is your yellow person?” It’s all over social media these days.

A yellow person is someone who brings you sunshine. My first reaction was, “Me! Me! Me! I want to be someone’s yellow!” I had been for most of my life anyway.

But then I realized even yellow souls need other yellow souls. We yellows can get emptied fast unless we are around other yellows.

I decided to approach my days noticing other yellows. It’s a nice process to pause and ponder, “Who makes me feel lighter and happier whenever I am in their presence?” Sometimes our most yellow moments happen with strangers. We just feel better after a wave, a hello, a smile. We all need more of this.

The world needs to hear about the yellows out there who make a difference in so many lives.

My little spark of an idea has been brewing amid some of my own difficult times.

And so I will shine a spotlight on the yellows I meet here and there in our little town of Chapel Hill. The ones who bring us sparkle when we are struggling. Here I introduce my first yellow to you.

– Laura Zimmerman Whayne

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SU Z I E BLU N K

By Laura Zi m m erm an Whayne Photo by J ohn Mi chael Si m pson

N

ursing a significant, long-lasting injury, I went to the gym as much as I could. As I was on the mat doing my thing, there was my yellow.

But she wasn’t just my yellow. She seemed to be everyone’s yellow. And that’s what yellows do.

Meet Suzie Blunk, although her oldest friends call her “Tucks.”

Suzie is petite – maybe 5 feet, 1 inches tall. She wears black kneehigh socks and always has some sort of funny political T-shirt on and black shorts. Her hair is white with bangs straight across her forehead. She is adorable.

Suzie is at the UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont every single day walking around the track with her group of friends – and that is a big group. When she’s not walking, Suzie is on the stationary bike. Just yesterday I got to the gym, and she had already done more than 5 miles on the bike. This may not seem like a big deal. But what I have not mentioned yet is that Suzie is 88 years old!

EIGHTY-EIGHT years old.

The first time I met her, I felt drawn in. There is no such thing as a stranger to Suzie. It is magic to watch how every person walks away from her smiling and laughing. It is a gift. Suzie is a yellow.

So who is this woman wearing a black T-shirt that says in bold letters “Racism is an illness” on the front and on the back, “Are you sick?” She is a ball of light and a bit of a pistol yet kind and gentle.

Suzie met my request to get to know her better over coffee with giggles and grace. I learned quickly that you shouldn’t mistake Suzie’s kindness for being mousy. No, Suzie is bold and has this ability to be loving and brutally honest at the same moment. She was born in 1936 in New Albany, Indiana. A few years later, Suzie’s mother had a stroke when giving birth to her younger brother, Joey. Her mother was away for a year after that stroke, and she was raised

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glow getters with her very loving grandmother and aunt. It was hard, but she felt loved.

When her mother returned, Suzie remembered people staring at her mother’s face, which she described as “being pulled to the side.” Suzie would get so mad. She knew not to say anything rude. But she did give people the dirtiest looks.

Suzie had this spark of rebelliousness. She was the one getting in trouble at school for drinking fountain sodas instead of being in class. Being a rule breaker would carry her through the many twists and turns in her life.

Suzie’s mother would say to her, “Baby, you have to be strong,” so Suzie would not cry. Suzie now knows it may have helped her in life if she had learned to cry.

Even though her mother was tough and didn’t talk about her own feelings, she was a cuddly teddy bear.

Suzie’s eyes grew sad as she talked about losing her mother. Her mom died on an operating table in a Winston-Salem hospital. Suzie had been her mother’s fierce protector, and I could tell that allowing the surgery to go forward still weighed on her spirit.

At that time, Suzie had been married for many years, with two sons in high school. Her kitchen sink window’s view was the hospital where her mother died. Suzie felt trapped and needed to just get away from that window. By the time she couldn’t take it anymore, her sons had finished and graduated from high school. Her husband did not want to move, so Suzie and her husband lived apart. After Suzie had some time to heal, she returned, but the couple decided not to reconcile. She had gotten married at 19, as it was just “what you did back then.” Now in her early 40s, she wanted to get her teaching degree, so she did! Suzie became the most sought-after substitute teacher in Winston-Salem. Suzie was not a wallower; she made big changes with determination and action.

Suzie decided to team up with two of her girlfriends and formed a business, Triumvirate Homemakers Inc., that would carry them well into their 70s. Suzie, Jean

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"

Suzie says that another one of her secrets to staying young is having her one glass of "sparkly" – Champagne – and a handful of walnuts at 4 p.m. every single day.

and Mary would buy homes and fix them up themselves.

They had the time of their lives working, traveling and making sure their grown kids were good. Suzie laughed, telling me about her red Toyota Celica and how it was not the smartest for a blonde to have a red sports car. She got many, many speeding tickets. “I always had fun,” she recalls. “And I always got caught.”

Suzie said when she grew up, “you just learned to make do” and that she basically has kept the “make do” motto her entire life. She was OK with getting divorced in her 40s, even when it wasn’t as common as today. “We were all doing things we wanted,” she says. “We were free. We didn’t have to ask anyone for anything. I didn’t like being told what to do just because I was a woman. And well, it took me time to learn how to communicate better.”

She stayed strong and fit her whole life. When she was 50, she ran the New York City Marathon in 4 hours and 48 minutes. She says she would have run it faster if she had not gotten lost in Central Park.

She’s run plenty of half-marathons, too, which were “just easy.”

Suzie’s secret to staying young at heart and fulfilled?

Her children, grandchildren, animals and community of friends. And, of course, kindness.

An entire book could be written about her love for history and her political views. Or her ability to just make do while doing. But I shall end this with the vision of her little bell on her kitchen counter that says, “press for Champagne.” Suzie says that another one of her secrets to staying young is having her one glass of “sparkly” – Champagne – and a handful of walnuts at 4 p.m. every single day.

I like to imagine that her mother joins her for this daily ritual and that Suzie then carries that love with her into the world every day. I have a feeling that Suzie’s mother would have been another yellow I would have loved to meet. I couldn’t help but ring her little Champagne bell before I left. CHM

W H AT WE’RE EATING NEWS FROM OUR RESTAURANT COMMUNITY, PLUS A DISH WE LOVE

B

link and you’ll miss the turn for Union Grove Farm, a nearly 1,100acre farm nestled between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough that’s all about regenerative agricultural practices. The farm’s newest venture, Blue Heeler Coffee, opened in June 2024 and is a food truck serving up rich, aromatic coffee Monday through Saturday. Led by coowners Meredith Sabye and Greg Bohlen, Blue Heeler Coffee continues Union Grove’s dedication to sustainability, from brewing fair-trade, organic Larry’s Coffee to providing compostable cups.

Blue Heeler Coffee offers a fixed menu and rotating specials, like the maple-brownsugar-cinnamon latte (pictured) that boasts a velvety smooth texture and a balance of sweetness and bitterness. The classics on the menu are equally enjoyable, including the cappuccino, with a delightful, airy froth, and the chai latte, which has the perfect tinge of spice. On Saturdays, visitors are in for an extra treat – mini donuts fried on the spot. As you sip your beverage, Meredith and Greg will be happy to strike up a conversation, discussing regenerative agriculture, coffee or just daily happenings! Consider this charming coffee spot worth the detour to the countryside.

– by Taylor Motley 

Blue Heeler Coffee 6901 Rocky Ridge Rd., Hillsborough uniongrovefarm.com/ blue-heeler-coffee

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W HAT WE’RE EAT I N G

NEWS BITES

Miami, focuses on chef-made, small-batch craft donuts.

Tonya Council expanded her sweet legacy with the grand opening of Tonya’s Cafe – an extension of her beloved Tonya’s Cookies & Bake Shop in Chapel Hill – on March 19.

The new cafe, which adds 1,200 square feet of space and 50 seats to the spot at 400 S. Elliott Rd., features traditional Southern-style offerings and comforting classics, including po’boys, Tonya’s Signature Burger and a rotating selection of soups, salads and sides.

The cafe offers beverages like coffee and mango-peach lemonade, and has plans to introduce craft cocktails in the near future.

Tonya’s Cafe will be open for lunch during the week and brunch on weekends.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, known for its scratch-made ice cream and bold flavors, opened its third location in the Triangle on March 26, after a soft opening in late February.

Customers enjoyed free scoops all night long, and five lucky guests won free ice cream for a year. The new spot at University Place is a significant piece of the shopping center’s redevelopment and new vision. Jeni’s will serve as one of two anchor businesses for a public green space, which will be bordered by seven new storefronts extending from the mall’s central building.

Free Estimates Available!

Blue’s on Franklin had its final day of dine-in operations at 110 W. Franklin St. on March 15. “We will treasure the last four and a half years on Franklin Street, where we shared our good ol’ Southern hospitality and food with folks from all over the world and cheered on our beloved Tar Heels together,” the restaurant said in a statement on its website.

The restaurant transitioned solely to catering, and owner Andrew Young says to be on the lookout for their new game day packages.

Fast-casual restaurant chain Sweetgreen is set to open at 122 E. Franklin St., in the former Benny Cappella’s spot. The chain is known for its protein plates, salads and bowls. The Chapel Hill location will be the Triangle’s second – the first debuted in Raleigh in fall 2024.

The Salty Donut is also slated to open in University Place in 2025. The Chapel Hill location will be its latest in North Carolina and the first in the Triangle. The artisanal donut and coffee shop, which started in

Neighborhood bar PiggyBack, located behind barbecue restaurant The Pig on Weaver Dairy Road, announced via Instagram that its last day of service was March 29. “We are so grateful for the love and support of our local community and bar regulars who have seen us go through multiple name changes, a global pandemic and industry shutdown,” the bar said in its farewell post. – compiled by Leah Berry CHM

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a f re s h

st a rt One Ukrainian family finds refuge and new life in Chapel Hill

By Si ncl ai r Hol i an P h otography by J ohn Mi chael Si m pson

A

Oleh Luchynin, son Andrii, 10 and Lyudmila Kochenovska came to the U.S. through Uniting for Ukraine.

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s rockets and sirens blared around them, Ukrainians Oleh Luchynin and Lyudmila Kochenovska wrote more than 1,000 letters pleading for help to bring their family to safety.

Living in Kyiv, the years of war had taken a severe toll on the family. Their son, May/June 2025

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H OME AWAY FROM HOM E

The whole process of bringing the family over from Ukraine has brought everyone – Jeff Lowe, Nicole Lowe, Linda Hagemann and Bob Hagemann – closer.

Andrii, spent most of first grade in a bomb shelter – his

drawings, colored in shades of black and red, reflected the family’s state of constant fear. Oleh and Lyudmila were heartbroken to leave home but determined to give Andrii a chance at a safe future.

After countless desperate emails were met with silence, a sign of hope finally arrived – a reply from CrossTrail Community Church pastor Chris Workman. Church administrator Linda Hagemann had passed the letter to members Jeff Lowe and Nicole Lowe, seasoned foster parents and longtime hosts of exchange students. The Lowes were quick to open their home – and hearts – to the family. “This was something we felt was important,” Jeff reflects. Linda and her husband, Bob Hagemann, were equally committed, volunteering to be additional sponsors to support the family’s financial security.

The process was facilitated through Uniting for Ukraine, a Department of Homeland Security program that allows Ukrainian refugees to stay in the United States for up to two years. The families first met over Zoom in March 2024, a call they all look back on with laughter. Due to

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“And now, we’ve really got a family in this new country.”

– Lyudmila Kochenovska

their significant language barrier, communication was slow, relying heavily on translation apps. “I was so nervous,” Lyudmila admits. “I could only say, ‘hello!’”

On Aug. 26, the family finally arrived in North Carolina, carrying just one suitcase between them. As they stepped out of the airport into the sweltering summer humidity, they were embraced by Jeff and Nicole with blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flags. The warm welcome continued at their new home in Southern Village, where Nicole had decorated with pictures of the family and even more flags. Despite arriving with almost nothing, they felt right at home. “It was very impressive for us to have such a large support,” Lyudmila recalls of that first day. “They didn’t know who we were, and we didn’t know who they were. And now, we’ve really got a family in this new country.” 

Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved Sponsored Content

Vision

All students in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools receive an excellent and equitable education from the highest quality teachers.

What We Believe

• Every child deserves the best possible education • Excellent teachers ignite learning

Upcoming Events

• Teacher Supply Store in August: Kicking off the school year with supplies for teachers • Novice Tea in November: A fall event to show support for our new teachers • Love and Roses: An event to shower our teachers with appreciation and raise vital funding to support them throughout the year

• High quality public education is fundamental to a vibrant community

• 5K for Education in March: A community-wide event to celebrate public education

What We Do

• CHCCS Staff Awards and Recognition in May: An event to recognize outstanding school staff for their excellent work

• Provide students with academic support, enrichment, and scholarships.

• Empower teachers with grants for innovative projects to engage all students to achieve academic excellence.

• Support teachers with financial assistance for professional development.

• Recognize excellence in teaching through annual teaching and staff awards.

• Engage our community to create excellent and equitable schools.

Get in Touch!

publicschoolfoundation.org Email: psf@chccs.k12.nc.us PO Box 877 Carrboro, NC 27510 (919) 968-8819 @publicschoolfoundation @CHC_PSF

H OME AWAY FROM HOM E

“When we arrived, we could not believe that we had all of this,” Oleh adds. “In a safe place, without war, with these beautiful people around us.”

As the family has settled in, they have flourished in their new community. Lyudmila, who worked in international logistics in Ukraine, started a new job in March as a contractor at chemical producer BASF. Meanwhile, Oleh launched his own laser-engraving business, creating intricate designs on wood and leather. Andrii, who previously struggled in school, now thrives academically and socially at Mary Scroggs Elementary School. “He’s started to grow up very fast,” Oleh says with pride.

As the months pass, the families have shared outings throughout town, holidays and countless meals together, forging a bond that grows deeper every day. Bob even has plans to take the family on a trip to his hometown of Chicago. Though the future beyond the two-year arrangement is unclear, Nicole and Jeff will always think of the entire family as kids of their own. “Even when they get their own place and their careers take them somewhere else, we’ll be a family forever,” Nicole says tearfully.

Andrii’s drawings, once dark, are now bursting with vibrant color – a reflection of the joy that fills his new world. “Everything is beautiful,” he smiles. CHM

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ABOVE A few of Oleh’s intricate wood creations.

BELOW Everyone has fond memories of spending holidays together, especially experiencing Halloween for the first time. Their neighborhood of Southern Village has a reputation of going all out with decorations.

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THE FACE OF HELPING ALL CHILDREN TO CHASE EXCELLENCE BOUNCING BULLDOGS

Bouncing Bulldogs is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote jump rope for fun and fitness and to help all children grow physically, emotionally, socially and academically. Since 1986, Coach Ray Fredrick, Jr. has grown the Bouncing Bulldogs team from a school-based club of 15 jumpers to a competitive team of more than 100. The team competes and performs worldwide in front of thousands and has earned numerous World Championship titles. Bouncing Bulldogs also empowers kids to serve their communities. Driven by a peer leadership model, jumpers teach local classes and host seasonal camps.

PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

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THE FACE OF INSPIRING MUSICAL EDUCATION CHAPEL HILL SCHOOL OF MUSICAL ARTS Chapel Hill School of Musical Arts, a premier institution for music education, has inspired students through exceptional instruction for more than 25 years. Led by conservatory-trained musicians Rachel Hall and Dave Tedeschi, the school fosters a welcoming environment where creativity, excellence, and kindness thrive. With more than 30 expert faculty members, CHSMA offers private lessons, group classes, and performance opportunities in voice, piano, guitar, strings, percussion, and more— each tailored to individual student goals. In addition, CHSMA hosts engaging summer camps that provide immersive musical experiences. Located in Chapel Hill, CHSMA nurtures a lifelong love of music, from first-time learners to aspiring professionals.

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THE FACE OF CUSTOM HOME BUILDING COCREATIONS CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN Founded by Nick Syros, Cocreations Construction & Design is a leading residential home remodeler and custom home builder in the Triangle.

With more than 30 years of experience, Nick has built a reputation for exceptional client satisfaction, clear communication, and high-quality craftsmanship. Cocreations specializes in custom homes, additions, kitchen remodels, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and whole home renovations.

Nick’s commitment is to help homeowners “CoCreate” their dream homes.

Alongside his wife, Ana Cristina Tavares, who brings expertise in sales and design, they have built a successful company focused on client-first service, a strong company culture, and a notable local presence.

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THE FACE OF MAKING MUSICIANS SCHOOL OF ROCK School of Rock Chapel Hill makes musicians. Their talented instructors teach aspiring artists how to sing and play guitar, bass, keys and drums. Students are also taught how to play in rock ‘n’ roll bands and perform shows at local rock venues. They learn teamwork, accountability, presentation skills, self-confidence, poise and leadership – qualities favored by universities and future employers.

School of Rock is a safe, welcoming and encouraging environment, offering lessons and programs for students ages 6 to 96. Music is a joy that lasts a lifetime.

Come learn and play with us at School of Rock Chapel Hill!

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THE FACE OF INTERIOR DESIGN CAT FRENCH DESIGN In the heart of Chapel Hill, Cat French Design is a luxury interior design firm specializing in large-scale projects across the Eastern Seaboard.

Cat grew her firm from a one-woman business into a bustling team of design professionals. She seamlessly blends her knowledge of design strategy and color theory to create home designs unique to each client. Her team offers a client-driven approach, helping each discover their personal style and ensuring no detail is overlooked.

Cat and her team have won “Best of Chapel Hill” six years running, a reflection of her team’s continued commitment to creating incredible spaces.

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THE FACE OF ORAL SURGERY CHAPEL HILL ORAL SURGERY

At Chapel Hill Oral Surgery, Dr. David Lee Hill Jr. offers expert, patient-focused care.

As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, he specializes in wisdom teeth removal, extraction, advanced dental implantology and tissue grafting, using stateof-the-art CT-guided implant technology for precise outcomes. Dr. Hill is committed to patient safety and comfort, improving lives through specialized oral surgical care.

His commitment extends beyond the clinic with volunteer work, providing essential dental services to underserved populations in the U.S. and internationally. Schedule your visit with Dr. Hill and experience care that exemplifies clinical excellence and dedication to patient well-being.

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919-298-2879

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THE FACE OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS FOR ALL AGES CLIFTON & MAUNEY ORTHODONTICS & PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY At Clifton & Mauney Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, every patient is treated like family in a modern, comfortable environment using the latest technology and procedures. Their team creates a fun experience while personalizing treatment to promote positive oral hygiene habits, exceptional dental health, and confident smiles. They always go the extra “smile”! For more than 27 years, boardcertified Drs. Clifton and Mauney have provided comprehensive pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, both trained at UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2023, Chapel Hill native and board-certified Dr. Thurston Nash joined the team, bringing a passion for helping children achieve the healthiest smiles possible.

They look forward to meeting you!

919-933-1007

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77 VILCOM CENTER DR., SUITE 310, CHAPEL HILL

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THE FACE OF TRUSTED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MILL HOUSE PROPERTIES

Adam W. Jones started investing in fixer-upper homes as a side project while working as an advertising executive. In 2002, he turned his hobby into a full-time career, founding Mill House Properties, named after his first projects–mill houses in Carrboro.

Mill House now handles sales, rentals, property management and HOA management, accepting only properties that meet its high standards. As broker-in-charge, Adam specializes in statewide investment sales, guiding clients toward smart investments.

Today, Mill House manages over 500 properties across UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke, and manages over 2,000 HOA units in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Pittsboro.

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919-968-7226

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THE FACE OF HOME INSURANCE PAM HERNDON | STATE FARM INSURANCE As a State Farm Insurance agent since 1991, Pam Herndon has helped customers with a wide range of insurance needs. In 2004, she opened her agency in Chapel Hill and developed a passion for providing customers with solutions to manage their risks. Pam leads an outstanding team of agents who help customers with retirement, education and estate planning. Her leadership along with her commitment to educating customers earned her the recognition of Businesswoman of the Year in 2018 by the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro.

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THE FACE OF LUXURY REAL ESTATE SHANNON KENNEDY - HODGE & KITTRELL SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY Recognizing that there is no shortage of real estate brokers in the Triangle, Shannon Kennedy approaches her job from a place of hard work and deep gratitude. She considers it an honor when sellers and buyers trust her with their real estate endeavors.

Her goal is to provide her clients with service that is as elevated as their standards.

To that end, Shannon relies every day on her strong work ethic and her problemsolving skills – as well as a healthy dose of good humor – to think creatively and strategically about how to serve her sellers and buyers.

She is passionate about her career in real estate and about making the process of buying or selling a home as smooth and easy as possible for her clients. Shannon’s view is that luxury is level of service, not a price point.

Through her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, TABLE, SECU Family House, and UNC Children’s Hospital, Shannon knows that, at the end of the day, home and community are what matter most – and she never forgets that when working for her clients.

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HODGEKITTRELLSIR.COM

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THE FACE OF UNPARALLELED AESTHETIC EXPERTISE FINN PLASTIC SURGERY Since 1998, Dr. Finn has practiced plastic surgery in Chapel Hill, specializing in cosmetic procedures such as facelift, rhinoplasty and endoscopic brow lift. Dr. Elkins-Williams joined the team in 2018, adding his expertise in breast rejuvenation and body contouring. In 2023, Finn Plastic Surgery welcomed Dr. Sowder, who is double board-certified in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology. He performs a full range of cosmetic procedures, including facelift, rhinoplasty and brow lift, in addition to nonsurgical procedures such as injectables and laser skin resurfacing.

As a comprehensive aesthetic practice, Finn Plastic Surgery offers everything from basic facial maintenance to major rejuvenation.

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1390 ENVIRON WAY, CHAPEL HILL

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THE FACE OF EXCELLENCE IN ORTHODONTICS TAMMY R. SEVERT, DDS, PA Dr. Tammy Severt founded Severt Smiles in 2000.

With a continued presence in Chapel Hill for 56 years, the practice now treats the grandchildren of former patients. Dr. Severt prides herself on maintaining long-term connections with families.

She believes in changing lives “one smile at a time,” helping both children and adults gain confidence to pursue their goals. As an adjunct faculty member at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, Dr. Severt also gives back to the profession through teaching. Severt Smiles provides cutting-edge and efficient treatment with a team who supports and genuinely cares about patients as individuals.

PHOTO BY SARAH MARTIN

101 CONNER DR., SUITE 401, CHAPEL HILL 35 THOMPSON ST., SUITE 103, PITTSBORO 919-858-2576 | SEVERTSMILES.COM

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Emily Kreutzer G

Co-owner, Carrboro Plumbing

mily Kreutzer is turning pipes into progress, balancing a growing business with a passion for community, all while making Carrboro a better place, one project at a time.

She grew up in Midlothian, Virginia, and attended Christopher Newport University, earning her degree in business administration with a concentration in finance before going to work at a law firm in Wilmington, North Carolina. Emily met her nowhusband, Chris Kreutzer, in the coastal city where he had just launched his own plumbing company.

In 2007, she attended UNC School of Law, a decision that brought her to the area – and she never left. Chris followed Emily to Carrboro and founded Carrboro Plumbing, making his mark on their new hometown.

“I was helping him with it, but it would be nights and on weekends and mainly after I got out of law school,” Emily says. “I was practicing law during the day and then trying to manage business nights and weekends. Then I had my child and … realized I could not do two full-time jobs.”

One benefit of concentrating on Carrboro Plumbing full time is sharing her work every day with the person she loves. “It’s really wonderful building something with my partner in business and then my marriage partner and my parenting partner,” Emily says.

She knows that to truly serve the community, it’s essential to have a team of top-tier employees driving their success, and she acknowledges that finding skilled labor is a significant challenge. “I feel like for so long there was just this [expectation that] everybody had to go to a four-year school,” Emily says. “There’s just a lack of people entering the skilled trades.”

Emily and Carrboro Plumbing are tackling that challenge head-on.

“We’ve developed a training program for apprentices so we can hire people without a plumbing background and get them licensed and onto trucks,” she explains. “That’s been our goal for growing because there aren’t a lot of skilled plumbers in the area that you can 60

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It’s really important for local businesses to support one another, because we’re stronger together and we can collectively have a stronger voice together.

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hire. And there’s no trade school that teaches plumbing.”

She credits her legal background with helping her navigate the complexities of business with confidence. “I would say it’s really helpful in a way that I didn’t really expect it to be,” she says. “I know that we’re in compliance on legal issues. … Business owners have to wear so many different hats, especially smallbusiness owners. I find it’s really helpful with HR and employment issues that can develop.”

Beyond their work in plumbing, Emily and Carrboro Plumbing are deeply committed to giving back to the community in meaningful ways. Each year, the business joins forces with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County for a dedicated giveback day, using their skills to impact local families in need. “It’s usually focused on their home preservation side,” Emily says. “We’ve been able to make some really amazing projects happen with them because we donate our labor for the whole day.”

And personally, Emily has been engaged in the philanthropic space for many years, as a wish granter with Make-A-Wish and co-chair of Chapel Hill Service League’s Christmas House.

These days, Emily channels most of her efforts into Glenwood Elementary School, where she’s been on the PTA board since 9-yearold Elliott Kreutzer started at the school four years ago, and now she serves as PTA president, offering leadership, event planning and more.

Yet Emily still actively seeks out opportunities to support local organizations and champion the incredible work they’re doing.

“I want to do my small part to make our community a better place,” she says. “I want it to be a place where a business can succeed, where we feel good about where we live.”

– by Leah Berry

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Owner, Yarns Etc...

ary Stowe knits at an astounding

pace while speaking with customers inside her shop, Yarns Etc..., located in a tucked-away space beside Eastgate Crossing.

She channels her passion for stitchcraft into building community through her small business.

“I was just born to do it,” Mary says.

She grew up in Greensboro as one of six siblings and began crafting projects when she was 6 years old. “I used to get yelled at because I left pins and needles all over the place, and my brothers would step on them. I cut fabric and made little messes everywhere I went; still do, 56 years later.”

Mary first considered fiber arts and patterns as a career path when she was working in a New York City yarn shop while earning her bachelor’s degree in marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She returned to North Carolina after several years in New York teaching at FIT and working in the crafting department at Woman’s Day magazine.

Creating “I was only 32 when I started my community [first] shop in Greensboro,” she says. is something “I felt like I was always trying to prove we don’t myself.” At one point, Mary owned have as three yarn shops in Greensboro, Chapel much of Hill and Raleigh. “I’m actually very, very anymore. good at this, very talented at this,” she That’s what says of her skills. “I’m one of the fastest people love knitters in the world.” about a Mannequins and displays inside yarn shop, Mary’s Chapel Hill store show examples a bookshop of her knitting patterns, including or a coffee a sweater that was recently spotted shop. on a Vogue runway show model. Her shop is a busy hub for classes, charity craft donations, sewing machine repairs and meetups.

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Mary has shared her expertise by teaching at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles, the now-shuttered craft center at Duke and at her own shops. While she no longer has time for those classes, she stays busy on the road as a sales representative for a yarn manufacturer and a quilting fabric company.

Mary contributes to her community in many ways, having served on the Town of Chapel Hill’s advisory boards for stormwater management and short-term rental rules and regulations. Until recently, she was a longtime board member for Kidzu Children’s Museum.

Deeply connected to those around her, she wasn’t alone when Hurricane Florence flooded her shop the same year she moved into her current location in the low-lying Eastgate shopping center. “Six inches of water can do $30,000 worth of damage,” Mary says. “It was heartbreaking.” But as soon as people found out that Mary needed help, they arrived with tools, food, money and support. Just three weeks later, she reopened the shop, ready once again to serve her customers and community.

“Providing this to people in the community is wonderful,” Mary says.

“It’s kind of like ‘Cheers.’ It’s a place where maybe not everybody knows your name, but you’re going to walk in, and I’m going to remember you.

People who are in the shop talk to one another. And lots of people have made friends here. People meet here. I love that. When people come in, like, on a Saturday, they go, ‘Oh, I’m meeting my friend from so and so. We decided to meet at the yarn shop, and now we’re going to lunch.’ Whether they buy anything or not, it doesn’t matter.”

Mary recalls a friend telling her that she’s running a women’s help center thinly disguised as a yarn shop. “Knitting makes you feel good.

The repetitive act of knitting has the same effect on your brain as yoga or meditation. It really calms you down and keeps you focused.”

– by Anna-Rhesa Versola  May/June 2025

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Sylvia Sloan Black

Founder and President, Black Star Strategies

Columbia University – becoming the first Black woman to earn a doctorate from the Graduate School of Business.

While at Columbia, Sylvia accepted an assistant professor position at UNC’s KenanFlagler Business School, embracing a love for educating that was sparked decades earlier while teaching math at Fayetteville State University. She spent eight years at UNC before accepting a position at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, fulfilling a long-held dream of returning to teach at a historically Black college or university like Howard and FSU. “It’s just amazing to see the difference that you can make in a young person’s life,” she says.

After six years at A&T, Sylvia retired from the classroom and transitioned to career coaching. She founded her own consulting firm, Black Star Strategies, while coaching at the Greensboro-based Center for Creative Leadership, a path that aligned with her passion for mentorship.

Like her mother, Sylvia has a commitment to public service that has been a constant in her life. She is active in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, chairing the candidacy committee for the North Carolina Synod and serving on the Leadership Table for the Fund for Leaders. Sylvia has also been deeply involved in the Chapel Hill Service League, the Global Refuge President’s Council, A Ban Against Neglect, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate program and her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta.

Sylvia’s work with Habitat

ven as a shy little girl growing up in segregated Durham, Sylvia Sloan Black has always been a trailblazer. Despite the inequality surrounding her, Sylvia’s childhood was filled with role models; her father was a successful executive at NC Mutual Life Insurance Company, and her mother was a serial volunteer. The combination of their business acumen and commitment to service became the guiding principles that would define Sylvia’s own path. “It never occurred to me that I was in any way deprived growing up in this segregated community,” she recalls.

“We had everything we needed.”

A studious, introverted child, Sylvia graduated as valedictorian of Hillside High School. She then attended Howard University, where she earned a degree in physics and met her husband, Fred Black.

In 1968, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I think we Sylvia and Fred became the first African American as a country couple to marry at Duke University Chapel. are going to Guests packed the chapel to witness the historic recognize event. “There were almost 1,000 people there,” that diversity Sylvia recalls. makes After their honeymoon, Fred reported to Fort opportunities Bragg before being sent to Vietnam, while Sylvia for people. started grad school at UNC. Sylvia once again Our culture blazed a trail: “I’m pretty sure I was the first African is diverse, American to be a major in that master’s program and it makes [for information sciences].” Over the years, their every one of family grew to include a son and a daughter, and us better. they moved frequently for Fred’s military career, including Kansas (where Sylvia earned an MBA at the University of Kansas) and Hawaii before settling in West Point, New York, for several years.

Sylvia earned a Ph.D. in strategic management at

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for Humanity of Orange County is especially close

to her heart. As a longtime volunteer and a board member for nearly a decade, she’s found purpose in creating a sense of belonging in the community. “Being able to work with all kinds of community members to make that house happen and to be there that day they get the key to the house – it’s just amazing,” she says.

“Community service will always be really important to me,” she reflects. “I’m my mother’s child.”

– by Sinclair Holian

Sylvia at the Weavers Grove neighborhood playground, a space built on the same sense of community she’s helped foster through nearly a decade on Habitat for Humanity of Orange County’s board.

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licka Bateman’s path to founding a refugee center began with a quiet act of kindness in the early 1990s. A family of newly arrived Burmese refugees – including three teenagers who were eager to succeed but struggled to navigate everyday things like homework, dentist appointments and driver’s licenses – moved in across the street from her and her husband, Lewis Bateman.

Flicka, a lifelong educator, knew she could help.

She tutored the teens, taught them to drive and guided them through the college admissions process.

With her encouragement, one went on to study biology at UNC and now works in medical research, another built a career in IT and the third pursued medicine. The experience opened her eyes to the many challenges refugees face – not just in education, but in navigating health care, legal systems and daily life in an unfamiliar country.

This wasn’t the first time Flicka took an interest in working with underserved populations. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English from Winthrop University in South Carolina and a doctorate in teaching from Duke, she joined the Peace Corps. Her time in Turkey was transformative, instilling in her a lifelong drive to advocate for others. That experience led her to work in psychiatric care, first at the Central Regional Hospital – one of North Carolina’s state psychiatric hospitals – in Butner, and later as the principal of the UNC Hospital School, where she ensured that children receiving medical and psychiatric treatment continued their education.

By the time Flicka retired from that position, she still felt called to advocacy. In 2012, she founded the Refugee Support Center, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that has since served thousands of people fleeing war, persecution and political instability.

At first, the center focused on three core services: citizenship and English classes; help

I am thankful to Eh Moo, my able assistant, and our key staff: Sunny Chew, Henry Lister, Sashi Rao, Jill Grant and Les Soden, as well as our board chair, Chaw Chaw Thwai.

with mail and legal matters; and tutoring for school-age children. Over the years, the refugee population in Orange County evolved from predominantly Burmese families to arrivals from Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Ukraine, and the center’s offerings grew to meet those needs.

Today, RSC provides everything from tax preparation assistance to free diapers. It helps refugees prepare for job interviews, apply for green cards and understand an often-intimidating health care system.

RSC also organizes legal education sessions to help refugees understand their rights – an urgent need, given the heightened fear many feel about immigration enforcement.

“There is so much uncertainty,” Flicka says. She recalls a recent conversation with a refugee who nervously asked, “Can ICE pick us up? We’ll be killed if we go back home.” Even though most refugees are here legally, a green card offers a tangible sense of security – so much so that the center processed more than 150 green card applications last year, up from just 35 the year before.

“When I first started working at RSC eight years ago, I had experience working with people from different countries, languages and cultures but very limited knowledge of working with the refugee community,” says Sunny Chew, the center’s volunteer coordinator.

“Flicka’s personal experiences of truly knowing and caring about refugee families have been invaluable to me. I am inspired by her

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Flicka Bateman G

Director, Refugee Support Center

Family Reading Partners volunteers Julie Ricker and Mary Kent Hill read to parents as part of a monthly class hosted in partnership with Refugee Support Center.

Parents are given a book each month as well as diapers from the organization.

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perseverance and dedication to this community every day.”

Self-sufficiency is the ultimate goal for the RSC team. “People we serve often come to us with seemingly impossible situations,” Sunny says. Those can mean different things for each individual: learning to ride the bus instead of relying on a volunteer for transportation, feeling confident enough to request an interpreter at a doctor’s appointment or simply opening a letter to be read aloud instead of silently passing a sealed folder of paperwork. “Anything that makes them feel in charge of their own lives contributes to that sense of self-sufficiency,” Flicka says. “You give them self-esteem, skills and independence, and they can achieve the American dream.”

Fostering that independence can also mean meeting someone at the hospital, getting up in the middle of the night for an emergency or addressing concerns about housing. “Flicka spends so much time talking to each person, making phone calls, sending emails and working until their problems are solved, or at least manageable,” Sunny says. “She never gives up.”

And while the work is deeply rewarding, it is not without challenges. “Funding is always tight,” Flicka says. The demand for refugee services continues to grow, and more interpreters are needed. Still, she remains deeply committed and believes others can help in meaningful ways. Calling lawmakers to advocate for refugee protections, volunteering as a tutor or even just offering a smile at the grocery store can make a difference. “Extend the normal kindness you would to people in your neighborhood,” she urges, “because these are your neighbors.”

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ronit freeman G

Associate Professor, UNC

hen a project comes to mind for Ronit Freeman, she first turns to pen and paper. Ronit draws an idea and reverseengineers it to life, be it an implantable medical device to autonomously administer treatment for patients living with a chronic illness, a rapid test to help detect COVID-19 or synthetic cells for biomanufacturing. “If you envision it, you can do it,” she says.

These days, Ronit works to solve challenges pervading health care and the environment through bio-inspired technologies.

Ronit completed much of her education in her native Israel. Her interdisciplinary training – spanning chemistry, computer science, material science and more – has worked in conjunction to launch her career. In 2013, she moved to the U.S. to complete her postdoctoral training at Northwestern

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Our mission University. Five years later, here is UNC recruited her to join its to try to new Department of Applied innovate Physical Sciences. She joined the health the faculty as an associate care and professor – skipping the rank environment of assistant altogether – as space and Ronit’s remarkable work had develop already demonstrated her technologies scientific potential. that are The Freeman Lab, her inspired by namesake lab on campus, has how nature 20-some individuals working works and with one another to devise builds. innovative technologies, such as diagnostic and therapeutic advancements. Her team works alongside researchers and clinicians across the Triangle to help remedy problems that disproportionately impact North Carolinians, like examining a cuttingedge treatment for lung fibrosis.

Ronit and her team draw from their experiences in chemistry, engineering and other disciplines Uncommon to Ronit’s line of work is to manipulate DNA and peptides to exert fine structural control. a creative spark that drives her research forward. She’s probably spent equal time in the Freeman Lab as she did in a dance studio. Ronit was a ballerina for 17 years in Israel and has since in Israel, Ronit and her family have found community here in the taken on competitive ballroom dancing.

Triangle by visiting museums, indulging in the local food scene and “I think all of those components play really uniquely into the hosting guests at their Chapel Hill home. science and the work that I do and my ability to communicate In thinking about her own career trajectory, Ronit wants others and teach really well,” Ronit says. “It’s like a performance, right? to know that it’s never about picking one path to follow but rather You want to make sure when people leave your class, you have understanding how to juggle different ones at once. an impact on them.”

“At one given point, you don’t ever have a balance across all aspects Pictures from her dancing career decorate the walls of Ronit’s office of your life,” Ronit says. “It’s up to us to decide at certain points in on campus. Among those images are ones of her husband and two our lives what we want to prioritize more. … Your success can be very children, ages 9 and 3. While her extended family resides back home whole across all those areas.” – by Kate Slate 

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oryn Clark is a self-proclaimed consistency enthusiast.

And her 30-year tenure with the Town of Chapel Hill proves it – her unwavering commitment has shaped the community, one successful project at a time.

Loryn’s passion for city and regional planning was sparked during a high school internship in the planning department of her hometown of Randolph, New Jersey, setting her on a path to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. “For the first time there, I took a class on neighborhood revitalization,” Loryn says. “And I recognized that there was the whole design element of planning and the land-use side of planning, but the neighborhood pieces really piqued my interest.”

Next, she attended UNC, where she was a part of the department of city and regional planning’s graduate program. “My focus was on community development and neighborhood revitalization because I knew pretty quickly that I didn’t want to be a traditional land-use planner,” Loryn says.

During grad school, she gained hands-on experience in long-range planning through an internship with the Town of Chapel Hill. “I knew [that was] the work I wanted to do,” Loryn says.

“I loved working with organizations trying to do different things to support the community and particularly low-income households and people of different income levels, particularly those who are often left out of the conversation.”

Once Loryn graduated from UNC in 1994, she served as a community development/housing and neighborhood services planner for the Town of

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I really loved the community work and working with organizations that help to revitalize communities and build affordable housing.

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Chapel Hill for 11 years, before working her way up to executive director of housing and community.

Today, she is the deputy town manager, continuing to shape the town’s future with her expertise.

Loryn’s journey with the town is nothing short of a legacy with her celebrating her 30th year in June 2024. She continues to return each day with renewed passion – driven by the people who make her work so rewarding. Loryn says, “When people ask how I’ve been able to stay here so long, it’s really because of the people in this organization who are so supportive of the work that I do but also so passionate about their commitment to public service.

“You get to see so many different things come to life,” Loryn says. “That’s really rewarding to be able to see people’s faces light up when they get the keys to their first home or to be part of a development project that has been a long time coming and people get to see a whole area of town revitalized.”

Over her career, Loryn has worked to make her community better, despite its changing landscape.

“There’s still an incredible need for different town services and new bus routes and parks and recreation facilities and different services that our public works department is working on … so those things are constant.” she says. “But I think we have a lot of opportunities to think outside of the box. Over the time that I’ve been here, we have more funding available now for affordable housing work than we’ve ever had. That speaks a lot to the leadership of the council, of the town staff, of our affordable housing and community connections department under Sarah Viñas’ leadership.”

Loryn is energized by Chapel Hill’s forward momentum and thrilled to be part of shaping its future. “We find that when we pull in different perspectives and different people with different backgrounds and different lived experiences, we have a better outcome,” she says. “So, I think it’s really about continuing to find ways to invite people into the local government and into this world. … I think that we will be an even better community than we are today.” – by Leah Berry 

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edicine is a family business for Drs. Amy Fox and Michelle Pearlstein: Each grew up with one or both parents working as physicians. This initially pushed Dr. Fox, a native of High Point, North Carolina, to explore topics of study disparate from her father’s profession, but she later realized she might’ve been too quick to rule medicine out. “I decided [I wanted to attend medical school] as a senior at Duke University graduating with a history degree,” Dr. Fox says. She went on to complete her residency at UNC School of Medicine in 2011 before becoming a faculty member in the department of dermatology.

It was there she met Dr. Pearlstein, a Florida native and alumna of UNC School of Medicine, in 2013. “[Dr. Fox] was my attending as a resident, and when I graduated, she became my colleague,” Dr. Pearlstein says. “We’re very like-minded, so [we were also] friends.”

Twelve years later, their relationship has seamlessly progressed to business partners in a way that’s “totally organic,” according to Dr. Fox. The pair founded Morgan Creek Dermatology in fall 2023, and while neither can remember who first expressed the desire to embark on the joint venture, what’s certain is that they’re aligned on their practice values.

“As you open your own practice, you get to establish the culture that you want,” Dr. Fox says, adding that a main goal for them was to make space for a healthy worklife balance. “Dermatology is a fantastic profession,” Dr. Fox says. “Not all disciplines of medicine [would allow] the ability and capacity to open your own practice. You can have a thoughtful, dedicated work life but go home to your family at the end of the day.”

Both fill their tanks outside of work by spending quality time with their families. Dr. Pearlstein enjoys exploring downtown Chapel Hill by e-bike, often taking

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her 3- and 5-year-olds along for the ride and making stops at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and restaurants on Franklin Street, while Dr. Fox spends time recreating outdoors near her home in rural Orange County with her teenage daughters.

Juggling home life with work is easier said than done, but Dr. Pearlstein says the value of the care that their practice near I-40 can provide to the community motivates her.

“When I’m driving [to work], I think about all the people I’m going to help,” she says. “They’ve waited sometimes for years for an appointment because they couldn’t find a dermatologist or moved states, and they are looking to me to solve their problems.”

Each doctor provides care for about 20 to 30 patients a day, performing cosmetic procedures and general medical dermatology, which includes diagnosing skin cancers, rashes and working with primary care physicians to provide multifaceted care.

What initially drew Dr. Pearlstein and Dr. Fox to choose dermatology as their medical field of study remains their favorite elements of the profession: the opportunity to attend to people over long periods of time and to treat families as a whole.

“It’s the best part of our job: getting to know all the family members, whether they’re 100 years old or 6 months,” Dr. Pearlstein says. Dr. Fox adds: “I love watching people grow up and the opportunity to take care of them through all their adventures.” – by Renee Ambroso  May/June 2025

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Exceptional Children Director, The Expedition School

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rom as far back as I can remember, I have been that helper type of person,” Julie McCauley says.

Throughout grade school in Chesapeake, Virginia, she participated in volunteer and peer connection programs with special education students.

During her undergraduate years at Coastal Carolina University, Julie turned her passion into a career pursuit, majoring in sociology before earning her master’s degree in special education from Grand Canyon University.

As the exceptional children director at Hillsborough public charter school The Expedition School, Julie

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spends time immersed with the school’s entire staff to observe, coach and problem solve with teachers and related service providers to best support students in special education.

Unlike others in a similar position, Julie also works directly with the students. “I couldn’t handle it,” she says of not interacting with the kids at first during her six years as director. “I have to be with the kids.” After all, it’s the moments with the children that Julie loves most about her job.

“Every little change you see in a student, every little piece of progress that you see in them,” Julie says.

“It’s so fun to see that journey and be a part of that.” On a typical day, she may find herself in a dance party to celebrate a student’s newfound skill or brainstorming how to reach a student facing difficulty.

Her student Henry struggled with trees around the playground being cut down, Julie spent recesses with him for months as he told her everything he knew about gardens.

She taught Henry how to illustrate, and together, they turned his knowledge into a book, currently being published. “Now, as a fourth grader, he’s going to be a published author, and he has found a joy of speaking and teaching people to advocate for himself and others,” Julie says.

Stories like Henry’s define Julie with Tammy Finch, director of education and curriculum at The Expedition School. “[Tammy] Julie’s career, showcasing her really has been the person to show me what good, compassionate leadership looks like,” Julie says. commitment to student growth and development. “We’re here to give them the very best chance to make their dreams come true and not be limited by their disabilities.” But Julie’s After her long days of work, Julie enjoys hiking trails like the reach extends far beyond the doors of The Expedition School. As a Riverwalk with her family, including her husband, Adam McCauley, member of the director’s advisory council, Julie collaborates with the and children Madison Crisp, 18, Mason McCauley, 12, and Merrick N.C. Department of Public Instruction to address regional special McCauley, 11, or finding moments of relaxation while reading, education needs. She also leads a weekly Bible study for young girls. painting or crafting.

Looking forward, Julie hopes to further her own education with a Despite her years of service, Julie insists she can’t entirely take doctorate degree to continue her mission of educating others. “Your credit for her work. “It is my team and the other amazing people I’m experience and your passion, you can pass it on to others who will surrounded by that really inspire and empower me every day,” she says. then make a difference for God knows how many kids,” Julie says.

– by Emma Unger CHM 80

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There is a reason DLC has been voted Best of Chapel Hill and Best of Chatham every year since we opened the doors.

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HOME & GA RD E N

woodland

retreat A Chapel Hill family transformed a 1980s home into a modern retreat that embraces nature

By S in c lair H o lia n P h o to g rap hy by Jo h n M ic h ael Si m pson

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The painted brick fireplace, with its live-edge wood mantel, is the striking centerpiece of the welcoming living room.

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H OME & GARDEN

ABOVE Folding glass doors are a nod to Robin and Raigen’s former California lifestyle, creating a seamless transition from the dining room to the back deck.

LEFT The once-traditional ’80s home now stands boldly in “inkwell” black – a testament to the family’s creative vision and love for modern design.

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s you turn into the cul-desac of a north Chapel Hill neighborhood, the hum of the street fades into the quiet of the towering trees. At the end of the road, nestled in the forest, a striking home sits atop the hill, its bold exterior impossible to ignore.  84

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Gretchen Castorina is a licensed real estate agent affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. | 101 Glen Lennox Dr, Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27517 | (919) 999-8482

H OME & GARDEN

ABOVE The main bathroom is a serene, light-filled space, featuring a soaking tub and a luxurious walk-in shower.

RIGHT & BELOW The renovated kitchen completely transformed a compartmentalized design into a bright, flowing heart of the home where cooking, conversation and connection happen seamlessly.

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Walking up the winding driveway and through the bright yellow door, the serene exterior gives way to the lively sounds of puppy Coco, brothers playing upstairs and conversation in the airy kitchen. Filled with natural light, open spaces and cozy nooks, the home is not only stunning but perfectly suited to the fast-paced life of a family of four.

Since moving in at the end of 2019, owners Robin Padayachee and Raigen Padayachee have worked to perfect this balance of style and functionality.

Robin grew up in Chapel Hill while Raigen was raised

Large windows and skylights bring abundant natural light in the main bedroom, nestled in a far corner of the home.

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H OME & GARDEN

ABOVE The living room also doubles as a music room for Cyrus and August, who are taking weekly lessons for guitar and piano.

LEFT The updated home gym gave the family’s Peloton a new home and created a new space for Robin to give the boys haircuts.

in Dallas, and the couple met at Yosemite National Park in 2008 while living in the Bay Area. They married and moved into a home in Oakland in 2011, falling in love with the region’s blend of city life and nature.

In 2012, the couple relocated to Dallas, where they welcomed their two sons, Cyrus and August. While they loved raising their boys near Raigen’s family, after seven years, they soon felt the pull of change. “We both got pretty tired of the big concrete jungle,” Raigen says.

“Robin missed the trees, and I felt like we just couldn’t escape the concrete and the heat.”

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perfect escape. In 2019, the couple got a tip about a house before it hit the market – and

by May, they officially closed. The quiet neighborhood, surrounded by greenery and ample space, offered the perfect contrast to Dallas. “We feel very comfortable letting [the boys] go out in this neighborhood and our yard,” Raigen says. “They can explore and not feel like they’re trapped.”

Renovations on the ’80s build began in June. “For the most part, it had a very solid construction and a lot to work with,” Robin recalls. Collaborating with Grau Building Company and Linton Architects, they worked to merge Raigen’s modern preferences with Robin’s traditional tastes. “I think where we’ve landed is a little bit of a blend,” Robin says.

Knocking out a wall transformed the main floor, creating a seamless flow between the kitchen, dining and living areas. The teams completely reimagined the kitchen, featuring splashes of colorful tiling, exposed shelving and a giant island – perfect for catching family clutter. They also created a mudroom and a home office for Raigen, and upstairs, the bathrooms and main bedroom were also fully

ABOVE The new design created drop zones throughout the home to catch clutter. The entryway from the garage features new cubbies for additional storage.

LEFT The tree house, built during the pandemic, became a refuge of imagination and adventure for the two brothers.

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ABOVE & LEFT In 2023, the family turned their attention to some exterior renovations. The new outdoor kitchen allows Raigen to embrace his Texas roots by grilling and smoking meats.

renovated. Throughout the house, cosmetic updates brought new energy, replacing old carpet with hardwood and refinishing the stair railing.

While Cyrus and August’s favorite space is the game room upstairs, Robin favors the living room, which she’s jokingly named, “the grown-up room.” With its comfy couches and the elegant fireplace, it’s the perfect place for hosting guests while keeping the kids within earshot. Massive windows frame views of the surrounding woods, filling the space with natural light and enhancing the room’s peaceful ambiance.

During renovations, the family stayed in an apartment, finally moving into their home on Dec. 30, 2019. Just two months later, the pandemic hit. “We just felt really lucky that all of that got done in time,” Robin reflects. The time spent hunkering down at home allowed the family to fully 94

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HO M E & GARD EN

appreciate their new space, including its 3.5-acre lot. “That first spring was just so beautiful,” Robin recalls. “We had a lot of outdoor time, and it felt so safe here with the woods for the kids to play.”

By 2023, the couple set their sights on the exterior. The raised brick patio out back had integrity issues, and the narrow porch in front also needed a major makeover. They also refinished a small basement room, which serves as a home gym – and, with the boys asking Robin to cut and dye their hair, a makeshift home salon.

Now, the front of the house features a path winding up the driveway to modern, elevated decking, complete with red oak floors. “I love sitting in the rocking chairs out front, especially in the afternoon sun,” Robin says.

The bold exterior color, “inkwell,” a sophisticated black with bluish-green undertones, was inspired by modern homes in their former Dallas neighborhood. And the bright yellow door brings a sense of cheer, inviting guests to enjoy the joyful spirit that lies just beyond the threshold.

With their major design projects finally complete, the family has settled in to their routines of work, school, sports and hiking with Coco in Duke Forest. But looking ahead, Robin can’t help but imagine new projects, like a garden to bring pollinators to the yard. “I guess I’m kind of a restless personality,” Robin smiles. “I’m always looking for more things to do.” CHM

BY THE NUMBERS

3,933 square feet

4

bedrooms

3

full bathrooms

3.53

acres

1981

year built

2019

year purchased

May/June 2025

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GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES Com pi l ed by Addi e Rowel l s & Rebecca Savi dge Photo by J ohn Mi chael Si m pson

Discover local spots that help older adults keep moving, stay engaged and live life to the fullest

STAYING IN THE SWING OF THINGS

T

here are a variety of programs in the area to foster community engagement, physical activity, recreation and much more.

Here are some that are offered: Head to the Passmore Center in Hillsborough or the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill to build new hobbies and improve personal well-being. Both centers offer a lunch program every weekday at noon with free registration for those ages 60 and older and $8 registration for individuals younger than 60.

Each center also offers art classes, cards and games, educational opportunities – such as learning English as a second language – clubs, field trips, support groups and special events. There are also exercise classes, special events and individual services specifically focused on wellness at each center.

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department operates year-round and provides a social environment for individuals ages 50 and older. A variety of recreational activities, fitness opportunities, health presentations, social events, hikes and day trips are available. Activities include bingo, senior pickleball at Wilson Park and Golden Trails, an adult walking group that focuses on getting out in nature.

Project EngAge is a 13-week leadership program designed to recruit and train older Orange County adults to become community resource leaders with the ultimate goal of making their towns an ideal place to age. The curriculum covers the exploration of dementia, dementia caregiving and caregiver support, as well as strategies for successful community engagement.

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The Town of Chapel Hill hosts a Senior Citizen Spring Picnic on May 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the season.

Participants can also play for a chance to win prizes and meet new folks during Bingo for Mature Adults at the Hargraves Park Picnic Shelter on May 15 from 10-11 a.m.

Join 100,000 plus other older adults across the country to observe National Senior Health & Fitness Day on May 28.

Residents of Orange County can enjoy one free exercise class or simply drop by one of the two seniors centers between May 27 and 30 to learn how to improve their health.

TABLE TALK

C

omfort is key when enjoying a meal out. These local eateries offer great service, plenty of space and a relaxed atmosphere. They are sure to make every visit feel special.

The Loop serves up fun twists on classics, like its artichoke and bacon pizza, 10 plus loaded salad offerings from Cajun chicken and walnut gorgonzola to crunchy broccoli and more. The restaurant also offers senior discounts every day for qualifying customers, and it’s also a great spot to take the grandkids – kids enjoy meals for just $2.99 with each adult entree purchase on Tuesday nights.

Head to Nantucket Grill for New England-inspired sandwiches, seafood, burgers and pasta – all delicious warmups to its variety of cakes, like German chocolate, tiramisu and chocolate-strawberry shortcake, offered by the slice (or half-slice!). 

Instructor Keiko Kono leads a demonstration of mishō-ryū (Japanese floral art) for participants like Judy Race at the Passmore Center.

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AGING & WELLNESS The Carolina Inn’s Sunday brunch offers a cozy atmosphere alongside a well-rounded buffet that caters to a variety of tastes.

The spread balances comforting classics with healthy options from made-to-order omelets and a waffle station to smoked salmon and an array of pastries and desserts.

Try a quick meal at Country Junction Restaurant in Carrboro if you’re searching for a no-nonsense place for an early-morning breakfast. This cash-only spot offers something for everyone, featuring Southern classics like barbecue and fried chicken.

Longtime Chapel Hill favorite Mediterranean Deli offers a vibrant selection of fresh, flavorful dishes, from Greek grape leaves to grilled veggies and Tunisian cucumber salad. Mix and match your favorite items – or branch out and try something new – as part of a three- or four-item sampler.

HELPING HANDS

V

olunteering in the community allows you to build connections and make a meaningful difference. There’s a plethora of opportunities to give back to your community, with an option for every interest.

If you don’t know where to start, Volunteer Connect 55+ is a program from the Orange County Department on Aging to enrich the lives of people older than 55 by connecting them to volunteer experiences in the community. It offers a new way for older adults to fulfill their passions through diverse volunteer opportunities with other older adults and could include assisting with wellness programs, arts programs and more.

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Our county has hundreds of nonprofits with varying volunteer needs. Here’s a handful of ideas to get you started: • Support local arts initiatives by volunteering at Hillsborough Arts Council events like Last Fridays.

• Price and sort donated items at the thrift shop run by Orange Congregations in Mission or work in the food pantry to shelve items, fill grocery orders and more.

• Provide one-on-one instruction in reading, writing, math and GED preparation for other adults through Orange County Literacy Council.

• Help pick up and sort food from community partners, set up before and clean up after the pantry is open and run the distribution of grocery items at Heavenly Groceries, a food bank and ministry of St. Joseph CME Church.

• Work directly with youths of color over an extended period, participate in training rides and provide guidance as a mentor with Triangle Bikeworks.​ Want something that’s low commitment but still makes an impact? Sign up for a one-time baking shift for Meals on Wheels Orange County, NC. Bake 24 portions of a favorite tasty dessert in the comfort of your own kitchen and drop off the individually packaged goodies at either the Chapel Hill or Hillsborough location.

Or take an adoptable Orange County Animal Services dog out for the day (or a weekend!) for a trail walk, brewery visit or just a quiet nap on your couch. Giving a shelter pup a break from the kennel setting allows dogs to stay happy and be seen by potential adopters out and about. CHM

THE 2025 DIRECTORY OF ASSISTED LIVING, CONTINUING CARE, INDEPENDENT LIVING, 55+ LIVING & COHOUSING RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES AVENDELLE ASSISTED LIVING AT SOUTHPOINT 1305 Capstone Dr., Durham Entrance Fee Call for pricing Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Monthly rate includes personalized care, dining, activities, laundry and housekeeping Refund Options 14-day notice required Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but accepted Contact Information avendelle.com BROOKDALE CHAPEL HILL ASSISTED LIVING 2220 Farmington Dr., Chapel Hill Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Month-to-month Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Contact Information 984-710-4715; brookdale.com BROOKDALE CHAPEL HILL ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA CARE 2230 Farmington Dr., Chapel Hill Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Month-to-month Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Contact Information 984-710-4715; brookdale.com BROOKDALE DURHAM ASSISTED LIVING & DEMENTIA CARE 4434 Ben Franklin Blvd., Durham Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Month-to-month Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Contact Information 919-479-9966; brookdale.com BROOKDALE MEADOWMONT ASSISTED LIVING & DEMENTIA CARE 100 Lanark Rd., Chapel Hill Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Month-to-month Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Contact Information 919-918-7600; brookdale.com CALYX LIVING OF DURHAM 4214 Guess Rd., Durham Entrance Fee Application fee required, call for pricing Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Monthly rate includes care, dining, activities, laundry and housekeeping Refund Options 14-day notice required Medicare Certified Not applicable Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but accepted Minimum Age 60 Contact Information 919-471-0091; calyxseniorliving.com

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CAMBRIDGE HILLS ASSISTED LIVING 140 Brookstone Ln., Pittsboro This all-inclusive four-star community, which has served Chatham and neighboring counties for more than 20 years, is a 90-bed assisted living community with a 38-bed memory care wing that offers both private and semiprivate rooms and award-winning activity programs.

Community Fee Call for pricing Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing; veteran discounts offered Contract Options None. Requires 14-day notice before moving out Refund Options Prorated based on move-out date Medicare Certified No; Medicaid accepted Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Minimum Age 65 Contact Information Ronda Stubbs, 919-545-9573 or ronda@silver-thread.com; silver-thread.com CHATHAM RIDGE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE 114 Polks Village Ln., Chapel Hill Entrance Fee One month’s rent Monthly Fee Range Starting at $5,035 Contract Options Month-to-month Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Minimum Age 55 Contact Information 919-883-9767; navionseniorsolutions.com THE LAURELS OF CHATHAM (Skilled Nursing & Rehab Facility) 72 Chatham Business Dr., Pittsboro Monthly Fee Range $10,260 – $12,240 Medicare Certified Yes; also accepts most Medicare Advantage plans, commercial insurance, Medicaid and private pay Long-Term Care Insurance Not accepted Contact Information Facility: 919-542-6677; Admissions: 919-302-7862; laurelsofchatham.com ROXBORO ASSISTED LIVING 5660 Durham Rd., Roxboro Entrance Fee Call for pricing Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Refund Options Requires 14-day notice Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Minimum Age 55 Contact Information 336-598-4697; admin1@roxboroassistedliving.com; roxboroassistedliving.com TERRABELLA 1911 Orange Grove Rd., Hillsborough Entrance Fee $2,500 Contract Options Month-to-month Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Minimum Age 55 Contact Information 919-732-9040; terrabellahillsborough.com WALTONWOOD CARY PARKWAY 750 SE Cary Pkwy., Cary Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing on cottages, one- and two-bedroom options in independent living; one- and two-bedroom options in assisted living and

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919.799.2770 • TriangleMobileDentistry.com May/June 2025

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RETIREMENT GUIDE private apartments in memory care Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Year lease Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Contact Information 919-460-7330; waltonwood.com

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES CAROLINA MEADOWS 100 Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill The 166-acre campus includes a nine-hole golf course, pristine walking trails, tennis courts and pickleball, community gardens and more. Residents enjoy distinctive dining venues, a stateof-the-art wellness center and an auditorium that offers fascinating lectures and performances.

Entrance Fee Range $147,300 – $881,000 Monthly Fee Range $3,528 – $5,803 Contract Options Fee for Service: Housing, residential services and guaranteed access to health-related services in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee. Health-related services are provided at per diem rates, which vary. Home Care services are also available. Equity: See below.

Refund Options Predictable 75% Return of Equity refund option offered for all independent living homes on campus. The refund is based off original entrance fee and made payable while still a resident of the community.

Medicare Certified Yes, Medicare Part B Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome Minimum Age 62 Contact Information 919-942-4014; 800-458-6756; carolinameadows.org

CAROL WOODS 750 Weaver Dairy Rd., Chapel Hill Entrance Fee Range $106,000 – $545,500 Monthly Fee Range $2,680 – $6,191 Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services like meals and housekeeping and some health-related services. Health-related services are provided at a discounted rate.

Refund Options Declining Refund: Pay entry fee; full refund in first 90 days; refund declines at 2% rate each additional month; after 50 months, no refund.

Medicare Certified Yes Long-Term Care Insurance Not required; could help pay for discounted per diems.

Minimum Age 65 (co-applicant must be at least 55) Contact Information 919-968-4511; 800-518-9333; carolwoods.org THE CEDARS OF CHAPEL HILL 100 Cedar Club Circle (Meadowmont), Chapel Hill Purchase Price Range $400,000s – $1,500,000* Monthly Fee Range $3,880 – $8,018 Contract Options *Equity: Actual real estate purchase, with transfer of ownership of the unit. If a resident moves to a health center, 90 prepaid days except two meals per day. After 90 days, member pays discounted rate.

Refund Options Not applicable because of ownership Medicare Certified Yes Long-Term Care Insurance Not required Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 50) Contact Information 919-259-7000; cedarsofchapelhill.com

Continuing Care Retirement Community in a relaxed country setting only minutes from a vibrant downtown.

Come experience firsthand the Triangle’s premier Life Plan Community, where you’ll meet friendly folks and can enjoy a lifestyle that’s relaxed or active - or both!

Contact us to learn how to make Croasdaile Village your home!

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croasdailevillage.org | (919) 384-2475 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway | Durham, NC 27705

CROASDAILE VILLAGE 2600 Croasdaile Farm Pkwy., Durham Set on more than 100 acres, the community offers a blend of a rural atmosphere and city conveniences within the residential neighborhood of Croasdaile Farm, located only 6 miles from downtown Durham. Residents enjoy numerous green spaces with yards, gardening and walking trails, a dog park, lakes and the security of a full continuum of care on-site. The central campus buildings are connected, with a state-of-the-art wellness center, large heated pool, auditorium, woodworking shop, indoor pickleball court, art studio, multiple dining venues, a village shop and an interfaith chapel.

Entrance Fee Range $66,231 – $564,763 (includes single and double occupancy) Monthly Fee Range $2,515 – $5,808 (single occupancy with second person fee of $1,590 for all residential homes) Contract Options Fee for Service: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, maintenance and groundskeeping; residential services such as meals, utilities and housekeeping; along with priority access to health-related services and health care navigation. Advanced levels of health services are provided at per-diem rates.

Refund Options Declining Refund: Option 1: Pay lower entry fee; refund declines at rate of 2% per month; after 50 months, no refund. Option 2: 50% Refund – pay higher entry fee; refund declines at a rate of 2% per month until 50% of residence fee is accrued; refund limited to 50%. Option 3: 90% Refund – pay higher entry fee; refund declines at a rate of 2% per month until 10% of fee is accrued; refund limited to 90%.

Medicare Certified Yes; rehab on-site Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome Minimum Age 62 Contact Information 919-384-2475 or 800-960-7737 for marketing and sales; 919-384-2000 for general inquiries; croasdailevillage.org THE FOREST AT DUKE 2701 Pickett Rd., Durham Celebrating more than 30 years of community, The Forest at Duke is a vibrant continuing care retirement community located in the heart of Durham. It offers five floor plans for apartment living, six floor plans for cottages and individual homes, and, coming in 2025, 10 all-new apartment floor plans debuting in its 71-residence expansion, The Terraces. Each home provides spacious, contemporary living with access to a range of amenities, coupled with myriad opportunities for fitness, wellness, socialization, entertainment, self-discovery and lifelong learning.

Entrance Fee Range $97,970 – $695,793 Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services such as meals and housekeeping, and some health-related services. Healthrelated services are provided at a greatly discounted rate and are free for a specified number of days.

Refund Options The Forest retains $10,000 of each person’s entry fee as a health care reserve. The remaining balance of the entry fee, the residence fee, is refundable based on the following: 2% of the residence fee accrues to The Forest at Duke each month.

The refund decreases to zero over 50 months.

Medicare Certified Yes Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome Minimum Age 65 (co-applicant must be at least 62) Contact Information 919-490-8000; forestduke.org GALLOWAY RIDGE AT FEARRINGTON 3000 Galloway Ridge Rd., Pittsboro This welcoming life plan community redefines senior living, offering a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle where the next chapter is filled with possibility and deep connections are fostered among residents and staff, creating a place that truly feels like home.

Nestled south of Chapel Hill, Galloway Ridge offers the perfect balance of small-town charm and big-city access. Adjacent to Fearrington Village, the 62-acre campus is surrounded by miles of

Not all retirement communities are the same.

We are a little M ORE ambitious.

MORE WORKING Residents collaborate with leadership to shape the community.

MORE COMMUNITY We are committed to inclusivity and diversity so you can grow amongst residents and staff from all walks of life M O R E P L AY I N G Art classes, lectures, golf and tennis – find your fun in our healthy, active community MORE LIVING Quality of life is paramount, from a home designed your way to a vibrant culture.

A C O N T I N U I N G CA R E R E T I RE ME NT C O M M U N I T Y B U I LT O N MO RE .

1-800-458-6756 | CAROLINAMEADOWS.ORG

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RETIREMENT GUIDE scenic trails and sidewalks, with Jordan Lake and the Haw River a short drive away for outdoor enthusiasts.

Residents enjoy an array of amenities, including independent living apartments and villas, multiple dining venues, an art studio, a woodworking shop, a movie theater with stadium seating, a billiards room, and a variety of social and gathering spaces.

The WellPlex – which features the Duke Center for Living, a 20,000-square-foot fitness center, Duke Primary Care and the Center for Physical Rehabilitation – supports an active and engaged lifestyle. On-campus primary care services are available through both UNC Health and Duke Primary Care.

For residents in need of additional support, Medicare-certified health care center The Arbor offers 96 private rooms for assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing, ensuring compassionate, high-quality care at every life stage.

Entrance Fee Range $262,000 – $1,678,000 Monthly Fee Range $4,197 – $9,769 Contract Options Extensive (Type A): For a one-time entrance fee and a monthly service fee, Galloway Ridge’s contract provides housing, dining, housekeeping, utilities, maintenance, wellness services, 24-hour security and a variety of resident amenities. If needed, unlimited assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care are available to residents. An additional meal fee applies when transitioning to higher levels of care.

Refund Options Option 1 (Traditional Entrance Fee): Entrance fee cost is lower but is only refundable on a prorated basis for four years. Refund declines at a rate of 4% in the first month; 2% each additional month; after 4 years, no refund. Option 2 (75% Refundable Entrance Fee): Entrance fee cost is higher but is 75% refundable of original entrance fee cost.

Medicare Certified Yes Long-Term Care Insurance Not required Minimum Age 62 Contact Information 919-545-2647; gallowayridge.com GLENAIRE 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary Entrance Fee Range $81,000 – $949,000 Monthly Fee Range $3,174 – $6,620 Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services such as meals and housekeeping and some health-related services, which are provided at a subsidized rate or are free for a specified number of days.

Refund Options Option 1: Declining Refund – refund declines at rate of 2% per month for 48 months. Option 2: 50% refundable. Option 3: 90% refundable.

Medicare Certified Yes Long-Term Care Insurance Not required Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 58) Contact Information 919-460-8095; 800-225-9573; glenaire.org SEARSTONE 17001 Searstone Dr., Cary This vibrant community fosters meaningful connections and a zest for life. It first opened in 2013 on the site of a picturesque former horse pasture and added The Highview, a 149-unit expansion designed to elevate the living experience, in March 2024. Indulge at any of its five distinctive dining venues, featuring cuisine from casual bites to gourmet meals shared with friends. Enjoy a private screening in the movie theater, explore creativity in the arts and crafts room or stay active in the state-of-the-art fitness center. Take a peaceful stroll around the scenic lake, then unwind in the comfort of an elegantly designed apartment. With health care services available on campus, Searstone offers a blend of luxury, independence and lifelong care – ensuring that every moment is filled with opportunity, choice and fulfillment.

Entrance Fee Range $421,000 – $1,122,000 Monthly Fee Range $3,760 – $9,070 (second person fee is $1,820) Contract Options Type A LifeCare contract. Residents pay a one-time LifeCare fee to cover costs of assisted living, skilled

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nursing and/or memory support. The LifeCare program has significant tax advantages and works well with long-term care policies.

Refund Options Entrance fee is 100% refundable Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Yes Minimum Age 62 Contact Information 919-234-0339; info@searstone.com; searstone.com SPRINGMOOR 1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh Entrance Fee/Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing Contract Options Modified: Housing, residential services and some health-related services in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee, which includes 30 days of free health care (with a maximum balance of 90 days), then is available at a discounted rate.

Refund Options Option 1: Life Occupancy – Residence & Care refund declines at 4% per month for 25 months, then no refund.

Option 2: 50% Life Equity – refund declines at 2% per month for 25 months. The remaining 50% is returned to the resident or estate after residency is terminated and within 30 days of re-occupancy of the residential unit. Option 3: 100% Life Equity – 100% of the Residence & Care fee is returned to the resident or estate after residency is terminated. The refund is available, once residency is terminated, six years after initial move-in date, or 30 days after re-occupancy of the residential unit, if six years has passed.

Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Not required Minimum Age 62 Contact Information 919-848-7080; springmoor.org THE TEMPLETON OF CARY 215 Brightmore Dr., Cary Cary’s only rental Life Plan community offers 10 spacious floor plans with high-end finishes. The Templeton's 15-acre campus couldn’t be more convenient to everything and includes an abundance of activities and wellness programs complete with a saltwater pool, spa, transportation and several culinary choices.

Entrance Fee Range N/A. Community fee is equal to one month’s rent.

Monthly Fee Range $3,934 – $9,698 Contract Options Rental community with 13-month lease, but can give 30-day notice at any time.

Medicare Certified Yes, for skilled nursing and rehab Long-Term Care Insurance Yes Minimum Age 62 (for couples, at least one spouse must be 62) Contact Information 984-200-3688; thetempletonofcary.com TWIN LAKES COMMUNITY 3701 Wade Coble Dr., Burlington An intentional community filled with people who chose Twin Lakes for various reasons, but who all have one thing in common: the desire for a well-rounded life surrounded by others who are engaged and open to new experiences, people and ideas. More than 600 residents in independent living enjoy the 225-acre community and the amenities that make it home. In addition to the spacious campus, this is a unique CCRC: There’s no mandatory meal plan; it offers comparably lower fees; and the neighborhoods are filled with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

Entrance Fee Range $64,000 – $557,000 Monthly Fee Range $1,945 – $4,477 Contract Options Fee-for-service contract only Refund Options 30-month declining refund and 50% refund available Medicare Certified Yes Long-Term Care Insurance Not required Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 62) Contact Information 336-538-1572; twinlakescomm.org 

Eat in or Dine out.

Your choice.

Always.

Cook for yourself or let us cook for you. There is no required meal plan. For over 40 years, Twin Lakes Community has delivered a setting that allows people from across the country to live life the way they see fit. One with choices. Call today to learn more.

A division of Lutheran Retirement Ministries of Alamance County, North Carolina

BURLINGTON NC • 336-538-1572 • twinlakescomm.org

RETIREMENT GUIDE THE VILLAGE AT BROOKWOOD 1860 Brookwood Ave., Burlington This community’s intimate size allows the building of strong friendships. Residents participate in an array of physical activities, feed their competitive spirit with fun games and mental challenges, de-stress with their favorite hobby or just relax. In addition to a heated saltwater pool, the community boasts a pickleball court, putting green, raised plant beds and a dog park.

The community prides itself on its dining, including lunches in its Tavern or alfresco restaurants; lunches or dinners at its Edith Street Café; and a fine dining experience at Lakeside Dining. Enjoy conversation with friends over a meal prepared by a culinary team while dining staff tend to your every need.

Entrance Fee Options start at $149,700 Monthly Fee Range $2,934-plus Contract Options Option 1: LifeCare: Garden Homes & Apartments, bundled services, campus amenities, maintenance and guaranteed future health care provided in exchange for the entrance fee and monthly fee. When moving from one level of care to another, the monthly fee reflects a significant reduction of the daily per diem skilled nursing rate. Option 2: Fee for Service: Garden Homes & Apartments, bundled services, campus amenities, maintenance and guaranteed access to future health care are provided in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee.

Health-related services are provided at the per diem rate.

Refund Options A declining refund over 47 months Medicare Certified Yes Long-Term Care Insurance Not required; can help with costs related to assisted living, memory care, skilled care for Fee-forService or LifeCare plans Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 55) Contact Information 336-570-8440; villageatbrookwood.org

POST-ACUTE CONTINUING CARE SYSTEMS HILLCREST CONVALESCENT CENTER 1417 W. Pettigrew St., Durham The center has provided quality care – including after-hospital rehabilitation, 24/7 skilled nursing, home care or out-patient physical therapy – for more than 73 years. Contact the Raleigh or Durham location for more information about its services and signature Elegant Care.

Entrance Fee No deposit or application fee required Monthly Fee Call for pricing Contract Options All-inclusive monthly rate for short-term, long-term, assisted living or respite stays Refund Options Pay only for the days spent, any unused daily rate refunded Contact Information 919-286-7705; admissions@hillcrestnc.com; hillcrestnc.com HILLCREST RALEIGH AT CRABTREE 3830 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh Entrance Fee No deposit or application fee required Monthly Fee Call for pricing Contract Options All-inclusive monthly rate for short-term, long-term or respite stays Refund Options Pay only for the days spent, any unused daily rate refunded Contact Information 919-781-4900; admissions@hillcrestraleighnc.com; hillcrestnc.com HILLCREST HOME HEALTH OF THE TRIANGLE 1000 Bear Cat Way, Ste. 104, Morrisville Personal care, in-home support and companion care, and respite care.

Contact Information 919-468-1204; agencydir@hillcresthh.com HILLCREST THERAPY & WELLNESS 4215 University Dr., Ste. B2, Durham Physical therapy, specialty treatments and wellness programs.

Contact Information 919-627-6700; rehab.durham@hillcrestptw.com

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INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING BARTLETT RESERVE 300 Meredith Dr., Durham Entrance Fee $5,000 Monthly Fee Range $3,800 – $4,950 Contract Options Month-to-month; 60-day notice to leave Medicare Certified Yes Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted for personal care and veterans benefits Minimum Age 55 Contact Information Jessica Psihas, 919-634-2197; marketing@bartlettreserve.com; bartlettreserve.com BRIER POINTE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY 5911 McCrimmon Pkwy., Morrisville Entrance Fee One month security deposit (partially refundable) Monthly Fee $4,000 – $6,900 Contract Options Month-to-month Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Can be utilized for additional care Contact Information 919-378-2902; rlcommunities.com THE CAMBRIDGE AT BRIER CREEK 7901 TW Alexander Dr., Raleigh Entrance Fee Range Equivalent to two month’s rent Monthly Fee Range $4,135 – $11,995 Contract Options Month-to-month or one-year leases Medicare Certified Medicare accepted through on-site physician and with WakeMed Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted Minimum Age 55 Contact Information Marketing Director, 919-737-7000; briercreekinfo@cvsliving.com; cvsliving.com/brier-creek CAMBRIDGE VILLAGE OF APEX 10000 Cambridge Village Loop, Apex This all-inclusive independent senior living community invites its residents to live their best life among its luxurious and detail-oriented amenities. The Optimal Living community focuses on improving every aspect of its residents’ lives by providing a total wellness approach and offering a variety of spacious and comfortable apartment floor plans. With its unique hybrid community model, residents have access to on-site primary care, therapy, home health care and rehabilitation, creating a true age-in-place home.

Entrance Fee Based on unit type Monthly Fee Range $3,200 – $6,800 Contract Options One-year or month-to-month lease options Medicare Certified Medicare accepted through on-site physician and with WakeMed Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted by on-site home health partner Minimum Age 55 Contact Information Sales Director, 919-363-2080; apexinfo@cvsliving.com; cvsliving.com/apex HOLIDAY DURHAM REGENT 3007 Pickett Rd., Durham Entrance Fee Range First month’s rent Monthly Fee Range $2,809 – $4,500 Contract Options Month-to-month leases, all independent living Medicare Certified No medical services included Long-Term Care Insurance No Minimum Age 67 Contact Information 984-338-1365; holidayseniorliving.com TWIN RIVERS INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING 25 S. Rectory St., Pittsboro This 31-unit complex offers a friendly, social and communal atmosphere for independent older adults. Staff is on-call seven days a week, and residents have use of a communal kitchen, game room and other shared spaces. 

Become a part of The Village At The Village at Brookwood, you'll become part of a tight-knit community where neighbors are like family. Relish in a welcoming, nurturing atmosphere surrounded by tranquility and lasting relationships.

Join

the Oak Circle, our exclusive wait list, today!

The Village at a glance: • Heated saltwater pool • Pet friendly with a dog park • Countless engaging activities • Affiliation with Elon University

• Community nestled within a neighborhood • Spacious garden homes and apartments • Over 200 new friends!

• Four exceptional restaurants

RETIREMENT GUIDE

Entrance Fee Call for pricing and availability Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing and availability; VA/public servant discounts available Contract Options None. Requires 60-day notice prior to moving out Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance N/A Minimum Age 65 Contact Information 919-545-0149; 919-637-7117; trmanager@silver-thread.com; silver-thread.com

55+ COMMUNITIES CAROLINA ARBORS BY DEL WEBB 357 Carolina Arbors Dr., Durham Price Range of Houses From the $450s Number of Units 1,292 Resale Status Resale only Average Size of Houses 1,100 – 2,600 square feet Amenities Included 37,000-square-foot clubhouse, lifestyle director, fitness center, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, hot tub, indoor pool and outdoor pool Contact Information 984-219-7051; contactarbors@gmail.com; ourcarolinaarbors.com THE COURTYARDS AT ANDREWS CHAPEL 1007 Havenwood Ln., Durham Number of Units 120 Resale Status Resale only Average Size of Houses 1,500 – 4,000 square feet Amenities Included Large clubhouse, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, walking trails, pavilion Sales Contact oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com THE COURTYARDS AT LOCHMERE 5100 Lilly Atkins Rd., Cary Price Range of Houses From the upper $500s to the mid $600s Number of Units 73 Resale Status Resale only Average Size of Houses 1,519 – 2,930 square feet Amenities Included Clubhouse, fireplace pavilion, fitness center, pool Sales Contact oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com THE COURTYARDS AT OAK GROVE 1702 Doc Nichols Rd., Durham Price Range of Houses From the $500s Number of Units 166 Resale Status New construction Average Size of Houses 1,500 – 4,000 square feet Amenities Included Clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, pickleball courts, dog park Sales Contact 919-646-6612; oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com THE COURTYARDS AT O’KELLY CHAPEL 1601 Vineyard Mist Dr., Cary Number of Units 149 Resale Status Resale only Average Size of Houses 2,000 square feet Amenities Included Clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, access to the American Tobacco Trail Sales Contact oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com

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THE COURTYARDS AT SOUTHPOINT 1203 Cherob Ln., Durham Price Range of Houses From the $500s Number of Units 161 Resale Status Resale only Average Size of Houses 1,519 – 2,930 square feet Amenities Included Clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, pavilion, dog park, pickleball, access to the American Tobacco Trail Sales Contact oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com THE COURTYARDS ON FARRINGTON 5113 Farrington Rd., Durham Price Range of Houses From the low $500s Number of Units 64 Resale Status New construction Average Size of Houses 1,520 – 2,969 square feet Amenities Included Clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center Sales Contact 919-646-6612; oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com OVERTURE CHAPEL HILL 5910 Farrington Rd., Chapel Hill Price Range of Apartment Homes Starting at $1,271/month Number of Units 184 Average Size of Houses 598 – 1,365 square feet Amenities Included Heated outdoor pool, outdoor lounge and terrace, fire pit, elevator-accessible floors, happy hours and yappy hours, fitness center and yoga studio, grand club room with demonstration kitchen, coffee bar, movie theater, game room, craft room, on-site guest suite for friends and family, Lyft ride-sharing scheduling through management, 24hour emergency maintenance and carports available.

Contact Information 919-907-2200; overturechapelhill.com

COHOUSING COMMUNITIES ELDERBERRY 60 Elderberry Ln., Rougemont Number of Units 18 Resale Status Resale only Average Size of Houses 325 – 1,200 square feet Amenities Included Self-developed, community-oriented cohousing, wooded surroundings, community garden and activities, community-shared tools and equipment, and a common house.

Contact Information Theresa Ahrens, 413-441-0764 or Karolyn Mangeot, richard.mangeot@usa.net; elderberrycohousing.com VILLAGE HEARTH COHOUSING 4900 Buttonbush Dr., Durham Price Range of Condos Mid-$300s to high-$400s Number of Condos 28 Resale Status Resale only Average Size of Houses 650 – 1,150 square feet Amenities Included An intentional community 15 minutes north of downtown Durham, created by and for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies on 15 acres, complete with walking trails and community gardens. The community is self-governed, making decisions cooperatively. Single-story accessible homes feature large front porches, vaulted ceilings, large windows and skylights. The common house includes a gourmet kitchen, dining and meeting room, craft room, laundry room, exercise room and a guest suite.

Contact Information 561-714-8009; connect@villagehearthcohousing.com; villagehearthcohousing.com CHM

Top

Dentists 2025

or the 16th straight year, Chapel Hill Magazine commissioned a peer-to-peer survey of the local dental community – from endodontists to prosthodontists.

The following listing is the result.

Dentists and specialists were asked the telling question: “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” and also asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies and, of course, physical results. The Chapel Hill area is well-served by the dental community.

Hundreds of dentists, specialists and support professionals have made this area home, and the overall quality of dental care in our communities is second to none.

What good dentist wouldn’t want to practice here?

Anesthesiology Dillon T. Atwood North State Anesthesiology 336-939-6277

Endodontics

Lisiane Ferreira-Susin Ritter Endodontics 501 Eastowne Dr., Ste. 155, Chapel Hill 919-403-5000; ritterendo.com Alessandra L. Ritter Ritter Endodontics 501 Eastowne Dr., Ste. 155, Chapel Hill 919-403-5000; ritterendo.com 

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Dentists

A Little Background The Top Dentists list for Chapel Hill is the result of a rigorous evaluation process consisting of peer-to-peer surveys of area dentists and professionals. This survey was conducted and managed by the nationally recognized third-party firm topDentists LLC of Augusta, Georgia. This list is excerpted from the 2025 topDentistsTM list, a database that includes listings for nearly 60 dentists and specialists in the Chapel Hill area. The list is based on detailed evaluations of dentists and professionals by their peers. The complete database is available at usatopdentists.com. topDentists management has more than 60 years combined experience compiling peer-review referral guides in the dental, medical and legal fields. Working from this experience, along with the input of several prominent dentists from throughout the United States, topDentists created a selection process that has earned the respect of the country’s leading dental professionals.

For more information, call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, Georgia, 30903; email help@usatopdentists. com; or visit usatopdentists.com.

The purchase of advertising has no impact on who is included in the Top Dentists list.

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Andrew L. Rudd Chapel Hill Endodontics 891 Willow Dr., Ste. 4, Chapel Hill 919-932-1616; chapelhillendo.com Peter Z. Tawil Governors Endodontics 50201 Governors Dr., Chapel Hill 919-537-8461; governorsendo.com

General Dentistry Jessica L. Bishop 6015 Farrington Rd., Ste. 102, Chapel Hill 919-489-2793; jessicabishopdds.com

Matthew D. Bostian 101 Conner Dr., Ste. 403, Chapel Hill 919-968-4701; bostiandental.com Laura A. Collatz Enchanting Smiles Family Dentistry 360 West St., Ste. 100, Pittsboro 919-542-2712; enchantingsmilesdentistry.com Thomas J. Dakermanji Studio G Aesthetic & Family Dentistry 104 N. Elliott Rd., Ste. C, Chapel Hill 919-942-7163; studiogdentist.com Angela G. Ellis Ellis Family Dentistry 120 Conner Dr., Ste. 201, Chapel Hill 919-960-0155; ellisdentistry.com James P. Furgurson Chapel Hill Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 501 Eastowne Dr., Ste. 150, Chapel Hill 919-251-9313; chapelhilldds.com Mandy Ghaffarpour Studio G Aesthetic & Family Dentistry 104 N. Elliott Rd., Ste. C, Chapel Hill 919-942-7163; studiogdentist.com

May/June 2025

Credle A. Harris Chapel Hill Dental Group 1721 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill 919-967-9291; teethpeople.com Shaina Holman Holman Family Dental Care 1836 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd., Chapel Hill 919-932-7811; holmanfamilydentalcare.com Susanne P. Jackson 77 Vilcom Center Dr., Ste. 180, Chapel Hill 919-280-2309; susannejacksondds.com Ben Lambeth Milltown Family Dentistry 310 E. Main St., Ste. 335, Carrboro 919-590-5450; milltownfamilydentistry.com Megumi Lambeth Milltown Family Dentistry 310 E. Main St., Ste. 335, Carrboro 919-590-5450; milltownfamilydentistry.com Nicole LeCann Ellis Family Dentistry 120 Connor Dr., Ste. 120, Chapel Hill 919-960-0155; ellisdentistry.com Frederick G. Lehmann 100 Europa Dr., Ste. 310, Chapel Hill 919-967-9999; chapelhillncdentistry.com Si On Lim Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3737; carolinadentistry.org Gustavo M. Oliveira Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3737; carolinadentistry.org Bilal Saib Chapel Hill Advanced Dentistry 400 Market St., Ste. 220, Chapel Hill 919-933-3388; chapelhilladvanceddentistry.com Allen D. Samuelson Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3737; carolinadentistry.org 

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Dentists

Tamara C. Samuelson 77 Vilcom Center Dr., Ste. 180, Chapel Hill 919-968-9874; susannejacksondds.com Adam J. Sturdevant Carrboro Family Dentistry 610 Jones Ferry Rd., Ste. 206, Carrboro 919-929-5160; carrborofamilydentistry.com Timothy Swing Parkway Family Dentistry 79 Falling Springs Dr., Ste. 110, Chapel Hill 919-636-9717; briarchapeldentist.com Laura D. Tawil Parkway Family Dentistry 79 Falling Springs Dr., Ste. 110, Chapel Hill 919-636-9717; briarchapeldentist.com Jeffrey C. West 601 W. Rosemary St., Ste. 219, Chapel Hill 919-636-9123; drjeffreywest.com

Brian Vandersea Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 501 Eastowne Dr., Ste. 110, Chapel Hill 919-929-2196; omsanc.com

Oral Medicine Lauren L. Patton Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3582; carolinadentistry.org

Oral Pathology

Orthodontics

George H. Blakey III Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3944; carolinadentistry.org

David Lee Hill, Jr. Chapel Hill Implant and Oral Surgery Center 77 Vilcom Center Cir, Ste. 120, Chapel Hill 919-238-9961; chapelhilloralsurgery.com Andrew T. Ruvo Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 501 Eastowne Dr., Ste. 110, Chapel Hill 919-929-2196; omsanc.com

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Adam D. Serlo Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 501 Eastowne Dr., Ste. 110, Chapel Hill 919-929-2196; omsanc.com

Valerie A. Murrah Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3162; carolinadentistry.org

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

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Debra Sacco Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 501 Eastowne Dr., Ste. 110, Chapel Hill 919-929-2196; omsanc.com

Jeff N. Berndt Noble Orthodontics 100 Two Hills Dr., Carrboro 919-338-5650; nobleorthodontic.com T. Lenise Clifton Clifton & Mauney Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry 77 Vilcom Center Dr., Ste. 310, Chapel Hill 919-933-1007; cliftonandmauney.com Tate H. Jackson Noble Orthodontics 100 Two Hills Dr., Carrboro 919-373-5977; nobleorthodontic.com

May/June 2025

Laura Jacox Severt Smiles 101 Conner Dr., Ste. 401, Chapel Hill 919-858-2576; severtsmiles.com Corey Jones Jones Orthodontics 1525 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill 919-493-7554; jonesorthonc.com Ashley Morgenstern Morgenstern Orthodontics 26 Knox Way, Ste. 100, Chapel Hill 919-230-9700; morgensternortho.com Tung T. Nguyen Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3942; carolinadentistry.org Tammy R. Severt Severt Smiles 101 Conner Dr., Ste. 401, Chapel Hill 919-929-2365; severtsmiles.com Richard F. Uhlir Southern Village Orthodontics 400 Market St., Ste. 200, Chapel Hill 919-808-1188; southernvillageorthodontics.com

Pediatric Dentistry Alexandra Boudreau Chatham Pediatric Dentistry 79 Falling Springs Dr., Ste. 120, Chapel Hill 919-391-3813; chathampediatricdentistry.com Kimon Divaris Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3956; carolinadentistry.org Annelise C. Hardin Franklin Street Pediatric Dentistry 1504 E. Franklin St., Ste. 101, Chapel Hill 919-967-2773; franklinstreetpediatricdentistry.com 

FREDERICK G. LEHMANN, DDS, PA The dental practice of Dr. Frederick G. Lehmann has proudly served the community for over 25 years. With an experienced staff, our quality of care is personal in a relaxed atmosphere. The comfort of our patients is our priority.

Dr. Lehmann also fosters a collaborative relationship with many of the area’s dental specialists to further facilitate all of your dental needs.

• Conveniently located in the Europa Center offices, across from the Sheraton Hotel, at 100 Europa Drive in Chapel Hill.

• Wide array of restorative, cosmetic and family dental services.

• Specializing in the latest CAD-CAM based Cerec Technology, allowing many dental restorations and individual crowns to be generated in a single visit.

Some of the cosmetic dentistry options available to our clients include: • • • • • •

Family Dental Services Cosmetic Esthetic Dentistry Preventative Care Same Day Crowns Dental Implants Dentures

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100 Europa Drive, Suite 310, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 • 919-967-9999 PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE CHAPELHILLNCDENTISTRY.COM FOR SAFETY GUIDELINE UPDATES

TOP DENTISTS

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from behind a smile

Martha Ann Keels, DDS, PhD Erica A. Brecher, DMD, MS M. Gentry Byrd, DDS, MPH

TOP magazine

DENTISTS

2024

We are accepting new patients!

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919-220-1416

May/June 2025

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Dentists

Charles U. Mauney Jr. Clifton & Mauney Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry 77 Vilcom Center Circle Dr., Ste. 310, Chapel Hill 919-933-1007; cliftonandmauney.com Rocio B. Quinonez Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3956; carolinadentistry.org Avni C. Rampersaud Chapel Hill Pediatric Dentistry 205 Sage Rd., Ste. 202, Chapel Hill 919-929-0489; bigsmiles4kids.com Kevin Ricker Chatham Pediatric Dentistry 79 Falling Springs Dr., Ste. 120, Chapel Hill 919-391-3813; chathampediatricdentistry.com

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Periodontics

Liliana Gandini Dorion & Associates 920 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd., Chapel Hill 919-967-5099; doriondds.com Timothy W. Godsey Chapel Hill Periodontics & Implants 150 Providence Rd., Ste. 200, Chapel Hill 919-968-1778; chapelhillperio.com Hana Hobbs 202 Millstone Dr., Hillsborough 919-590-0564; drhanahobbs.com Antonio Moretti Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3727; carolinadentistry.org

May/June 2025

Prosthodontics Ibrahim S. Duqum Carolina Dentistry 919-537-3964; carolinadentistry.org

Alexandra Y. Hart Studio G Aesthetic & Family Dentistry 104 N. Elliott Rd., Ste. C, Chapel Hill 919-942-7163; studiogdentist.com CHM

Precision dental implants from Chapel Hill’s most experienced team

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Voted best oral surgeons in Chapel Hill Know that you’re in the best hands for your procedure with expert care from our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Debra Sacco, DMD, MD, Brian Vandersea, DDS, Andrew T. Ruvo, DMD, MD, and Adam D. Serlo, DMD, MD.

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Dyal & Smith

BY A D D I E R OW E LLS PH OTO G R A P H Y BY S IO BH AN LO RRAINE, S IOBH A N LO R RA I N EP HOTOGRA P HY.COM

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arrboro High School alum Madeline Smith and Michael Dyal crossed paths on a spring

break trip to Miami, thanks to a mutual friend. They quickly bonded over their shared passion for health care and became good friends. But three years later, after Madeline crashed Michael’s annual skiing trip with his daughters, their relationship turned romantic. At first, they navigated a longdistance relationship, with Madeline living in Memphis, Tennessee, and Michael in Miami, but just a few months later, in September 2021, Madeline relocated to Florida.

With the help of his daughters, Ava and Scarlett, Michael proposed to Madeline in their home, which happens to be where they first met in 2018. “It was perfectly imperfect,” Madeline recalls. “I’m so grateful that our story of getting married got to start where we met.”

The couple enjoyed their wedding weekend on Bald Head Island with an intimate gathering. On Nov. 9, 2024, Madeline and Michael said their vows in the Village Chapel of Bald Head Island, and the celebration continued with a warm reception at Old Baldy Lighthouse. The affair showcased elegant shades of Carolina blue and white/cream, complete with a custom Carolina blue dance floor.

Madeline’s parents, Tony Smith and Patsy Smith of Chapel Hill, and Michael’s parents, Dan Dyal and Martha Dyal, joined the couple in commemorating their special day alongside close friends and family.

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Guests enjoyed a delicious meal served by A Thyme Savor Catering and danced the night away to live music by Heads Up Penny.

The couple lives in Miami, where Michael is an interventional cardiologist and Madeline is a pediatric hematology and oncology nurse. CHM

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Daly & Wilson

BY H A I L I E DAV I DS O N PH OTO G R A P H Y BY JULIA WAD E, J ULI A-WA D E .CO M

E

ast Chapel Hill High School graduate and UNC alum Matthew Wilson and Miranda Daly’s love

story began with a match on Hinge in October 2021. More than three years later, their relationship continues to flourish.

Matt decided to pop the big question right before Christmas, on Dec. 23, 2022, in the house that the two had just purchased together. While Miranda was out with friends, he arranged a surprise party at their new home. He lined the long driveway with candles to heighten the romance and proposed to her on their porch while friends and family waited inside to congratulate them. The next day, the two of them left for a ski trip to Aspen, Colorado, with Miranda’s family to celebrate.

Miranda and Matt tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at The Bradford on May 25, 2024, which was preceded by a rehearsal dinner and welcome party the night prior at The Carolina Inn. Blue, green and butter yellow decorations greeted guests, including parents Lynn Daly, Jim Daly, Libby Wilson and Phill Wilson. The venue was adorned with a stunning flower wall, a vibrant dance floor draped in floral installations and a whimsical, surprise golf-themed seating chart.

Miranda joined her love for florals with Matt’s love for golf to perfectly capture her vision with the help of wedding planner Elizabeth Flake.

The bride’s favorite moment was wearing her mother’s wedding dress, altered into a mini, after dinner, and celebrating her parents’ 30-year 120

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marriage as she began her own. At the end of the evening, Miranda and Matt got on stage in custom Carolina-themed hats and helped perform “Sweet Caroline” as the crowd sang and danced along with them.

The couple resides in Chapel Hill. Miranda works at Daly Seven Hotels, her family’s hospitality business, and Matt works in the tech sales industry. CHM

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