WALTER Magazine - February 2018 by waltermagazine

FEBRUARY 2018

waltermagazine.com

The Travel Issue

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FEATURES

Volume 6, Issue 5 FEBRUARY 2018

72 100

STORY OF A HOUSE Modern getaway: Asheville by Jessie Ammons photographs by Nick King

WALTER PROFILE Emil Kang by Iza Wojciechowska photographs by Ben McKeown

100 AFIELD Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro by David Holdstock

THROUGH THE LENS Wilson’s whirligig park by Samantha Gratton photographs by Madeline Gray

AT THE TABLE Dash of ﬂavor: Winston-Salem words and photographs by Laura White

112 WALTER EVENTS A day with Vivian Howard photographs by Jaclyn Morgan 117 WALTER EVENTS Celebrate the Season

On the cover: a whirligig at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson; photograph by Madeline Gray

10 | WALTER

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DEPARTMENTS

62 52

OUR TOWN On Duty: A.C. Snow Shop Local: Emily & Co The Usual: Really Terrible Orchestra Game Plan: Trips with Pets by Catherine Currin and Katherine Snow Smith photographs by Madeline Gray

OUR TOWN SPOTLIGHT Italian Supper by Jessie Ammons photographs by Juli Leonard

QUENCH The Cortez by Catherine Currin photographs by Keith Isaacs

104

104 FIELD GUIDE Coastal fun at River Dunes words and photographs by CC Parker

IN EVERY ISSUE

108 GIVERS Project Englightenment by Hampton Williams Hofer photographs by Madeline Gray

20 Your Feedback

Letter from the Editor

Contributors

22 The Mosh 24 Raleigh Now 34 Triangle Now

130 END NOTE Checks & Balances by Catherine Currin

12 | WALTER

121 The Whirl 127 Scribo

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EDITOR’S LETTER In Kinston with, from left to right, advertising account executive Cristina Hurley, Vivian Howard, managing director Denise Walker, advertising account executive Julie Nickens, and associate editor Catherine Currin.

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Travel can feel like a luxury, a nearimpossible alignment of time and resources and planning. WALTER begs to differ. This fifth annual travel issue is full of stories and tidbits from across the state that suggest there’s no need to go far to experience something new or find respite from routine. Take, for instance, writer Laura White’s voracious trek to Winston-Salem (read more on p. 88). After a food-filled weekend, she discovered an unassuming, superb restaurant scene worth driving less than two hours to experience. I had the chance to spend 24 hours similarly during WALTER’s Day with Vivian Howard event in December. Readers from across North Carolina met us in Kinston for a packed day with the awardwinning chef and TV personality: biscuitmaking, a four-course lunch, walking art tours, beer tasting, and live music in an art gallery (read more on p.112). The food was, of course, outstanding, and learning about Kinston’s tight-knit art community inspiring. But what struck me was the preparedness of the guests. They had specific questions about the merits of lard versus butter, self-rising flour versus plain, Duke’s versus homemade mayo; more than a few added new notes to beloved handwritten family recipe cards. We all had a chance to get out of town, yes, but folks also had a chance to stir up nostalgic childhood memories. All it took was a day trip to tap into the spirit of travel. Emil Kang is working to provide chances for escape even closer to home.

The director of Carolina Performing Arts at UNC-Chapel Hill says he arrived to campus with the goal of making the arts as big as basketball there. (The Tar Heels men’s basketball team holds seven national championship wins.) While it’s a hard claim to test, 13 years later, Kang has built an organization presenting performances that attract audiences far beyond the Chapel Hill campus. His vision has been called “audaciously ambitious” and yet “beautifully balanced” (read more on p. 72), and he relies on almost obsessive travel to ﬁnd talent and bring it to the Triangle. Kang’s work ethic is remarkable, but he is not alone. We live in a place rich with culture, dialogue, and art, among a community eager to go, do, and see. Here’s somewhere to add to your list: The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park opened last fall in Wilson, about an hour’s drive east of Raleigh. It is a fantastical park full of the state’s official folk art. They are colorful and lighthearted with a strong sense of place (see this issue’s cover and read more on p. 80). My favorite part, though, is that to fully comprehend the whirligigs, you must look up. It’s a good reminder that travel can happen without even moving your feet. No miraculous alignment necessary.

Jessie Ammons Editor

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Raleigh’s Life & Soul PUBLISHING

VOLUME VI, ISSUE 5

Editor

Managing Director

FEBRUARY 2018

JESSIE AMMONS

DENISE WALKER

EDITORIAL

Design Director LAURA PETRIDES WALL Associate Editor CATHERINE CURRIN Community Manager KATHERINE POOLE Contributing Writers SAMANTHA GRATTON, HAMPTON WILLIAMS HOFER, DAVID HOLDSTOCK, CC PARKER, KATHERINE SNOW SMITH, LAURA WHITE, IZA WOJCIECHOWSKA Contributing Photographers MADELINE GRAY, KEITH ISAACS, NICK KING, JULI LEONARD, BEN MCKEOWN, JACLYN MORGAN

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CONTRIBUTORS

FEBRUARY 2018

LAURA WHITE / W R I TE R

NICK KING /

Carolina born and bred, White grew up on Sunday suppers of fried chicken and collard greens plucked straight from her grandma’s backyard. After more than 15 years of serving guests and slinging drinks, this writer, editor, and educator is obsessed with foodways and finding the best fried chicken sandwich in America. She had a magical experience tasting her way through this month’s At the Table. “It snowed the first night I was in Winston-Salem, and I had the Arts District mostly to myself. Snowflakes whisked about in the cold breeze, and the wind chimes hanging from the lampposts danced. I had to pinch myself a few times to make sure it wasn’t all a dream.”

P HOTO G R A PH ER The Asheville-based real estate photographer, says he takes great joy in capturing some of the region’s ﬁnest architectural works of art. He jumped at the chance to photograph this month’s Story of a House with hotelier John McKibbon’s Asheville summer home. “I was blown away by the panoramic sliding glass doors and their ability to connect the interior with the outdoor living space. When fully open it reveals some of the best views in all of Asheville.”

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DAVID HOLDSTOCK / W R I TE R The CEO of a small geospatial technology company, Holdstock’s business allows him to travel and experience many destinations. He recalls one in particular in this issue’s Aﬁeld: the emotions of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, so-called the rooftop of Africa, and the profound moment when he was 3-and-a-half miles up, literally above the clouds. The eventdriven English-American has lived in Raleigh for 25 years, and says he believes it essential to enjoy life through exploration of our world.

The Greenville-based photographer learned her way around the darkroom at N.C. State almost 13 years ago and has been returning ever since. Morgan says her passion is documenting families and weddings with beautiful authenticity, and she was thrilled to capture A Day with Vivian Howard in near-to-her Kinston. “The dynamic between Vivian and Lillie making biscuits was a beautiful and hilarious thing to witness. At one point an attendee asked Lillie to describe exactly what stage of the process she was in, to which Lillie responded, ‘I’m just makin’ biscuits!’”

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YOUR FEEDBACK

@waltermagazine We are so pleased our stories have reached a wider audience on social media this year. We were especially thrilled by the overwhelming response on Instagram to the Story of a House, featuring Kelly Shatat’s glamorous happy home. It glimmers as our number-one post to date. @waltermagazine @kellyshatat Such a beautiful home! Loved joining the party –@rsouthernﬁnds (Story of a House, December/January, p. 80) Gorgeous!! Live a few doors down and love seeing inside! –@whitotto (Story of a House, December/ January, p. 80) I’ve been sleeping outside… –Jasmin Robertson Wilson (This is your park. What do you want to do with it? December/January, p. 66) Thanks for the LOVE Walter Magazine for sharing Ideal Space within your calendar! –North Carolina State College of Design (Ideal Space at the N.C. Museum of Art, December/January, p. 38) So excited about this! –@cydneydavisenglish (Limebike, December/January, p. 60) Thanks @waltermagazine for an amazing day! –@dylanm920 (Walter Event: A Day with Vivian Howard, Dec. 2, and read more on p. 112)

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“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” –Audrey Hepburn

Why not...

SWEET THING Trade in your heart-shaped chocolate box for UliMana truﬄes. Made in Asheville, these fair trade dark chocolates taste anything but gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. Yet they are. If you’re stocking up for Valentine’s Day, boxes of ﬂavors like turmeric-andginger and coco nectar are available at local Whole Foods stores. ulimana.com

Splurge on something fierce by Eilisain Jewelry...eat in Cary: Sassool has a new location there, or try grit gnocchi at newly opened Postmaster... support the Poe Center for Health Education at their annual gala Feb. 10... listen (via YouTube) to a host of local indie rockers reunite on Boom Boom Boom (In the Emergency Room), recorded in honor of a friend now in remission from cancer...read N.C. native Meredith Newlin’s reflection on her local teaching career in Captured Fireflies...

NAMASTE FOR FREE You can down-dog on a budget this month at the City of Raleigh Museum. Every Saturday at 11:30 am, take to your mat at the museum’s main gallery on Fayetteville Street. Local teachers volunteer to lead each salutation: All you need to bring is a mat.

LEARNING LUNCH

ROYAL TREATMENT

WALTERscope

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If you were born between Jan. 20 and Feb. 18, you’re an Aquarius. Don’t let the wintry chills limit you – it’s your month, get moving. With love in the air, you might want to indulge in an unconventional date night: your benevolent attitude will appreciate volunteering or attending a charity event with your honey (start on page 24 for a few ideas). Since your astrological colors are light blue and silver, consider heading to Cameron Village for the signature cupcake iced in turquoise from Cafe Carolina.

22 | WALTER

Take your budding historian to the History Hunters series Feb. 7 at the N.C. Museum of History. In honor of Black History Month, this month’s session is a kid-friendly seminar on the history of a Civil Rights sit-in in Greensboro. Ages 10 - 13; 11:15 am; $5 per child, free for MOHA/museum members; ncmuseumofhistory. org/greensboro-sit-in

courtesy Ulimana (ULIMANA); courtesy Bailiey’s Fine Jewelry (ROYAL); courtesy Eilisain Jewelry (RING); courtesy Cafe Carolina (CUPCAKE); Adobe Stock (YOGA); courtesy Dan Routh (LUNCH)

MOSH The

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courtesy Sluice Hammocks

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HANG OUT Sluice is in full swing

trung in a tree or dangling off the dock, a simple, high-quality hammock makes for a handy travel companion. Kemp Dunbar is making a convenient and personalized option by the hundreds on Capital Boulevard. Dunbar founded Sluice Hammocks in his Hargett Street apartment in 2014, and today the company is known for collaborations with recognizable brands like Clif Bar and New Belgium Brewery. It’s not the recognition that Dunbar’s most proud of, though, it’s the company’s ethics: “We source all of our materials from the U.S., and manufacture under one roof from start to ﬁnish.”

24 | WALTER

Dunbar says he began hammock-making after seeing a falsely labeled Made in the U.S. tag on a similar product. “If the tag said made in the U.S. but it wasn’t, I wanted to see how hard it was to actually make this in the U.S.” The name Sluice is inspired by the sifting method of gold mining, which Dunbar hopes speaks to the inherent ease of a hammock. “It’s one purchase, one product, you have everything you need to set up. We give people a tool to sift out the distraction and nonsense in their life, and really hang on to the simple things that matter.” –Catherine Currin sluicehammocks.com

Mickalene Thomas, Three Graces: Les Trois Femmes Noires, 2011, rhinestones, acrylic paint, and oil enamel on wood panel (ART); courtesy Museum of Natural Sciences (MUSEUM)

FEBRUARY

all month ART HISTORY Art can reﬂect the experiences of an artist, and it can tell a powerful story. In honor of Black History Month, artists will share their stories every Saturday and Sunday this month at the N.C. Museum of Art’s Weekend Family-Friendly Tours. No reservations are required for this special series. If you want to make a day of it, meet at the West Building information desk to start the tour, learn a little history, and then head out to the Museum Park to run free and reﬂect. The tour is best for children ages 5 - 11 and their adult companions. Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 a.m.; free; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; ncartmuseum.org

all month MAZED AND CONFUSED? Prove once and for all that the little people in your life are way smarter than you. The Museum of Natural Sciences has a new exhibit, Mazes and Brain Games: It’s an interactive gallery of brain-bending challenges that will test, tease, tickle, and torment even the best minds. Test your pluck and perception on 60 puzzlers that include building a 3-D marble maze, escaping an inﬁnity mirror, and busting a move in a music maze. Mondays - Saturdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays 12 noon - 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.); free admission for museum members, $5 ages 3 and up; 11 W. Jones St.; naturalsciences.org

RALEIGH NOW

1-18

MARCH 22–25 The North Carolina Museum of Art’s fourth annual festival of art and ﬂowers

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Carolina Ballet with one of its signature performances: Romeo & Juliet Feb. 1 - 18. The ballet, ﬁrst choreographed by artistic director Robert Weiss in 1999, is a faithful retelling of the tragic young lovers’ tale. The drama, humor, and heartbreaking emotion of Shakespeare’s poetry translates beautifully into evocative dance and movement. With lavish costumes and sets, dramatic swordsmanship, and stunning ballet, the production oﬀers a world-class performance right here in Raleigh. Wherefore art thou? To the ticket booth, make haste. See website for performance dates and time; $32 - $92; 2 E. South St.; carolinaballet.com/program/romeo-juliet

PR ESENTING OV ER 50 FLO R A L M A S TE R PI ECE S

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Here they are, the ones that you love. Air Supply is bringing the sweet, silky-smooth sounds of the ’70s to the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 2. Whether you grew up grooving to this iconic light rock band from Down Under or have just discovered their yacht-rock vibe, this is one evening of guaranteed easy listening. Get Lost in Love, nostalgia, and polyester three-piece suits and experience adult contemporary music made more...contemporary. 8 p.m.; $37 - $171; 2 E. South St.; dukeenergycenterraleigh.com

courtesy Carolina Ballet (DANCE); courtesy Air Supply

STAR-CROSS’D LOVERS

Adobe Stock (BIG); Rachel Berbec (CREATIVE)

FEBRUARY

BIG, EASY FUN

CREATIVE LOVE

Roll up on some good times at Adult Nights: Mardi Gras, a Big Easy bash hosted by the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Feb. 9. The evening, meant for ages 21 and up, will transport guests deep down to Louisiana with interactive science exhibits, games (reptile-trapping, anyone?), and jazz by Peter Lamb and the Wolves, plus Cajun cuisine, beer, wine, and cocktails. Costumes and masks are encouraged, but be sure to check online for the museum’s policy on appropriate attire. 7 p.m.; $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 for Friends of the Museum members; 11 W. Jones St.; naturalsciences.org/calendar/ event/adult-nights-mardi-gras

Heart art? Show the love at the 34th annual For the Love of Art gala and fundraiser Feb. 10 hosted by VAE, the nonproﬁt creativity incubator, gallery, and creative force behind SPARKcon. The Raleigh Marriott City Center will transform into an art gallery for guests to mix, mingle, and bid on pieces during a silent auction, which is the warm-up for the live auction. Get gussied up (it’s black tie optional, but creative attire is de rigueur) and come out to support the local art community. 6 - 11 p.m.; $100 non-reserved seating, $175 one reserved seat, $350 two reserved seats; 500 Fayetteville St.; vaeraleigh.org/gala

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SPOTLIGHT

courtesy N.C. Wine

TRAVEL

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS North Carolina wine is on the rise

ou can take a selﬁe with a llama at Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend, or enjoy wine with a coastal breeze at Sanctuary Vineyards in the Outer Banks. From smooth blends in the mountains to sweet sips on the coast, North Carolina wine is making a name for itself. In fact, America’s ﬁrst grape grew on Roanoke Island in 1584, and the official state fruit is the Scuppernong grape. North Carolina has remained the only region in the world with the climate to support every type of grape, according to the department of agriculture’s N.C. Wine initiative. After years of development, there’s also now a hub for the science behind oenophilia. At the Appalachian State Enology Service Lab, run by Appalachian State University, lab coordinator Rusty Kuhfeld tests everything from general wines, beers, and ciders to specialty

28 | WALTER

hops and heirloom apple varieties. Statewide winemakers can send their bottles to the lab in Boone for expert testing and research, which helps them perfect their process to produce ﬁne wines. “We provide the analytical capability to local wineries who don’t have the in-house resources,” Kuhfeld says. He says the lab so far has been a boon to the state’s growing wine industry. The lab has worked with wineries across the state, as well as the Golden Leaf Foundation and N.C. State’s agriculture department to conduct research in fermentation science. You can even get your bachelor’s degree from ASU in the subject, alongside more than 100 students currently studying North Carolina booze. With more than 500 vineyards in the state, there’s plenty to study – and to sample. –Catherine Currin ncwine.org; wine.appstate.edu

Adobe Stock (MYSTERY); courtesy Harlem Globetrotters (BASKETBALL) Pictured: former NC A&T player Julian “Zeus” McClurkin

FEBRUARY

BASKETBALL JONES

10 MYSTERY DATE Irregardless Cafe & Catering has cooked up a killer party. Join them for a Valentine Murder Mystery Dinner Feb. 10 at The Glenwood Club. Entertainment is provided by It’s a Mystery, a professional troupe of actors specializing in interactive theatre experiences – the audience takes part as the story unfolds. It’s the social event of the season, an engagement party of a socialite to a ne’er do well. An unwanted guest sparks trouble, leaving the audience to investigate whodunit. So that sleuthing isn’t done on an empty stomach, Irregardless will provide a buﬀet dinner, drinks, and desserts. If Valentine’s Day is murder for you, skip the ﬂowers and come dressed to impress for a night of murder and madness. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.; $75 per person; 3300 Glenwood Dr.; irregardless.com/events/valentine-murder-mystery-dinner

Sweet Georgia Brown! The Original Harlem Globetrotters are coming to town. The perennial showdown between the Trotters and the zero-sum gaming Washington Generals happens Feb. 11. The teams’ acrobatic basketball artistry defies all the laws of physics: monster dunks, master ball handling, and basketball’s first 4-point line (6 feet, 3 inches beyond the NBA’s 3-point line). Get in on the action by purchasing a Magic Pass. From 1:30 - 2 p.m., Magic Pass holders will spend time on the court getting pro tips, learning ball tricks, snapping selfies, and snagging autographs with the players. It’s a slam dunk. The parking lot opens at 12:30 p.m. for pregaming activity (parking fees apply), game at 3 p.m.; $18 - $95, $135 for ticket and Magic Pass; 1400 Edwards Mill Road; thepncarena.com

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SPOTLIGHT LOVE-LY GALENTINE’S DAY Grab your bestie and head to The Cannon Room Feb. 13 for a diﬀerent type of Valentine celebration. There will be food and wine from Chatham Hill, painting and ﬂoral workshops, plus shopping and giveaways.

MISTICK KREWE Mardi Gras at Stanbury

here will be a fais do-do on Blount Street Feb. 13. The krewe at Stanbury will kill the Boeuf Gras, so to speak, for its annual Fat Tuesday celebration. The popular neighborhood restaurant, known for its welcoming hospitality, throws open the doors for this annual authentic Louisiana shindig with hearty food and strong drinks in the playful atmosphere one would expect to find in New Orleans. Co-owner Joseph Jeffers says he has been scouting around for the perfect props to set the scene: Expect to see the eclectic dining room festooned in beads, boas, and bric-a-brac. The decor is second to the menu, which Jeffers says includes seasonal filé gumbo, crab au gratin, deep fried Louisiana frogs, po’ boys, crawfish étouffée, and bananas Foster. Outside on the patio, they will be stoking the fire and boiling up crawfish to sell by the pound. Peeling stations – a wood plank table with a big hole cut out of the center for a trash can beneath – accommodate plenty of casual diners and serve as a gathering spot for Mardi Gras revellers. Jeffers says he and his brother, Stanbury co-owner Will Jeffers, have deep roots in Louisiana and make a special trip to their ancestral stomping grounds to procure the crawfish for the bash. Reservations are recommended for the dining room (it will be as busy as Bourbon Street). No reservations are needed for the patio crawfish boil: first come, first served. Along with your appetite, you might –Katherine Poole want to bring plenty of doubloons to laissez les bon temps rouler. stanburyraleigh.com

30 | WALTER

SOUNDS OF LOVE The Master Chorale Chamber Choice will host their annual Romance in the Air performance Feb. 10 at William Peace University’s Kenan Hall. The program includes classic hit love songs from the ’40s through today. 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; $20, $18 seniors/ military, $10 students; ncmasterchorale. org

Joseph Jeﬀers

$80; 5:30 - 9 p.m.; 16 W. Martin St.; eventbrite.com, keyword: galentine’s day at cannon room

courtesy Playthrough Gaming Convention (PLAYER); courtesy New Line Cinema

FEBRUARY

17-18 BE A PLAYER Shall we play a game? The question posed by the computer in the movie War Games will oft be repeated at the third annual Playthrough Gaming Convention Feb. 17 - 18. This is the ultimate arcade for video gamers, tabletop gamers, and cosplayers of all ages. The convention takes play seriously with free-to-play areas for board games, PC games, arcade games, and even retro console games. (Remember Sonic the Hedgehog?) Take your Magic: The Gathering, Halo 5, or Madden NFL game to another level and enter a tournament. Awards and bragging rights are at stake. The designers and developers behind many notable games will be in the exhibitors area; and an exhibitor panel discussion will oﬀer tips, tricks, inspiration, and industry insider news. Ready, set, go: No player haters allowed. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; $25 single day pass, $37.50 two day pass; 500 S. Salisbury St.; playthroughgc.com

17 CAN’T BEAT IT Wanna be starting something? Moonwalk over to the Lincoln Theatre Feb. 17 for Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience. Touted as the world’s longest running MJ tribute band, and one that even preceded his death, Who’s Bad has been woo-hooing audiences since 2003. The man in the mirror may not be the gloved one, but the show is a true reﬂection of his solid gold pop royalty status. Still the king. Enjoy yourself! 8:30 p.m.; $17 - $27; 126 E. Cabarrus St.; lincolntheatre.com

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SPOTLIGHT

PLANT A SEED

Marbles creates space to promote healthy eating

parking creativity with education is no new task for the team at Marbles Kids Museum downtown. Their latest initiative brings the outdoors inside: Seedlings, the museum’s new garden classroom, is lush and plush – faux squash hangs from a greenhouse ark and vinyl seed packets and crops are all designed and sewn in house. There, kids can plant pretend fruits and vegetables before heading to the adjacent outdoor garden for real fresh kale, collards, and carrots. Seedlings is meant to create an immersive, start-to-ﬁnish cooking experience, say the exhibit’s masterminds. Created in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina, the museum will add on a new pop-up cooking program this spring. “Research shows that when kids understand where their food comes from, they are more likely to make healthy eating choices,” says Taylor Rankin with Marbles. “We hope Seedlings will help children simulate the process from seed all the way to crop.” –Catherine Currin

32 | WALTER

courtesy Taylor Rankin

RALEIGH NOW

FEBRUARY WWW.BAILEYBOX.COM CAMERON VILLAGE . CRABTREE VALLEY MALL

BECAUSE SHE’S THE ONE.

No teasing. N.C. State’s University Theatre presents Hairspray Feb. 21 - 25. Cheer along as the indomitable Tracy Turnblad twists and shouts her way onto a popular dance show and into stardom in Baltimore circa 1962. Winner of eight Tony Awards, the beloved family-friendly musical has big music, big laughs, big love, a big mama, and even bigger hair. Feb. 21 - 24 7:30 p.m., Feb. 25 2 p.m.; $27 regular admission, $25 senior citizen, $23 N.C. State faculty, $17 non-N.C. State students, $10 N.C. State students; theatre.arts.ncsu.edu

™

and

HAIR RAISING

21-25

Make a date for breakfast. The Rialto Theatre is screening Breakfast at Tiffany’s Feb. 19 as part of their Mondays at the Movies series. Shimmy into that little black dress and kitten heels to see the iconic film in an iconic venue. Add a nibble of popcorn and a nice glass of wine to cap it off (the Rialto serves beer and wine). Holly would approve. Tickets are available any time the box office is open: weekdays after 6 p.m., Sat. - Sun. after 1 p.m. and Wed. - Fri. between 12:30 and 3:30; movie showing 7 - 9 p.m.; $5; 1620 Glenwood Ave.; therialto.com

are Trade Marks used under licence from The De Beers Group of Companies.

GO LIGHTLY

THE FOREVERMARK ENGAGEMENT RING COLLECTION

Triangle

FAR AND WIDE Duke inTransit begins

progressive artistic experience begins this month at Duke University. inTransit illuminates the impact of migration within local and global communities through a diverse array of art installations and seminars. Dr. Alán José, part of the inTransit leadership team, says the series is unique because of its network of collaborative interpretation. “There is no ownership of everything, everyone is doing a little piece. We’re involving, in a very different way, the Duke community, supporters and patrons, and the community at large.” Many little pieces can be found at galleries in downtown Durham. To simulate the concept of migration, “art pathways,” as José describes them, will take visitors on a journey of art all through Duke’s campus and then beyond. The pathways

34 | WALTER

MAPPA MUNDI

This map of migration patterns was commissioned by Charles V of France near the end of the 14th century. It is attributed to a family of Catalonian Jews from Majorca.

will remain on display until February 2019. There is also a two-day workshop about art and migration in Europe at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University Feb. 1 - 2. Throughout the year, there will be ﬁlm screenings, seminars, and art exhibitions Triangle-wide, and even classes for credit and to audit at Duke. José hopes the year-long deluge of art and events will empower viewers from all walks of life to become more engaged global citizens. “In the history of the U.S., migration has played a key role and enriched many aspects of who we are, impacting our essence as a country.” This series, he says, brings it home. –Catherine Currin intransitduke.org

courtesy Duke inTransit

Spott ligh

S Book Club

with Allan Gurganus SPONSORED BY Join WALTER magazine in a discussion about Southern storytelling with novelist and essayist Allan Gurganus. The acclaimed writer and North Carolina native’s folkloric prose has been adapted into Emmy Award-winning works. He will join us fresh from a writer’s retreat for this lively exploration of his career and how it ﬁts into modern Southern literature. Guests will enjoy brunch and cocktails provided by PoshNosh catering.

MARCH 25 WHITAKER & ATLANTIC 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road 12:00 p.m. Space is limited. For tickets and additional information, please visit waltermagazine.com/events.

Be well addressed...

RALEIGH NOW ODDS & ENDS OPEN OFFICE Louis Cherry Architecture is celebrating its new location in historic Oakwood. Look for upcoming pop-ups featuring local artists. First up: jewelrymaker Claire Ashby and photographer Elizabeth Galecke at the inaugural event Feb. 4. 2 - 5 p.m.; 222 N. Bloodworth St.

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MILL WORKS Yates Mill has been a source of artistic inspiration for more than two centuries, and continues to be the subject of numerous local works of art. See for yourself at the park’s 12th annual community art and photography exhibit. You can meet some of the artists on opening night Feb. 9. Light refreshments will be served, and registration is not required. 6 - 7:30 p.m.; 4620 Lake Wheeler Road

FAMILY TREE

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Embark on a bit of time-travel through your family history at a geneology workshop Feb. 17. The Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site in Fremont, North Carolina will host the day of workshops and learning opportunities, including familial history research methods and handwriting analyses. Registration is required for this series sponsored by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. If you miss this month, there’s another session March 17. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; $30 - $80; 264 Governor Aycock Road, Fremont; to register, call 919-242-5581

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Runyon Tyler III 919.271.6641 runyon.tyler@bhhsysu.com BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.%AE Equal Housing Opportunity.

Since it’s still too chilly to do much outdoor gardening, you can ﬂex your green thumb by making a terrarium. Homewood Nursery hosts a free workshop Feb. 3. Learn how to construct and maintain the glass-housed indoor ecosystems, and take home the fruits of your labor. All supplies are available at the nursery; bring only your creativity. Space is limited, so preregistration is recommended. 10:30 a.m.; 10809 Honeycutt Road; to register, email greenhouse@homewoodnursery.com or call 919-847-0117 and ask for Patty

FEBRUARY

1-3 Nando (FAMILY); courtesy McIntyre’s Books (BOOK IT)

FAMILY UN-TIES Manbites Dog Theater of Durham presents a new work from the acclaimed Durham playwright Howard L. Craft, The Miraculous and the Mundane. Miraculous is an examination of the breakdown of an African-American family. Set in Durham, family members’ lives are thrown into turmoil when the patriarch falls ill. The play’s ﬁrst presentation last year as a workshop was a hit; Roy C. Dicks of The News & Observer called it “deeply moving.” You can support challenging, inspiring community theater Feb. 1 - 3. 8:15 p.m.; $10 - $ 20; 703 Foster St., Durham; manbitesdogtheater.org

1-3 BOOK IT Once upon a time in a quaint little village… So begins this story: McIntyre’s Books at Fearrington Village in Pittsboro hosts Whirlikids Book Festival Feb. 1 - 3, a literary event for kids of all ages. Whirlikids brings together a host of children’s book creators and authors for special readings and signings. Begin the morning with Storytime, where picture-book creators and early-elementary books writers read from their work; then after lunch, middle-grade authors weigh in on a panel discussion. (The full author list is available on McIntyre’s website.) There will also be crafts, a photobooth, and face painting. Make an afternoon of it by strolling the grounds, visit the famed Belted Galloway cows, and enjoy a casual lunch at one of the onsite restaurants. If you book some time for Whirlikids, who knows, you might just live happily ever after. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; free; 2000 Fearrington Village Center; fearrington.com/mcintyres-books

TRIANGLE NOW

SPOTLIGHT

MEYMANDI CONCERT HALL, RALEIGH

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND

My Fair Lady in Concert FRI, FEB 16 | 8PM SAT, FEB 17 | 3PM & 8PM

Wesley Schulz, conductor

Saturday Sponsor: Raleigh Marriott City Center

The Music of Michael Jackson THUR, MAR 8 | 7:30PM

Concert Sponsor: CEI – The Digital Office

A band and vocalist join the Symphony to jam on “ABC,” “I’ll Be There,” “Beat It,” “Rock With You,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and many, many more.

CHEFS

FOR CHANGE

Dinner series shares meals and stories A Celtic Celebration FRI, MAR 16 | 8PM SAT, MAR 17 | 3PM & 8PM

Stuart Chafetz, conductor

Weekend Sponsor: Celito.net

Singers and Irish step dancers explore a wide range of Irish and Celtic repertoire with elegance and dramatic flair.

Tickets selling fast! Buy now! ncsymphony.org 919.733.2750

o raise awareness about homelessness, one Durham nonprofit is turning to celebrity chefs. At a Chefs for Change dinner, diners can expect a three-plus-course meal and a candid conversation: The evening’s chef gives an informal presentation about the effect homelessness in the community has had on their life, both personally and professionally. All proceeds benefit Families Moving Forward, the largest housing and services provider for homeless families in Durham. The dinner series began last year, and this second installation begins with a meal from Charlie Deal of JuJu and Dos Perros March 12. Families Moving Forward was established in 2016 when Genesis Home and the Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network combined. The merger presented an opportunity for the nonprofit to rethink how it raised funds and awareness in the

courtesy Bohio Fine Art Photography

One of America’s favorite musicals—performed in a concert setting on Valentine’s weekend, with Broadway singers in period costume.

FEBRUARY community. As FMF development director Shana Carignan put it, “the new agency needed to stand out.” And, she added, it needed to stand out to a younger audience. FMF inherited a long-standing core group of volunteers from GH and DIHM, but knew going forward as a bigger agency would require tapping into the hearts and minds of the next generation of givers. What better way to reach young hearts than through their gastronomic proclivities in Durham’s booming restaurant scene? The intersection of community outreach and a hungry audience became Chefs for Change in February 2017. The series premiered to great success, and with no wonder as the chefs included Iron Chef Ricky Moore, Seth Gross (of Pompieri Pizza and Bull City Burger and Brewery), Billy Cotter (of Dashi and Toast), and Chef John May (of Piedmont). The fundraising goal set for last year was $40,000, but the overwhelming response from the Durham community raised the bar to $65,000. This year’s all-star dinner lineup is simply delicious. After the March 12 kickoff, dinners are in the works for Scott Howell (of Nana’s and Bar Virgile) May 14, Phoebe Lawless (of The Lakewood and Scratch) July 9, and Aaron Benjamin

RALEIGH, NC

•

TEL: 919.852.0570

(of Gocciolina) Sept. 10. Dinners are limited to 125 people and are held at hip event space The Rickhouse in Durham. Diners can choose to attend one event, or make it a quarterly outing. This is ﬁne dining with a purpose. –Katherine Poole Individual tickets for each dinner are $75, and $50 of the ticket price goes directly to FMF; fmfnc.org

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W W W. D E S I G N L I N E S S I G N AT U R E . C O M

SPOTLIGHT

SOUND COUNTRY Washington’s estuarium is one of a kind

ucked away within the Pamlico River, you will ﬁnd the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary. The brackish section of water is partially enclosed, a unique intersection where the river meets the more open sound. It’s home to hundreds of different maritime species, and they are celebrated at the nearby North Carolina Estuarium. The medley of aquarium, museum, and classroom is the only environmental center of its kind in the state.

Brightleaf Square, Downtown Durham 919-683-1474 • HamiltonHillJewelry.com

“The museum plays like an ode to the Sound Country from the moment you walk in, meandering like the river itself on through interactive exhibits highlighting the wildlife, cultures, and living science that makes this region such a remarkable home,” says estuarium programming specialist Russ Chesson. While there are more than 200 exhibits indoors, there’s even more to see outside: At 12,500 square feet, the estuary is the second largest in the

Larry Boyd

TRAVEL

courtesy North Carolina Estuarium

country. There are outings for every age, from interactive field trips to river cruises. River tours are complimentary, and this spring’s options include roving along the estuarium on the Tar/Pamlico River, rambling on the Cashie River, and roaming the Scuppernong riverbank. You can make a day of your visit and explore the waterfront shops and historic homes in Washington, the first American city named for George Washington. Meander through the quaint downtown and find everything from charming porches to Civil War relics. Look for Crabs On The Move, colorful crab statues scattered along Main Street, or grab a bite at Bill’s Hot Dogs stand, serving chili dogs since 1928. –Catherine Currin partnershipforthesounds.net

Learners Become Leaders At Ravenscroft, students not only learn to think, they learn to do. We pair a stimulating curriculum with collaboration, hands-on learning, and leadership skills. We graduate conﬁdent, well-rounded students who are prepared to thrive in our complex world as educated citizens and leaders. Learn more about our community!

Join us! Call to schedule a visit: 919.848.6470 7409 Falls of Neuse Road Raleigh, NC 27615 919.847.0900 ravenscroft.org

Danny Clinch (JUGGERNAUTS); AP Photo (LANGSTON HUGHES)

FEBRUARY

13 DREAM DEFERRED

10-11 JASON AND THE JUGGERNAUTS Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit are back on tour in 2018 promoting their latest album The Nashville Sound, and they stopover at the Durham Performing Arts Center Feb. 10 - 11. Take note superfans: These are the only N.C. stops on the tour. If We Were Vampires, we could follow him for eternity, but alas we must settle for two nights in Durham. 8 p.m.; $32 - $212; 123 Vivian St., Durham; dpacnc.com/events/detail/ jason-isbell-and-the-400-unit

In 1960 the poet Langston Hughes served as an oﬃcial for the Newport Jazz Festival. Sharing the stage with jazz greats like Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie inspired him to create the jazz poem suite, Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz. The epic 12-part poem was scored by Hughes and draws musical cues from blues, Dixieland, gospel, bebop, and jazz. Hughes was in the planning stages of a collaboration with Charles Mingus to stage Ask Your Mama when he died. The story would have ended there if not for the Langston Hughes Project, which is bringing the multimedia concert performance to the Carolina Theatre Feb. 13. The Ron McCurdy Quartet performs the moving piece about the struggle for artistic freedom, featuring the actor Malcolm JamalWarner. Langston Hughes was a visionary and this performance is the perfect tribute to his own dream deferred. 8 p.m.; $31.50 - $41.50; 309 W. Morgan St., Durham; carolinatheatre.org/events

FEBRUARY 1-18, 2018 Fletcher Opera Theater

CarolinaBallet.com | 919-719-0900 Ticketmaster.com 800-982-2787

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SPOTLIGHT

all images courtesy Hurricane kayaks

TRAVEL

PIDDLE PADDLE Kayaks made an hour east of Raleigh

s planning commences for summer trips to the lake or statewide river treks, you might be dusting off the warm-weather watersport supplies. If you’re a casual paddler, a kayak made nearby might be just the one for you: Hurricane kayaks designed and manufactured in Warsaw. Founder Pat Renfro says the super-lightweight model is at its best on calm, still waters like many of those found in North Carolina. “Hurricanes are easier to get to the water, and more fun to paddle once you get there.” Renfro began making kayaks in the early 1990s when he was looking to diversify his plastic-molding company in Wendell. An outdoorsman himself, he says a buddy living in the mountains tipped him off to the growing popularity of kayaks. Renfro

44 | WALTER

applied a lesser-used production method, thermoforming, which creates boats by forming the shape over a mold instead of inside of one. The result is about 10 pounds lighter than traditionally manufactured kayaks, which makes for easier packing and paddling. Hurricanes also look and feel distinct: “it’s shiny and it’s stiffer, so it doesn’t scuff and mar.” The kind of kayak, in other words, that can handle a stuffed-to-the-gills boathouse and the wear and tear of –J.A. multiple family members. hurricaneaquasports.com

C LOT H I N G AC C E S S O R I E S H A N D B AGS JEWELRY

North Hills Raleigh Adjacent to Renaissance Hotel 919-788-4200 MartasofRaleigh.com

SPOTLIGHT

courtesy Barbara Tyroler

TRIANGLE NOW

MAKING MOVES Chapel Hill’s FRANK Gallery has a new location

RANK Gallery in Chapel Hill is moving toward wide open spaces. The intimate, mixed-media gallery founded in 2010 left its original location on Franklin Street in December and officially opens its new doors Feb. 9. Artists say the new spot, just a few miles away at University Place, offers more room, both inside for installation and outside for access. “We love the location and the fact that there’s lots of parking. We’re hoping to attract new people to the gallery,” says jewelry curator and member artist Mirinda Kossoff. She hopes the move will be an opportunity for “a whole new audience and perspective.” What won’t change are the museum’s civic priorities. FRANK’s community involvement has always set them apart, Kossoff says: From working with University Place neighbor Kidzu Children’s Museum to collaborative projects with Karen refugees in the Chapel Hill community, “we’re not just a gallery, we’re art outreach.” –Catherine Currin frankisart.org

46 | WALTER

courtesy Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors (DUO); courtesy Triangle Curling Club (CURL)

FEBRUARY

13 DYNAMIC DUO As part of its expanding Events at Southeastern series, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest gets a little bit country with An Evening with Drew & Ellie Holcomb Feb. 13. The Holcombs are a husband-and-wife duo from Nashville, Tennessee. The couple toured together as Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors and have supported national touring acts including Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, and The Avett Brothers. Ellie has since gone on to pursue a successful career as a solo Christian singer/songwriter. An Evening with Drew & Ellie Holcomb is a special opportunity to see the two perform their signature Americana sound together in the grand Binkley Chapel. 7 p.m.; $20; 120 S. Wingate St., Wake Forest; drewandellie.eventbrite.com

14-18 YOU GO, CURL! Winter Olympics fever strikes Feb. 14 and it never fails that many a Southerner ends up catching the bug for the oddly endearing sport of curling. Curling curious? You are in luck. The United States Women’s Curling Association (USWCA) holds its 70th Annual National Bonspiel at the Triangle Curling Club in Durham. What’s a bonspiel, you ask? (We had to look it up.) The term originated in Scotland and, quite simply, is a curling tournament. Here’s the spiel: 32 teams of 4 women will compete to see who sweeps up the competition. And the action on the ﬂoor will quell the myth that curling is about as exciting as watching ice melt. Come out, raise a glass (added bonus: the club has a bar), and cheer on these stone-crushing women. 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. daily; free; 2310 So-Hi Drive, Durham; uswca.org/national-womens-bonspiel-2018

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SOUTHCHAPELHILL.COM 107 MEADOWMONT VILLAGE CIRCLE CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA 919.240.5475

SPOTLIGHT

courtesy Ashley Norris

TRAVEL

ACTION-ORIENTED Queenie Wahine encourages girls to dive in

wo North Carolina sisters took to the waves for inspiration for their children’s book, Queenie Wahine: Little Surfer Girl. Greenville resident Ashley Norris and her sister Jessica Lowcher collaborated as author and illustrator, respectively, to create the quirky and inviting story. Queenie Wahine is the ﬁrst of their upcoming series, Tribe of Daughters. “We started writing our book because we want to encourage girls to get out in the

48 | WALTER

ocean, play, be brave, and try new experiences. Our main goal is to have girls as main characters in action-adventure sports.” The book empowers young girls to stay active and embrace outdoor action sports, while encouraging the growing women to protect natural resources around them. Norris hopes their storybook’s message will resonate with other organizations to spur environmental change. She says the sisters believe

in the power of their readers, too. “We believe that little girls who love the ocean grow up to be women that advocate to protect it.” Norris and Lowcher wrote from their experience growing up on the coast of North Carolina. From an early age, they were avid surfers. Today, the family sport continues: Norris and her daughter hit the waves on the coast not too far from their home in Greenville, while Lowcher dives in across the world in New Zealand, where she now lives. The pair will release their second book, Little Millie Ford and Her New Skateboard, this summer. –Catherine Currin tribeofdaughters.com

Discover St. David’s at a Group Tour

All tours begin at 9:30 a.m.

Feb 7 Lower School Feb 21 Middle/Upper Mar 14 Lower School Mar 21 Middle/Upper Apr 11 Lower School Apr 18 Middle/Upper Reserve your space at sdsw.org/admissions/visit

3400 White Oak Road Raleigh, NC 27609 919-782-3331 | sdsw.org admissions@sdsw.org

FEBRUARY

15 The grass is always bluer when the The Earls of Leicester take the stage Feb. 15 at the Carolina Theatre in Durham. Here’s the foggy mountain breakdown: The Earls are both a bluegrass super group, headed up by dobro master Jerry Douglas, and the ultimate cover band. The Earls of Leicester adapt, reimagine, and breathe new life into the old-style music and magic of legendary duo Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. (See what they did there with the band name?) The Grammy-winning band masters the homage with this jangling celebration of the founding fathers of bluegrass. 8 p.m.; $35 - $45; 309 W. Morgan St., Durham; carolinatheatre.org/events

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23 STAG-LIGHT, STAG-BRIGHT

Enjoy Beau Coast Life in Beaufort, NC

beaucoastnc.com

Historic Stagville is the site of one of the largest plantations of the pre-Civil War South. Located in northern Durham, it was the homestead of the Bennehan-Cameron family, who by 1860 owned almost 30,000 acres and nearly 900 slaves. Today, what remains of the plantation serves as a museum, a historical site, and a most excellent place to gaze at the stars. Historic Stagville and the Morehead Planetarium invite all history and astronomy buﬀs to join them Feb. 23 for Stagville Under the Stars. Meet at the welcome center, then head out onto the grounds for grand gazing. This special event is focused on families and Black History Month. Storytellers will set the scene with African tales about the night sky, and astronomers from the planetarium will be on hand to train telescopes, answer questions, and give star tours. The event is informal and participants may come and go at their leisure. See the night sky as our ancestors did – full of hope and with the promise of a new day. 6 - 8 p.m.; free; 5828 Old Oxford Road, Durham; stagville.org/events

888-205-1596

Models/lifestyle photos do not reflect racial or ethnic preference. Price subject to change without notice. Copyright © 2017 Lennar Corporation. All rights reserved. Lennar and the Lennar logo are U.S. registered service marks or service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. (23242) 10/24/17

courtesy John Zager (STAG); courtesy High Road Touring (ADAPTERS)

EARLY ADAPTERS

Food & Art

for the Heart

23 Kim Veillon photography (HART); Bob Krasner/Random House (GRISHAM)

THRILLER NIGHT Find out what madness lurks in the corners of the mind of a thriller writer at Thrillers! An Evening with Authors John Grisham and John Hart. D.G. Martin of UNC-TV’s North Carolina Bookwatch hosts a conversation Feb. 23 with the best-selling writers. Hart is a native North Carolinian and often sets his New York Times best sellers in his home state; his accolades include being the first writer to win two consecutive Edgar Allan Poe Awards for Best Mystery Novel. No stranger to the top of the charts himself, John Grisham’s books have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, been translated into 48 languages, and adapted into major blockbuster films. His latest (and 25th!) thriller, The Rooster Bar, was released in October 2017. If you’d like all the gorey details, you can attend the exclusive pre-event reception with both authors. Regardless, all tickets include a signed hard-copy edition of Hart’s yet-to-bereleased novel The Hush. Event proceeds will benefit the Friends of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in support of dinosaur research. Author reception 6 - 7:15 p.m., main event 7:30 - 9:15 pm; $175 reception, $30 students, $45-$75 general admission; 2 E. South St.; dukeenergycenterraleigh.com

Wednesday February 14th

Gifts Wine Dine JOIN US FOR A LOVE DAY DINNER SPECIAL!

919.848.4792 www.zestcafehomeart.com

ON DUTY

Our

“I record the pulse of humanity, the dramas, large and small.” –A.C. Snow, former editor of The Raleigh Times

hen A.C. Snow came to town in 1957, Raleigh had 60,000 residents, no one-way streets, and downtown closed up shop at 5 p.m. His beat was city hall, which included a council member named Jesse Helms who was on the rise as a controversial political ﬁgure. Snow wrote for The Raleigh Times, the afternoon paper, which was housed in the same building and owned by the same family as The News & Observer. It was the underdog, and he liked that. “Early on I did a little human interest story on a kid from out of town visiting the capital with his school who had hidden a pigeon he took from Capitol Square under his jacket,” Snow recalled recently. “The bus driver was well out of town when the bird was discovered and he turned back to return it.” An editor or two noticed Snow’s ﬂair for words and how well he connected with his subjects and his readers. He saw beyond the story and emotions that lay on the surface. They offered him a human interest column with a sketch of the

cub reporter smoking a cigarette at a manual typewriter. Cigarettes and Royal typewriters are long extinct in newsrooms, and Raleigh’s population today hovers around 458,000. The last edition of The Raleigh Times rolled off the presses on McDowell Street in 1989. Snow, who was by then the paper’s longtime editor, wrote the headline: That’s All Folks. His weekly column moved to The News & Observer, and still runs every Sunday, sixty years after it started in Raleigh. Readers from 19 to 90 call, email, and write every week to commiserate about squirrels, chastise him for pulling for Carolina and Democrats, document a bluebird sighting, or share a memory of picking apples with their father that his words ignited. “A columnist has the best job in journalism. Readers are, in a sense, my extended family.” –Katherine Snow Smith Katherine Snow Smith is A.C. Snow’s daughter. She is a journalist at the Tampa Bay Times in St. Petersburg, Florida. photograph by MADELINE GRAY

52 | WALTER

P R ESEN TS

Art fare Join WALTER magazine for a memorable evening inspired by art. Raleigh chefs will interpret the spring collection at CAM and create dishes inspired by the art. Enjoy an intimate seated dinner and cocktails in the gallery.

April 5 6:30 p.m.

Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh Limited tickets available. For more information, please visit waltermagazine.com/events

OUR TOWN

SHOP LOCAL

“If you love it, it works. Everything in my house I have chosen because it has sung to me.” –Emily Cochran, founder, Emily & Co

mily Cochran knew she’d found her passion when her vintage repertoire surpassed the storage unit. “I kept outgrowing, from the storage unit to shared retail spaces, and eventually opened my own shop.” After four years of casual collecting, in 2016 Cochran opened Emily & Co. in Glenwood South. There, Cochran’s selection of wares reflects her statewide travels and her own personal style. “My house is a big melting pot of colors and textures and styles. I love classic with a fun twist.” During her early years of collecting, Cochran would update a chair’s upholstery or lacquer a table. But today at Emily & Co, she’s leaving most pieces untouched. “I find things that are beautiful as they are.” The vintage emporium reflects both old and new, from an antique bamboo mirror to luxe candles and newly tufted throw pillows.

In Emily & Co’s inaugural year, Cochran invited customers to join her on on two “picking” trips, sifting through antiques in Burlington and Fayetteville. The trips have become a tradition, and now is the time to get in on the April 28 journey. These outings have a spirit of adventure: Cochran doesn’t reveal the destination until the morning-of. “We’ll go no more than two hours outside of Raleigh,” Cochran says. What is predictable is the agenda: “A delicious lunch and my insider tips on vintage shopping, where to go and what to look for.” –Catherine Currin 527 Hillsborough St.; emilyco-raleigh.com

photograph by MADELINE GRAY

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Frederic Church A P A I N T E R’S P I L G R I M A G E

FEBRUARY 9 – MAY 13, 2018 Reynolda House Museum of American Art | Winston-Salem, North Carolina

reynoldahouse.org/church

This exhibition has been organized by the Detroit Institute of Arts. Generous support for the exhibition has been provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art and the Henry Luce Foundation. Additional support has been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. A signiﬁcant loan of objects has been provided by Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

Reynolda House Museum of American Art is grateful for the generous support of the exhibition from Presenting Sponsors First Tennessee Bank, Flow Automotive Companies, and Wake Forest University. Special thanks to Major Sponsors Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Brown, the David R. Hayworth Foundation, the Cathleen & Ray McKinney Exhibition Fund, and the Charles H. Babcock, Jr. Arts and Community Initiative Endowment.

Frederic Edwin Church, American, 1826–1900. Evening on the Sea, 1877–1878. oil on canvas. Overall: 22 1/2 × 36 1/2 inches (57.2 × 92.7 cm). Framed: 31 1/4 × 44 3/4 × 2 1/4 inches (79.4 × 113.7 ×5.7 cm). Private collection

OUR TOWN

THE USUAL

“We’re trying really hard, but we know better than to take ourselves too seriously.” –Trish Kirkpatrick, French horn player, Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle

Cary group has been salvaging talent from seeming incompetence for a decade, and they’re proud of it. The Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle, inspired by a similarly named group in Edinborough, Scotland, is meant to be a haven for amateur musicians: “If someone can breathe and read music, we take them,” says artistic director and conductor Dr. Bob Petters. “I’ve had people audition that are too good for this group.” Orchestra members feel comfortable because of the intentionally low skill level bar. “There are lots of very talented musicians in this area, and very signiﬁcant organizations for them to play in. But there was nothing for amateurs,” says executive committee member and French horn player Trish Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick says rehearsals and seasonal performances with this friendly group of more than 80 musicians

are just plain fun. Their holiday performance in December, for instance, featured light-strung tubas and 300 kazoos handed out to a lively audience at the Cary Arts Center. By the end of the show, Kirkpatrick says, the musicians’ irreverence rubs off on the audience. There are usually groups of kids dancing in the aisle, she says, “we encourage people to leave their cell phones on, and if you get bored we have word games and coloring pages in the program.” The RTOOT has grown from a friends and family performing group in 2008 to playing for frequently sold-out community centers. The only professional in the room might be the leader: Petters has conducted the group for three years, after retiring as the chair of the music department at N.C. State. “It’s been wonderful because it’s a no-stress position. We aren’t competing with the other orchestras in the area.” –Catherine Currin photograph by MADELINE GRAY

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GAME PLAN

courtesy Trips wih Pets

OUR TOWN

“Our favorite thing to do with all three dogs is a vacation rental in the mountains.” –Kim Salerno, founder, TripsWithPets.com group

ou’ve got a new pup, but want to take a weekend getaway; you’re off to visit family or friends and don’t want to leave your furry friend at home. Trips with Pets has got you covered. The website allows you to curate a personalized trip: from the plane, train, or car to pet-friendly hotels, breweries, wine tours, and seasonal activities like fruit-picking, it turns out there’s plenty to do with your pet in tow. “I am passionate about two things: animals and travel,” says founder Kim Salerno. “I want to make it easy for people with pets to travel with them.” The Wake Forest-based business began in Salerno’s basement in 2003, when she was living in Maine. Salerno is devoted to animal rescue causes, and her three dogs at home usually lead the charge in her personal travel planning. She designed the website to serve other animal-lovers like herself; 15 years later, the site has grown through partnerships with

travel brands like Expedia and hosts the largest directory of pet-friendly breweries, according to Salerno. Salerno and her animal family moved to the Triangle ﬁve years ago, and she says the area is perfect for trips with pets. Between the hiking trails locally and in the mountains, Salerno is frequently outside with Tucker, Charlie, and Brownie. Her next pet-friendly endeavor is paddleboarding with her lab, Tucker, on the N.C. coast. “Any chance I can get Tucker to the water, I take it. But our favorite thing to do with all 3 dogs is a vacation rental in the mountains.” Meanwhile, the site continues to grow. Salerno says the millennial generation is spending more on pets than any generation preceding them, placing adventurous travel at the top of the priority list. “Their vacation is with their pets, they aren’t just bringing them along because it’s convenient.” –Catherine Currin

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OUR TOWN

SPOTLIGHT

SALUTE Inspired by her sojourn to Italy, Vita Vite owner Lindsay Rice hosted a simple Sunday supper.

photographs by JULI LEONARD

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“I’m not Italian, but I feel like I should be.” –Lindsay Rice, owner, Vita Vite art gallery and wine bar

by JESSIE AMMONS

“W

e don’t believe in limits here – with food or with wine,” Lindsay Rice said as she welcomed 48 guests to her Italianthemed Sunday Supper on a recent winter evening. They gathered around farm tables bearing heaping platters of pasta, communal bowls of salt and cheese, and centerpieces overflowing with wildflowers and local produce. “It’s not a tomato, it’s a persimmon,” Rice said of one of the fruits. Persimmons are common in both Italy and North Carolina, a fitting choice for the homecoming feel of the night. “I’ve traveled a lot in my life. It’s an important part of who I am and what inspired this place. This dinner is about sharing that with the community.” Rice hosted the dinner at Vita Vite, the art gallery and wine bar on Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh that she opened in 2015. With rustic-cozy decor and cheery paintings, Rice says her intent at Vita Vite has always been to create an approachable place for “community and togetherness, over wine.” But it wasn’t until she and Vita Vite manager Christian Coley sojourned to Italy for the wine grape harvest last summer that they set out to serve a meal. In fact, after the whirlwind weeklong trip of winery visits, Rice said, “I was completely exhausted. But I immediately got home and threw a dinner party the next weekend because I wanted to share the inspiration.”

FEBRUARY 2018 | 59

What Rice and Coley experienced in Italy was “so much abundance,” Rice said to the guests, along with on-theground wine education, “and we wanted to bring some of that back here to you all.” To share the inspiration with Raleigh, Rice teamed with chef Jeff Seizer of Royale restaurant (despite his French themed bistro, Seizer has a passion for Italian food, Rice says) and Durham-based Piedmont Wine Imports for straight-from-Italy vino. Hillsborough company Vietri envisioned the tablescape, a mismatched combination of three dinnerware designs meant to evoke an authentic Italian table. Tickets were available online and sold out quickly. The meal was served familystyle, and Rice added her own family touch: “the silverware and the cocktail napkins are my mom’s.” Rice’s father was in attendance; by the end of the night he jumped in to offer guests second helpings of tiramisu. “This is what they do,” Rice said about her parents. “They throw OVER THE EDGE Friends of Rice created the cascading ﬂoral centerpieces accompanying the Vietri tablescape. The same friends also designed and built Vita Vite’s main bar.

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big parties and they love entertaining. Now it’s what I do too.” There may be future Sunday suppers at Vita Vite, Rice says, but she makes no promises. For now, she’s focused on opening the second Vita Vite location at North Hills later this year. “I feel like I’ve learned a tremendous amount from traveling all over the world and experiencing winemaking in different parts of it.” This one-time Italian winter feast, Rice says, was her offering to the city she’s made her home. “Raleigh has been so supportive of us (at Vita Vite).” Guests arrived mostly in couples and left in groups, having made new friends at the table. That, Rice says, is precisely what she wanted: “If I can bring meaning into every little thing we do here, I try to do that.” BREAKING BREAD The supper menu included local Boulted Bread, meatballs, baked ziti, and sautéed broccoli rabe.

FEBRUARY 2018 | 61

STORY of a house

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MODERN GETAWAY Panoramic Blue Ridge views mingle with the eclectic art in this summer home by JESSIE AMMONS photographs by NICK KING

Letitia McKibbon fancies herself a beach person. The Florida native would occasionally make her way to the mountains for vacation, “but I’d always choose the sea,” she says. Until about 15 years ago, when McKibbon and husband John McKibbon rented a vacation house in Asheville for the summer. Their month-long stay was the catalyst: “Long story short, we started looking for a house.”

FEBRUARY 2018 | 65

CONTEMPORARY LODGE

The McKibbons found a mid-century ranch house they hoped would become a summer home. It was dark and out-ofdate, but the outdoor space and sweeping mountain views made up for the interior, at least for a while. In the meantime, John McKibbon’s hospitality group opened several hotels in the area, including the Aloft downtown and brand-new AC Hotel Asheville. (He has worked locally to open Homewood Suites by Crabtree Valley Mall and at RTP.) Asheville became more than a seasonal escape, Letitia McKibbon says. It became a place they are invested in, both in business and in charity. “This is our community.” To reﬂect the parts of Asheville they love most, in 2010 the couple completely gutted and renovated their house. There is spunky art, open space, and windows galore. The ridgeline, after all, is what won Letitia McKibbon over in the ﬁrst place. “It still shocks me sometimes that I feel this way,” she says good-naturedly, “Looking at the mountains is as good as the ocean.” 66 | WALTER

The renovation took two full years to complete, and no part of the house was left untouched. Letitia McKibbon says they wanted a fresh, modern look rather than a rustic design. Dark wood kitchen accents (pictured above) and exposed ceiling beams throughout the home are the couple’s only nods to traditional mountain lodge styles.

EASYGOING ART Letitia McKibbon doesn’t overthink the art she chooses, she says. This is not the couple’s primary residence (they spend June – November here), so they let Asheville’s unfussy spirit inform their decor approach. The dog sculpture, which McKibbon just calls “the big blue dog,” is her favorite. “I’m involved with the Asheville Humane Scoiety,” she says, “and I’m a huge animal rescuer.” The painting over the ﬁreplace, “the grumpy old man,” McKibbon says, is by Greenville, South Carolina-based artist Teri Pena. “He always becomes the topic of conversation at dinner parties. ... When you’re sitting at the dining room table, he’s looking right at you. He’s always part of the party.”

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THE MORE THE MERRIER The McKibbons don’t use their Asheville house as an escape from reality. “We are not alone here,” Letitia McKibbon says, and the couple entertains frequently. The open kitchen layout suits houseguests.

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CAREFUL BALANCE In many rooms, including the bedroom (pictured above), Letitia McKibbon’s furniture and decor are intentionally spare. In those cases, the vista is the art, she says. “I don’t want the art to distract from the view.” Decorating hotels has perks for home renovation, McKibbon says. Choosing ﬁnishes for the Aloft in downtown Asheville inspired much of their personal residence, too (including the bathroom pictured at left).

FEBRUARY 2018 | 69

MOUNTAINSCAPE Clockwise from above: The dining room painting is by Asheville artist Daniel McClendon. Letitia and John McKibbon at the opening of AC Hotel Asheville. The home’s basement movie theater. “We had fun with this house,” Letitia McKibbon says. In the stairwell hangs a massive macramé owl by Andy Harman, who often does large-scale retail installations for stores like J. Crew. “It’s so cool and diﬀerent,” McKibbon says. “I mean, who has a big owl in their house?”

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2004 Y ONKERS R D ., R ALEIGH , NC 27604 | (919) 754-9754 | G REENFRONT . COM

WALTER proﬁle

Emil Kang’s insatiable curiosity spurs big returns in the arts

O F RCE

of nature by IZA WOJCIECHOWSKA

photographs by BEN MCKEOWN

At right: Single Brothers bar in the historic Tobacco Soho building near downtown Winston-Salem.

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Emil Kang, executive and artistic director of Carolina Performing Arts, in Memorial Hall, the organization’s main performance space in Chapel Hill.

FEBRUARY 2018 | 73

hen the lights dim in Memorial Hall on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, when the crowd quiets and the stage comes alive with world-class modern dance, AfroCuban jazz, or brand-new chamber music, there’s one person in the audience for whom the art is always personal. For Emil Kang, the director of Carolina Performing Arts (CPA), bringing music, dance, and theater to the Triangle isn’t just a job – it’s the air he breathes. And being able to pull off successful performances night after night is the result of his own personal journeys: the life journey that brought him this role by unexpected means, and the annual travel he personally and tirelessly embarks on to find the world’s best artists and bring them to North Carolina. Kang came to UNC in 2004 to launch CPA, tasked with transforming the university’s arts program. When interviewing for the job, he notoriously said that he hoped to make the arts as big as basketball on campus – a bold claim at a university holding seven men’s national championship wins. Now in its 13th season and attracting first-rate performers plus millions of dollars in grants, CPA has distinguished itself as one of the most prestigious and exciting performing arts programs in the country. It’s all a reflection of Kang’s remarkable taste, work ethic, and inspiring curiosity.

A ‘rudderless’ childhood Kang, 49, is put-together and energetic, and his enthusiasm is infectious. When he talks, he often gazes off behind his glasses, into the middle distance when reminiscing, only to return to 74 | WALTER

the here and now with a big smile and unabashed laugh. He wasn’t always so self-assured. The son of Korean immigrants who settled in Queens in the 1960s and then Long Island, Kang grew up isolated, a Korean Catholic in a predominantly white and Jewish community. He and his younger sister were the only Korean kids at school. His parents would travel hours to meet up with other Korean families, where the adults would compare notes on their children’s accomplishments and trade advice on the best schools, best music teachers, and best careers. “I was raised in a childhood of expectation, not of support,” Kang says, noting that this was the standard mindset of Koreans beginning new lives in America, desperate to provide better circumstances for their children than they had had back home. As a result, he did what his parents expected of him: He started playing the piano in ﬁrst grade, then the violin in third. He became the concertmaster of his orchestra. He participated in church groups and Korean classes and did his homework. But he never had much of an opportunity to talk about what he was learning or feeling. He was bullied and teased in school and describes himself as “completely rudderless” at the time. He was shy, introverted, and afraid. “I was never asked my opinion, and I never had a chance to formulate one about anything,” he says. He went to college at the University of Rochester, where he arrived still unsure of his identity. He took pre-med classes, on track for a couple of years to fulﬁll his parents’ hopes that he become a doctor. He also continued his work with the violin, taking music classes; these were not to provide a fallback career

Wilner art gallery after graduation. Kang considers this professor his most important mentor. The pivotal point in his life, he says, was her challenge and intellectual support, and he never forgot it. He kept in touch with her until she passed away a few years ago.

Early curiosity

“The Carolina experience, just as much as going to a basketball game, should be to discover something new about the world and this journey of global cultural literacy – and even more than that, to really understand how you respond to the unknown.” –EMIL KANG option or pursue a hobby, he says, but to make him a more interesting medical school candidate. An overachiever by no choice of his own, he majored in economics to appease his father, who thought business would make for an adequate career back-up plan. He dutifully ﬁnished school in four years, fulﬁlling all pre-med requirements. Secretly, in-between all that, he also acquired an art history minor that changed his life. The minor was sparked by a class he took his junior year, one on impressionism and post-impressionism he had enrolled in on a whim. But the professor saw

something in Kang and nurtured his intellectual curiosity. “This was the ﬁrst teacher I ever had – and I was now 20 years old – who did not just care what I thought, but would beat it out of me,” Kang says. “I didn’t know if I was a Democrat or a Republican because no one ever asked me, and I never thought about it. But as a writer, writing about art (for class), I had to have an opinion.” His bond with this professor grew, and she inspired him to apply for jobs in art galleries. Against everyone else’s advice, he forewent a job offer at a major bank to become a receptionist at the Eli

After a few years at the gallery, first as receptionist, then as manager, Kang felt that something was missing. One night he went to a concert at Carnegie Hall, and he found his answer. Although he had stopped playing the violin at age 22, the concert reignited Kang’s passion for orchestral music. Watching the musicians on stage at Carnegie, he says, reminded him of his violin performances. The show motivated him to look for jobs in the orchestra realm. “I thought maybe it was my destiny to involve music in my life on my own terms,” he says. After blindly sending more than 300 letters to every orchestra he could find, and never hearing back from most of them, he found a job as a receptionist again: this time at the American Composers Orchestra, a small group that plays contemporary music. He took a 50-percent pay cut and moved home with his parents. They despaired. But despite the tension at home, he says in his gut he knew he was finally on track. In fact, this job launched the rest of his career. At American Composers Orchestra, Kang had the opportunity to meet all of the country’s major living composers. He was just supposed to bring them water, but instead he’d go to every rehearsal, sit with the composers, ask questions, engage. He’d finally learned to access the curiosity and confidence within him – a skill he says he owes exclusively to his college art history professor. FEBRUARY 2018 | 75

“How to hear music didn’t come from my music teachers. It came from her, because curiosity is curiosity,” he says. It paid off when he was selected for the prestigious Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, with the support of many of these famous composers he’d come to know over the years. The fellowship is a launching pad for orchestra managers, and after spending a year shadowing CEOs, he became the manager of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra in 1996. He met his wife, Lisa, there, and soon was invited to become the vice president of the Detroit Symphony – a major step up. In 1999, he moved to Detroit, proposed to Lisa, and six months after he started, his boss quit. Kang was asked to become the interim president, but after a full search, he was asked to step into the position permanently. This was an industry milestone. Thanks to a series of lucky breaks and obsessive hard work, Kang became the ﬁrst Asian American president of a major 76 | WALTER

orchestra. At age 31, he was also the youngest-ever president. His parents were overjoyed. Kang was overwhelmed. He had waded into the Detroit Symphony’s ﬁnancial challenges, and though he was a clear visionary in directing the symphony’s programming, a few poor choices, union disputes, and the responsibility of managing a $40 million company with 120 employees (when he had previously only ever managed four) got to him. In 2003, four years after arriving in Detroit, Kang was asked to leave. He was, he says, crushed. But those who knew him then already recognized his massive potential and had an inkling of what was to come. “What occurred to me, as I observed the challenges he was having, was what a performing arts presenter he would be,” says Ken Fischer, president emeritus of the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan and one of the founders of Major University Presenters (MUPs), a consortium of 19 elite university perform-

ing arts programs. “Here’s an enormous talent in Emil Kang, and I’d imagine what he’d be like on a university campus. He’s smart, and he had great ambition, and he cared about audiences. Why not let him loose to be creative? Because there’s only so much you can do when you’re heading a symphony orchestra.” After several months of jobless depression and uncertainty, as he remembers it, Kang received a phone call in 2004 from the president of the North Carolina Symphony, who had also been a fellow in the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program. He was on a search committee for a job at UNC, a brand-new comprehensive arts director role. Not long after, Kang was sitting in then-chancellor James Moeser’s office talking about their shared love of Mahler, about change, opportunity, students, about arts and basketball. “We were about to have a wonderfully renovated (performance) hall, but little to put in it,” Moeser says. “I had seen at other universities what a ﬁrst-rate presenting

program looked like, and I wanted Carolina to be doing what the best universities in America were doing: bringing the cultures of the world to the university. … So we launched a national search for a newly created position of executive director of the arts. “… When Emil Kang came into my office for our first conversation, I knew that we had found the right person for this job.” In 2004, Kang moved to North Carolina to become director of the newly minted CPA. He arrived at UNC with nothing: a one-person office, no boss, no precedent, and a blank slate. Fourteen years later, CPA is one of the top university presenters in the country, having transformed UNC’s relationship with the arts and launched Chapel Hill, and with it North Carolina, into a celebrated spotlight. ‘A very exceptional view of the world’ Emil Kang’s office on UNC’s campus is filled with books. There’s a standing desk in the corner, photos of Kang’s wife and daughter, Emma, and a big bowl of unfamiliar coins into which he empties his pockets when he returns from his many international trips. There’s a framed photo on the wall of him with President Obama, who appointed him to the National Council on the Arts in 2012. When I meet Kang for the first time in his office, I notice a couple of books laid out nonchalantly: a collection of Polish poetry by Tadeusz Różewicz on the coffee table, and a book about Polish theater director Grzegorz Jarzyna on the desk. I make a remark about the poet, whom I admire, and Kang quotes a few lines from memory. We spend 10 minutes talking about Poland before anything else. I realize it can’t be a coincidence, and that Kang must have seen my (very Polish) name in an introductory email and fished these books out just for me, just for this personally tinged conversation. I’m struck by the gesture, but I later learn that this is typical of Kang: He pays attention, he makes the extra effort, he thrives on personal connections.

This is clear in the hands-on way Kang approaches CPA’s programming, which has taken him to 68 countries and counting. He spends much of his time traveling to ﬁnd the best global artists, on their own turf. “When Emil wanted to think more intentionally about Eastern cultures at Carolina Performing Arts, rather than looking at the rest of the country and what other universities were doing, Emil bought some authentic garb, grabbed the director of the Asia Society, and went on a global exploration of fairly obscure places to unearth traditions and forms that would make sense at Carolina,” says Mary Lou Aleskie, director of the Hopkins Center of the Arts at Dartmouth College. “He takes this global adventure and brings back what he sees as valuable.” At the same time, Aleskie says, he mines the local community. She points to CPA’s celebration of iconic composer Philip Glass’s 80th birthday. Kang not only brought artists from all over the world to perform Glass’s work, but he also put together a tribute featuring the UNC Symphony Orchestra and Durham-based Merge Records artists. “It’s this beautiful balance of the world and its connections there in North Carolina, and that’s a very exceptional view of the world,” Aleskie says. For Kang, travel is a critical part of the job. He takes pride in the fact that-

none of his programming comes from agents or websites. And he takes pride in being able to transport these experiences, these talents, to a place where people might never otherwise experience them. “For students from North Carolina, which is 82 percent of our freshman class, many don’t come from big cities. Hopefully, for the first time, they might see a Sufi musician from Senegal (thanks to CPA),” Kang says. “The Carolina experience, just as much as going to a basketball game, should be to discover something new about the world and this journey of global cultural literacy – and even more than that, to really understand how you respond to the unknown.” Inextricably linked to CPA’s global emphasis is Kang’s focus on commissioning new work. Over CPA’s 13 seasons, Kang has commissioned 50 new pieces, “from a small flute piece to a gigantic theater piece and everything in-between,” he says. Just this season, CPA has two remarkable commissioned dance pieces: Big Dance Theater’s 17c and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan’s Formosa, which combines modern dance with ancient aesthetic arts into an abstract, thrilling work. Formosa will show at Memorial Hall in March. Commissions have also allowed CPA to put together sweeping, ambitious programs set around a central theme. The 2016-2017 season saw a year-long pro-

“His reputation is as a person who makes things happen in the arts, has a big vision for how arts can transform education, create a new generation of artists, build community, and be an economic generator.” –UNC-CHAPEL HILL CHANCELLOR CAROL FOLT FEBRUARY 2018 | 77

gram titled Sacred/Secular: A Suﬁ Journey, which shone a light on Islam and Suﬁsm through the work of artists from non-Arab Muslim-majority countries. Performers from Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, and Senegal dispelled the notion of a single narrative of Muslim identity and gave audiences a glimpse of the richness of their cultures. Another blockbuster program was The Rite of Spring at 100, which took over the 2012-2013 season to celebrate the centennial of Vaslav Nijinsky’s ballet, The

The Rite of Spring at 100 put CPA on the map in many ways, including recognition by the prestigious Mellon Foundation, which awarded this project two major grants. “The Rite of Spring project was just a beautifully conceived, audaciously ambitious, wonderful commemoration of this very important anniversary, and Emil was the ﬁrst to identify that,” says Susan Feder, a program officer at the Mellon Foundation. “Emil has an intellectual curiosity that is probably second-to-none

“He is, of course, an excellent professional, but I have met many talented professionals who do not necessarily possess the capacity or inclination to help nurture the next generation. For Emil, it is in his DNA.” –MATIAS TARNOPOLSKY, EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF CAL PERFORMANCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY

Rite of Spring, set to Igor Stravinsky’s music. The piece was bold and unexpected when it came out in 1913, leading to riots in Paris and marking a milestone in Modernist art. Kang’s all-out treatment of its anniversary was itself bold and revolutionary, receiving national acclaim and attention, with write-ups in The New Yorker and The New York Times, among others. He paid homage to the brilliant piece by commissioning 11 new works and featuring nine world and two U.S. premieres for the occasion. The line-up included world-class artists such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, choreographer Bill T. Jones, the Joffrey Ballet, mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, and jazz pianist Vijay Iyer. 78 | WALTER

in the ﬁeld, and he was able to pull (The Rite of Spring) off in precisely the way he had planned it, without any compromise.” CPA’s next big focus is a new performance space, CURRENT ArtSpace + Studio, which opens its doors this month with an interactive installation called Sound Maze and immersive performances by theater collective Gob Squad. Located just off campus, CURRENT is a ﬁrst-of-its-kind arts space in a building that also includes apartments, offices, dorms, and a Target. Kang says the idea is to move art out of “temples of culture” like theaters and into noncommittal, everyday spaces in which everyone can participate.

Arts as big as basketball Although Kang was brought on to lead CPA, arguably a daunting and consuming task in itself, his plate is far fuller than that. In 2016, Chancellor Carol Folt appointed him UNC’s firstever special assistant to the chancellor for the arts. “Before I even came here, people were talking about Emil Kang, this amazing person in Chapel Hill,” says Folt, who came to UNC in 2013 after serving as interim president of Dartmouth. “His reputation is as a person who makes things happen in the arts, has a big vision for how arts can transform education, create a new generation of artists, build community, and be an economic generator.” In this role, Kang is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative called Arts Everywhere, which incorporates performing arts throughout UNC’s campus in thought-provoking ways. Last April’s Arts Everywhere Day showcased 50 performances, pop-up concerts, and interactive art installation; ten pianos were placed, and played, in outdoor spaces across campus. “For this to work, it needs to have people excited at all levels and build from the strengths that are already there,” Folt says. “Emil has been building what I think is a really unusual collaboration in Chapel Hill, which makes this the right place and the right time for an initiative like this.” Kang finds the new role exciting and challenging, as he figures out new ways to deliver art to people, especially those who don’t seek it out on their own. “In some ways, you can say it really is an opportunity for me to fulfill that emotional vision, the crazy one, about arts and basketball,” Kang says. “Every single person on this campus needs to believe that the arts are for them. I don’t care if it’s the housekeeper or a distinguished professor or a nurse. The arts are for them.” Kang also teaches every semester, and one of his greatest joys is encountering students who take his class to fulfill

a requirement or because it seems easy, and watching their perspective transform under his tutelage. Persis Bhadha took Music and Culture: Understanding the World through Music her freshman year. She was a biomedical engineering major who thought the course, which required students to attend 10 CPA performances throughout the semester, would be fun and might include free tickets to see Lady Gaga or Imagine Dragons. Suffice it to say she was underwhelmed by the syllabus that featured jazz ﬂute, African dance, and a Noh play. Yet as the semester went on, Bhadha found herself drawn to these performances, moved to tears and having epiphanies about the nature of art. “Ultimately, I was never watching a show – I was learning through shared experiences,” she says. “I probably won’t remember Euler’s formula after I graduate, but I will never forget watching Youssou N’Dour … Every performance, every night had such an impact on me in

such a unique way. A great education is supposed to help you ﬁnd your reason why, and I believe that Carolina Performing Arts and this class helped me ﬁnd that reason.” Bhadha changed her academic trajectory as a result, creating her own major, “social entrepreneurship through the arts,” with Kang as her faculty sponsor. Stories like these from Kang’s former students abound, from those who attribute career achievements to his eye-opening guidance to those who fondly remember the way he challenged them in class. It’s clear that Kang is paying forward the mentorship he received from his college art history professor and which he has never forgotten. “He is, of course, an excellent professional, but I have met many talented professionals who do not necessarily possess the capacity or inclination to help nurture the next generation. For Emil, it is in his DNA,”

says Matias Tarnopolsky, executive and artistic director of Cal Performances at the University of California at Berkeley. A teacher; a mentor; a devoted father, husband, and son; special assistant to the chancellor; a member of countless committees and councils; an incessant traveler; and one of the most esteemed university performing arts presenters in the country. It’s difficult to fathom how Kang makes it all possible, and does everything so well. But he’ll be the ﬁrst to admit that it hasn’t been easy getting here – and hasn’t become easy since – yet is all absolutely worth it. “The responsibility we have as CPA is to be at the front of change,” Kang says. “It’s something that I worked really hard for, and I suffered, and it took a lot of work and a lot of sacriﬁces. I’m incredibly lucky – but it’s hard as hell. But I believe that what all young people need more than anything is that inspiration. This idea that someone believes that change is possible. What else does one need?” FEBRUARY 2018 | 79

THROUGH the LENS

a t i E GIV

L R I WH The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park ATTON words by SAMANTHA GR

photographs by MADELIN E GRAY

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D D

WINDMILLS Originally found along the pond on Vollis Simpson’s land in Wilson County, these whirligigs, which he simply called “windmills” are full of recycled materials, road signs, and reflective metals. The intriguing structures brought visitors from across the region to see it. “If you went during the day, he would be out there. Lots of people would stop and talk to him,” says Jeff Bell, executive director at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum, who first visited the whirligigs as a child.

rive into Wilson to visit the Whirligig Park, and you won’t know where to look ﬁrst – or, frankly, just what it is you’re seeing. After watching the giant pinwheels spin and turn with the breeze, you start to pick up on the details, realizing each individual fan, motor, and metal that makes up the whirligig. As it glints in the sun or reﬂects surrounding lights in the evening, this array of recycled materials exhibits the cluttered, fantastical chaos of a carnival. It also reveals the quiet beauty of a man’s life story. North Carolina native and artist Vollis Simpson created dozens of intricate whirligigs before he died in 2013. Celebrated as the official folk art of the state, more than 30 whirligigs now dwell in the newly opened Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in historic downtown Wilson. Because Simpson’s materials were sourced locally, the park is both the work of a local artist on display and a piece of North Carolina history. FEBRUARY 2018 | 81

FRESHENED UP Before the park opened, the whirligigs were relocated from Simpson’s property to be restored. “Vollis would use spray paint or whatever was on hand, but some of the ball bearings and paint have been replaced with higher quality,” says Bell. The process took seven years prior to the park’s grand opening in November, and restoration work is still being done on smaller whirligigs which will go to various museums. Not only was the whirligigs’ integrity kept intact, but the layout of the park is modeled after their location on Simpson’s land, now circling around the amphitheater instead of his pond.

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SPEAKS FOR ITSELF Most of the whirligigs are named exactly as you might describe them. For example, the one that looks like a Christmas tree (pictured above) is called Christmas Tree. Simpson did not name any of his whirligigs himself, these were monikers given by the conservationists to serve as a reference.

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AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL Simpson was a pilot who served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He made several whirligigs resembling World War II-era airplanes (pictured opposite top right), as well as lumberjacks and farm animals he would have likely seen in his daily life (pictured above and opposite top left). “The more you know about him and his work, the more autobiographical they are,” says Jeﬀ Bell, executive director at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum. From farm machinery and fan blades to motor parts and road signs, many of these items were commonly found in or near Wilson County.

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MODERN ITERATIONS At night, people would come to Simpson’s land to experience the magic of their car headlights hitting all of the different reflectors as they spun and turned in the wind. Now, if you visit the Whirligig Park after dark, different stations are located throughout the park with a button to adjust the lights and mimic the effect of headlights shining on the whirligigs. Near the park is another development called Whirligig Station, set to open this spring, which will include 90 apartments, a restaurant, and the whirligig museum.

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at the TABLE

dash of FLAVOR Winston-Salem’s quirky, sophisticated food scene

words and photos by LAURA WHITE

nce upon a time, if you had said to me, “I’m going to Winston-Salem,” I would have reacted incredulously. Conjuring tobacco, Moravian culture, and the fond if fuzzy memory of a college night spent at the former indie music venue Ziggy’s, I had a limited handful of constrictive clichés about the city 100 miles west of Raleigh. Recently, I decided to give the place a chance to speak for itself. After a few days exploring the Twin City, as it’s often called, and eating, eating, and eating (OK, there were cocktails and coffee, too), I’d like to issue a formal apology. Gone are the clichés. Food destination is now ﬁrst and foremost on the list of how I describe Winston-Salem.

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Diving in At just under two hours away from Raleigh, or one-and-a-half if you drive like I do, Winston-Salem is a quick and easy jaunt. I started my recent visit a bit outside of the main drag downtown, in the West End. What began as a streetcar suburb at the turn of the century still retains much of its original charm, and this national historic district, while primarily residential, is also home to a number of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and retail spaces stacked on gentle hills along meandering streets. In search of lunch, I snagged a parking spot just outside of Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro, a West End ﬁxture since 2008, and hurried inside. It was intimate and inviting, which I would ﬁnd

At right: Single Brothers bar in the historic Tobacco Soho building near downtown Winston-Salem.

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FOURTH STREET Tomato pie and spicy collard greens at Mozelle’s (at left); the twinkly bar at Tate’s Craft Cocktails (opposite)

to be true of many places in Camel City (another one of its monikers). Time and again, I experienced an equally intimate and inviting culinary community. Light poured in through a wall of ﬂoor-toceiling windows, illuminating the cheery space. I was starving, and this place was high on every list of recommendations I’d gotten from friends. As I began to look over the menu I could see why. Owner Jennifer Smith and chef Matt Haithcock have nailed the whole upscale Southern dining in a casual environment thing, offering a well-crafted, mouthwatering menu that sources from local farms. Their tomato pie caught my eye, and when it was described by my server as a mix between a pot pie and a pizza, I pounced. At lunch it’s usually served with creamed succotash, and at dinner 90 | WALTER

and brunch with cheese grits, but I opted to sub those for their spicy collards with bacon. When the tomato pie came out, it truly did look like a little slice of pizza pot pie. It was full of hot, melty cheese with a crispy, flaky crust. The collards were something to write home about, and as a born and bred Southerner, I’m picky about my collards. I polished it all off in no time and snuggled back into my barstool, sipping a small pour of Belle Glos pinot noir, thoroughly satisfied. While chatting up one of the servers, he laughed, “All we have to do in this town is drink and eat and do art.” “Sounds like a good life to me,” Aaron, one of the cooks, quipped with a wink. He also bounces at Bar Piña, a new spot off Trade Street that has quickly become a local favorite, with a perfectly over-the-top vibe and a rooftop patio to boot. About a six-minute drive from the West End down 4th Street is the city’s first luxury boutique hotel, the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel. It opened in April 2016, and lucky me, it was my digs for the evening. Housed in the historic R.J. Reynolds Building, a 314-foot Art Deco skyscraper (be still my heart!), it’s on the National Register of Historic Places and – fun fact – was the muse for New York’s Empire State Building. Once headquarters to the tobacco empire, stepping through the revolving doors was like taking a step back in time: polished marble glistened, and the restored brass elevator doors clicked open and closed beneath gold-leaf gilded ceilings.

All I wanted to do was play in the giant rec center in the basement, complete with a bowling alley, basketball court, pool table, and slide (that’s right, a two-story slide) but I had a date at Old Salem with Darlee Snyder, director of education and outreach, to explore Moravian culinary traditions. We wandered around Old Salem, stopping in at a number of the historic sites and learning about the gardens and historic cooking techniques they still use, such as Winkler Bakery’s dome oven, still heated with wood just as it was nearly 200 years ago; and the secret to traditional German-style Springerle cookies, made with lemon and anise and pressed into wooden molds. For your own taste of this history, make sure to stop by the Tavern in Old Salem. Back downtown, I embarked on a self-made evening walking tour, beginning at Tate’s, the ﬁrst craft cocktail spot in the city. There, soft white lights strung across the ceiling illuminate a wall full of shelves bearing bottles upon bottles of everything one could imagine or desire, and more amaros than I even realized existed. The cocktail menu is playful, with some surprising combinations, like the Surfer on Acid with coconut rum, Montenegro amaro, fresh pineapple and lime juice, angostura bitters, and Jagermeister. I started with the house hot toddy (vanilla, lemon, rooibos tea, and whiskey) before moving on to their Hey Dude, an old-fashioned-style cocktail with Eagle Rare bourbon, Averna amaro, Cardamaro, Demarara sugar, and root beer essence. I considered having another

“All we have to do in this town is drink and eat and do art.”

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TRADE STREET Mission Pizza Napoletana (below right); Miss Ora’s Kitchen (opposite)

drink but managed to drag myself away for a bite at Mission Pizza, just down Trade Street. Located in the Arts District, Mission Pizza Napoletana is North Carolina’s first Napoletana, or Neopolitan, pizzeria, meaning this crew’s mission is to honor the centuries of pizza-makers from the birthplace of pizza: Naples, Italy. For owner Peyton Smith, Mission was a six-year labor of love that finally came to fruition in 2014. What started as Forno Moto, a mobile wood-fired pizza oven, has become a favorite brick-and-mortar in Winston, with a monstrous handmade Stefano Ferrara oven holding court in the center of an open, modern space. The oven fires at 1000 degrees and cooks the pizzas in 90 seconds, leaving a lovely char on the blistered crust. “Best eaten while hot. Dilly dallying is discouraged,” the menu chides. You don’t have to tell me twice. I opted for a white pizza, the “Funghi,” loaded with crimini and shiitake mushrooms, fresh and smoked mozzarella, garlic, Parmigiano, and thyme. The crust was absolutely divine: light and flaky on the outside, soft and still a bit gooey on the inside. I polished off the 12-inch pizza on my own in no time, along with a juicy, earthy glass of Santi Valpolicella Ripasso DOC. Leaving Mission, it was back to the hotel to gussy up for a second dinner (because, why not?). I had a reservation at the Katharine Brasserie & Bar, the restaurant and craft cocktail bar inside of the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel. The restaurant is named for R.J. Reynold’s wife, known for her philanthropic work pushing for social reforms in the tobacco factory, and for her vision and role in the design and construction of their elaborate family estate, Reynolda House, which is just down the road and now the Reynolda House

“Best eaten while hot. Dilly dallying is discouraged,” the menu chides. You don’t have to tell me twice. Museum of American Art. The construction of the house took eight years; it celebrated its centennial in December 2017, and in addition to the beautiful home it is well-known for its gardens and greenhouses. (A quick aside: if you’re headed out to visit the museum and gardens – which I highly recommend, phytomaniac that I am – there are two spots where I suggest you grab a nearby bite to eat: Dioli’s Italian Market for solid sandwiches or homemade zeppoles; and practically next-door Village Tavern, where the house-made potato chips are heavenly.) Back to the Katharine. It isn’t just the namesake that’s impressive. Located on

the first floor of the R.J. Reynolds building, the restaurant is Art Deco inspired and at once masculine and feminine. Intricate metal scrollwork adorns the walls, recessed lighting in the curved ceiling gives it a romantic glow, and white marble slabs rest atop heavy iron table bases. The bar is a whole other beast, a half-step down from the restaurant, and with its scalloped white tile floor, brown leather bar stools, and dark wood paneling, it feels a bit like walking into an executive boardroom from a bygone era. The menu reflects executive chef Adam Barnett’s experience working in French bistros and brasseries. French and Southern staples are good neighbors,

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THE CLASSICS The chili dog from Skippy’s (below); Mary’s Gourmet Diner (at right); the fried chicken sandwich from Sweet Potatoes (opposite).

borrowing and lending a bit here and there. There’s the cotelette de porc topped with a crispy fried onion ring, and the shrimp-and-grits with spicy chorizo and peppers basquaise, or the Carolina rainbow trout grenobloise: a North Carolina mountain fish cooked in a style literally “of Grenoble,” a city situated at the foot of the French alps. Since it was Friday, and their plat du jour was a bouillabaisse with halibut, mussels, shrimp, carrots, and fingerling potatoes, there was really no question what I’d be having for the main course. What is there to say about this dish? Simply this: make a reservation for a Friday night. Go eat it. At this point I was stuffed to the gills, Violet Beaureguarde status. With the promise of an oversized king bed mere moments away, I decided to end the evening on a high note, ride that brass elevator up to the fourth floor, and call it a night. The next morning, I made my way 94 | WALTER

down to Camino, a coffee shop off 4th Street, for a wake-up call, then headed back to the Arts District. I’d heard Mary’s Gourmet Diner served the best breakfast in town, and I intended to ﬁnd out. What Mary Haglund opened as Mary’s Of Course in 2000 quickly outgrew its original space, and in 2010 it reopened as Mary’s Gourmet Diner in a beautiful old bank building. Hand-painted murals adorn the walls and ceilings, and work by local artists is everywhere. Though tempted by the “gritz” bowls, with options like the down-home gritz (with jalapeno pimento cheese, eggs, and country ham), a splitgrilled biscuit covered with pork gravy was just the thing for me. I still got a healthy helping of grits, too: They came served on the side in a full-sized mug, absolutely smothered in cheese. Only a block down from Mary’s was my next stop, Sweet Potatoes (Well Shut My Mouth!). Owners Vivian Joiner and chef Stephanie Tyson opened the restau-

rant in 2003, and since then it has become a culinary mainstay. Sweet potatoes star in a number of the dishes, from biscuits to sandwich rolls, and I was tempted by more than a couple of menu items, like the fried bologna sandwich with pimento cheese, and the PBJ, a fried porkchop with peanut butter and banana aioli topped with bacon, cheddar, and tomato jam. But because I’m always on the hunt for the best fried chicken sandwich in America, I gave theirs a go. The Mambo Chicken is a wonderful hot mess, with a fried chicken breast atop a sweet potato roll slathered with coleslaw and served with a side of their spicy Mambo sauce. I dumped the sauce on the sandwich and dug in. With each bite, juice dripped down my hands and onto the bartop, and I was soon out of napkins and licking my ﬁngers right there in front of God and everybody. The bartender quickly brought me a thick stack of extra napkins, laughing.

The fried chicken was standout. It’s no wonder, then, that last July, Joiner and Tyson opened a walk-in, counter-service chicken spot next-door to Sweet Potatoes. Miss Ora’s Kitchen, named for Tyson’s late grandmother, uses her fried chicken recipe – which is different, I discover, than the recipe they use at Sweet Potatoes. It has limited counter seating and a limited menu, but a whole heck of a lot of charm. A leg or a thigh is $2.25, a breast $3.99, and they’re all pan-fried while you wait in a huge cast iron skillet sizzling on the stovetop. While waiting for my order, a woman in line told me, “It’ll be the best fried chicken you’ve ever had.” She wasn’t wrong, and the recipe reminded me a bit of my own grandmother’s, taking me back to childhoods of Sunday suppers in Eastern North Carolina.

Accoutrements I managed many snacks during my time in Winston-Salem. For a quick bite, hit Skippy’s. Hot dogs at this joint are served on pretzel rolls and are, if you’re a hot dog person, an actual dream come true. For a treat, try Black Mountain Chocolate. I’m a fan of their 53-percent goat’s milk bar, made right there in the building. Or if you like your treats in liquid form, just next-door is Broad Branch, a grain-to-glass distillery specializing in North Carolina whiskey. No trip to the Twin City is complete without a stop at Foothills Brewery, one of the state’s ﬁrst and largest craft breweries. There are two locations, but the popular brewpub is downtown in what was once a car dealership. It opened on St. Patrick’s Day in 2005 and builds on a city tradition: the ﬁrst documented commercial brewery in North Carolina was at the Single Brothers’ House in Old Salem, just down the road.

Time and again, I experienced an equally intimate and inviting culinary community. As I sat at the bar sipping my Frostbite IPA, which my bartender described as being “like a porter and an IPA had a baby,” I began to think of this whole trip as divine providence. Maybe it was just the beer talking, and maybe Benjamin Franklin didn’t actually say it, but I’m pretty sure the Single Brothers of days gone by would agree that beer is in fact proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. At 6.2-percent alcohol-by-volume and only $1.50 for a 6-ounce pour, I was happy, anyway. In honor of those unmarried Moravian men, I decided to have one last drink at their namesake bar back in the Arts District. Tucked onto the end of the Tobacco Soho Building, which was home to a weekly newspaper in a past life, Single Brothers is an intimate watering hole for all manner of locals, with craft cocktails and plenty of people-watching on the expansive covered patio. Reluctantly, I downed my drink and stepped back out into the world. The sun was setting, and the streets had come alive. The Arts District was full of people walking, headed to restaurants and bars. The wind whipped around me, and the tinkling of wind chimes hanging from the lamp posts along Trade Street ﬁlled the air. It mingled with the music piped out from the radio station next door, and the whole block felt surreal and magical, a scene from some intellectual indie ﬁlm, complete with a soundtrack, in the last glimmer of late afternoon. To fuel the drive back home I swung by Krankies Cafe. What started as a coffee

shop has now added a full-service restaurant to the mix. Thankfully, they’re still roasting their own beans in the 3rd Street spot, just off the train tracks near downtown. As I waited for a latte at the bar I could hear a song by one of my favorite Raleigh-tied bands, Future Islands, playing just below the din of patrons laughing and glasses clinking: People change … I’ve been waiting on you, I’ve been waiting on you. It seems for Winston-Salem, that wait is over. This former tobacco town has forged a name for itself in the culinary scene and is more than worth the quick drive out. Give yourself even a full weekend, and you’ll be left wanting more.

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MISS ORA’S KITCHEN Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. missoraskitchen.com

BLACK MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE Wed. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 9 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. blackmountainchocolate.com

MOZELLE’S Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m. 10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. mozelles.com

BROAD BRANCH DISTILLEY Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat. 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. broadbranchdistillery.com

MISSION PIZZA NAPOLETANA Tues. - Thurs. 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. missionpizzanapoletana.com

CAMINO BAKERY Mon - Fri 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 12 midnight, Sun. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. caminobakery.com

REYNOLDA HOUSE MUSEUM Tues. - Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sun. 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. reynoldahouse.org

DIOLI’S ITALIAN MARKET Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. diolis.com

SINGLE BROTHERS Mon. - Tues. 5 p.m. - 2 a.m., Wed. - Sat. 4 p.m. - 2 a.m., Sun. 12 p.m. - 2 a.m. 627 Trade St. N.W.

FOOTHILLS BREWPUB Mon. - Tues. 11 a.m. 12 midnight, Wed. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 2 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m. 12 midnight foothillsbrewing.com

SKIPPY’S Sun. - Mon. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 624 W. 4th St.

KATHARINE BRASSERIE & BAR Sun. - Thurs. 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Fri. - Sat. 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. katharinebrasserie.com KRANKIE’S COFFEE Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m - 10 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. krankiescoﬀee.com

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SWEET POTATOES (WELL SHUT MY MOUTH) Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. sweetpotatoes.ws TATE’S COCKTAIL BAR Mon. - Sat. 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. tatesbar.com TAVERN IN OLD SALEM Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and 5 - 9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. thetaverninoldsalem.ws VILLAGE TAVERN Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 12 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. villagetavern.com

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QUENCH

TIKI with a TWIST The Cortez Seafood + Cocktail mixes an unexpected pair by CATHERINE CURRIN

he Cortez exudes sophisticated beach vibes, from the bright blue benches and white-washed walls evoking sand and sea to the menu of fresh seafood. The restaurant opened on Glenwood South last summer and has already found a dedicated customer base, thanks in part to weekly one-dollar oyster happy hours. Its drink menu adds a carefree element: from rosé meant to pair with oysters on the halfshell to a spirit-forward cocktail meant to balance lobster mac and cheese, many cocktails are aquatic themed and have a decidedly tiki bar bent. “We created a menu with what we thought was a new and fun direction for

Raleigh,” says bar director Cary Walters. Walters previously worked at Jose + Sons, Cortez’s sister restaurant in downtown Raleigh. There, he created the Mexican restaurant’s signature bloody mary, mixed with Sangrita, a tomato palette cleanser, over-the-top garnishes, and a beer back. Walters has brought the same spunk to The Cortez, where the fun is in merging classic bar cocktails with tiki beverages. The tiki-inspired mixes are housemade, keeping any artiﬁcial syrupy-sweetness to a minimum. Walters jokes that when he gets requests for a “skinny margarita,” he can’t help but explain that these freshly made mixes are, in his opinion, “naturally skinny.”

This month, Walters mixed the winteriest tiki drink he could manage: The Tiki Old Fashioned is a nautical nod to the classic Old Fashioned: brandy mixed with a refreshing crushed ice orangeade. The tiki ﬂavor comes from Caribbean-spiced Falernum syrup; The Cortez makes a version in-house, but you can ﬁnd it at specialty grocers and beverage stores, too. “People view tiki drinks as typically too sweet, too sugary. We like to blend the intimidating liquor cocktails with the tiki to make it approachable. It’s enlightening to get people to embrace certain cocktails again.”

photographs by KEITH ISAACS

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TIKI OLD FASHIONED Ingredients: 2 ounces Copper & Kings American brandy ¼ ounce Falernum syrup 3 dashes bitters ½ orange slice brandied cherry splash of soda water mint, for garnish Add bitters, orange, and brandied cherry to cocktail shaker and muddle. Add brandy and Falernum and shake with ice. Strain over crushed ice in a tulip glass. Add splash of soda, and garnish with mint and an orange twist.

AFIELD

above the

CLOUDS Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

words and photography by DAVID HOLDSTOCK

en months of preparation. A cargo bag full of expensive new outdoor equipment. Immunizations and medication to prevent yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, and altitude sickness. A farewell to my family in Raleigh, and I was off to that place Ernest Hemingway described as “where a man feels at home, outside of where he’s born, is where he’s meant to go.” As the Boeing 747 prepared for landing at Johannesburg’s O. R. Tambo International Airport, far above the clouds, I realized we were at 20,000 feet, the very same altitude I was hoping to reach later on foot, with nothing but a pair of good hiking boots and the hot African sun on my back. It was a romantic schoolboy adventure: To climb Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding, snow-covered mountain in the world, to reach the rooftop of Africa, to take in its commanding view of the open plains and savanna grasses of the Serengeti, to feel the rhythm and heartbeat of a continent that is said to be the cradle of civilization.

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Ready to go Given that, as I’m told, only 60 percent of hikers who attempt it reach the mountain’s summit, and that approximately 10 of them die every year from altitude-related sickness, my traveling companion and I knew we needed to ﬁnd a reputable company with the very best guide. We decided on Abercrombie & Kent, with its long history and focus on natural and ecological awareness. On Oct. 24, 2017, we met our hiking party, comprised of nine other hikers, one guide, four assistant guides, and an amazing 66 porters. The hikers were an interestFEBRUARY 2018 FEBRUARY 2018| 101 | 67

‘MAJESTIC’ A view from the early days of the trek

ing and eclectic group of strangers that included seven women and four men, ranging in age from 25 to 68. There was a group of four wonderfully funny and educated women from Miami Beach, whose combined skills helped everyone on the climb; a very happily married couple from Hampstead Heath, London, full of character and caring; a grandmother and her beautiful 22-year-old granddaughter from California; A Maserati-driving Las Vegas dentist with an infectious laugh; and my Carolina-educated business partner who had set this adventure in motion. Our guide, Dismass Mariki, a seasoned, local, good-looking 36-yearold African man, had a proclivity for checking and re-checking everything we consumed, and a reputation for professionalism, attention to detail, and an impressive 98-percent record of success

… as I’m told, only 60 percent of hikers who attempt it reach the mountain’s summit, and approxmately 10 of them die every year ...

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helping hikers navigate to the summit. We’d need his help. Out of the seven established Kilimanjaro summit climbing routes, we’d chosen Machame, the more difficult, longer route at 62 kilometers, or 37 miles. It starts in the south and heads to the west side of the mountain, taking a sharp turn to the east, travelling under ice ﬁelds and then up to the summit from the southwest Barafu Base Camp. What I didn’t know then was that the first five days of the climb would be mostly prep work, designed to get each hiker ready for the journey’s final 30 hours. We all had a lot of acclimating to do. Each and every evening, after a long day’s hike, you could set your watch by the guide’s lectures on improving your blood oxygen levels using deep breathing techniques, the important daily need for hydration that included drinking 5 liters (10 pints) of water a day, the signiﬁcance of sufficient daily calorie intake, and the right amount of Diamox medication for altitude sickness.

The climb Day One, the rainforest: The first real challenge was the first leg: an uphill, six-hour hike to the Machame Camp. It stood majestically, 10,000 feet above sea level. A classic heavy shower introduced us all to the rainforest as we trekked. This was the day you realized you were actually camping outdoors, and all clothing that got wet would stay wet. We forgot all about that, though, when we arrived at base camp to a wonderful surprise: a serenade by all 66 porters, who throughout the hike carried from base camp to base camp, day in and day out, absolutely everything we needed, including cots, tents, food, water, cooking equipment, toilets, and our 44-pound bags of clothes and equipment. They sang a Swahili song of encouragement that included the words hakuna matata. This would continue at specific milestones throughout the hike and was much appreciated by all of us. Day Two, supernatural mountain fog: The next day included waking up to a frost-covered tent and extreme cold. First, we hiked up a steep rocky outcrop for a few hours to Shira Plateau, at 12,500 feet. It was here we witnessed how quickly the “cloak and dagger” clouds of fog mysteriously rolled in and out. It reminded me of the fog shrouding the moors in Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. This was the day you started to perfect taking off layers of clothing and within an hour putting them back on again. Day Three, a martian landscape: Day three was all about acclimating to high altitudes. First we had a very enjoyable six-hour walk across a Mars-type landscape to Barranco Camp, at 13,000 feet. Then we trekked up to Lava Tower, which stood at a lofty altitude of 15,000 feet, for a lunch that included fresh fruit, hot coffee, leek and potato soup, bread, and a vegetable pastry. And, as always at meal times, Francine, our French-born fellow hiker, had an abundance of rich chocolate to share. The height forced us all to face the very real possibility of headaches, lightheadedness, nosebleeds, and vomiting. The whole idea was to learn how it feels to go up to 15,000 feet

ASCENDING Clockwise from top left: Approaching the “supernatural mountain fog” on day two; some of the 66 porters who carried hikers’ belongings throughout the journey; camping midway up the mountain; the “martian landscape” ﬁrst encountered on day three.

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OTHERWORLDLY This page, from left: The landscape on day three conjured Mars; approaching the summit; the pinnacle view from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

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and come back down to 13,000 feet. No dramatic effect was noted, apart from a few headaches. Day Four, introduction to mountain climbing: Day four included a 5-hour morning hike and a climb to Karanga Camp, at 13,000 feet. We went down and up the valley sides. It was a difficult hike that included high knee lifts, loose rocks, and an uphill trail. We crossed streams and enjoyed the mountain vegetation, the African sun, and the brisk wind. Day Five, balanced cairns: This was the day we reached a 15,800-foot-elevation plateau overlooking Barafu Camp. It was the last resting place before the “big one.” As I had hoped, the African sun was shining on my back. A Sapphire-gin-blue sky introduced us to the beauty of the mountain landscape. This was an emotional hike for us all, as the end was in sight. Previous hikers had created cairns, or balanced stacks of stones, in homage to the mountain. We arrived at our ﬁnal base camp at lunchtime. We were now prepared and ready for the ﬁnal 30-hour summit climb. The Final 30-Hour Day, round trip to the summit: We established a base higher

than expected to give us a leg up on the grueling 6-hour nighttime climb to get us up the southwest side of the mountain. After a high-carbohydrate dinner of pasta and bread, at 6 p.m. we retired to our tents for rest and hopefully some deep sleep. I dozed off to the sound of gale force winds and the flapping of the canvas of the partially zipped tented “toilet” doors. The wind was fierce. Even from our sleeping bags, temperatures were noticeably dropping. We were, after all, nearly three-and-a-half miles up. We were woken at 11 p.m. for a breakfast of porridge, toast, and raspberry jam. We dressed in our sub-zero degree Gore-Tex clothing, and at 12:30 a.m., all 11 hikers, the head guide, and four assistant guides started the final uphill hike. It was a clear, cloudless night with a Bible-black sky and brilliant stars, one of those nights that made you wish you had majored in astronomy. The moon had a piercing white center and five concentric rings. We could see the Milky Way, the galaxy that contains our solar system, and 100 billion stars. Its dust lanes, nebulas, and star clusters arched across the night sky from the northeast to the

THE PEAK This page, from left: David Holdstock and the entire “hiking party” he was part of, including nine other hikers, one guide, four assistant guides, and 66 porters; representing Raleigh at the peak.

south. It may have been the rarefied air, the elevation, or the isolation, but there was an undeniable feeling and a belief, as well as a sense and taste, of the infinite and eternal. We set off on a slow, easy march uphill, a pallbearers’ pace that helped keep the team together. Each of us had a headlamp firmly positioned in the middle of the forehead which allowed us each to look down and shine a light at the heels of the hiker in front of them. We moved as a team in step with each other. Starting the hike up the final escarpment, I could see four other groups of hikers varying in size. At the top of the mountain, I could see the lights of the headlamps of the lead group. Temperatures continued to drop. At 3 a.m., the temperature reached a low of -6 degrees Celsius, or 21 degrees Fahrenheit. Sleet stung the uncovered parts of our faces. And then the Jim Lovell, Apollo 13 moment happened. The water in my CamelBak bladder started to crystalize and freeze. It started at the mouthpiece and slowly travelled down the pipe. I remember laughing and saying out loud “Houston, we have a

problem.” It was a surreal moment for a man who lives at sea level and longs for the hot Carolina summers. My water tube, as well as those of the other 10 hikers’, was now out of commission. The guide had predicted such an event and was armed and ready with cups of water. At each rest stop, you were required to drink a large cup of water in a silver tin cup and consume four nonfreezing-type sugar cookies. You could see the water in the tin cup freezing as you tilted it into the wind. At about 5 a.m., there were at least two requests from our team to turn around. We passed a group of hikers consoling a person who was visibly suffering from altitude sickness. We continued the slow march uphill to the summit. The reverend sun rising at 6:15 a.m. gave us a new view of our objective and the strength and courage to go on: We could see the top of Kilimanjaro. It was within reaching distance. The air was noticeably thinner. The freezing temperatures had given way to a much milder morning air mass. “Congratulations, you are now at Stella Point” read a sign, but the actual

summit was still 45 minutes away. The excitement was palpable. We continued to walk around what was clearly a dormant volcano, with its dark ash and crater-like shape. And there it was! The sign we had flown 20 hours and hiked 62 kilometers through rainforest, desert, and arctic conditions to touch. “Congratulations. You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5895 Meters, 19,341 feet. Africa’s highest point. World’s highest free-standing mountain.” It was worth all of the planning, preparation, and investment. The lure of Kilimanjaro, this “mountain of greatness,” had been too hard to resist. While there was no real physical life-changing experience, there was a sense of achievement. The outcome was more about finding out about your soul, and your sense and feeling for the immeasurable and the infinite. It was more about the power of introspection and self-examination. Mount Kilimanjaro has the grace, power, and glory to do that, and also the ability to take your breath away.

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FIELD GUIDE by CC PARKER Coastal fun at River Dunes

family

VACATION words and photographs by CC PARKER

WATERFRONT Brown Parker, Hank Robinson, Caroline Johnson, and Bailey Parker enjoy Labor Day weekend at River Dunes in Oriental, N.C.

o you dream of time “off the grid”? Yearn for that special place to share a laugh, grill a steak, and have no worries beyond what to grill tomorrow? A place with spotty cell service; a place that supplies nicer sheets than you have at home? My family has found just the spot, not too far down the road, called River Dunes. River Dunes is a boating community nestled along a harbor off Broad Creek where the Neuse River meets the Pamlico Sound. This place takes you by surprise, in the best of ways. Here’s what you can expect.

Getting there For those accustomed to travelling the well-worn trail Highway 70 East to Morehead City-Atlantic Beach, you’ll find veering left at New Bern onto US-17 is a completely different experience. This trek has sweeping views of New Bern and the Neuse River. After winding through many cornfields, a white pasture fence, and behind it friendly noshing horses, marks the River Dunes entrance. A quick stop at the registration cottage and you’re on your way. My husband jokes that I’m partial to “pretty,” and this place really is spectacular. A rambling drive meanders to the village and your first view is of River Dunes’ stunning marina and adjoining Harbor House. Built of reclaimed brick, the Harbor House is a

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OFF THE GRID Above, from left to right: CC Parker, Kirk Parker, David Liggett, and Ellen Liggett explore the Neuse River.

stately two-story building smelling of beeswax and old wood, oozing first-class leisure. It houses the restaurant, a bar, pool tables, the Harbormaster’s office, and multiple screened-in porches with outdoor fireplaces. It serves as the heart of the community. The Atlanta-based architectural firm Historical Concepts spared no expense in creating an authentic coastal village in the tradition of nearby communities like New Bern. The place is imbued with a genteel grace and casual elegance. The adjoining pool area has everything you (or at least for my family and me) could want: a pool, covered bar, cabanas, a hot tub, two outdoor fireplaces, and a workout area. The view out to the marina reveals some impressive boats – some boats are there for the night, some are kept there year round. There are kayaks and paddleboards for guests to use, as well.

Personal experience Last Labor Day, my family joined two other families to celebrate at River Dunes. One family rented a large house on Main Street, but we opted instead to rent four “tiny houses” in the Grace Bay cottage enclave. Grace Bay, enclosed by a picket fence, is a charming area with a communal ﬁre pit encircled by Adirondack chairs, a gas grill, and an oyster table. Each cottage is tiny but exactly what you need for a weekend stay. Equipped with a bedroom, a small kitchen – coffee provisions, plates, and a corkscrew – and a comfortable bathroom. Each front porch has a rocking chair and reading lamp,

home only to change clothes for the pool, report a bicycle mishap, sneak out a bag of chips, or for a quick game on the PS4 while the teens slept. They ignored the discreet No fishing off the docks signs, and insisted that the Harbormaster didn’t mind. (I think this might be true, as River Dunes offers loaner rods for the little folk.) The fathers fished and napped. Worldclass red drum fishing makes this area a favorite destination at the end of summer. There is also excellent flounder and speckled trout fishing. The Marina sells the important stuff: gas, beer, ice, wine, and snacks. The Harbormaster is happy to connect guests to local captains, and boat slips are available for rent by the night, month, or annually. We enjoyed several beautiful sunsets on our nightly booze cruise. The teens, I’m happy to report, were also content. Glad for extra space and our parental laid-back mentality, they really had a great time. The boys imported a PS4, and nothing fosters friendship like four big boys huddled around a 30-inch TV screen. The girls practiced their driving skills and requisitioned a pool cabana.

The Marina sells the important stuff: gas, beer, ice, wine, and snacks. perfect for whiling away the evening. The porch is big enough, too, for morning coffee and evening cocktails (I recommend pulling up beer coolers to use as extra chairs). Everyone was happy during the Labor Day weekend. The group’s two 10-yearolds were constantly moving, returning

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SOUND BIKES Brown Parker and Hank Robinson take advantage of River Dunes’ complimentary bicycles.

Predictably, the big boys became restless on the second day and set out for nearby Oriental, their car stereo thumping. Only 15 minutes away, folks go to Oriental to grocery shop, eat lunch, or to look for “dragon eggs” (folklore fun for visitors: dozens of rocks painted to look like eggs and scattered around town). Holiday weekends make for good observation, and River Dunes’ audience is well-rounded. We saw folks on a long

IF YOU GO Being oﬀ the grid with a hungry family requires preparation…

cruise with no set return date; very young recent retirees; long-retired vacationers; River Dunes homeowners; and of course a few pirates. You’re likely to fit right in. If you’re craving time away from it all, this is the place: excellent fishing, lovely accommodations, spotty cell service. River Dunes is quiet and beautiful and relaxed – enough to keep every member of the family satisfied. If your priorities are like mine, River Dunes creates the perfect retreat. Rocking chairs, reading lamps, and the wine cork await you.

• I recommend bringing your own provisions. If you need to stock up on the way, try the old-school Piggly Wiggly in Grantsboro. Next door is The Pamlico Restaurant, a local favorite with barbecue, fried chicken, and chicken-n-dumplings. The lunch line forms at 11 a.m. most days. • Many River Dunes homeowners order food and supplies from Amazon. Grace Harbor Provisions in the village has a limited sundry. • Bring beach towels for the pool, and bug spray for everything else. • Firewood, courtesy cars, golf carts, and bicycles are all available. Ask the Yacht Club Staﬀ.

For more information: riverdunes.com

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GIVERS

TOOLS FOR SUCCESS Teacher Deb Caldwell works hands-on with students Sam Mlaker (left) and Nicholas Chemali (right) at Project Enlightenment’s Parent Teacher Resource Center.

STRONG SUIT Project Enlightenment equips young students by HAMPTON WILLIAMS HOFER

n a quaint neighborhood on Boylan Avenue in downtown Raleigh sits a brick building surrounded by thick trees. Outside, there’s a playground usually busy with children scurrying from one colorful structure to the next. It looks like an elementary school, but it isn’t; a modest sign out front identiﬁes the place as Project Enlightenment. Founded in 1969, the program operated by Wake County Public School System’s office of early learning offers a comprehensive array of early childhood services to parents and young children in the area. It’s all focused on equipping students for academic success. Today, Project Enlightenment is a nationally recognized initiative and a model for early intervention. photograph by MADELINE GRAY FEBRUARY 2018 | 109

RHYME AND REASON Students Thomas Talley and Solomon Roberston (pictured on opposite page) play with puzzles and other learning tools at the Parent Teacher Resource Center.

Project Enlightenment supports children at risk for school failure and taps into their needs during the critical developmental years from infancy to age 5. With a staff of educators, child development specialists, psychologists, and counselors, Project Enlightenment prepares young children to succeed in school and out of the classroom. But the focus isn’t just on the kids: There are also parenting classes and an extensive lending library of children’s books and parenting resources galore, covering topics from temper tantrums to potty-training. There are toy stations to occupy the children, and comfortable chairs so visitors can stay for a while. Anyone is welcome. The welcoming atmosphere cultivates transformation. Five months ago, a Raleigh woman walked through the doors at Project Enlightenment in tears. She had recently taken on sole primary care of her 5-year-old granddaughter, a child acting out from the stress of being separated from her mother. The grandmother, who was receiving near-daily calls from the child’s school regarding misbehavior, had

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to quit her job. At Project Enlightenment, she found friendly faces in the Parent Teacher Resource Center, and went home with armfuls of resources – books, pamphlets, videos – to help her. And she kept coming back. She began meeting with a parent counselor, and after each meeting, was visibly relieved. “Now, she comes in smiling and laughing and telling us that she is hoping to go back to work after the holidays,” says Beth Tyler, coordinator of the parent-teacher resource center at Project Enlightenment. The woman’s granddaughter is now a productive kindergartener doing well in school. Tyler says stories like these are typical, and ceaselessly heartwarming to witness. “One of our preschool teachers (recently) said, ‘I love coming here. Everyone is always so helpful. It is such a feel-good place.’” Transformation also comes from Project Enlightenment’s innovative approach. The preschool, for example, has two classrooms serving 4-year-old students: one is the Demonstration Preschool, a half-day pre-kindergarten for both children with developmental and/or social-emotional

concerns as well as typically developing children. The other is the Blended Classroom, site of a full-day class funded by Title I and Preschool Services. Both classrooms emphasize research-based early literacy practices. These classrooms are essentially training sites for the hundreds of educators and parents in the community who come in to observe each year. The children, accustomed to this observation, are unfazed by the onlookers. Teachers come to Project Enlightenment for professional development, but they also utilize its programs in their own classrooms.

Perspective and support At Aldert Root Elementary, kindergarten teacher Wini Boswell struggled to connect with one of her students whose attention-seeking behavior (things like calling out, kicking, running through the classroom) had grown unmanageable. With a class of 23 students, it can become difficult for a teacher to teach at her normal pace and rigor in the face of a glaring behavioral issue. Boswell, eager for a way to positively interact with this particular

little girl, had tried her own strategies: She would wear ﬁve rubber bands on her left wrist and move a band to the right wrist every time she found a time to commend the student, if even on the smallest victory. The rubber bands were a visual reminder to remain positive with a student who often caused frustration. Eventually, Boswell turned to Project Enlightenment. “When I’ve exhausted all of my tools,” says Boswell, who has accumulated quite the tool belt in her 18 years of teaching, “I can turn to Project Enlightenment for an outside perspective, for fresh ideas on how to help a struggling child. And when it comes to the family, Project can do a lot more than I can,” she says, referring to their parenting classes. “Everyone at Project has been genuinely helpful and supportive of the child,” Boswell says, “but also of me, encouraging me professionally every step of the way.” Teachers all over the county – at preschools, childcare facilities, and kindergartens – have found relief and support in the program. The process is simple to accommodate teachers and parents: Teachers ﬁll out a form with parental

consent, and Project Enlightenment will send a consultant to the classroom to observe the child. Colleen Sheriff, a teacher at Brooks Elementary, recently utilized Project Enlightenment for the ﬁrst time, after hitting roadblocks with one of her kindergarteners who struggled to thrive in numerous areas. A Project Enlightenment staffer visited Mrs. Sheriff’s class to observe, then met with her and the child’s parents. “The information gained from that screening gave me, as a teacher, as well as our school staff and the family, some speciﬁc areas to focus on … it gave us a common tool, and now we have a path to follow that will help this student make strides toward success.” That’s what Project Enlightenment is all about: building on children’s strengths in order to help them succeed in the classroom and beyond. And the project is thriving, thanks in part to a $2 million grant received in 2013 from the John Rex Endowment that supports the Positive Parenting Program to help parents with young children in Raleigh improve parenting skills, and also from Wake County

SmartStart and private contributions. Project Enlightenment is for the young children of Wake County and for the adults in those children’s lives. People come in to work through a plethora of issues; among the most common are discipline, following directions, the impact of moving, divorce, loss, and other transitions. For a small fee, parents can attend classes on topics of interest, such as positive discipline and communication. The goal is to help the adults help the children, and the impact is big. “I can hardly go anywhere in the RTP area where I don’t see someone who has had some connection with Project Enlightenment,” says Audrey Bunch. Bunch is the director of Project Enlightenment, a role she’s had for the past ﬁve years. She once met a 35-yearold who had participated in programs at Project Enlightenment as a child. Raising children is serious business, and Project Enlightenment seeks to make it a little easier. “Every family with young children has needs,” Bunch says, “and we’re here to serve them.”

FEBRUARY 2018 | 111| 115 NOVEMBER 2016

WALTER events

EASTWARD BOUND A day with chef and TV personality Vivian Howard

ALTER readers from across the state ﬂocked to Kinston Dec 2. for an exclusive day of food, fellowship, and art with award-winning chef and bona ﬁde Southerner Vivian Howard. The Deep Run, North Carolina native has earned fame nationwide for her PBS series, A Chef’s Life, documenting her roles as a chef, business owner, and mother of twins in Eastern North Carolina.

74 guests brought their appetite to Howard’s test kitchen in Kinston Saturday morning. Miss Lillie, Vivian’s no-frills sometimes sous chef who is beloved from her appearances in A Chef’s Life, stole the show as she led the biscuit-making demonstration. As they mixed ﬂour and used volunteers to pull together dough, it was evident that Howard and Lillie’s on-camera banter is not just for television. A sampling of biscuits, homemade preserves, and salty country ham held

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Miss Lillie, who often appears alongside Vivian Howard in A Chef’s Life, teaches guests the art of biscuit making.

photographs by JACLYN MORGAN

FEBRUARY 2018 | 113

Above: Guests applaud for intrepid biscuit-making volunteers in Howard’s test kitchen. At right: Miss Lillie demonstrates the perfect biscuit dough shape; presenting sponsors Chuck and Kim Millsaps of Great Outdoor Provision Company with Vivian Howard.

the group over for the walk to lunch. Howard’s test kitchen is only a few blocks from the restaurants she owns with husband Ben Knight: ﬁne dining locavore restaurant Chef & the Farmer as well as burger and oyster bar The Boiler Room. The four-course lunch at Chef & the Farmer was an elevated down-home feast. Mimosas and wine accompanied Howard’s party magnet cheese ball to start. A seasonal salad with apples and pecans was followed by a creamy collard green soup and then braised pork, greens, and potatoes. To top it off, guests enjoyed Howard’s signature apple hand pie with fresh whipped cream, appropriately named the AppleJack. 114 | WALTER

At left: The kitchen staﬀ of Chef & the Farmer prepares creamy collard green soup, topped with charred collards. Below, clockwise from left: Supporting sponsors Jeﬀ and Debbie Causey of Causey Aviation; guests lined up to sample biscuits, preserves, and country ham; wine for lunch; the lunch’s main dish, braised pork, greens, and potatoes

FEBRUARY 2018 | 115 NOVEMBER 2016 | 115

Jacy Barnes with Vivian Howard

To walk off the meal, the group explored Kinston with a tour and tasting at Mother Earth Brewery and a guided art walk through town. The day concluded at Art 105, a collaborative studio and gallery space for many Kinston artists. There, a local band, snacks from Howard’s kitchen, and signature cocktails featuring Kinston-made Social House vodka set the tone for a lively gallery meet-and-greet with artists. Among the work on display was a gallery of Ben Knight’s paintings. Before too long, the Vivian Howard food truck swung by to serve ﬁsh stew, a hearty soup with potatoes and white ﬁsh served with a “good ol’ piece of white bread,” Howard said, to soak up every bite. Guests mingled with each other and with Howard, who signed copies of her award-winning cookbook, Deep Run Roots. Everyone went home with a copy of the cookbook, among other swag bag goodies, and a full belly; many stayed the night in Kinston. The day was made possible by the presenting sponsorship of Great Outdoor Provision Company and supporting sponsors Causey Aviation and Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. –C.C. 116 | WALTER

Helping People Reach New Heights Whether you’re in the mood for hitting the trails or indoor rock climbing, visitRaleigh.com has everything locals need to keep company happy. As managing partner at Triangle Rock Club, Joel Graybeal helps visitors conquer fears and reach their full potential on the highest climbing wall in a five-state radius.

Learn more at visitRaleigh.com/family

courtesy Blue Barn Photography (HOUSE); Adobe Stock (WREATH)

WALTER events

CELEBRATE the SEASON

at The Merrimon-Wynne House

ALTER held its third annual holiday shopping event, Celebrate the Season, at the historic Merrimon-Wynne House Nov. 29. More than 200 guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Donovan’s Dish, cocktails mixed by Durham Distillery, and seasonal decor by The English Garden. Local vendors including Boho Beads, Charlotte’s, The Flourish Market, High Cotton, If It’s Paper, la maison, Marta’s Boutique, NOFO @ the Pig, Portraits Inc., and Zest Cafe + Home Art sold holiday gifts. A portion of the evening’s proceeds beneﬁted nonproﬁt Note in the Pocket. FEBRUARY 2018 | 117

Opposite, clockwise from top: Mary Keith Robbins and Grace Robbins of Portraits, Inc.; a signature Boho Beads necklace; seasonal chocolate from Videri

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courtesy la maison (TABLE); courtesy The Flourish Market (EARRINGS)

CHEERFUL SPREAD This page: Martha Schnieder of la maison with some of the boutique’s festive wares (at left); black tassel earrings from The Flourish Market (below left)

FEBRUARY 2018 | 119

courtesy Grace Robbins (PORTRAIT); courtesy Blue Barn Photography (HOUSE); courtesy Videri chocolate; courtesy Boho Beads

courtesy HIgh Cotton (BOW TIES); Keith Isaacs (FOOD); courtesy Zest Cafe + Home Art (TABLE DISPLAY); courtesy Charlotte’s

FLAIR AND SPARKLE Clockwise from above left corner: Bow ties by High Cotton; chickenand-waﬄe skewers from Donovan’s Dish; the WALTER editorial team; a gold-plated necklace from Charlotte’s; Zest Cafe + Home Art’s sparkly setup

120 | WALTER

JB Haygood, Emily Nelson

The

St. David’s Lower School students celebrate Veteran’s Day

PARTIES The Whirl is WALTER’s roundup of local happenings. From store openings to big galas, fundraisers, intimate gatherings, and everything in between, The Whirl has got it covered.

Submissions for upcoming issues are accepted at WALTER’s website:

waltermagazine.com/submit-photos

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30th annual Rex Gala UNC Campaign for Carolina SAFEchild annual luncheon Thursday Afternoon Club banquet N.C. Museum of History holiday party Alfred Williams & Company’s 150th Marco Bicego at Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Finding Solutions Research Series Veterans Day at St. David’s School Read and Feed’s 10th anniversary

FEBRUARY 2018 | 121

Style & Quality

the WHIRL

The Johnson family

courtesy UNC REX Healthcare

30TH ANNUAL REX GALA The 30th annual Rex Gala at the Raleigh Convention Center Oct. 21 honored the longtime support of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Johnson, Jr. Proceeds from the 2017 Gala will beneﬁt behavioral health initiatives at UNC Rex Healthcare.

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FOR ALL KIND: THE CAMPAIGN FOR CAROLINA UNC-Chapel Hill launched For All Kind: the Campaign for Carolina Oct. 6. The campaign aims to raise $4.25 billion by Dec. 31, 2022 in order to foster an innovative generation prepared to lead the world to a better future through research and scholarship. Students, faculty, staﬀ, alumni, key stakeholders, campaign leaders, and volunteers joined Board of Trustees chairman Haywood Cochrane, Chancellor Carol L. Folt, and Vice Chancellor for Development David Routh for the announcement.

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SAFECHILD ANNUAL LUNCHEON SAFEchild held its annual luncheon Nov. 8 at the Raleigh Marriott City Center. 550 guests attended, raising funds and awareness to eliminate abuse and empower families. The luncheon was particularly special because it celebrated SAFEchild’s ﬁrst 25 years and thanked founding partner Junior League of Raleigh.

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FEBRUARY 23 - MARCH 11 theatreinthepark.com | 919.831.6058

Matt Cain, Henry Campen

Seated: Kristin Cooper, Ilina Ewen, Deborah Ross, Anne Bullard, Leah Devlin Standing: Kristin Replogle, Mary Laurie Cece, Carole Wilson, Mary Elizabeth Wilson

THE THURSDAY AFTERNOON CLUB CENTENNIAL BANQUET The Thursday Afternoon Club, Wendell’s ﬁrst literary club, celebrated its centennial Dec. 2. 85 guests attended a banquet at the fellowship hall of Wendell Baptist Church. Early members selected the club motto, “step by step, we go a long way,” and indeed, it has.

Phil Whitley, Tonja Whitley, Cee Todd

Margaret Stauﬀer, Lucy Kindsvatter, Margaret Thomas, Susan Shearin

252-312-9583 www.designbytula.com tulasummerford@gmail.com

Bruce Gray, Mayor Ginna Gray

Susan Shearin, Nancy McCann, Stuart Shearin

Sid Baynes, Ann Baynes, Jackie Smith, Faith Spencer

Phyllis Howard, Bill Parish, Tricia Parish

Ashley Henderson Photography (SAFECHILD); Hugh Cashion (THURSDAY)

The Musical

the WHIRL

Vaughan Adams, Anne Adams, Bill Hamlin, Anna Donegan

Virginia Broughton, Katherine Troxler, Marian Troxler

Join us for a WINTER WHITE SALE Kent Thompson

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All Bath, Bed and Table Linens

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Dorothea Bitler, Betty Anne Lennon, George Lennon, Melissa Tillman N.C. MUSEUM OF HISTORY HOLIDAY PARTY Museum Associates hosted a holiday cocktail party Nov. 30 at the N.C. Museum of History. 250 guests enjoyed food, drinks, and live music from Midnight Snack. Guests were also able to get some holiday shopping in at the museum shop.

COOPER’SFurniture Quality, Selection, Value & Service Since 1929

Allison Smith, Mary Grady Bell, Sallie Glover

Beth Strandberry, Meredith Kittrell

Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm • Saturday 10am-5pm • Closed Sunday & Monday

820 East Chatham St., Cary 27511 Corner of East Chatham St. and Maynard Rd.

919-467-2401 • COOPERSFURNITURENC.COM

Margarita Allen, Marco Bicego, Tina Smith

Alfred Williams & Company Employees

Mayor Nancy McFarlane

John McKinney

Blount Williams

Gordon Brown, Kaitlin Barton

MARCO BICEGO AT BAILEY’S FINE JEWELRY Jewelry designer Marco Bicego visited Bailey’s Fine Jewelry at Cameron Village Nov. 17. 200 guests shopped one-of-a-kind, limited edition treasures while meeting the designer. Bicego even hand-engraved pieces for the patrons.

Lekorey Ellis

Lisa Carey, Katrina Cooke, Patty Spears, Lynn McRoy

Diane Kerkhoﬀ

Pam Kohl, Dr. Daniel Hayes, Debra Morgan

126 | WALTER

Teresa Dunlap, Pam Kohl

Trey Bailey, Marco Bicego

Brigid Troan, Marco Bicego

FINDING SOLUTIONS RESEARCH SERIES The Finding Solutions Research Series Nov. 9 highlighted the cutting edge breast cancer research funded by Susan G. Komen. A roundtable breakfast brought together researchers, survivors, metavivors, and advocates and featured Komen scholar Dr. Lisa Carey, Dr. Lynn McRoy from Pﬁzer, and research advocate Patty Spears. A luncheon featured keynote speaker and Komen scholar Dr. Daniel Hayes, and was followed by a panel discussion with Komen scholars Dr. Kimberly Blackwell, Dr. Charles Perou, and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Erika Crosby. Dr. Allen Mask from WRAL moderated. The event raised almost $60,000 to support Komen’s “Bold Goal”, to decrease breast cancer mortality in the U.S. by 50 percent by 2026.

Josh Bernstein, Marco Bicego

Dianne McKinney (AWC); Susan Prochnow (BAILEY’S)

AWC 150TH ANNIVERSARY PICNIC Alfred Williams & Company celebrated its 150th anniversary Sept. 20. To celebrate this milestone and the employees who have made it possible, the company held a picnic and ﬁeld day at Dix Park. Mayor Nancy McFarlane welcomed over 200 employees from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

the WHIRL

Dr. Kimberly Blackwell, Dr. Charles Perou, Dr. Erika Crosby

Xiomara Boyce

Marge Morena

Minnie Nelson, Patrick Walker

JB Haygood, Emily Nelson (VET); Renee Sprink (READ)

Cap. Sally White, U.S. Army; Cmdr. William Sena, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

ST. DAVID’S SCHOOL VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATION St. David’s School hosted their annual Veterans Day Commemoration Nov. 10 to honor those who have served and currently serve in the armed forces. Students processed in with their family Veteran as the wind ensemble and chorale performed. Captain Sally White, U.S. Army and 2005 co-valedictorian graduate, gave the address. The event highlight was the recognition of honorees as the chorale performed Armed Forces: The Pride of America!

Bryony Williams Sheppard, Gina Cascone

Family, friends, veterans, and students

Dawn Cornwell, Yolanda Cranford

The St. David’s Chorale

George Harry, Gina Harry

Jan Frantz, Sue Stevens, Susan Morison

Pamela Meek, Kati Mullan, Ella Mullan READ AND FEED’S 10th ANNIVERSARY Read and Feed celebrated their 10th Anniversary Nov. 3 at the MerrimonWynne House. Over 300 guests gathered to raise money and awareness for Read and Feed’s programs, which have successfully provided children in Wake County with reading tutors and free meals.

SCRIBO

Across 1. The Cortez serves this during happy hour 4. Kids and parents can go to this downtown museum to learn gardening and cooking skills 6. WALTER visited this Tar Heel of the Year in Kinston, N.C. 8. N.C. State has its own signature version of this fabric type

Down 2. In Little Washington, you can visit this unique environmental center 3. This man is UNC-Chapel Hill’s ﬁrst Executive Director for the Arts 5. This local orchestra takes pride in being ___________ 7. Relax in this Raleigh-made recreation product

FEBRUARY 2018 | 127

l So

ut O d

New Orleans River Cruise explore the mighty Mississippi, from Cajun to Creole, city to county, with a hint of Mardi Gras First Class Ticket $95 includes dinner and wine pairing

Premium Cabin Ticket $65 includes dinner

January 26, 2018 | 6:30 pm

Journey with us on a tour of gastronomic Spain eyond Tapas

proportions at the 2018 Culinary Adventures

travel through the varied regions of Spain savoring rustic ﬂavors at this unique La Cena First Class Ticket $95

dining series. Experience delectable cuisine created by our award-winning chef, Rich Carter,

includes dinner and wine pairing

served at our exclusive venue, the Laurelbrook.

Premium Cabin Ticket $65 includes dinner

February 22, 2018 | 6:30 pm

Full course dinners inspired by intriguing destinations, paired with unique libations, and Pacific Rim Islands a tropical sojourn of fusion dishes from exotic realms along the Paciﬁc First Class Ticket $95 includes dinner and wine pairing

Premium Cabin Ticket $65

served by our exuberant team of tour guides. Ready for takeoff? Your seat backs and tray tables need not be stowed. This sensational expedition of food, ﬂavor and pure enjoyment

includes dinner

March 22, 2018 | 6:30 pm

awaits. Bon Appetit, Bon Voyage and thank you for ﬂying with Catering Works. Charter your voyage at 919.828.5932

Carolinas n y Mind wayfarers experience elevated farm to table from Charleston to Manteo, Piedmont to Mountains First Class Ticket $95

or cateringworks.com/culinaryadventures. Business class group tickets are still available,

includes dinner and wine pairing

please inquire.

Premium Cabin Ticket $65 includes dinner

August 24, 2018 | 6:30 pm

WALTER Magazine - February 2018

Articles inside

WALTER EVENTS

GIVERS

FIELD GUIDE

AFIELD Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

WALTER PROFILE

STORY OF A HOUSE

THROUGH THE LENS

AT THE TABLE

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