WALTER Magazine - December 2018 by waltermagazine

DECEMBER 2018

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Holiday SPIRITS AT HUMMINGBIRD DECK THE HALLS

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Dereck Whittenburg CONTINUES HIS LEGACY

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FEATURES

Volume 7, Issue 4 DECEMBER 2018

THROUGH THE LENS High Country Firs by Catherine Currin photography by Juli Leonard

AT THE TABLE Holidays at the Angus Barn by Alex Dixon photography by Juli Leonard

WALTER PROFILE Dereck Whittenburg by Joe Giglio photography by Smith Hardy

ARTIST IN STUDIO Ann Howell Bullard by Hampton Williams Hofer photography by S.P. Murray

STORY OF A HOUSE Deck the Halls by Catherine Currin photography by Catherine Nguyen

DESTINATION WALTER Southern Supreme by Catherine Currin photography by Bert VanderVeen

Catherine Nguyen (OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM); Smith Hardy (DERECK WHITTENBURG)

68 On the cover: High Country Firs; photograph by Juli Leonard

10 | WALTER

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

102 46

OUR TOWN Charlotte’s Seton McGlennon Synchronized Skating The Poetry Fox Shelby Vanhoy by Katherine Poole, Catherine Currin, and Paige Jacob photography by Eamon Queeney

111

GIVERS Guardian Ad Litem by Hampton Williams Hofer

130 END NOTE A nutty New Year by Katy Kohut

IN EVERY ISSUE

106 12 | WALTER

102 GIGS Cinderella’s Stepsisters by Billy Warden photography by Justin Kase Conder

Letter from WALTER

Contributors

106 QUENCH Holiday Cocktails at Hummingbird by Katherine Poole photography by Keith Isaacs

22 The Mosh

20 Your feedback 26 Happening Now 123 The Whirl

Courtesy News & Observer (CINDERELLA); Keith Isaacs (COCKTAIL)

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LETTER FROM WALTER

Beauty, Artistry, Tradition

ike many this time of year, WALTER is celebrating. We’re celebrating a season of successful events (p. 114), the holidays, and a fresh perspective in 2019. This month’s issue is quite festive: there’s a family owned fruitcake factory just an hour away (p. 96), the classic Christmas decor at the Angus Barn (p. 82), and a tree farm popping back up on Person Street (cover, p. 62). We celebrate two iconic relationships in Raleigh: Tim Cherry and Dennis Poole, Cinderella’s stepsisters at Raleigh Little Theatre (p. 102); and N.C. State’s Dereck Whittenburg and the late Jim Valvano (p. 68). Giving back feels especially rewarding this time of year, too. Donate an old coat, cook a meal for someone that’s hungry, or buy a gift for a child that might not have one otherwise. Raleighites have made it easy for us to lend a helping hand during the holidays. While soirées and celebrations are always a welcomed addition to the holidays, the relationships are what make these times so memorable. Savor the relationships you’ve made here, and take them with you on your travels this season. We’re so glad you’ve joined WALTER for 2018, and we can’t wait to see what the New Year has in store.

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Catherine Currin Interim Editor

Raleigh’s Life & Soul EDITORIAL

PUBLISHING

VOLUME VII, ISSUE 4

Creative Director LAURA PETRIDES WALL

Advertising Sales Manager JULIE NICKENS

DECEMBER 2018

Interim Editor CATHERINE CURRIN Editorial Assistant KATHERINE POOLE WALTER Intern KATY KOHUT Contributing Writers AELX DIXON, JOE GIGLIO, HAMPTON WILLIAMS HOFER, PAIGE JACOB, ADDIE LADNER, DAVID MENCONI, BILLY WARDEN Contributing Photographers JUSTIN KASE CONDER, MADELINE GRAY, SMITH HARDY, JULI LEONARD, S.P. MURRAY, CATHERINE NGUYEN, EAMON QUEENEY, GUS SAMARCO

Grow your community, grow your career. Sometimes, you need to go beyond social media to make connections that count. As a member of the NC State Alumni Association, you’ll do just that. Enjoy access to exclusive networking events, career service tools, our alumni directory and the ePACK jobs board.

Join today at alumni.ncsu.edu.

Senior Account Executive & Operations CRISTINA HURLEY WALTER Events KAIT GORMAN Advertising Coordinator ROBIN KENNEDY Advertising Design and Production DENISE FERGUSON Circulation JERRY RITTER, BRIAN HINTON Brand Strategy @ McClatchy VP Partnerships: ANNIE ALEXANDER Regional Sales Director: ERIC DIDAWICK

Published 10 times a year by The News & Observer Publishing Co. A McClatchy Company WALTER is available by paid subscriptions for $14.99 a year in the United States, as well as select rack and advertiser locations throughout the Triangle. For customer service inquiries, please email us at customerservice@waltermagazine.com or call 919-836-5613. Address all correspondence to: WALTER Magazine, 421 Fayetteville St., Ste. 104 Raleigh, NC 27601 WALTER does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Please contact Catherine Currin at ccurrin@waltermagazine.com for freelance guidelines. ©The News & Observer. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of the copyright owner.

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CONTRIBUTORS

DECEMBER 2018

SMITH HARDY /

After taking a break from the writing profession and working in various positions, Jacob took the plunge and returned to freelance to pursue her love of writing.

Photo by Fabricut

She lives in Apex with her husband and two sons. When she’s not searching for a writing gig, Jacob stays busy keeping up with her family. In her downtime, she usually has her nose in a good mystery book or tries her luck cooking healthy recipes in an attempt to convince her boys that broccoli tastes great.

P HOTO GR A PH ER A lifelong creative and North Carolinian, Hardy grew up loving two things: ACC sports and visual art. He got his ﬁrst pro camera in 2002 and went on to study media communications at UNC Wilmington. One camera grew into several as he slowly built a robust equipment and technology collection to deliver the best results. After eight years of freelance shooting for CBS Sports Network, Endurance Magazine, and Fox Sports Network, Hardy opened his North Raleigh photography studio in 2015.

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Leonard has been a photojournalist for 18 years and has spent the majority of her career at The News & Observer in Raleigh. She resides in Raleigh with her daughter, partner, and two naughty dogs. Juli delights in the serendipitous so to get a dog, a vintage ﬁre truck with Santas, and a live musician all on a Christmas tree shoot was assignment ecstasy!

Giglio covers N.C. State and ACC sports for The News & Observer and ﬁrst starting working at the paper in 1995. He lives in Garner with his wife, Jessaca, and their two sons, James and Jackson. Giglio wrote this month’s Proﬁle on N.C. State legend Dereck Whittenburg. “The actual NC State hall of fame is upstairs in the lobby of Reynolds Coliseum. However, the good stuff is in Dereck Whittenburg’s office. He has many cool pictures and pieces of memorabilia, each with its own story. Whittenburg has a real gift as a storyteller.”

courtesy contributors (JACOB, LEONARD, HARDY, GIGLIO)

PAIGE JACOB / W R I TE R

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YOUR FEEDBACK

@waltermagazine I hope everyone enjoys this @waltermagazine piece as much as we enjoyed creating it. —@chefscottcrawford (At the Table about Jolie, November, p. 70) I remember thinking no one could replace Charlie Gaddy...But now I think it’s even harder to fill David’s shoes....he will be missed.....hope to see him in church!!! —Susan Lambert Donnee (Reflections about David Crabtree, November, p. 58) Loved this story! —@chiselstudio_raleigh (Profile about Guest House Raleigh, October, p. 66) Amazing creators of furniture! Our granddaughter has been blessed to be a recipient. We are so grateful —Joan Andreassi O’Donnell (Givers about Made4Me Furniture, October, p. 111) Love to Christmas shop there! —Paige Coker (Shop Local about The Canterbury Shop, September, p. 54)

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MOSH Get cracking Two Roosters Ice Cream is joining g forces with the Carolina Ballet just st in time for the sugarplum fairies to ﬂit onto the stage. Waltz over to one e of their locations for this limited edition ition Nutcracker ﬂavor using ‘crack bars,’ a saltine cracker with brown butter, chocolate, and mixed nuts. En pointe! tworoosters.com

T The art of giving —the Poetry Fox (see p. 54)

Think out of the box—literally, when gifting this year. y Make a donation in someone’s name, or give them a membership to a local museum. NCMA and CAM have gift memberships starting at $50.

THAT’S A WRAP Bailey’s Fine Jewelry only uses three pieces of tape for their signature black and white gift wrapping. While we may be less sparing with our adhesives, here are Bailey’s best gift-wrapping tips for the holiday season.

1. Always use sharp scissors to cut fabric ribbon. 2. Fold over exposed raw edges of gift wrap. 3. Use new gift boxes instead of reusing. 4. Make friends with double-sided tape!

22 | WALTER

Getty Images (NUTCRACKER, ICECREAM, RIBBON); courtesy Bailey’s Fine Jewelry (WRAPPING); courtesy NCMA (GIFT); December by the Poetry Fox

The

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Happening

Getty Images

Spott ligh

ROCKIN’ AROUND THE TRIANGLE We’ve loaded up a sleigh full of ideas for making merry this month. Don ye now an ugly Christmas sweater and celebrate with a dash of tradition, a dance of a sugarplum, or a prance about town.

December 6-8 State Tree Lighting Ceremony and Governor’s Mansion Holiday Open House ncdcr.gov/events

GET A SENTIMENTAL FEELING Holly, jolly Raleigh has many festive holiday traditions for one and all. Plan ahead—events sell out quick as a wink.

December 6-9, 11-16 Holiday Express at Pullen Park raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/HolidayExpress.html

All month December 1-2, 14-23, 29-30 Carolina Ballet presents The Nutcracker carolinaballet.com December 5-9, 12-16 Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol theatreinthepark.com

26 | WALTER

December 8-9 Oakwood Candlelight Tour historicoakwood.org/historic-oakwood-candlelight-tour/ December 15-16 The Raleigh Ringers 2018 Holiday Concert rr.org/Events/Holiday-Concerts

DECEMBER

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LET’S BE JOLLY It’s the best time of the year for the young and young at heart. Make family time the right time with a non-grinchy activity. December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 New Hope Valley Railway Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express triangletrain.com December 3-22 Christmas at Oak View Farm: How They Celebrated from 1850 to 1950 wakegov.com/parks/oakview/events/

December 4-9 Elf the Musical at the Durham Performing Arts Center dpacnc.com December 11-13 Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at the Carolina Theatre carolinatheatre.org December 21-22 North Carolina Symphony Pops Series: Holiday Cirque Spectacular dukeenergycenterraleigh.com

December 7 Marbles Evening with Elves marbleskidsmuseum.org

THE NEW OLD FASHIONED WAY Mix and a-mingle it up and make a non-traditional tradition at one of these shows. Jingle bells rock.

DANCIN’ MERRILY Misﬁt toys, man-sized elves, evil mice, chain rattling ghosts, and aerialists… Celebrate the season with a wondrous cast of characters on stage.

December 15 Chatham County Line Electric Holiday Tour 2018 lincolntheatre.com

December 1-3 The Cary Players Community Theatre presents A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol caryplayers.org December 1-9 Moonlight Stage Company presents The Best Time of Year: A Family Friendly Christmas Musical moonlightstageco.com December 1-24 Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Dukeenergycenterraleigh.com

December 18 A John Waters Christmas Dukeenergycenterraleigh.com December 18 The 2nd Annual Horton’s Holiday Hayride starring Reverend Horton Heat and Junior Brown catscradle.com December 20 Hip Hop Nutcracker dpacnc.com —Katherine Poole

BB King

all month DINE FINE

Enjoy fine dining at Herons, the award winning restaurant at The Umstead Hotel and Spa. This month the culinary team led by Chef Steven Greene is offering several special events to sink your teeth into. Rooted in the South is a multi-course dinner December 5 that explores the diversity in Southern cooking and features winter produce from Heron’s culinary farm. The dinner will benefit the Southern Foodways Alliance, an organization that documents and studies food cultures in the American South. Also on the menu in December: white truffles. Herons is offering a special White Truffle Tasting Menu with eight courses featuring the rare delicacy. Reservations are required for Rooted in the South and to experience the White Truffle Tasting Menu, so save your place at the table. See website for more information and to make reservations; 100 Woodland Pond Dr., Cary; theumstead.com

all month

ALL A-GLOW Koka Booth Amphitheatre will be all a-glow for the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival now through January 13, 2019. Plan for at least an hour to stroll the approximate ½ mile of grand light displays. Live cultural performances will take place on the stage several times throughout each evening. Food and beverage vendors will be available to purchase a holiday treat. Please note that neither outside food and drink nor pets are not allowed at this event. The venue is also unable to provide wheelchairs, although guests are welcome to bring their own. Get your glow on. See website for dates and times; $10 - $15; 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary; boothamphitheatre.com

Juli Lenonard (HERONS); Jill Knight (DRAGON)

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If the shoe ﬁts... Bippity boppity boo yourself to Raleigh Little Theatre for Cinderella. The beloved production is a Raleigh tradition celebrating its 35th anniversary with a production as grand as Prince Charming’s ball. Dr. Timothy Cherry and M. Dennis Poole return to the stage as the stepsisters for a notto-be-missed full-bodied performance. (See p.102 for more on those two delightful divas.) See website for show dates and times; $26.23; 301 Pogue St.; raleighlittletheatre.org

Elspeth McClanahan

Celebrate Every Season

Happening NOW

DECEMBER

Madeline Gray (RTOOT); courtesy News & Observer (WILDE)

4 4

AWFUL GOOD AWFUL G

The Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle (RTOOT) will be tooting their own horn December 4 for a special performance at the Cary Arts Center. Ten Years of Terrible celebrates with music and humor the amateur orchestra’s decade of making (admittedly) not so beautiful music. The 50-piece symphony was founded to give adults an opportunity to play music, particularly those that have never picked up an instrument before. Sound good? Not exactly, but it promises to be an entertaining evening. 7:30 p.m.; $9; 122 E. Chatham St.; rtoot.org

WILDE CHILD

Ensure your young readers live happily ever after by attending the 2018 Wilde Awards Live with Susie Wilde at Quail Ridge Books. Wilde, who is the children’s book reviewer for the News & Observer, will be on hand with her picks for the top page turners in children’s literature for 2018. From board books to young adult ﬁction, Wilde has the hit list and has checked it twice. The End. 7 p.m.; free; 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd.; quailridgebooks.com

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azz has always had an unusual gender dynamic, in that the men play while the women sing—period. Aside from Kurt Elling and (if you really want to stretch it) pop star Michael Buble, there are next to no contemporary male jazz vocalists out there in 2018. But the style has an embarrassment of female riches, and some of the best women jazz singers in the ﬁeld will be at Duke Performances’ In the Jazz Tradition series, December 3-10. The primary venue will be Durham Fruit & Produce Company, a space that will be dressed up for the occasional by visual artist Stacy Lynn Waddell with neon from lighting specialist Nate Sheaffer. And some of the artists coming in are unexpected, especially pop-salon singer/pianist Nellie McKay, whose discography includes 2009’s Normal as Blueberry Pie—A Tribute to Doris Day. Also of note is country singer Lucinda Williams accompanying jazz saxophonist/bandleader Charles Lloyd, showing off their 2018 collaborative album Vanished Gardens. Other highlights include Durham hometown favorites Kate McGarry and Nnenna Freelon, both acclaimed Grammy nominees; Rene Marie, returning to Durham after a show-stealing star turn on pianist Gerald Clayton’s 2016 Duke Performances program Piedmont Blues; and Catherine Russell, who has sung with everybody from Wynton Marsalis to Cyndi Lauper (and whose late father served as musical director for the legendary Louis Armstrong). “I have a kind of academic, vaguely pedantic approach to a series like this,” said Aaron Greenwald, executive director of Duke Performances. “What can we learn over eight days about this style? What does it mean to be a female jazz singer at this time? Just presenting these sings like this gives it an almost inherently political edge—partly because they’re women, mostly African-American, and politically engaged. I’m curious to see how that could work over a festival.” —David Menconi dukeperformances.duke.edu

courtesy Adventures in Bloom (HAMMERED); courtesy Southern Culture on the Skids (SCOTS)

DECEMBER

8 5 & 12

LITTLE DEBBIE, LITTLE DEBBIE

GET HAMMERED

Grab your dirt track date and camel walk over to the Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill for Southern Culture on the Skids (SCOTS) December 8. The high energy and equally humorous rockabilly, surf rock, alt-country fried sound of the SCOTS is equally matched by their onstage presence. The Chapel Hill based SCOTS have been rocking and rolling since 1983 and have a devoted fan base, so the Cat’s Cradle show will be a big old party. Come prepared to dance and don’t be surprised when you get pelted by a piece of fried chicken. (Not kidding.) 8 p.m.; $13 pre-sale, $15 at the door; 300 E. Main St., Carrboro; catscradle.com

Hammer out a personalized gift for someone special at a metal stamping class by Adventures in Bloom. There are two classes oﬀered this month: December 5 at Brewster’s Pub in Apex and December 12 at Southern Peak Brewery. Learn the basics of metal stamping and make custom earrings, a necklace, bracelet, or key chain. All supplies are included in the price of the ticket. Put your stamp on the evening and get crafty (with metal and a beer or two). 6:30 - 9 p.m.; $30; see website for location; adventuresinbloomnc.com

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Happening NOW

PATTON PENDING

He’s the voice of Remy the Rat in Pixar’s Ratatouille; He is the narrator on the sit-com The Goldbergs; he had a recurring role on The King of Queens; and has an Emmy and a Grammy for his work as a stand-up comedian. And at age 49, he’s just hitting his stride. Oswalt is most at home on stage, mining the human condition for comedy gold. Catch his act December 8 at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts and see him strike it rich. 8 p.m.; $45 - $95; 2 E. South St.; dukeenergycenterraleigh.com

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CASTLE FEAST

Join the Cookbook Club. Page 158 Books in Wake Forest is hosting Chapel Hill based cookbook author and cooking teacher Sheri Castle for an evening of getting down to basics. Her latest book, Instantly Southern, is full of easy and convenient recipes that showcase favorite downhome staples. Castle will be dishing out tips and advice for some good home cooking. 1 - 2 p.m.; free; 415 S. Brooks St., Suite B, Wake Forest; page158books.com

Jennifer Henry (PATTON); Baxter and Miller (CASTLE)

Give the gift of WALTER to everyone on your list

Visit waltermagazine.com/gift-subscription or call 919.836.5613

Happening NOW

MINECRAFTY

Fancy a Fantastic Beasts coffee mug? Hand forged chainmaille for the next Ren Faire? A customized set of Wonder Woman bracelets of submission? Shop like a flush fanboy in a comic book store at the GeekCraft Expo RDU Holiday Market at the Durham Armory. GeekCraft Expo is a super-sized vendor market featuring handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, art, toys, home decor, furniture, spaceships, and alien time travel stones. Skip the mass marketed fan gear and find something as unique as the geek in your marvelous universe. Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; pre register online for free admission, $2 at the door for age 13 and over; geekcraftexpo. com

Every Woman Wants a Bailey Box Under the Tree

PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS

The Carolina Theatre of Durham welcome Charles Lloyd and the Marvels and Lucinda Williams for an evening of reimagined classics from the American Songbook as part of Duke Performances In the Jazz Tradition Series (see p. 32 for more on the series). Lloyd, a master saxophonist, brings the jazz; Williams, a maverick crossover artist, brings the rock. Together with the Marvels featuring virtuoso guitarist Bill Frisell, pedal steel player Greg Leisz, and the rhythm section of Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland; Williams and Lloyd play tracks from their critically acclaimed collaboration Vanished Gardens. 8 p.m.; $55 - $75; 309 W. Morgan St.; carolinatheatre.org

Raleigh’s Cameron Village & Crabtree Valley Mall Rocky Mount | Greenville www.baileybox.com

courtesy Fireﬂy Fiber Arts (MINECRAFTY); courtesy Carolina Theatre (PLAYS WELL)

8-9

DECEMBER

15 LIT LINE UP

Darlings of Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and named One to Watch in 2018 by Billboard and Rolling Stone, Delta Rae’s star is on the rise. Triangle audiences will welcome the Durham based band back home for a show at the Carolina Theatre in Durham. The six piece folk rock band is no faded rose from days gone by, so don’t miss the opportunity to see them shine. 8 p.m.; $29.50 - $39.50; 309 W. Morgan St.; carolinatheatre.org

DELTA DAWN

Martin Lawrence is jamming on a def comedy comeback. The comedian, actor, director, and producer headlines the LIT AF Tour coming to the PNC Arena December 15. Martin acts as the highwattage host to an up and coming lineup of comedians: Michael Blackson, Rickey Smiley, DeRay Davis, and Benji Brown. Parking lot opens at 5 p.m. for LIT pre-gaming. Parking fees apply. 7:30 p.m.; $41 - $121; 1400 Edwards Mill Rd.; thepncarena.com

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Smallz and Raskind (DELTA); Chris Pizzello (LIT)

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Raleigh’s Best Arrangements

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Watson Brown’s second solo show

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hrough the end of 2018, Gallery C will display the work of North Carolina photographer Watson Brown. Brown, a former city planner, has taken his lens through Eastern North Carolina. Brown always had a passion for historic preservation while city planning in Raleigh and Tarboro, N.C., and he often photographs the road less travelled in rural North Carolina. Gallery C owner Charlene Newsom describes Brown as a pictorialist, telling stories from his point of view with manipulated photography, utilizing saturation and overlays. “He can make photos look very painterly, and it allows him to add his own personal nostalgia to his art.” Newsom says she loves the positive feedback this local receives from the community. “Why is he so popular? It must be that he puts so much of himself into the pieces. That’s not something just anyone can do,” she says. Not only is Brown a self-taught artist, he has received the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and is the only photographer to have work on display in the rotunda of the North Carolina Capitol. “Being a self-taught artist, Brown gives a lot of inspiration to people who have always dreamed of picking up a camera of —Catherine Currin brush,” says Newsom. 540 N. Blount St.; galleryc.net

all photographs by Watson Brown

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DECEMBER

MEYMANDI CONCERT HALL, RALEIGH

Mozart & Shostakovich

FRI/SAT, JAN 11-12 | 8PM

Karina Canellakis, conductor

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10

The Music of Billy Joel featuring Michael Cavanaugh FRI/SAT, JAN 18-19 | 8PM Wesley Schulz, conductor

Grammy- and Tonynominated Michael Cavanaugh performs Billy Joel’s biggest hits— “She’s Got a Way,” “New York State of Mind,” “Uptown Girl,” “Only the Good Die Young,” and more!

The Firebird

FRI/SAT, JAN 25-26 | 8PM Grant Llewellyn, conductor Augustin Hadelich, violin

Stravinsky’s dazzling score to The Firebird is paired with the Sibelius Violin Concerto, featuring Grammy winner Augustin Hadelich.

Valentine’s Romantic Classics FRI/SAT, FEB 8-9 | 8PM

Opposite page: Abandoned White Farm House in Autumn; clockwise: The Tattered Elf, Afternoon Sun on the Empire, A Barbecue Lover’s Dream

Grant Llewellyn, conductor Dovid Friedlander, violin

Strauss’ famous “Blue Danube” waltz, selections from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, and the whirling energy of Ravel’s La Valse will set your heart in motion.

Tickets start at $18!

ncsymphony.org 919.733.2750

Happening NOW

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November 30 - December 9, 2018

Here’s a twist on a tale of success: Americana band moves from New York to Raleigh and ﬁnds their groove. It’s no yarn. It’s Yarn and they will be playing the Lincoln Theatre this month. Oak City living has been good for writing new stories. Lucky 13 is their latest venture - the band has been releasing a “virtual 45” on the 13th of each month for all of 2018 and fans can show some hometown love for the latest music when they perform December 14. 8 p.m.; $12; 126 E. Cabarrus St.; lincolntheatre.com

Based on characters by Charles M. Schulz

STRING THEORY Sensory-Friendly Performance Dec 8 @ 11am

The Carolina Theatre presents: Contemporary Violinists Daniel D. and Eric Stanley Live in Concert December 15. Daniel D. studied at the Juilliard School of Music and is a three time Apollo Theater Winner. The 29 year old is a social media sensation and has opened for Jamie Foxx, Kanye West, and Kim Waters. Eric Stanley has also made a name for himself on social media, surpassing 153,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. The musical prodigy has collaborated with J. Cole, Hezekiah Walker, and Big Daddy Kane and has performed at The Richmond Jazz Festival and the International Emmys. The future of strings has arrived. 7 p.m.; $35 - $75; 309 W. Morgan St.; carolinatheatre.org

Todd Chalfant (YARN); Getty Images (STRING)

SPIN A YARN

DECEMBER

Alex Garcia (HOUSE); courtesy Harlem Globetrotters (HOOPLA)

20 30

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PIEDMONT

HOOPLA

Sweet Georgia Brown…the Original Harlem Globetrotters will be bringing the house down December 30 at the PNC Arena. Will the Washington Generals ﬁnally win a game? Don’t bet on it, but do bet on family fun. Superfans can go all out with a Magic Pass—a V.I.P. experience before the show. Go out on the ﬂoor and shoot around with the Globetrotters; pick up some ball trick tips; get autographs and pose for photos. Parking lot opens at 5 p.m. for pre-gaming. Parking fees apply. It’s nothing but air from the half court line. 6 p.m., Magic Pass event 4:30 - 5 p.m.; $18 - $95, Magic Pass $140; 1400 Edwards Mill Rd.; thepncarena.com

Experience The Long Winter as Laura Ingalls Wilder would have at Field School at Historic Yates Mill County Park December 20. Learn what Ma, Pa, and the Ingalls girls had to do to survive hard times on the prairie. Come dressed in pioneer garb, taste old fashioned candy, and make a holiday craft. Best suited for children between 7 and 15, this early afternoon activity is a drop-oﬀ program, although adults are welcome to stay. Registration is required. No Nellie Olesons allowed. 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.; $6; 4620 Lake Wheeler Rd.; apm.activecommunities. com/wakeparks/Activity_Search keywords: long winter

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31 LIKE CLOCKWORK

Adjust your goggles and set your time machine for December 31, 2018. Your destination? The Clockwork Ball: A Steampunk Masquerade at Haw River Ballroom. This New Year’s Eve marks the 10th year that Triangle retrofuturist revellers come together to travel to another dimension. Dance the night away to an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, swing, and dance music from the past, present, and all other time/space continuums. Monocles, spats, top hats, petticoats, parasols, ray guns, and gas masks are encouraged, but not required. 8 p.m.; $20 in advance, $25 at the door; 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd., Saxapahaw; hawriverballroom.com

31 We like to socialize. Follow along and don’t miss a thing.

VIENNA WAITS FOR YOU

Ring in 2019 with this jazzy little number: New Year’s Eve—Vienna with a Twist, a performance by the North Carolina Symphony featuring the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra. Conductor Wesley Schulz plays band leader and conductor for a evening of Viennese waltzes and Big Band classics at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Auf Wiedersehen 2018. 8 p.m.; $48 - $76; 2 E. South St.; dukeenergycenterraleigh.com

@WalterMagazine www.waltermagazine.com

Getty Images (CLOCKWORK, VIENNA)

Travis Long

RALEIGH ROCKIN’ EVE

Rock and roll into the new year at WRAL First Night Raleigh 2019. The celebration is presented by Artsplosure and features performance, art, rides, interactive installations, and plenty of surprises. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. with the Children’s Celebration. Wee revellers can pack in an early evening of activities, treats, a spin on the Ferris Wheel and still be in bed at a happy parent approved bedtime. The big kid party starts at 7 p.m. Stroll Fayetteville Street and take in music, theatre, and comedy performances from Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba, New Reveille, The Collection, The Harris Brothers, Dave Gunning, The Glorifying Vine Sisters, Comedy Worx Improv, Electronic Experimental Music featuring Senator Jaiz, 80 lb Test, and headliner Boulevards. Get into the action and try out the Down Draft amusement ride or skate into 2019 at the Glow Roller Rink in City Plaza. Then, hop on the Jolly Raleigh Singing Trolley to belt out a few for auld lang syne. And, of course, stick around with your sweetie to smooch when the giant acorn counts down to a new year in the Oak City. 2 p.m. - 12 a.m.; $11 in advance, $12 - $15 at the festival, VIP passes available;Fayetteville St.; www.ﬁrstnightraleigh.com

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Happening NOW

WINTER WONDERLAND Boyette Family Farms holiday lights

undle up and head over the river and through the woods to Boyette Family Farms in Clayton for Lights on the Neuse. The family owned farm transforms into a twinkling wonderland for the holiday season. All aboard the Christmas hayride—pulled by an old-time tractor for a tour of the milelong Lights Extravaganza—featuring holiday themed elements, including Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, reindeer, a Christmas barn, and a few penguins for the full polar effect. Many of the elements were hand built by Boyette Family Farms patriarch, Glenn Boyette, who passed away in 2015. Boyette was the architect behind the light show (as well as Halloween season’s Fear Farm), explains daughter and current owner, Anna Boyette as a means “to bring people out to the farm.” Visitors can also pay Old Saint Nick and his sleigh a visit, decorate cookies, and sample s’mores and hot chocolate from Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. It’s all merry and bright. —Katherine Poole 6-9 p.m.; $9, children under two free; 1620 Loop Road Clayton; lightsontheneuse.com

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THE PERFECT GIFT: NOVEMBER WINTER GIVING

A DREAM CLOSET FOR HER A COMFORTABLE OFFICE FOR HIM

This holiday, add someone in need to your list. Here are a few ways to give back this December.

Toys for Tots has partnered with Disney this holiday—bring any new, unwrapped toy to Crabtree Valley’s Disney store. You can ﬁnd additional donation sites on their website. raleigh-nc.toysfortots.org

Select a child from the Angel Tree. You can even shop from a child’s wish list with Children’s Home Society Hope for the Holidays. salvationarmycarolinas.org/wakecounty chsnc.org/event/hope-for-the-holidays-2018/

WRAL will host their annual Coats for the Children drive this December. Drop-oﬀ locations are at Jiﬀy Lubes around the Triangle. You can also text COATS to 41444 to donate.

40% OFF PLUS FREE Installation 40% off any order of $1500 or more or $100 off $700 or more.

Clean out your closet and donate to Salvation Army’s clothing closet to keep someone else warm this winter. salvationarmycarolinas.org/wakecounty

Not valid with any other offer. Free installation with any complete unit order of $500 or more. With incoming order, at the time of purchase only. Mention WALTER magazine and receive a free valet rod with closet purchase. Expires in 30 days. CUSTOM CLOSETS • GARAGE CABINETS • HOME OFFICES • PANTRIES • LAUNDRIES • HOBBY ROOMS

Urban ministries of Wake County invites you and your family to create a holiday box for a hungry family in need. Boxes includes grocery gift card for a main course, side dishes, and dessert. urbanmin.org

Call for a free in-home design consultation and estimate 919-850-9030 | closetsbydesign.com Follow us

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OUR TOWN

FORMATION SYCHRONIZED SKATING

“The team is a safe place where they can be accepted for who they are. They all work, have fun, laugh, and cry together, and that is what is valued the most.” —Jannika Lilja, Head Coach and choreographer

riangle Formation Synchronized Skating has got it all together. The nonprofit based in Wake Forest is working to make synchronized skating one of the fastest growing team sports in the South. Synchronized skating, or synchro for short, is a team form of figure skating. The difference is instead of one or two skaters on the ice, there is a group of eight to 16 people skating in unison. “It combines all the different figure skating disciplines,” says the group's head coach and choreographer Jannika Lilja. The team skates in a hold formation, meaning arms linked, with sequences of no hold as well. Most of the skating is done in perfect unison, with skater's movements matching each

other. The skating is quite technical, closer to ice dancing in style. “You have to be able to go really fast, have good edge quality, and step technique. It's fancy footwork,” says Lilja Lilja should know. Originally from Helsinki, Finland, which boasts world class synchro club programs, she grew up skating and was part of a team that won three consecutive Finnish National titles. She is a world champion as well, with plenty of gold, silver, and bronze in her trophy case. Lilja says that skating has always been her passion. “It's what I truly care about,” she says. And, in 2016, she made it her career. Lilja left a career in fashion to move south and help build Triangle Formation. In just two years, Triangle Formaphotography by EAMON QUEENEY

46 | WALTER

tion has experienced incredible growth. Athletes from all over the Triangle, including Apex, Cary, Raleigh, and even Fuquay Varina travel to the Wake Forest facility to train. Experienced skaters practice ten hours a week combining conditioning, stretching, and ballet lessons with on-ice training. Triangle Formation's goal is to empower and inspire with an emphasis on building deeply connected teams—a formation family. The young skaters, who range in age from six to 19, are committed and ready to make a name for themselves. This season Triangle Formation teams, grouped by age and skill level, will participate in four competitions with the dream of one day having a team qualify for a national title.

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What started as intermission entertainment for the University of Michigan Wolverines hockey team in 1956 has evolved into a highly skilled sport with Olympic-sized ambition. Lilja says she hopes it will one day join ﬁgure skating and ice dancing at the highest level, but in the meantime, Triangle Formation will continue to stay in sync. –Katherine Poole Interested in getting in sync? formationsynchro.com Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm • Saturday 10am-5pm • Closed Sunday & Monday

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OUR TOWN

CHARLOTTE’S

“When you’re dealing with people you enjoy and they enjoy you and what you’re selling, it’s like going to a tea party everyday. It’s fun.” —Charlotte Harris, owner, Charlotte's Inc.

ven though the name is singular, Charlotte’s is a full-on family affair. Charlotte Harris began selling jewelry out of her home roughly 30 years ago. Combining priceless advice from trusted friends with cleverly timed marketing around a jewelry trend known as twist-a-beads, orders poured in. Due to high demand, it wasn’t long before clients asked for more products and she opened her ﬁrst store near Five Points. Harris has a keen eye for fashionable goods and an attentive ear for her customers’ tastes. A move from her Five Points location to Cameron Village proved lucrative and established strong Triangle roots. She’s since expanded to North Hills, and her daughter Stephanie has joined as the store's manager. Just three years ago, she added a Charlotte, North Carolina, location, operated by her son and daughter-in-law. As the business grew, her husband joined in to help, as well. Today, her stores remain current and feature new, up-andcoming designers and artisans. One recent and well-received addition to their product line is ladies clothing. “We try to create an exciting place so people will come in and ﬁnd just

the perfect gift or a piece of jewelry, whether it’s fashion jewelry or our fine jewelry, and now stationery. Our biggest thing right now is ladies clothing. That has really succeeded,” says Harris. Adding clothing to their merchandise selection also brought a fresh approach to unveil new products. Harris recently hosted her first fashion show, and due to its success, stores will now host fashion shows twice a year. During the holidays, stores are adorned like a winter wonderland to highlight the festive season. Harris says her stores are a happy place to shop, and when decorated, the atmosphere transforms and brings about a special energy for clients and employees. She says that in early December, shoppers are eager to be the first in the stores to purchase a unique piece before it sells out. This December also includes a highly anticipated vintage handbag show. When you talk to Harris about her stores, you hear her passion for not only working with her own family, but building strong relationships with vendors, their families, and dedicated clientele. It’s not difficult to see why her stores are a beloved Triangle mainstay. —Paige Hachet Jacob

photograph by EAMON QUEENEY

50 | WALTER

Your winter wonderland is less than three hours from Raleigh And it’s just a few minutes from Blowing Rock

A HOME FOR ALL SEASONS Located minutes from Blowing Rock and Boone, Blue Ridge Mountain Club is a year-round private community that never goes out of season. This winter, hit the slopes at Ski Beech, Appalachian Ski, and Sugar Mountain. Go snow tubing at Hawksnest. Visit the charming towns of the High Country for casual and ﬁne dining, boutique shopping, and antiquing. And experience BRMC’s rustic comfort and reﬁned amenities, surrounded by stunning views. It’s all just three hours away.

Homes & Condominiums from $430k. Homesites from $80k. To learn more or plan your visit contact Team BRMC: 828-414-4261 or online at ExploreBRMC.com 6I[HPU [OL 7YVWLY[` 9LWVY[ YLX\PYLK I` -LKLYHS 3H^ ILMVYL ZPNUPUN HU`[OPUN (SS PUMVYTH[PVU PZ ILSPL]LK [V IL HJJ\YH[L I\[ PZ UV[ ^HYYHU[LK ;OPZ PUMVYTH[PVU ZOHSS UV[ JVUZ[P[\[L H ]HSPK VɈ LY PU HU` Z[H[L ^OLYL WYPVY YLNPZ[YH[PVU PZ YLX\PYLK ;OPZ information and features and information described and depicted herein is based on proposed development plans, which are subject to change without notice. Actual development may or may not be as currently proposed. No guarantee is made that the features, amenities, or facilities depicted by an artist’s rendering or otherwise described herein will be built, or, if built will be the same type, size, or nature as depicted or described. © 2015 Blowing Rock Resort Venture, LLC.

ALL NEW PREMIER AMENITIES - NOW OPEN AT BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN CLUB

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OUR TOWN

SETON McGLENNON

“Even people who don’t celebrate Christmas enjoy them. There’s just something different about the ornament.” —Seton McGlennon

eton McGlennon says she's always found the fun in life. Her personalized ornaments and paintings are no exception. McGlennon has been storytelling through her delicate Christmas tree ornaments for almost 26 years, and the high-end holiday items are typically custom, artfully portraying your childhood home or nostalgic destination. “I began when I was a realtor in the Outer Banks. I painted ornaments for my clients as closing gifts,” she says. The demand for these handmade gifts grew, and she decided to take it on full time. “There's just something about an ornament,” she says. “They’re not just little tokens, they’re beautiful and delicate. You’re gonna have them forever.” Her keepsakes have caught the eye of the nation, too. Not only was she on Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Things list, McGlennon has also received commissions for ornaments from former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. McGlennon created an ornament depicting the White House as the personal Christmas gift from the Bush family, as well as an

ornament on the Clinton family's Blue Room tree. “After the White House ornaments, Bush asked me to create more ornaments for his library opening in Dallas. He knew they were not mass produced and that they would make a one-of-a-kind keepsake.” When she's not working with TV stars and U.S. Presidents, McGlennon says she loves getting to know her day-to-day clients during the design process. Her ornament business has expanded into memory boards, on anything from a canvas to a piece of furniture. These paintings include life landmarks such as a home, alma maters, weddings, and children. McGlennon keeps it whimsical, creating caricature-like portrayals of her clients along with quirky drawings. McGlennon says the variety in her clients keeps her on her toes. “I enjoy doing all of the projects, they're all so different.” Customers complete questionnaires, and talk with McGlennon to ensure they receive a piece that they love. “I love getting to know everyone,” she says. “We are fast friends, and some keep coming back year after year, for weddings, their kids, or grandkids.”

photography by SMITH HARDY

52 | WALTER

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When you order one of McGlennon's pieces, you can purchase a stand or globe to display it. “People want to keep it out year round,” she says. “It's like a miniature portrait.” McGlennon has also created a historical series for the collector types, and mass produced a 12 days of Christmas collection to top your tree with. “This collection allowed me to keep the gifts coming. It's a nice holiday addition.” —Catherine Currin To see more of Seton McGlennon's work, join us at WALTER's Celebrate the Season November 28 setonmcglennon.com.

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OUR TOWN

POETRY FOX

“What stands out isn’t the poem. It’s the interaction with the person that I’ve made the poem for, especially when it’s clear it’s meant something to them.” —Chris Vitiello, the Poetry Fox

y day, Chris Vittiello is a mild-mannered librarian at North Carolina State University. By night, he is the Poetry Fox, moonlighting as a bard for hire. “I bang out custom, on-demand poems on vintage typewriters. Also, I’m a giant fox” reads the bio of Vitiello’s vulpine alter ego. His habitat: parties, corporate events, festivals, art shows, the occasional dive bar. His niche: connecting a person to a poem. For the librarian-cum-fox poetry is a lifelong passion. Even before he could write, Vitiello dictated words and phrases to his parents. He was a voracious reader and a proliﬁc writer, often checking out of a dull lecture in high school to dash off lines. He went on to earn a master of ﬁne arts and continued to write, publishing three books of poetry. But, the life of a poet is a solitary one and, as Vitiello laments, “most poetry is read by poets, not regular people.” He wondered how relevant his work was if he was not participating in life. The solution arrived as a strange and wonderful gift from a relative—a discarded cartoonish fox costume. Vitiello doesn't recall when he decided to put on the fur suit and

write poems in public, but he recollects it happened for the ﬁrst time at an art open house at Shadowbox Studio in Durham. Vitiello has been poetry foxing for about seven years and has written over 10,000 poems. (Vitiello conﬁrms poetry foxing is a verb.) This year he has already had over 70 gigs and in October went on an 11-night run, producing 610 poems. A Poetry Fox experience is one-of-a-kind. First, a guest approaches the fox’s table where he sits behind a typewriter. He asks the guest for a word. He takes the word and creates a poem on the spot. Vitiello likens writing in costume to being in a portable, soundproof private studio. There is only a small portal in the Fox's mouth, so all he can see is the typewriter's keyboard—he can't even see the paper as he types. Once the poem is complete, he removes the head, makes a tweak or two, marks it with his signature stamp, and reads it aloud. For Vitiello, this personal interaction is powerful. “There are weird, psychic moments that happen,” he says. He may guess the exact age of a child or intuit that a loved one has recently passed. “You pick up on things in a short period of time,” he says.

photography by GUS SAMARCO

54 | WALTER

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C AV I A R C O L L E C T I O N S

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The Poetry Fox then gives the poem to the guest. It goes off into the world— to be pinned to a fridge, framed over a crib, or in one case, buried with a loved one. Vitiello says, “The idea that this poem is going away with a person and they have this object that is going to live with them … That is what it is about. It’s about the life of that piece of art.” –Katherine Poole To engage the Poetry Fox, visit his den at poetryfox.com

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OUR TOWN

SHELBY VANHOY

“I love sharing anything focused on North Carolina, and I was inspired to create something beautiful at this iconic N.C. destination.” —Shelby Vanhoy, Pretty in the Pines

elf-taught designer and blogger Shelby Vanhoy started Pretty in the Pines almost five years ago. “I've always loved style and home decor, and the blog has evolved since my husband and I decorated our first home together.” The Raleighite's inspired decor has led to numerous partnerships with trusted design partners, and in her latest venture, she joined forces with Balsam Hill. The California-based company, known for their high-end artificial Christmas trees, collaborated with the Biltmore on a holiday decor line. “Four bloggers, including me, were asked to decorate the trees in the Inn at the Biltmore,” says Vanhoy. “We used the Balsam Hill x Biltmore Collection ornaments and decorations to help them launch the product line.” Vanhoy says she loved working with the simple yet festive products, like the metallic leaf pins and glittery ornaments. “I loved the neutral colors and rich textures. I used all of the gold and white ornaments and added a pop of color to my tree.” This month, Vanhoy shared some of her decorating tips for the holidays with WALTER. —Catherine Currin

1 2 3 4

Get creative with your traditional holiday decor and place it in non-traditional places throughout your house. I like filling some of my photo frames with my favorite plaid wrapping paper for a budget-friendly festive touch, or hanging wreaths on the interior walls. I love using ornaments as decor throughout the home, instead of only on the tree. Add a few to a coffee table tray around your candles or in a big bowl, fill glass jars in your kitchen with them, or even fill your lanterns with ornaments around your fireplace. Don’t get caught up in “rules” of how you think you should decorate and have fun with it. You can always change around the pieces if you want to. No matter what size space you have, you can never go wrong with nature elements…pines, lush garland, pine cones, berries, trees. I love adding a wreath to my gallery wall and garland above my headboard to bring a little bit of the outdoors in.

photography courtesy SHELBY VANHOY

58 | WALTER

T H E AT R E I N T H E P A R K P R E S E N T S

EVENTS

TOP

D ONE OF T ME

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*Ira David Wood IV will play Scrooge at select shows Scrooge photo credit - Curtis Brown Photography

“It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.” – Charles Dickens

DEC 5-9 DukeEnergyCenterRaleigh.com

DEC 12-16 DPAC

DPACnc.com

Ira David Wood III, Director & Scrooge A Christmas Carol Executive & Artistic Director Theatre In The Park

FIR THE

HOLIDAYS Frasier Firs take over Raleigh City Farm

photography by JULI LEONARD

words by CATHERINE CURRIN

eith Chesnutt will be back this season selling Christmas trees at Raleigh City Farm. He’s been at it for six years, selling trees and handmade wreaths from Watauga county. “Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, I knew lots of folks that grew trees,” he says. “My 8th grade basketball coach, Rob Hunt, was a small tree farmer and father of one of my close childhood friends. They always talked about how much fun it was to sell trees, so I thought I would give it a try. I called up Rob, he agreed to front me the trees, gave lots of advice, and High Country Firs was born.” Chesnutt is

62 | WALTER

Getty Images

Keith Chesnutt, owner of High Country Firs, with his dog, Jedd, at Raleigh City Farm

DECEMBER 2018 | 63

a recent graduate of N.C. State Veterinary School, and says he loves celebrating this time of year. “A Christmas tree or wreath symbolizes the spirit of the holiday season. It is the perfect way for friends and family to celebrate the reason for the season.” Starting November 23, you can ﬁnd Chesnutt, along with his family, friends, and dog Jedd, providing Person Street with holiday spirit. High Country Firs will sell trees, wreaths, and other holiday arrangements at Raleigh City Farm from November 23 until inventory sells out, Monday-Thursday 3-8 p.m. and FridaySunday 9 a.m. — 8 p.m.

64 | WALTER

Clockwise from top left: Brooks Forsyth visited from Boone, N.C., to play Americana music; Betsy Eldridge sorts through ties at the High Country Firs’ tent; Dressed as Santa, Starke Hipp picks up a Christmas tree with friends

66 | WALTER

Equipping Life & Adventure NC Born & Bred, 1972 Cameron Village, Raleigh GreatOutdoorProvision.com

68 | WALTER

All historic images courtesy News & Observer

SLAM DUNK N.C. State’s Dereck Whittenburg continues to make a diﬀerence by JOE GIGLIO photography by SMITH HARDY

Dereck Whittenburg in the newly renovated Reynolds Coliseum on N.C. State’s main campus

he best ideas usually start with a simple question. Leon Cox has known college basketball legend Dereck Whittenburg long enough to anticipate what a normally innocent query—What do you want to do next?— could lead to. When Whittenburg told Cox he wanted to get involved in education and help college students, the groundwork was set for the Dereck Whittenburg Foundation. His foundation will be awarding scholarships to college students this month at its annual banquet at CAM Raleigh December 4. “I was interested in

helping kids ﬁnish college,” Whittenburg says. “We’ve awarded 59 scholarships since we started and we’re expanding. It’s pretty exciting to see it grow.” The foundation, run by Whittenburg and his wife, Jacqueline, helps college students in their junior or senior years, with a scholarship (up to $5,000 each). Students at N.C. State University, Shaw University, Wake Tech Community College, Meredith College, St. Augustine’s University, and William Peace University have been helped by the foundation, which will give out another $80,000 to $90,000 at the upcoming CAM event. DECEMBER 2018 | 69

Dereck Whittenburg and Jim Valvano at the 1983 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

“That’s just what Dereck does,” says Cox, who met Whittenburg when the two were at N.C. State together in the early 1980s. “Helping people has always been in his wheelhouse. He is always in ‘give’ mode because of his success.” Basketball is an undeniable part of Whittenburg’s success but certainly not its entirety. Whittenburg, 58, has made his philanthropic mark in cancer research with the V Foundation, in honor of his former N.C. State coach Jim Valvano. “What people don’t understand, I’m overshadowed by the national championship,” Whittenburg said. The irony

If it wasn’t for Whittenburg, his Wolfpack teammates, and their colorful coach, “March Madness” wouldn’t be a thing—or at least not the version that is as popular as it is today. of the moment is lost on Whittenburg as he sits in his office at Reynolds Coliseum on N.C. State’s campus, where he helped make the “Cardiac Pack” famous. There’s literally a poster from the documentary Survive and Advance about the ‘83 team, looming over his left shoulder as the words leave his mouth. Whittenburg was the executive producer for the 70 | WALTER

emmy-award winning film, an ESPN documentary released in 2013. If it wasn’t for Whittenburg, his Wolfpack teammates, and their colorful coach, “March Madness” wouldn’t be a thing—or at least not the version that is as popular as it is today. The classic underdog story, N.C. State won the national title in 1983 with one improbable win after another. It was Whittenburg’s missed shot—“It was a pass,” he adds reflexively—that led to Lorenzo Charles’ buzzer-beating dunk to push the Wolfpack past heavy favorite Houston in the national championship game. It was Whittenburg who would hug Valvano, after each win, and it was Whittenburg who Valvano couldn’t find after Charles’ stunning dunk. The iconic, frantic scene on the floor of “The Pit” in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been immortalized by CBS and is replayed every March during the NCAA tournament. Valvano died from cancer 10 years after the amazing championship run, but his legacy has grown with the V Foundation’s work. The foundation has raised more than $250 million for cancer research. It has been a passion project for Whittenburg, who had more than a coach-player relationship with Valvano. “Jim loved Dereck,” says Mike MacDonald, who was a former assistant coach to Valvano at Iona and serves on the V Foundation board with Whittenburg. “He was always hugging Dereck. He would be really thrilled and very, very proud of Dereck’s accomplishments.” Whittenburg says the most important thing he learned from his former coach was about life “after the cheering stops.” He would spend time in Valvano’s office and talk about politics and the real world. “My lens is wider than just basketball,” Whittenburg says. “There are a whole lot of other things going.” That’s why Whittenburg felt strongly about helping college students in need. He had worked with Cox, the general manager of the Sheraton in downtown Raleigh, to open Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar in 2013. The restaurant, which features a “Whitten-burger” on the menu, gives 2.5 percent of its profits to the V Foundation.

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Whittenburg suggested the foundation to Cox and the education aspect of it in 2015. Most scholarships are for high school students to get to college. Whittenburg wanted to help those who were already in school and needed a push to get to the finish line. “I cherish being a first-generation graduate,” Whittenburg says. “In my family, that was a big deal.” And that’s why he’s so intent on others reaching the same goal. It’s also why he relishes the opportunity to work at his alma mater. His “9 to 5” job at N.C. State is officially the Associate Athletic Director for Community Relations and Student Support. That’s really just a long way of saying “storyteller.” Whittenburg comes about the title honestly. He has an oversized personality and a distinctive, contagious laugh. “N.C. State did a smart thing, there’s no better rep for the university than him,” MacDonald says. “Dereck knows everybody and he has that personality. You can’t not like him.” The way Whittenburg looks at it, his job is to tell the story of N.C. State. He enjoys interacting with fans. He goes to each home football game three hours before kickoff. “He loves being back in Raleigh,” Cox says. “He loves being connected to the university.” Whittenburg needs a golf cart to get around to all of the different fans and alumni groups that want to see him and hear his stories before the football games. And not just basketball stories. Whittenburg loves to talk about N.C. State’s history. The school recently renamed an on-campus building for Irwin Holmes, the first African-American to earn an undergraduate degree from N.C. State. “He was a pioneer and that led to me being in my position at N.C. State,” he says. Whittenburg, “Whit” to most people, has stories about meeting Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. He can easily spin from a story about Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski to one about Martin Luther King, Jr. “I enjoy people,” he says. “It’s natural for me. I have fun with it. They have fun.” After more than 25 years as a coach in college basketball, Whittenburg does miss the

game. “It’s the camaraderie. I miss being with the guys.” But his new roles have just widened his circle. He’s still “Whit,” it’s just more people get to be involved in his life than just his players. “Everything I do, I’m very passionate and excited about,” he says. “The work here at N.C. State, the V Foundation, the [Dereck Whittenburg] foundation, I’m looking forward to seeing it all grow.”

N.C. State Men’s Basketball won the 1983 NCAA title vs. the University of Houston.

“I cherish being a ﬁrst-generation graduate,” Whittenburg says. “In my family, that was a big deal.” And that’s why he’s so intent on others reaching the same goal.

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SEASONAL

SPARKLE Designer Linda Boylan decorates for a coastal Christmas by CATHERINE CURRIN photography by CATHERINE NGUYEN

Linda and Ed Boylan have always been inspired by travel. The couple have lived everywhere from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania, but Linda Boylan says they love being close to the Carolina coast. Her home is full of coastal inﬂuences, and Boylan’s holiday decor is no exception. “My design inspiration is the coast and capturing the calm, relaxed, and serene lifestyle that comes with living near the ocean,” she says.

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Boylan decked out her home in festive decor for WALTER, with the help of ﬂoral designer Jan Blackwell of Floral Decor Studio located in Southlake, Texas.” Boylan says, “On one of my earlier visits to Texas this year, I met with her to discuss the ﬂoral style and designs for my home this holiday season. I especially love the ornaments that she found for the beautiful mantel swag!” The blue, silver, and white theme play off of Boylan’s love for all things coastal. “Coastal items were my design inspiration for this month’s holiday decor. I love Christmas and the coast, so I wanted to incorporate the colors, ornaments, and style of that feel into the holiday decor.” Boylan shared some of her favorite shops and designers with us, as well as her top decorating tips for the season.

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SEASIDE SPARKLE The entryway art by Dallas artist Melissa McKean was the inspiration for a pop of color and vibrancy.

Design Tip: Plan Early “This year I feel like the holidays came upon us so fast! Take some notes of your Holiday decorating items as early as the summer and plan around a few of your favorite items. You do not have to use every holiday item in your attic or garage storage to decorate with. The old saying ‘less is more’ is a wise saying.”

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BLUE CHRISTMAS The white millwork in the dining room, while beautiful and visually weighty, needed something equally weighted for the top portion of the walls. The Sherwin-Williams color Composed seemed like the likely choice to tie in with the other rooms.

Design Tip: Color Scheme “Start with a color theme. Select your holiday color theme based on your existing home furnishings.”

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DESIGNED DINING “As an interior designer, I notice the small details like the small round sphere located underneath the table top which ties in with the orbital elements in the dining room and entryway.”

Design Tip: Mantels & Table Decor “Use groupings of items that vary in height and size. Books stacked are a great way to add height to any item.”

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Design Tip: Style “If you are more casual in your decor, then you may want to go for more of a natural, woodsy feel to your holiday decor. But if you are more glitzy, then incorporate things with sparkle and pizzaz.”

Design Tip: Scented Spaces “Be sure to select a scent in a candle, sticks with oils, or potpourri that reﬂects the holiday smell that you love. Some of the most wonderful memories are from our senses.” At left: Ed and Linda Boylan outside their home in Wake Forest. “I embrace the adventure of travel, new surroundings, and learning the culture of each area,” says Boylan. “Interior Design suits me well because it is always evolving and changing.”

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Merry BRIGHT

Raleigh’s Angus Barn continues to be a Christmas tradition by ALEX DIXON photography by JULI LEONARD

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They’re known as the Real Housewives of the Angus Barn. For the past four years, this group of seven women have arrived at the Angus Barn each November. Donning their tool belts, the ladies get to work, setting up elaborate holiday decorations at the nearly 60-year-old Raleigh steakhouse. This is no easy task, from a 30-foot tree in the lobby to lights around the entirety of the building’s exterior. These extensive holiday decorations have become as much of a draw for guests as the renowned food and drinks. As patrons leave the restaurant, they often make reservations for the next year. The restaurant’s 6th annual Christmas Dinner with Biltmore wine pairings, held in its lakeside Pavilion special events space on December 23rd, is already booked. “We just go all out decorating; every single corner is decorated…even the bathrooms,” second-generation Angus Barn owner Van Eure says. Inspired by the holiday decorations at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, Eure has spared no expense. The holiday spirit can be seen from outside the restaurant, from

The Wild Turkey Lounge, named for its extensive display of over 600 Wild Turkey bourbon decanters, is decked out in bronze and gold. the lights on the rooftops to the tree that faces Glenwood Avenue from the window of the loft dining room. In the lobby, a small locomotive train navigates around the towering tree that contains 84 | WALTER

differently themed decorations each year. The Wild Turkey Lounge, named for its extensive display of over 600 Wild Turkey bourbon decanters, is decked out in bronze and gold. A snow-filled white Christmas theme inspires the loft dining room décor and giant peppermint candies adorn the red and white main dining room. The kitchen even has its own tree, decorated pink in memory of a manager who was with the restaurant for 44 years. On the first day of December, the kitchen begins making gingerbread cookies, which are delivered by elves (children of the Angus Barn decorators) to each guest as they leave. The Angus Barn is open all but three days per year: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. And while much attention is given to the holidays, the celebratory atmosphere and attention to detail doesn’t subside whether it’s March or November. Celebrations range from the usual: birthdays—one recent guest turned 103—anniversaries, proposals, and rehearsal dinners to more solemn events. Eure recalls a story in which a family came out to celebrate a last meal with a moribund person because they’d made so many lasting memories at the restaurant. Eure’s ideal celebratory meal is a 42-ounce, bone-in tomahawk rib eye, which she says should be split, although the menu reads “recommended for two, or a challenge for one.” The restaurant’s wine cellar has become as celebrated as its steaks, earning the restaurant 20 Wine Spectator Grand Awards—reserved for restaurants that offer the highest level of wine service and typically offer more than 1,000 selections. Little has changed in the way the Angus Barn operates since it opened in June of 1960, but a lot has changed around it. Eure’s father, Thad Eure, Jr. opened the restaurant with business partner Charles Winston on 50-acres halfway between Raleigh and Durham. Eure says Raleigh-Durham International Airport was not much more than a “landing strip” at the time, and a lot of people had doubts about the restaurant’s location. “When we first opened,

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everybody said we were never going to work,” Eure says. “You had to drive for miles and miles to get out here. It was the cheapest land they could ﬁnd; that’s why they bought it.” Fire destroyed the restaurant in 1964, but it was quickly rebuilt, with the same lending institutions that labeled the restaurant as a poor risk just years earlier now lined up to offer capital. In 1978, Winston sold his share of the business to Thad Eure, Jr.; 10 years later Thad Eure, Jr. died. Eure, who had been working at the restaurant since she was 14, ran the restaurant with her mother, Alice Eure, who died in 1997. She has owned and operated the restaurant since, retaining the same focus to hospitality as her mother and father. “We’ve tried to maintain the same constant level of service to both the customers and the employees that both my dad and Charles Winston started,” Eure says. “That was what he believed in so much.” The restaurant has nearly 950 seats and employs 400 people. But serving hundreds of steaks per night and creating an unforgettable occasion for guests leaves opportunities for mistakes and disappointments. Eure says plenty of these have happened, despite the restaurant’s rave online reviews. “It happens a lot, where we mess up, and we do everything in our power to make it right, no matter what it takes,” she says. “We realize people have saved and waited to come out here and if we mess up, then it’s just not acceptable.” In being a “want to do” not a “have to do” destination, as Eure describes the Angus Barn, the restaurant’s success is subject to things like a dip in the economy. “When times get tight, we’re not something that people automatically do,” she says. And Eure and the restaurant don’t rest on past laurels. The restaurant is frequently cited on industry lists as one of the highest grossing restaurants in America, and they’re constantly upgrading and updating to make sure the Angus Barn stays relevant and successful for generations to come. While guests have come to love the nostalgic feeling of the restaurant, the

Angus Barn is constantly adding items to the menu and hosting themed dinners in its wine cellar to provide these new experiences. “We’re always trying to stay one step ahead,” Eure says. One area of recent growth has been the Angus Barn’s focus on special events. About a decade ago, the restaurant opened the lakeside Pavilion, an open-air facility that stays booked with private corporate events, Christmas parties and weddings. At the Bay 7 special events space in Durham’s American Tobacco District, Angus Barn is the sole caterer. In any decision Eure makes for the restaurant, she says she always thinks of what her father would do. “If he saw the restaurant now, he’d be blown away.” “We’ve added so much, the wine cellar, the Pavilion…he would love it. Every time I do any project, I think of how he would do it because he always did things so right.”

“We’ve tried to maintain the same constant level of service to both the customers and the employees that both my dad and Charles Winston started,” Eure says. “That was what he believed in so much.” But no matter how big the restaurant gets or how many new features it adds to the menu, Eure aims to preserve the past that has brought so many guests lasting memories. “A lot of people get really emotional about it,” she says. “[We’ve heard], “Thank you so much for still having the Angus Barn here because all of our family celebrations have been here, and it just brings back such great memories for generations.”

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Angus Barn’s Famous Chocolate Chess Pie 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter 3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped 1 cup sugar 2 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla Dash of salt 1 unbaked pie shell Whipped cream for topping, optional Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and chocolate in the top half of a double boiler. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Add melted chocolate mixture and mix until well-combined. Pour mixture into pie shell and bake until set, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool and top with whipped cream, if desired. Serves eight

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markwkirby

www.dixonkirbyhomes.com

dixonkirbyhomes

D e s i g n i n g a n d B u i l d i n g t h e We l c o m e H o m e s i n c e 198 4

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Ann Howell Bullard makes timeless pieces that improve with age

PAINTED

PURSES by HAMPTON WILLIAMS HOFER photography by S.P. MURRAY

hree years ago, Ann Howell Bullard used a simple sewing kit to transform a slip of painted canvas into a clutch handbag to take to a friend’s wedding. “Everyone was stopping me to say, ‘whoa, that’s so cool!’ and I was like ‘really?’ So I just kept doing more.” Since then, Bullard has made thousands of bags. Each of her unique creations, which she meticulously hand-paints and sews, is a functional piece of art. Her namesake line of bags, including everything from clutches to totes, has exploded in popularity with online customers, retailers, and buyers at trade shows from New York to Paris. DECEMBER 2018 | 91

Opposite page: Ann Howell Bullard in her at-home studio; Bullard hand paints all of her handbags; Using a mix of ink and acrylics, Bullard blends diﬀerent colors and patterns to develop unique creations.

In the front room of her home near Wade Avenue, Bullard’s workshop brims with sewing machines, scrap cutters, strips of leather, and acrylic paints.

With no formal training in art or leather-working, Bullard has mastered her craft organically through trial and error. She still has that first canvas clutch, which fell apart after one use and taught her that there’s a reason people use leather. Early on in her bag-making, when her husband bet her $100 that she couldn’t finish a huge plate of pancakes and eggs by herself, Bullard proved him wrong and took her winnings down to the leather store to buy her first piece of white leather hide. She soon realized that due to the layers of paint on colored leather, her own painting would show up better on the undyed kind, which she has used ever since. Now, her bags are all made from natural, naked veg-tan cowhide. (It’s the highest quality leather: buttery smooth, and smells like a new car). Bullard paints the bags using a cross between acrylic paint and ink, which seeps down into the hide. “I first discovered Ann Howell’s bags on Instagram, and they immediately caught my eye,” says Mary Swanson, owner of Tulipano Boutique in Atlanta and Birmingham, who has now carried Bullard’s bags for a year in her ultra-hip stores. “Ann Howell’s pieces are all a work of art. There is nothing like them on the market.” Bullard, who majored in English and art history at UNC-Chapel Hill, believes in “sponge education”—seeing like an artist, garnering inspiration through brain stamps of all the things that move her. She’s drawn to the contrast of black and white, to pops of neon, glitter, and rustic cutouts. Her bags feature designs like banana leaves, lips, and stars. Take the Cherry Red Clutch, for example, which Bullard says was inspired by some mixture of Henri Matisse, Mick Jagger, and dusty old bookstores. Every bag has 92 | WALTER

a background, a trail in Bullard’s curious and artistic mind, where she draws upon snapshots of things like wood textures and sun sparkles. The popular Jeweled Clutch was inspired in part by a jeweler’s storefront sign in Calcutta and in part by gothic Southern literature. In the front room of her home near Wade Avenue, Bullard’s workshop brims with sewing machines, scrap cutters, strips of leather, and acrylic paints. In just over three years, she has produced six collections of signature handbags. She used to work in the laundry room, but took over the formal living room, because it’s the biggest room in the house. There, she can produce 30-50 bags a week depending on the design complexity. She first cuts the leather (using patterns she created herself based on bags she likes), then paints it with whatever her current inspiration may be. She stitches the pieces together using a sewing machine strong enough to sew through plywood. To finish, the completely colored bags are sealed with a protective glaze that locks in the paint, and the bags with natural leather showing are left glaze-free so that the leather develops a patina. When Bullard started working with natural leather, it reminded her of the bits of raw canvas left exposed in traditional impressionist paintings. She’s inspired by old record sleeves and antique heirlooms—reflections of stories from real life. Bullard is all about keeping things real: “I like to see the brushwork on the leather, the little imperfections, the hand of the artist. A lot of handbags are designed not to show you the very things that make them visually interesting.” On Bullard’s bags, the hand of the artist is clear in the variations, the layers, and idiosyncrasies. Over time, the rawhide softens

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On Bullard’s bags, the hand of the artist is clear in the variations, the layers, and idiosyncrasies. Over time, the rawhide softens and deepens in color, meaning the one-of-a-kind bag is ever-evolving.

and deepens in color, meaning the one-ofa-kind bag is ever-evolving. Bullard never balked at the idea of painting on costly, quality leather: “I’ve always just painted on stuff, even as a kid: my dresser, my car, anything.” The oldest of six children, she was homeschooled during her childhood in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and so found ample time for creativity. Luckily, her parents were into it: “My mom kept it all. Everything I’ve painted,” Bullard says. She took a few summer art classes as a child, which she credits for channeling her creativity toward painting: “I had this teacher with an incredible garage studio and garden. It was like a dream,” Bullard says. Two decades later, that teacher’s daughter bought an Ann Howell Bullard bag, unaware of the connection. Bullard herself was drawn to teaching, and spent three years teaching elementary special education in rural Warren County, North Carolina, where she drew energy from the rustic, green landscape. She’s content to be in Raleigh now, where inspiration seeps from a vibrant community of creators and entrepreneurs. Bullard sells most of her bags from her own website, but she’s caught the eye of wholesale retailers, too. Raleigh’s Furbish Studio was one of the ﬁrst to give her clutches a trial run as when she was starting. Before long, a buyer from Anthropologie emailed her out of the blue wanting to carry her line. Bullard’s growth in just three years is as remarkable as the pace at which she continues to move forward. She just returned from a trip to Paris for a trade show, where she

explored art in all forms, notably the Impressionist paintings at the Musée d’Orsay, getting up close enough to see the brush strokes on Édouard Manet’s famous Luncheon on the Grass, after which Bullard named her latest collection. Naturally, she uses her own bags daily, and she’s still stopped by strangers for compliments like she was on that ﬁrst night at her friend’s wedding. Bullard can’t help but have favorites, like the best-selling striped Black Keys Circle bag, and the Milagros Clutch, inspired by prayer charms and broken heart tattoos she’s seen. Her brand new collection features the Boom-Red Tote: “It’s like this crazy explosion,” Bullard says, “It’s super bright with jagged lines, inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s technique of exploding things so that everything is equal.” The hand-painted bag features a glitter interior, adjustable shoulder strap, and magnetic closure. Building is underway for a new, larger workshop in Bullard’s backyard. Thus far, she’s done everything on her own— except for the few times that her husband, Kevin, and her little brother, an N.C. State undergrad, have helped her set the rivets on her sewing machine—but Bullard plans to expand and one day hire employees. She is always scanning the world around her for stimulation, saving snapshots on her website to create a mosaic that’s like a dip into her innovative brain. For this Raleigh artisan, the expanse of her creativity is endless. And it’s only up from here. DECEMBER 2018 | 95

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The Scott family surprises customers with fruitcake by CATHERINE CURRIN photography by BERT VANDERVEEN

SUPREME SWEETS

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Berta Lou Scott is the founder and CEO of Southern Supreme in Bear Creek, North Carolina, but she says she couldn’t do it on her own. It’s a family affair, with her four children and husband on her staff or helping out during the holidays. Scott says she loves working surrounded by her entire family. “They’re all here,” she says. “My husband, four children, and one grandson. We recently named my son president of the company.” Just an hour from downtown Raleigh, Southern Supreme is most widely known for its fruitcake, and to many customers’ surprise, it’s delicious. “I think we’re special because we have a good product,” says Scott. The 30,000-square-foot facility is chock full with fruitcake, of course, and satisfying items like nuts, turtles, pralines, tea biscuits, and cheese ﬂorets.

Beauty shop to bakery The fruitcake empire has come a long way. Scott says she started baking cakes when she was tired of her job as a hairdresser. “Sometimes you get kind of burnt out,” she says. “I looked around to see what else I could do.” Scott says she served the fruitcake to her beauty shop clients, and they loved it with coffee. “They just went wild over the fruitcake.” Scott’s garage was full, occupying her beauty shop, Hairport 42, aptly named for the adjacent highway, NC-42. Scott took over

another garage—her daughter’s. “They all taste nuts and cake. That’s what I like put up with us in her garage for 5 years,” about it.” The cakes are now sold in The Scott says. “My neighbors and clients from Fresh Market, Whole Foods, and Southern my beauty shop helped me get going.” It Seasons. “It has a 4-5 month shelf life. It paid off, and Southern Supreme quickly never dries out,” says Scott. grew. “Our first show was at the convention Growing far and wide The 30,000-squarecenter in Raleigh, and we Today, the company foot facility is chock sells over 250,000 cakes immediately got a huge order for almost 2,000 full with fruitcake, of each holiday season, and pounds of fruitcake. We facility produces course, and satisfying the were blown away with roughly 2,000 pounds items like nuts, turtles, of fruitcake daily. But the response to it.” As the orders flowed in, the pralines, tea biscuits, Southern Supreme’s fruitcake was pressed by inventory is much and cheese florets. hand as Scott went to more than just its nutty trade shows around the fruitcake. When Scott country. “In 1990, we needed a building,” decided she wanted to add her fruitcake she says. “We expanded into the cow pasto gift baskets, she developed over 90 ture behind our houses.” products to accompany the cakes. “I came up with all new recipes because I wanted Nuts about fruitcake to make baskets using only our products,” The Scott-family fruitcake recipe she says. has not changed in over three decades, Most items are sweet treats, like and the family business has changed the creamy pecan pralines or chocolate fudge. negative notion of a traditional fruitcake. The gifts’ names are indicative of what’s “You think of fruitcake that’s something inside: Tub of Temptation, Southern dry and hard with a lot of fruit. Ours isn’t Tradition, and Gathering of Goodies. The Carolina Country Gift Box, for example, like that.” includes a fruitcake, maple crispy peanuts, Scott says the nut-to-fruit ratio is and pecan pralines. While each item is what sets Southern Supreme apart. “We unique in flavor, the care and love that’s Southerners like more nuts, but up north put into each bite is evident across the they want to know where the fruit is. board. Throughout the varied boxes, there Fruit doesn’t overpower our cake. You DECEMBER 2018 | 99

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are also jellies, jams, and relishes, and Scott has recruited her daughter to make homemade pickles when she’s not busy working as a nurse—usually up to 9,000 jars. In addition to purchasing gift baskets, you can visit Bear Creek and shop the showroom (the majority of sales happen there), or take a tour of the facility. There’s home décor, ornaments, and plenty of sweets to ﬁll the stockings.

A sweet destination Scott says that the factory has become somewhat of a destination. “A lot of people tell us that they come here for part of their Christmas celebration, and that makes us so proud,” she says. Southern Supreme also hosts an open house each fall that brings in over 4,000 guests from around the country. The open house includes tours, cooking demonstrations, and Southern Supreme’s famous hot cider. Scott says the team begins holiday decorating in July, and the dedication shows. “We don’t just put up a tree, we decorate.” The décor is classic and festive, while celebrating all of North Carolina, from the mountains to the coast. Greenery adorns almost every inch of the space, and packages are wrapped and ready to set under the tree for Christmas morning. In 2008, Scott compiled over 500 recipes in her book, Reﬂections and Recipes. “I wanted to write a story about how I got

into the fruitcake business. When I started, I didn’t have an example to go off of in this industry.” This month, WALTER visited the Scott family in Bear Creek, and Berta Scott shared her famous fruitcake cookie recipe. The Scotts hope that you’ll bring their family recipes into your home this holiday season.

Fruitcake Cookies 1 pound butter 1 pound light brown sugar 4 1/2 cups self-rising ﬂour 1 pound candied cherries (1/2 red, 1/2 green) 2 pounds chopped dates (sugar coated) 18 to 24 ounces pineapple/apricot preserves 1 teaspoon baking soda

Southern Supreme’s extended holiday hours Order before December 10 to receive your goodies by Christmas Monday–Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

3 eggs 3 tablespoons milk 4 cups pecans Cream the butter and sugar together. Add eggs. Beat slightly. Mix dry ingredients and hold 1 cup of ﬂour to mix with chopped cherries and pecans. Fold dry mix and preserves into batter with milk. Batter will be too thick for a regular mixer. Use a big heavy spoon to mix. Spoon batter onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Garnish with candied cherries. Put wax paper between layers and pack into an airtight container. If you use a teaspoon to spoon out the dough, you will get approximately 12-15 dozen cookies. If you use a tablespoon, you will have approximately 10 dozen cookies. Cookies will store for 1 month in an airtight container and freeze well.

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From left to right: Dennis Poole and Tim Cherry have portrayed the wicked stepsisters in the Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of Cinderella for over 20 years.

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RLT’s Cinderella stepsisters are one of a kind

SISTER ACT by BILLY WARDEN photography by JUSTIN KASE CONDER

efore the night is out, one of Raleigh’s most beloved actors will be in tears. Not theater tears. Heartfelt tears that will stun colleagues gathered in a wardrobe room backstage. But that scene plays out later. Right now, Dennis Poole is doing what he’s celebrated for—talking smack and wiggling into women’s clothes. Since 1998, two men, Poole, 59, and longtime pal Tim Cherry, 69, have portrayed with flouncy abandon Gertrude and Henrietta, the stepsisters—judgemental types label them “ugly” and “evil”—in Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of Cinderella. There’s no gig in our enchanted city quite like theirs. Or friendship. Or wardrobe. “My costume is very pink. Very dainty. Very sexy,” says Cherry, stroking his gray goatee as his eyes drink in this year’s voluminous gown. “But to go to the bathroom after it’s on…ugh.” He then acts out how he must lift layer upon billowy layer. How he must wrestle back the underlying hoop skirt that lends his character her imperial grandness. And finally how he must squirm free of his foundational tights. Cherry turns taking care of the most humdrum human business into an epic, noting with an expert twist of his eyebrows, “When you’re my age, there’s no NOT having to go to the bathroom.” “Yes,” Poole hisses. “When you were born, the Louisiana Purchase was still in escrow.” Snap! Onstage and off, the duo is comically at each other’s throats. They portray Gertrude and Henrietta as driven and deluded, absurdly assured of their own magnificence, yet haplessly striving for more. Backstage, they aren’t much different. Or so it seems at first. In the wardrobe room, as Cherry spins another story, Poole lifts a long pair of scissors high over his head. With a demented smile he glares down at his unsuspecting partner’s jugular. Squint

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and it’s like watching Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in a sequel to Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? as directed by modern day drag impresario RuPaul. While Poole, who works in higher education, and Cherry, a potter and retired teacher, make no claim to being social commentators, they do note that interest in their schtick has picked up in the last couple of years. Perhaps that’s just the result of people recognizing their long run. But maybe it’s a sign of a community, intrigued to see themselves reﬂected in the fractured mirror Gertrude and Henrietta hold up. Maybe, too, the sight of these men unabashedly enjoying themselves as women allows us to consider with a smile changing perceptions of gender. Whatever the modern connotations, the production’s roots go back, way back, before social media. Even before Cherry’s

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birthday. RLT’s Cinderella draws its inspiration from the English “pantomimes” of the 18th century, wisecracking takes on classic tales, featuring gender bending, over-the-top outfits, songs, and slapstick. But while it sounds fun, nothing falls as flat as a forced farce—which is why Poole and Cherry are so important. After 260 performances (and 18 more set for this year), they make the manic mechanics seem effortless. “I don’t have to worry about them; they know what to do,” says director Mike McGee. “They’re 100 percent invested in their roles and they’re just so comfortable. They have the ability to ad lib. They practically finish each other’s sentences.” Traveling in the same theatrical circles, Poole and Cherry knew each other for years before first stepping into role of the stepsisters. In 1998, the late Haskell

Fitz-Simons, the show’s longtime director, watched the two audition separately and was inspired to pair them up. “The most brilliant casting choice of his life!,” Cherry says wryly. “The chemistry was there, and it’s been there ever since.” They both revel in the ridiculous, which helps when scaling the heights of community theater. As Poole gleefully puts it, “I love it when things go wrong.” Like the time a fire alarm went off during the show. Like the time Cherry’s bloomers came loose and slid off. Like the time a confused stage hand wound up stuck on stage after the lights came up. Through it all, they’ve carried each other. Sometimes literally. “I’m an insecure person,” says Cherry. “But that first year, waiting in the wings, I knew that whatever happened out there, Dennis would fix it.”

Night after night, their antics have continued from the stage to the lobby, where audiences interact with the cast. “You haven’t lived,” Poole says, “until you’ve been backed into a corner by a six year old outraged by the way you treated Cinderella.” But while fairy tales are timeless, the mere mortals who bring them to life are on a clock. The duo started talking about when to hang up their bloomers way back in the early days. “We’ve always wanted to go out on top,” says Cherry. They originally thought perhaps they’d bid adieu to the stepsisters after ﬁve years, but living a fairy tale has been too much fun to leave behind. “You can come into work in a bad mood, but you talk to Dennis and Tim and you’re ready to party,” says dresser Tana Shehan, widening her eyes. “Those two are wild.”

But no magic wand can wave away the physical demands of high energy theater. If Raleigh’s signature stepsisters are, in fact, nearing a grand ﬁnale, is there anything they haven’t yet shared with each other? “I’m extremely jealous of you,” Cherry tells Poole, referring to his onstage elan. “Following you in the slipper scene. I’ve never been so miserable in my entire life.” Poole, sitting a few feet across from his stage sister, takes this in with a grateful smile. Then he glances away and becomes very serious. “I want you to know…” Suddenly, his eyes well up. “You are the most wonderful partner.” And… tears stream down his cheeks. RLT executive director Charles Phaneuf raises a hand to his mouth in surprise, then passes Poole a box of tissues. “And for you to be my cohort in crime

has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.” Cherry, underplaying things for the moment, simply nods, and the wardrobe room is, for the ﬁrst time all evening, hushed. Cinderella is a make believe about lavish balls, royal ambitions, and a glass slipper that sets in motion a happy ending. The real world requires no such trappings to make magic. All that’s needed is a dash of chemistry. Raleigh Little Theatre’s Cinderella will run from November 30—December 16 at the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre. Billy Warden is the co-founder of strategic communications ﬁrm GBW Strategies and the lead singer of the glam rock band, The Floating Children.

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QUENCH

Get into the

SPIRITS

Have a cup of cheer at Hummingbird by KATHERINE POOLE

ix and mingle with friends at Hummingbird this holiday season. Owner Coleen Speaks proclaims she is “getting in the spirit.” She’s teamed up with Jamie Meares of Furbish Studio to decorate the cozy restaurant and bar. As Speaks says, it will be “over the top.” Her husband, a mix-master of another sort, has created a special holiday playlist that will be spinning nonstop. On the menu, she has some special bar snacks planned to join Hummingbird’s popular charbroiled oysters on the menu. And of course, she’s shaking

it up with four special holiday cocktails to make spirits bright. She’s put her spin on the classics with the south of the border inspired Feliznoggidad and The Hot Grinch that can prepared ahead and stored for when the moment calls for a hot toddy. Speaks has also concocted two playful drinks to sip: Krampus Juice zings with a cranberry ginger syrup and It’s a Wonderful Life bubbles with a dash of festive color from Peychaud’s Bitters. The Loading Dock destination at Whitaker and Atlantic is going all out, at least that is what a little bird told us. –Katherine Poole

photography by KEITH ISAACS DECEMBER 2018 | 107

Krampus Juice Ingredients: 1 teaspoon Peychaud’s Bitters 3/4 ounce lemon 3/4 ounce ginger cranberry syrup 1 1/2 ounce Blackstrap Rum 1/2 ounce Zucca Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and combine. Pour contents into a rocks glass ﬁlled with ice. Garnish with a sprig of thyme. For the ginger cranberry syrup: 1 1/2 cup sugar 3 cup water 2 cup fresh cranberries or frozen 2” piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thinly pinch of salt Combine ingredients in a heavy sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stir to dissolve sugar. Turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Set pan aside to cool. After it is cool strain oﬀ, pressing on solids to extract all liquid.

Hot Grinch Ingredients: 3/4 pound softened butter 1 cup dark brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon clove 1/8 teaspoon salt Per drink: 2 tablespoons butter .75 ounce aged rum .75 ounce RumChata 8 ounces boiling water Whipped cream to top Cinnamon stick to garnish

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Beat butter, sugar, spices, and salt until ﬂuﬀy. The butter mixture can be refrigerated and stored for up to 2 weeks. In a mug, mix 2 tablespoons of butter mixture with 8 ounces boiling water to melt the butter. Stir in rums. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Feliznoggidad Ingredients: 12 ounce can evaporated milk 2 cups coconut milk 2.5 cups whole milk Pinch baking soda 1/2 cup sugar Pinch salt 1 vanilla bean—split (or 1 teaspoon extract) 1 star anise

4 cloves 1 3” piece of cinnamon stick 1⁄3 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg 6 large eggs separated 1 cup good bourbon Whipped cream Grated nutmeg for garnish

Combine milks and baking soda in a heavy sauce pan and heat over medium for 8-10 minutes. Before it comes to a boil, add sugar, salt, vanilla bean, and spices. Reduce heat. Cook another few minutes. Beat egg yolks in a bowl and slowly drizzle in 1 cup hot milk mixture into eggs to temper. Pour egg mixture into milk mixture and cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Strain milk into glass or ceramic pitcher, add booze and chill for several hours or overnight. To make cocktail, pour 5 oz. chilled nog into cocktail shaker with 1 egg white. Dry shake to froth up and pour into coupe glass. Top with whipped cream and grated nutmeg.

It’s a Wonderful Life Ingredients: 1/2 ounce lime 1/2 ounce rosemary syrup 3/4 ounce cognac 1/4 ounce green chartreuse Top with sparkling wine 1 teaspoon Peychaud’s Bitters Rosemary twig for garnish Add lime, rosemary syrup, cognac, and chartreuse to a cocktail shaker and combine. Pour contents into a Champagne ﬂute and top with sparkling wine. Float up to one teaspoon of Peychaud’s Bitters on top of the cocktail. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

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THE HOLIDAYS ARE ABOUT PEACE AND JOY. THE CYPRESS HAS BOTH IN ABUNDANCE.

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courtesy Guardian Ad Litem

GIVERS

ADVOCATES for OTHERS by HAMPTON WILLIAMS HOFER

ach year, more than 18,000 children in North Carolina attend family court hearings regarding their own abuse or neglect. Thanks to the Guardian ad Litem Program, these children sit at the table next to an adult whose only role in that courtroom is to serve as their advocate. For 35 years, the Guardian ad Litem program in North Carolina has provided trained community volunteers who are appointed by the court to represent abused and neglected children, and to work toward getting those children into safe, forever homes. “Children are less likely to return to foster care, and are more likely to graduate from school and achieve permanency when they have that one constant person supporting them through this journey,” says Christina Harrison, NC GAL's Assistant Administrator. Guardians ad Litem (meaning “guard-

ians for the case”) provide that consistent support. The state’s GALs come from all different cultures, backgrounds, and professions, with no experience necessary, and are united by a desire to be a voice for

some of their communities’ most vulnerable children. In North Carolina, these volunteers are 5,300 strong. GALs are supervised by specialists, and partner with attorney advocates who protect the legal rights of clients. These volunteers save the state around $11 million annually, but the program’s positive impact extends far beyond frugality: It’s a chance for community members to activate real change by empowering a child in need. “The children know I’m not paid, that I’m doing this only because I care about them. They can tell me anything, and I will be their voice,” says Sally White, who has spent a decade as a GAL in Raleigh. Like Wake County’s other 500 volunteers, White underwent an interview process, several weeks of training, and was sworn in before a judge. When a petition of abuse or neglect is ﬁled by the Department of Social Services,

DECEMBER 2018 | 111

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“Every story of children returning home or receiving a forever family is cemented in my memory.” formulate fact-based reports with recommendations, and when it’s time for court, they present their written reports to the judge. Sometimes, that recommendation is back with a parent; sometimes it isn’t. In court, the GAL sits at a table with the child and a lawyer; at an adjacent table sits the parent or legal guardian of the child, the alleged perpetrator of abuse or neglect. Things can get impassioned, even confrontational. But many parents are grateful for the GAL program, comforted by knowing that when their children aren’t with them, there is someone out there working only for the good of their child. GALs earn the respect of parents, too, simply by being volunteers, by having no incentive other than that they care. The GAL model is a win-win for everyone: the state saves money, the GALs are fulfilled, and most importantly, the children feel cared for and heard. It’s a program where everything centers around the work of the community volunteer, because the child advocate is instrumental in assuring that each child finds a stable, loving home environment. Confidentiality is at the root of what the GAL program

does, and the volunteers must handle stories of child abuse that are burdensome. They have to step out of their comfort zones in order to step up for a child who has been hurt, and there is not always joy in the process, but the results more than compensate: “This work is so rewarding,” says White, “There is no feeling like knowing a child has found a safe, permanent home. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” Naeime Livingston, the District Administrator for Wake County’s GAL Program in Judicial District 10, who has been with GAL for twenty-four years, says the core strength of the program is that the volunteer advocate is the one person in the courtroom who is speaking only on behalf of the child’s best interest. After having spent months with these children, learning their sides of the story, GALs don’t just make their own personal recommendations to the judges, but they incorporate the child’s wishes, too. “They play an important role in helping the children feel empowered, knowing that their voices matter. And that,” Livingston says, “is a life-changing experience for a child who has never been heard before.”

courtesy Guardian Ad Litem

a GAL is assigned the case and commits to serving on it until permanence is achieved for the child, which usually takes at least a year. Throughout that year, GAL volunteers meet with their assigned children regularly. They aren’t allowed to buy them gifts or transport them, but they can listen—some say the children call or text them frequently. GALs also monitor the case, conduct interviews, read reports, and dig for details. Sometimes the case specifics are difficult to digest. “You can’t let your feelings get in the way,” White says, “Even if the details of a report keep you up at night. You have to have an objective eye.” One GAL volunteer says that through advocating for abused children, he’s learned open-mindedness and forgiveness toward parents whose actions landed their children in foster care. Other volunteers are so astounded by the resilience of children, so inspired by it, that they keep taking on more cases, assured that each child has a purpose, a right to a happy childhood. Christina Harrison started out as a GAL volunteer herself, in her first case helping to remove a young boy from an abusive home. His story affected Harrison so profoundly that she ended up serving 32 children in the next four years, and she eventually joined the full-time staff. It’s now been eighteen years and “every story of children returning home or receiving a forever family is cemented in my memory,” she says. This work doesn’t just benefit the children, but everyone who helps them find their forever homes. Harrison recalls one GAL volunteer who served relentlessly while facing her own serious battle with cancer. That GAL attended every child visit, every hearing, tirelessly advocating for the children she represented, while doing her best to hide the outward impacts of her cancer treatment. She stood next to her children at their final adoption ceremonies. “The joy of knowing that we have over 5,000 unselfish community citizens standing up and being a voice for a child is the daily fuel I use to do this work,” says Harrison. During their time on a case, GALs

WALTER events

Guests dine in CAM’s main gallery.

APPETITE for ART

ALTER celebrated Raleigh’s art and culinary community October 18 at CAM. Chefs from Brewery Bhavana, Garland, and Heirloom cultivated a three-course meal in CAM’s main gallery. Guests enjoyed wine pairings from Wine Authorities as well as beer from Brewery Bhavana. Throughout the evening, CAM’s newest exhibit Above the Rim was on display, which merges modern art and community through basketball. Guests dined on a chilled noodle salad, pork belly, and fried rice in the midst of a basketball court, and heard from the chefs on their inspiration, as well as the importance of community and food in the Triangle. The evening would not have been possible without the support of CAM, as well as sponsors Bailey’s Fine Jewelry and Renewal by Andersen.

photography by MADELINE GRAY

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Clockwise: Cheetie Kumar of Garland; Craig Heﬄey of Wine Authorities poured wine tasting during the VIP hour; VIP guests enjoyed passed bites and drink tastings; Ward Warren, Emily Warren, Kelly Crisp, Sam Crisp; Vansana Nolintha of Brewery Bhavana serves beer during VIP hour; Kelly Scuotto, Nancy Kessinger, Jodie McClement

DECEMBER 2018 | 115

AWILD TIME

uests gathered at Milburnie Fishing Club for WALTER’s third annual Tales from the Wild event. This year’s event featured outdoor demonstrations like fly fishing, oyster shucking, and openflame cooking. Milburnie provided a delicious dinner of pulled pork, barbeque chicken, and their famous hushpuppies, and Locals Seafood shucked N.C. oysters for guests. Local band The Chatham Rabbits set the scene with live music amongst Trophy Brewing, Raleigh Brewing, and TOPO Spirits. Special thanks to our partners Backcountry Hunters & Anglers as well as Triangle Land Conservancy. The evening filled with nature, food, and fellowship would not be possible without our presenting sponsor Great Outdoor Provision Co. as well as supporting sponsor Johnson Subaru of Cary. —Catherine Currin

Lin Peterson, Eddie Nickens, Chuck Millsaps

Casey Therrien, Christine Wilson

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Guests enjoy dinner from Milburnie Fishing Club

Fly ﬁshing demonstration with Scott Wood provided by Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Luke Weingarten of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers demonstrates cooking on an open ﬁre

This page: top two and bottom left courtesy of Workshop Media; bottom middle and right Travis Long; Opoosite page: photos courtesy of Workshop Media

WALTER events

Milburnie Fishing Club in Raleigh, N.C.

Axe demonstration with Craig Roost ‘Rooster’ from Council Tools

Husband and wife duo, The Chatham Rabbits (Austin and Sarah McCombie)

Oysters and smoked ﬁsh dip from Locals Seafood

DECEMBER 2018 | 117

WALTER events

W A day with VIVIAN HOWARD

ALTER readers travelled to Kinston, North Carolina, for an eventful day with North Carolina native and A Chef’s Life star, Vivian Howard. The day began with a private brunch at The Boiler Room Oyster Bar, followed by tours and tastings at Mother Earth Brewing and Social House Vodka. Guests then enjoyed a meet and great with Howard as they enjoyed her famous ‘Party Magnet’ cheese ball and other bites. The day concluded with a four-course meal with Howard in The Chef & the Farmer’s private dining space. Howard shared stories with the guests and signed cookbooks. The day would not be possible without WALTER presenting sponsor Great Outdoor Provision Co., as well as supporting sponsors Bailey’s Fine Jewelry and River Dunes. —Catherine Currin

photography by MADELINE GRAY

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Opposite page: Vivian Howard signs cookbooks at The Chef & the Farmer; this page, clockwise from top: Guests enjoy brunch at The Boiler Room; Oysters served at The Boiler Room; Guests tour Mother Earth Brewing; Pimento Cheese and Sausage Dip; Guests tour and taste at Social House Vodka; Chef Vivian Howard meets and greets with WALTER guests

DECEMBER 2018 | 119

Clockwise from top: Mother Earth Brewing; Vivian Howard with Ed and Hannah Mitchell of River Dunes; The Chef & the Farmer private dining room; guests enjoy a four-course dinner; braised pork and dirty farro Opposite page: Guests enjoy dinner in the private room at The Chef & the Farmer

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IGOF | #BARTONBOLD

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City of Raleigh Museum/Katie Garcia

The

Guests view the new Dix Park Exhibit at the City of Raleigh Museum

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.

PARTIES 118 Dix Park Exhibit Reception at City of Raleigh Museum 121 Logan’s Lair Fundraiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind 121 Marta’s Sip and Shop for WakeMed Children’s

Submissions for upcoming issues are accepted at WALTER’s website: waltermagazine.com/submit-photos

NOVEMBER 2018 | 123

NEW DIX PARK EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION AT CITY OF RALEIGH MUSEUM Guests celebrated a new permanent exhibit about the history of Dorothea Dix Park, titled From Plantation to Park: The Story of Dix Hill at the City of Raleigh Museum October 21. The exhibit, a joint venture with the Dix Park Conservancy, explores the long history and future of Raleigh’s newest park and runs through 2020. Claire Morley, Assad Meymandi, Margaret Steed

Melvin Humphrey, Louise Humphrey

Chris Meymandi, Spencer Meymandi, Eric Meymandi

Sean Malone, Jim Goodmon, Assad Meymandi

It’s the time of year when everyone’s having a Conniption. Shake up your holiday with a cocktail featuring gin from the #1 craft gin distillery in the U.S., Durham Distillery. With more than 15 international awards, Conniption is the world’s top-rated Navy Strength gin. Made right here in the Triangle, Conniption gins offer a botanical twist on traditional distillation methods for a balance of art and science. Make this holiday season special with the Conniption of your choice: Navy Strength or American Dry. Available at ABC stores and ﬁne dining establishments throughout the Triangle.

City of Raleigh Museum/Katie Garcia

the WHIRL

Featuring sixteen artists making work about the joy and community of basketball

Photo courtesy of Georgia Ponton

GAME ON!

Come shoot around on CAM’s indoor half court basketball court created by Felipe Pantone

Organized by CAM Raleigh and presented by PNC

Through February 3 CAM Raleigh 409 West Martin Street, Raleigh www.camraleigh.org 919-261-5917 Admission to CAM Raleigh is $5 CAM is always free to members, artists, ﬁrst responders, all military, teachers, students, seniors, and skateboarders.

Support for the exhibition is provided by AV Metro • Temple Sloan Family Foundation • Holt Brothers Cresa Global • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Maynard Family Foundation • Duke Energy • York Properties McDonald York Building Company • Citrix David R. Reynolds Realty, LLC • The Upper Deck Company Wells Fargo • Dick’s Sporting Goods • Aloft • Dreamville Hanbury • RATIO • Jesma + David Reynolds • Happy + Hale Raleigh Raw • Available Light • YMCA of the Triangle JD Lewis Multipurpose Center • Carolina Ballet Raleigh Rockers • Spanglish Unlimited • Raleigh Firebirds WALTER Magazine • Kind Snacks • Bridge II Sports Triangle Thunder • The Scout Guide • Think Tank Gallery + Jacob Patterson • Wake County Public School System CAM/now • The Betty Eichenberger Adams Society

LOGAN’S LAIR FUNDRAISER FOR GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND A fundraiser was held at the Logan’s Lair Parade of Homes house October 10 to raise awareness and funds for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonproﬁt that helps train guide dogs for the visually impaired. Host Steven Kjellberg and his family have adopted two dogs from the program. The goal for the event was $50,000, and $70,000 was raised. Greg Cox, Jennifer Ogan, Dean Ogan

Tammy Lewis, Exum Lewis, Dan Johnson, Steven Kjellberg

Terry Hoey, Carl Kjellberg, Steven Kjellberg, Keith Locker, Dan Johnson, Mike Newbauer

Ron Davis, Donna Davis

Pogie, Logan, Liam

SCRIBO (

)

, -

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ACROSS 2. Blogger Shelby Vanhoy decorated a tree at this historic home 4. This restaurant on Glenwood Avenue is decked out for the holiday season 6. Dennis Poole and Tim Cherry star in this classic fairy tale 7. This animal will write you a personalized poem DOWN 1. Dereck Whittenburg played basketball for this N.C. State icon 3. Ann Howell Bullard hand paints this accessory 5. You can buy a Christmas tree this year at High Country ____

Photos courtesy of KJ Construction

the WHIRL

the WHIRL MARTA’S SIP AND SHOP FOR WAKEMED CHILDREN’S Marta’s of Raleigh hosted a Sip and Shop October 25 to beneﬁt WakeMed Children’s. The evening of shopping and styling featured the latest looks for fall, raﬄe prizes, and jewelry designer Beth Miller. A portion of proceeds were donated to WakeMed Children’s to support pediatric programs and services.

courtesy Marta’s

Brad Davis, Brenda Gibson, Marta Dziekanowska, Ron Gibson, Beth Miller

Perry Ann Reed, John Reed, Karen Chilton

Ain’t Love Grand?

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Inset (L-R): Johanna Dye Photography, Kurt Hilton Photography, Fancy This Photography

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A nutty New Year A t the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, thousands of people gather around their television sets to watch the famous ball-drop in Times Square. Here in the City of Oaks, things are done a bit differently. Raleighites come together as a giant acorn drops in the heart of downtown. Artist David Benson created the city’s acorn at a whopping 1,200 pounds in 1991 out of steel and copper. The ﬁrst acorn drop encouraged over 15,000 people to congregate at Raleigh’s center, spicing up the city’s nightlife. During the year, the 10-foottall squirrel snack lives outside Memorial Auditorium. If you forget to munch on some blackeyed peas and collards, make sure to touch the acorn for good luck. —Katy Kohut

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Harry Lynch/News & Observer

END NOTE

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