MOD Society Magazine - Triad July/August 2021

EDITOR from the

This issue is all about summer vibes, beach views, sandy beaches and the footprints we leave behind. We begin on North Carolina’s Figure Eight Island where we visit a lovely beach home designed by Linda Knight-Carr and Greg Hughes of Knight Carr & Company. Knight Carr has worked its magic on the home twice now. Two years following the first redesign, a lightning strike caused a damaging fire. Linda and Greg returned to the island and created a serene and welcoming place for making new memories.

Nothing pleases Bradshaw Orrell’s Palm Beach soul more than partying poolside with beautiful, beloved friends. Check out his Slim Aaron-inspired splashy blast, and don’t forget your Ray-Bans. The fun-in-the-sun fashion and flair is MOD-bright!

Clothes Whisperer Maribeth Geraci revisits the 1970s fashion scene, recounting the Battle of Versailles, a style competition between American and European designers.

Greensboro-based entrepreneur Phil Kosak is the mastermind behind Wicked Crisps, a brand of healthy chips that taste indulgently delicious. They’re flying off store shelves and selling out on QVC.

Actor Michael Tourek loves all aspects of his craft, including spreading the joy and teaching others. He shares the story of how his call to audition for the Netflix hit series “Ozark” came during the middle of class, giving his students a real-time view of the process.

Our community cares — and gives — deeply. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund’s Piedmont Triad Hope Gala raised $1.4 million for research to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 diabetes. Check out photos from the fun event in Society Sightings.

Speaking of doing good and giving back, Kristen Haynes of Triad’s Finest Real Estate announces her company’s GIVE initiative that is dedicated to supporting local community organizations driving positive change.

Our summer beach basket of an issue is overflowing with fun people, events and feel-good stories. Dip your toe in — and enjoy MOD in the summer sun.

Lucinda Trew, editor

CONTENTS

�8 RETRO SPLASH

Bradshaw Orrell knows how to throw a party. So, when he gathered friends and family poolside recently, he styled his soirée after the iconic photographer Slim Aarons, famous for chronicling fabulous, fashionable trendsetters of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

ISLAND LIVING

Knight Carr & Company designed an island home interior on the North Carolina coast that is tranquil, tasteful and timeless. Come escape with us and enjoy the view and the vibe.

36 LIVING VIVID

Gina Hicks and Laura Mensch went to the High Point Market and came back with a few new favorite things: Hand-painted baskets from the Tonga Tribe in Africa; a hip dining table from Noir Furniture; Verellen’s oh-so-comfy Gaston chair; and striking art from Greg Lotus Photography.

4� TRIAD’S FINEST TIPS

Kristen Haynes of Triad’s Finest Real Estate announces the company’s GIVE initiative. Company agents have committed to donate 1% of their commissions to a fund that will support local community organizations driving positive change.

43 CLOTHES WHISPERER

Viva, fashion! Clothes Whisperer Maribeth Geraci takes us back in time to the 1973 Battle of Versailles, a style throw-down that pitted American designers against their European counterparts. Read more to learn the outcome!

�5 POINTS OF VIEW

Spontaneity is the spice of life, and hostess extraordinaire Lisa Johnson shares tips on how to add zing and zest to your summer gatherings.

CONTENTS

46 INSPIRE BY COLOR

Nathan Wainscott is grateful for many things: Color, the creative process and collaborative partners who share his passion for making beautiful spaces.

�8 MR. NICE GUY

Michael Tourek is a genuinely nice guy: A loving husband, devoted dad, inspiring teacher — and an accomplished actor. Interestingly, some of the characters he portrays are decidedly not so nice. But he brings them all to life, and well, the opposite of that, too.

56 COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATOR

Tabitha Allen-Draft believes in the power of compassion, connection and communication. She is a powerful advocate for all three and uses her skills to build bridges between the deaf and hearing communities.

6O SOCIETY SIGHTINGS

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund’s Piedmont Triad Hope Gala raised $1.4 million for research to cure, prevent and treat Type 1 diabetes. The event was semi-virtual this year, but as successful, festive and fun as ever.

63 BIZZY’S HIVE

Laura Johnston of the Buzz Effect provides tech-savvy tips to help parents and kids manage screen time this summer.

6� THE WIZARD OF WICKED

Phil Kosak is a chip connoisseur and a food scientist wizard who has figured out how to make healthy chips that taste great.

photography by aura marzouk

BBradshaw Orrell knows how to make a splash.

He is, after all, the creative virtuoso behind Bradshaw Orrell Interiors and numerous furniture, lighting and accessory lines.

He’s also a bon vivant and gracious host who loves nothing better than being surrounded by the musical backdrop of laughter, clinking glasses, the passing of canapés — and an array of fascinating, fashionable people.

So, when it was time to debut the new pool at his Irving Park home, Bradshaw went all in, filling his patio with friends and family. “I have a Palm Beach soul,” he confesses. “I love the vibe of South Florida and wanted to recreate that here at home.”

He succeeded, designing a poolscape that is chardonnay crisp and Palm Beach chic. At one end of the rectangular pool is a pristinely white pagoda. The pool has submerged steps extending the full length, providing a cool place to sit, tan and lounge. Elegant black umbrellas offer both contrast and welcome shade.

Bradshaw has designed a sophisticated, bespoke summer setting. It is, quite simply, picture-perfect; a tableau inspired by the master of high society snaps and shoots, the late, great photographer Slim Aarons.

Slim Aarons was known for his images of beautiful people — socialites, Hollywood elites and jet-setters. He worked for the leading magazines of the 1950s, 60s and 70s: Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Life, and Town & Country. He photographed the likes of Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. He traveled the world, from New York City to Los Angeles to Rome, Italy; Gstaad, Switzerland; and of course, to Palm Beach, Florida.

Slim was welcomed into the aristocratic fold, invited to gatherings and galas where he would capture a bygone era of glamor and grace.

“I love the style of the 1960s and 70s,” Bradshaw says with an admiring sigh. “Fashion seemed so new and brave. People made an effort to be new and modern and rejected the conventional vibe of the 1950s. I loved shopping with my mom and watching the creativity she put into being different!”

In homage to the era and its iconic image chronicler, Bradshaw invited his guests to “A Slim Aarons-Inspired Cocktail Party,” instructing them to dress appropriately. He even provided vintage visual encouragement: Pictures of women in flowy caftans, patterned mini dresses and midriff tops; and men in pencil-slim trousers, white bucks and jackets with pocket squares.

Slim once observed that he had made a career of “photographing attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.”

It would seem that Slim and Bradshaw have much in common.

They both love a summer-time soirée and parties poolside. Slim’s catalog includes myriad photos of beautiful people by beautiful pools, from Marbella, Spain to Cap Ferrat, France to Capri, Italy.

Bradshaw and Slim both revel in the sparkle, happy chatter and champagne fizz of a smart set bash.

And they share an appreciation for a pleasing aesthetic — and pleasing the people they care about.

How marvelously MOD is that? Here’s to summer, style and making a splash!

- Lucinda Trew, editor

“FASHION SEEMED SO NEW AND BRAVE. PEOPLE MADE AN EFFORT TO BE NEW AND MODERN AND REJECTED THE CONVENTIONAL VIBE OF THE 1950s.

ISLAND LIVING

photography by aura marzouk

“The end results made each room in the house unique and beautiful. They made this ‘new’ home a happy, comfortable place for my family and friends to gather and continue to make memories!”

Figure Eight Island, located in North Carolina’s New Hanover County, is a special, secluded place. It is an island in the truest sense, accessible by bridge from nearby Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, with about 500 private homes populating the five-mile-long sandy stretch.

Julie Olin is one of the fortunate few to enjoy the seaside serenity in a home inspired by its tranquil setting and a traditional, timeless design sensibility.

There was a time when things weren’t so peaceful, however. In 2018, a lightning strike caused a fire, just two years after Linda Knight Carr and Greg Hughes of Knight Carr & Company had redecorated the home. When the smoke cleared, Julie called upon Linda and Greg once again to redesign the home’s interior.

The collaboration resulted in a look that is light, airy and inviting. “I love everything they did,” Julie says. “Each room in the house is unique and beautiful. They made this ‘new’ home a happy, comfortable place for my family and friends to gather and continue to make memories!”

The five-bedroom home is a classic southern beach residence, with priority attention — and prime interior real estate — focused on panoramic views. The ground-level floor features a small entry hallway and elevator access; but the upper-level living space is where you want to be in this oh-so-serene island oasis.

Greg explains that the goal was to create an interior that was “coastal fresh” rather than beach trendy. The look was created using a palette of whites, driftwood grays, and soft, sun-washed blues and greens; arranging rooms around the all-important views; and selecting furnishings that are classic, comfortable and meant to hold their own against wet swimsuits and sandy feet.

Island time is all about spending time together, and the third-level main floor living area of this home obliges. It is open and spacious to take full advantage of sun and scenery — and to host gatherings large and small.

A creamy white sectional (sensibly upholstered in easy-care fabric by Schumacher) faces a wall of windows. The room is awash in natural light, and Linda chose to keep the window treatments light and simple so as not to detract from the ocean views. The pop of color in this room is found in two comfy armchairs covered in a bold print of royal blue, citrus green and soft gray. The chairs swivel, allowing guests to enjoy the view from any angle.

The tables in this space are joyfully eclectic: A large round coffee table, in dark brown wicker, is centered in the seating area. A deep blue ceramic garden stool sits between the two chairs. And behind the sectional is a long acrylic glass-topped table. It is a perfect service piece, notes Greg, doubling as a bar or station for hors d’oeuvres when entertaining.

The dining area is situated behind the living room. A long oval dining table in dark wood contrasts with white Chippendale-style chairs. “I like a natural contrast that mirrors the outside view,” Linda explains. “It’s like the dark of tree bark against a light sky and white clouds.” Seats of the dining chairs are upholstered in a modern-twist leopard print of aqua on white linen.

An over-scaled metal basket orb light fixture helps anchor the dining space and adds a fun, dramatic touch.

And speaking of fun and drama: The eight-foot-long sideboard against the wall required a crane for installation. The piece was so large it couldn’t make the turns of the staircase to the third floor, so a crane lifted the sideboard from the outside deck, over the porch railing, and into its place of honor. It was well worth the effort. The sideboard by Ray Booth is carved wood that evokes the texture of bamboo and is painted a milky white. Two ultra-cool William Spitzer lamps in turquoise sit atop the sideboard flanking a seaside painting.

The kitchen opens to a screened deck, allowing for easy access for outdoor dining. Linda and Greg kept the aesthetic coastal calm in this room, opting for white cabinetry, countertops and a mosaic tile pattern that calls to mind whale tails and ocean currents. The kitchen island in this island home is ample, surrounded by cushioned stools and warmly lit by a trio of sleek white pendant lights with gold, glowy interiors.

Linda made the open space practical and inviting, carving out separate functional areas. A welcoming banquette is nestled against the stairway railing, perfect for bridge gatherings or other games. The banquette, upholstered in robin’s egg blue, is completed by a modern glass-topped table with a white, ropey-design base, and two art deco-style chairs covered in a wavy, woven fabric of greens and blues. The effect is soft and subtly coastal, and a sea painting by David Bass hangs in the stairwell behind.

A powder room on the main level features a custom cabinet in seafoam green, playful palm frond wallpaper, a stylized mirror and modern sconces.

The master suite on this level is a peaceful sanctuary, inspired by a pair of stunning bedside tables in a glossy finish of pale blue and white. Bedding is white Matelassé with floral accent pillows in rich turquoise and mossy green. Geometric-patterned drapes in complementary hues frame the room’s windows.

Linda’s gentle nod to beach living (she doesn’t knock you over the head with maritime oars or cliché shell-filled lamps) is evident here in a pair of framed pieces of wispy, turquoise-colored coral. It is a just-right, understated touch. Guests who visit will want to stay awhile, and Linda and Julie have made sure their stay is comfortable. The second-floor hosts four bedrooms and a sitting room that opens to a deck.

The sitting room is an ideal quiet place for reading, watching a movie or catching up with friends.

The designers chose soft colors, natural materials, and organic shapes and textures for this space. The sofa is a muted shade of aqua. The art is another fabulous piece of coral, this one large and pewter gray, matted on white linen. Using organic art creates a quiet, contemplative mood, Linda believes. “It doesn’t require a lot of study like a painting would. It’s less active, a gentle place to rest your eyes.” There are statement pieces of art — and ones that whisper like seagrass.

A large glass-topped coffee table with a weathered, driftwood patina sits in front of the sofa. Across the room is a game table surrounded by upholstered chairs in a batik-like salmon color that is picked up in the window’s Roman shades.

The guest master suite is directly off the sitting room; the color scheme of turquoise and salmon continues here. The white bedframe features raffia inserts, contributing to the coastal feel, as do the two glazed wicker stools at the end of the bed. Iridescent bedside lamps of blown glass provide sparkle. The other three bedrooms on this level are outfitted with twin beds, and each has its own personality. The first features fabric-covered headboards in aqua, bright koi patterned bedding, a painted desk that sits beneath the window and between the two beds, doubling as a bedside table.

Linda’s use of a desk as a shared bedside table is an efficient tactic employed in the other twin rooms as well. Everyone travels with a laptop, she says, and even while on vacation people need a place to log on and connect.

The larger twin room is a wash of aqua, golds and green, the colors of the beach. The wooden bed frames have a soft gray paint wash, providing a soft backdrop for the vibrant patterns of the drapery and pillow fabrics.

The pillow fabric design — green and gold peacock plumage — carries through to the adjoining bathroom’s wallpaper. The effect is lush, tropical and cheery.

The final bedroom is cool and crisp, decorated in emerald green and white. The white pine headboards have a sand dune shape and hue to them. The window valance is green and white cabana stripes and the art deco-style table between the beds is bright white, as are the extra-tall bedside lamps. Aah, what views to wake up to! This island home has all the seaside appeal. It is light and breezy, casually chic and coastal cool. Time to catch some rays, or take a nap in the shade!

For more information: knightcarr.com

Regarding the Home...

HOMEOWNER: Julie Olin

BUILDER: Jeremy Bishop, Sterling Construction

ON THE COVER

Knight Carr & Company

PUBLISHER

MSM Media, LLC

Kathryn Field

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lucinda Trew

Editor@yourMODsociety.com

COPY EDITOR

Jennifer Weaver-Spencer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Maribeth Geraci

Kristen Haynes

Gina Hicks & Laura Mensch

Lisa Johnson

Laura Johnston

Nathan Wainscott

PHOTOGRAPHY

Aura Marzouk

DIGITAL ARTIST

Gilbert Kolosieke

CREATIVE DIRECTION

Stallard Studio, LLC

ADVERTISING

Advertising@yourMODsociety.com

- Lucinda Trew, editor

DESIGN TEAM: Linda Knight-Carr and Greg Hughes, Knight Carr & Company

Featured Home Photos

Pages 24-25 Living Room

Page 26 Dining Area

Page 27 Kitchen

Page 28 Banquette

Page 30 Powder Room (top); Guest Bedroom (lower)

Page 31 Sitting Room

Page 32 Guest Master Bedroom

Vivid Interiors is a design shop and retail space in downtown Greensboro. This feature of Living Vivid is inspired by all the new items we found at the spring High Point Market.

LIVING

We’re so excited to introduce four new scents to our shop from 1889 Wax Lighting: Renegade, Trapper, Preacher and Baron.

We fell in love with these colorful hand painted baskets from the Tonga Tribe in Africa. Paired together they make a bold yet soft statement.

Playful, yet sophisticated. Your family will want to eat dinner every night around this dining table from Noir Furniture.

House of Cindy travels the globe to bring back hand-crafted fabrics. These one-of-a-kind African Indigo pillows are a perfect balance of casual elegance.

V I V I D

This Sengalese Ginger Cooler is so refreshing. We made a simple syrup with ginger and added lemon and pineapple. Find the recipe at vividinteriors.com. Cheers!

We’re always on the hunt for something new and exciting, and Greg Lotus Photography did not disappoint. This piece is edgy, provocative and stunning!

The Verellen showroom is always gorgeous and this market was no exception. We especially loved their new Gaston Chair. We clock a lot of steps setting up showrooms and shopping market. These P448 Star White/Hyena are not only uber comfortable, but high in style too.

We love a chunky statement bracelet, and this beaded Ink Alloy stretch bracelet says it wants to come home with us!

TRIAD’S FINEST TIPS

At Triad’s Finest, we embrace a company ethos that people matter more than profit and where leading locally and impacting our community is of utmost importance. We believe each of us has the opportunity and responsibility to support and improve the communities in which we work by giving back to the places we live in and love.

We are thrilled to announce our 1% to Give philanthropic initiative! Each of our agents has collectively committed to donate 1% of our commissions from the sale or purchase of your home to our #one2give initiative. This initiative will support local organizations that are creating positive impacts in our community. When our individual charitable giving is combined, it is amplified and results in a powerful and empowering force.

We invite local charities to submit applications that we will review quarterly. Then, we will select the organization to which we will donate that quarter’s funds.

Triad’s Finest strives to be a local real estate office with agents who are present, involved and passionate about connecting with you and our communities. We look forward to our first GIVE and are thankful for this opportunity to reach out to our neighbors in need.

– Kristen Haynes, Triad's Finest

CLOTHES WHISPERER

photography by aura marzouk

ummertime and the living is easier. Vaccines are plentiful, and the weather is warm. We are traveling again, meeting friends and attending events. The question now is: What will you wear?

Might I suggest you park your leisurewear, dive into your closet, go shopping and enjoy the excitement that comes with getting dressed and going out!

And in the spirit of style comebacks, here’s a story of a great battle: In 1973, renowned fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert thought the time was right for American designers to compete against their French counterparts. At the time, the French were looking for a way to restore the Palace of Versailles. Eleanor suggested a fundraiser fashion show between the two countries, one that would include the Who’s Who of fashionable society. The Battle at Versailles was scheduled for November that year.

The event was life-changing for American style and the designers, models and others associated with the event. Competing for America: Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Halston and Stephen Burrows.

The competition occurred in an era of great U.S. social change, and fashion was changing as well. Street style was becoming an influence for the first time. Women were entering the workforce in greater numbers and seeking comfort and flexibility in what they wore. The timing for this fashion battle was perfect.

The show had so many issues during rehearsals that the Americans wanted to pack up and go home. Liza Minnelli, who was there to perform, gave a pep talk and said the show must go on. It did. And while the French had an orchestra and elaborate sets, the Americans had to streamline everything because their sets had been measured in inches, not centimeters. The French went first, with two hours of snore and old school. And then, the American designers presented, stealing the show with their high energy, modern, sophisticated, sexy designs and more African American models than had ever been represented in a show. The audience was blown away, responding with standing ovations, a shower of programs tossed in the air and resounding bravos.

Americans had done it. They had won. Their design aesthetic had stolen the show and directed the future of fashion. It was a victory for American vogue — and for Versailles. Viva fashion!

– Maribeth Geraci, DressCode Style

POINTS OF VIEW

Accomplished hostess Lisa Johnson loves gatherings that come together with ease and spontaneity. She shares her tips on summer-fresh ideas for entertaining.

It seems our social calendars are filling up at the same rate as vaccination cards. After more than a year of interminable Zoom meetings and gatherings, we must now ease into navigating life on the other side. Summer is already poised to be full of celebrations — rescheduled weddings, trips, and one of the simplest pleasures, a summer dinner party. Thankfully, it seems like having friends over for a chic, small soirée is a good place to start.

I love the way a spontaneous table and party seem to come together. Perhaps it’s my Mediterranean culture that reflects a tendency to invite friends at the last minute to enjoy life’s pleasures, especially food, beauty and laughter. My table is a mad rush of color largely due to my need to channel optimism! It’s a playful mix of pattern and texture, old and new, and always fresh flowers that I arrange myself, making sure all I have to do is snip the ends and place them in a lovely container. Flickering candlelight provides a magical element conveying that no party is too small or impromptu to set a resplendent scene.

Like so many things I hold dear, I love to welcome the garden inside. Load your table with vibrant vegetables no matter the season. For summer and spring, showcase

asparagus, citrus and tomatoes, and in fall and winter, carrots, radishes, eggplant and Brussels sprouts can be incredibly expressive.

My interest in food began at an early age. I am one of six children, and we were always called upon to be in the kitchen. Cooking was a part of my life, passed down from my grandmother and mother as I have passed the joy of cooking down to my children. There’s so much warmth in an evening when the meal is prepared by the host — no matter how extensive the menu. Simple and delicious can feed the soul and be very satisfying. Medium effort can yield high reward and big flavor. My philosophy about bringing people together is that food is important but it’s not the most important thing. Be sure to prep, take shortcuts with store-bought items when necessary and always present in a fabulous manner.

Let’s all kick-start the season and make up for what we missed last year. Create a blend of things you love: People, food, color, music, add a dash of glamour and fun — and ahh, you have the perfect party!

– Lisa Johnson

Lisa Johnson & Company | Shop on Blair

INSPIRE by COLOR

photography

Gratitude and love abound. I’ll take it a step further to say that gratitude and love are the essential elements by which all things of true beauty are made manifest. These sentiments of beauty are often found in the creative process but perhaps more importantly in the development of relationships, both personal and professional. Such was the case when we received a call to connect with Verellen, a Belgium-inspired furniture manufacturer headquartered in High Point, North Carolina.

“Your Vibe attracts your Tribe” is a term we often hear around the Verellen family, and I’m quite certain that our partnership is proof that our collective approach to business and relationships ultimately brought us together. Since the beginning of my foray into the decorative finishing industry, a passionate pursuit to create beautiful environments for my clientele has always been anchored by the desire to simply love people with the gifts and talents I’ve been given.

As it turns out, Verellen shares the same motivations. Gratitude and love abound in our collective approach to business and relationships. For Verellen, this means following through on their promise to take every step possible toward the use of sustainable materials and practices in their furniture production while maintaining the utmost in quality and craftsmanship. For Inspire by Color, this means honoring Verellen’s commitment by seeking out the best finishing products and practices to minimize our collective carbon footprint while offering the highest quality finishes available.

Inspire by Color is a specialty painting company located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Our decorative painting services include kitchen cabinet refinishing, faux painting, Venetian plaster, gold leaf, lacquer, metallic plasters, designer ceilings, furniture finishing and more.

– Nathan Wainscott inspirebycolor.com | Verellen.biz

by aura marzouk

MR. NICE GUY

photography by aura marzouk

Actor Michael Tourek is a genuinely nice guy.

He’s head-over-heels in love with his wife Sara, a devoted dad to their children Grace and Isaac, and an adjunct college professor who uplifts and inspires. He’s the kind of guy who waits in the car rider line to pick up his kids from school, mows his own lawn and loves a good dad joke.

Which makes his demise from the mega-hit Netflix series “Ozark” a tough-to-watch, tough-to-grasp denouement. Michael played Ash, the right-hand man to local heroin producer Jacob Snell, portrayed by actor Peter Mullen. Michael describes Peter as “one of the nicest, sweetest, most generously giving actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Peter must be quite the actor, too, because — spoiler alert — in season two, Jacob Snell bludgeons Ash with a giant piece of timber and then gores him to death with a fireplace poker.

It was brutal. The “Ozark” team created a prop dummy version of Michael to take the hit and stabs, devised a series of verbal cues and relied on cinematic magic to pull off a gory death scene that had everyone on set wincing and groaning.

Michael took it all in stride, including a script line that would signal his departure from the hit show. Acting is acting, he explains. Egos, characters and wished-for contract renewals take a back seat to the arc of the narrative.

No one likes to get knocked off, especially so soon in the run of a hit show, he admits, but it helped that the transition was handled with grace. “I appreciated that Chris Mundy, (a head writer and executive producer of ‘Ozark’) thought enough of my work and enough of me as a person to call me in advance and go through their thought process and rationale.”

Michael notes that the divide between television and film is narrowing as networks shift to create television shows that feel more like film. “They’re approaching programming as a 10-hour movie rather than 10 separate episodic television shows, and that reveals itself in the writing and storytelling and the way shows are shot to feel seamlessly connected and congruent.”

That is certainly the case with “Ozark,” the Emmy Award-winning Netflix crime thriller starring Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Esai Morales and Julia Garner. The series is masterfully crafted and acted, with scenes and storyline suspense flowing effortlessly.

Michael and Jason Bateman met while filming the movie “Office Christmas Party.” And while Michael had auditioned for a couple of other “Ozark” roles, it was the role of Ash that clicked and reunited him with fellow nice guy Bateman.

Here’s the backstory on how Michael landed the part: He was teaching an acting class when he got the call. He rarely answers his phone while teaching, but on this day, his students were working on group projects. So, he picked up when he saw his agent calling. “He told me there was an ‘Ozark’ role that I might be right for and that they needed an audition tape in two hours,” he recalls. “So I dismissed class early, recorded my audition and crossed my fingers.”

Michael knew from early on that he wanted to perform and entertain. Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, his family had a rule that if you sign up for something — sports or scouts or clubs — you see it through. “I tried lots of different activities, but the one thing I kept coming back to, again and again, was acting,” he says. “I loved being on stage and performing and playing pretend.”

After an unsuccessful first go at college, Michael returned home, and to his love of acting. He immersed himself in community theater and then loaded his truck and headed to New York City.

“YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE, WITH WHAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW AND WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE.”

It was make-or-break time, and he was ready. He got an agent. Even better, he got work. And best of all, he fell in love.

He met Sara, a dancer, while doing theater work in Indiana. He pined after her for a while, and finally mustered the courage to ask her out and ultimately propose. She said yes and then oh-by-the-way mentioned that she was moving to North Carolina to attend graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG).

That meant another move, of course, which Michael expected to be short-lived. “I figured she’d finish grad school and then we’d head back to New York — at least that was my secret plan.” Sixteen years later and Tourek Party of Four remains happily entrenched in Greensboro. “We love it here. And while I worried that I might lose sight of my artistry moving from New York to North Carolina, that hasn’t been the case at all,” he says.

Michael found a creative outlet through Triad Stage, the region’s foremost professional theater company. He began collaborating with Triad Stage in 2006, has performed in three world premiere productions with the company, and finds that his on-stage work with the group provides an artistic outlet that film and television cannot match. He even met his current agent through the supportive Triad Stage community.

Michael also followed Sara’s lead and earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre from UNCG, while continuing to act, and returned two years later to pursue his master’s degree.

“I realized that if I was really going to start growing into the roles I was meant to play in my thirties, forties and fifties, then I needed — and wanted — to seriously train as an actor,” Michael explains. “I wanted to put the work in and learn everything I could.”

He did the work, which led to more on-camera work.

Michael’s IMDb (Internet Movie Database) profile is long and varied, including such movies as “Citizen Ruth,” “The Producers,” “Harriet,” “Office Christmas Party,” and “Lady and the Tramp,” and television roles on “Resurrection,” “Under the Dome,” “Swamp Thing,” “Doom Patrol,” and “Ozark.” “Boss Level,” a

movie Michael filmed two and a half years ago, was finally released earlier this year, and stars Mel Gibson, Frank Grillo and Naomi Watts.

During the pandemic shutdown, Michael wrote several short films and looks forward to trying his hand at producing next. “I’m creating my own content!”

“Doing the work” also led to a teaching career. How’s this for a plot twist? From college dropout to adjunct professor, Michael now teaches acting at UNCG, Guilford College, High Point University, Elon University and Greensboro College.

He enjoys motivating the next generation of actors and believes he gets as much out of being in the classroom as he gives. “It makes me a better actor because it allows me to articulate what I do professionally, and that constant reminder and reflection is a gift.”

The gift he gives his students is the chance to study with an actor who acts, someone who has a working knowledge of the craft and is able to go beyond textbook rhetoric.

There are two pieces of advice he holds close and shares frequently. First, acting is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes focus and perseverance. There are no quick wins, he explains, and overnight success can be decades in the making.

His second bit of wisdom is, “You are enough.”

“I think that’s important for us to hear and believe,” he says. “All of us, and especially actors, spend so much time trying to figure out how to make other people happy, how to make them like us, accept us, give us a call-back. I want to change that mindset. You are enough as you are, with what you have right now and what you bring to the table. That will change over time, but in this moment, you are enough.”

Told you he was a nice guy.

For more information: michaeltourek.com and triadstage.org

- Lucinda Trew, editor

COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATOR

photography by aura marzouk

Greensboro native Tabitha Allen-Draft is fluent in two languages: English and American Sign Language (ASL).

And she is eloquent in both.

ASL is Tabitha’s first language, what she feels most comfortable and at home with. She is considered first-generation hearing, the only hearing member of her family. Both her parents were born fully deaf, as were her grandparents and younger sister. “It felt natural to me growing up. I didn’t know anything different, so I didn’t feel different.”

There were some adaptations and adjustments made along the way, of course. Tabitha didn’t begin speaking verbally until around age five. She received speech therapy, and counseling to assist with language development. And while there may have been few spoken words in her childhood home, there was plenty of communication and connection. She learned to navigate both the hearing and deaf worlds and became a bridge between the two for her family — and for others.

Today, Tabitha serves as CEO of Hands that Speak American Sign Language Services, a company that provides comprehensive interpreting services to schools, hospitals, courts, businesses and government entities. In addition to interpreting services, Hands that Speak offers educational workshops, ASL classes and training for companies and institutions seeking to be more inclusive to deaf employees and customers.

Tabitha’s passion for helping others is apparent — and effervescent. She is bright, energetic and determined to use her considerable skills to serve her community. “I believe I am in a unique position to educate, advocate, be a voice for the deaf community and help bridge the communication gap and remove barriers,” she says. And she is doing just that.

interests of children of deaf adults (CODA) and their families. CODA Connections provides interpreting services and so much more. “Children of deaf adults and their families face unique challenges,” she explains. “My goal with CODA is to connect those families with the critical resources they need to ensure each family member reaches his or her full potential.” Education is central to CODA Connections’ mission, and the organization offers sign language programs for both children and adults and conducts workshops for businesses seeking to better serve deaf employees and customers. CODA Connections offers mentoring services to children and adults, job assistance, opportunities to socialize and engage with others and financial and housing assistance.

The group’s value was clearly felt during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. Deaf individuals deal with feelings of isolation during the best of times, Tabitha explains. Add the challenges of COVID-19 and the struggle grew for many. The CODA Connections team distributed more than 200 clear masks to those in need. The clear masks provided protection and eased communication lines between the deaf and hearing worlds. Being able to view a speaker’s lips and facial cues can be essential to understanding, she says.

Tabitha describes CODA Connections’ offerings as holistic. “We offer a full range of responsive services and tools ranging from financial assistance, housing and food assistance, help with job searches and interview preparation, education, advocacy and interpreting — and we’re always identifying new needs and ways to help.” During the pandemic, for example, CODA Connections helped struggling families secure housing, provided gas cards and food assistance and even delivered holiday gifts for children. Now Tabitha is focused on socialization and peer-to-peer events within the deaf community. It is important, she believes, to be around others who sign and share common experiences.

photography by aura marzouk

In 2020, Tabitha launched CODA Connections, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to representing the

When Tabitha was growing up, the experience of being a child of deaf parents was far from common. There wasn’t a wide offering of services or access to connection points like CODA Connections. Tabitha was called upon to interpret for others in a variety of settings and was always happy to do so. To this day, if she notices a deaf person without an interpreter — in a grocery store checkout line, doctor’s waiting room or community event — she volunteers willingly.

Tabitha didn’t immediately gravitate to an interpreting career. She studied business management at Guilford College and went on to serve in a number of business leadership roles.

But her heart is big, and she saw a need, all around her, for a bridge between the deaf and hearing worlds. She began her Hands that Speak interpreting business in 2017. It wasn’t long before she realized she could contribute more than being a communications liaison; she could actually change lives. And so, CODA Connections was born. “I am committed to enabling the channels of communications between the deaf and hearing communities and also changing perceptions people may hold about deaf individuals,” she says with the passion of someone who knows both sides of the deaf/hearing communication divide.

She wants everyone to know that lack of hearing doesn’t equate to lack of ability; that deafness or different speech abilities have nothing to do with intelligence; and that deaf individuals are smart, capable, independent, deserving of respect and appreciative of efforts at understanding and inclusion.

Tabitha is on a mission — and her work is being recognized and championed. The Greensboro Virus Relief Fund, established by the United Way of Greater Greensboro, the City of Greensboro, and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, awarded a grant to CODA Connections to help families facing food insecurity during the pandemic. In 2020, Tabitha was recognized as one of the Triad Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award recipients. And in 2021, she was named to the United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Board of Directors.

Life is about compassion, connection and communication. Tabitha is a powerful advocate for all three and uses her skills to build bridges and make a difference.

For additional information: https://www.codaconnectionsinc.org/ https://www.handsthatspeakasl.com/

- Lucinda Trew, editor

SOCIETY SIGHTINGS

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Gala

Last summer, the JDRF Piedmont Triad Board voted to move its annual Hope Gala from February to May 15, hoping that the organization could bring 1,000 people together to honor Susan and Martin Gilmore. Instead, the “virtual” Hope Gala was live-streamed to hundreds of computer screens and TVs — many of which took center stage at dozens of Watch Parties. One such party took place at the Old Irving Park home of JDRF Board member Kerrie Orrell Ellison and her husband, John.

MOD Society was there to capture all the beauty and excitement as guests supported JDRF and its vision of a world without Type 1 diabetes (T1D). By the end of the evening, with tremendous support from Kerrie and John’s guests and countless others, JDRF had raised an astonishing $1.4 million to cure, prevent and treat T1D.

photography by aura marzouk

Bradshaw Orrell, Katie Redhead, Wilson Maloney, Jennifer McConnell

Carole Maye, Sunny Lawson, Cathy Rice, Diane Flynt, Frances Bullock & Chuck Flynt

Fred Black & JD Lawson

Anne Dick & Jennifer McConnell

Adair Armfield

John Ellison & Katie Redhead Michael Cardone

John Lilly, Robert Ketner & John Ellison

Kerrie Orrell Ellison

Hillary & Marius Anderson

Leslie Ketner, Boo Boo Watkins, Sunny Lawson, Hillary & Marius Anderson (in back)

Diane & Chuck Flynt

Carole Maye & JD Lawson

Tommy & Boo Boo Watkins

Sydney Cardone & Robert Ketner

Ginger Griffin & Frances Bullock

Karen & Steve Pond

Summertime: Kids aren’t in school, and although they’ve been on screens for the better part of the school year, it is safe to say they probably haven’t been jumping up and down to leave their devices behind.

TV, video games, the Internet and social media can be excellent sources of education and entertainment for children. But too much time spent with screens can have adverse side effects.

Let’s talk about social media.

Social media can help kids and teens:

• Stay connected with out-of-town friends and family.

• Find opportunities to volunteer in the community.

• Share their ideas, music and art.

• Communicate with educators and fellow students.

The negative? Social media can lead to cyberbullying, depression and dangerous behavior. Unintentionally, kids and teens can share more online than they should including posting photos, revealing their birthdates, and identifying their school’s name or where they live.

What can you do as a parent to stay involved and respect your children’s privacy?

Remind your kids:

• Be kind. It is simple: Kids should treat others the way they want to be treated, and never post hurtful or embarrassing messages.

• Once on the Internet, always on the Internet. Anything kids post can be used against them — not only in job interviews and college applications. Also, letting the world know their location opens up safety concerns.

• Use privacy settings. (This may be a good reminder for us as parents and grandparents, too). Be sure your kids understand that our passwords protect us.

• And, What Would Grandma Say? (WWGS?)

If they wouldn’t want grandma to see, it probably shouldn’t be posted.

We love a Social Media Agreement that holds everyone accountable. Teens agree to protect their privacy, consider their reputation and promise not to bully. At the same time, parents agree to respect their children’s privacy.

Most importantly, setting an excellent virtual example can go a long way in helping your family use social media safely.

- Laura Johnston, The Buzz Effect

WIZARD of WIcked

photography by aura marzouk

Phil Kosak is a chip connoisseur. A maestro of all things crunchy and munchy. He’s the wizard behind the curtain of Wicked Crisps.

And he is a delightful, devilishly fun wizard at that, accomplishing what many have tried, and failed, to achieve — a wholesome, healthy chip that tastes indulgently delicious.

Phil knows his snack foods. Seriously. He earned a Ph.D. in food science and microbiology. He then went to work for snack food colossus Frito-Lay as a new product development engineer. The role suited his innovative nature. The big company environment did not.

After a few years with Frito-Lay, Phil decided to swap a steady paycheck for the all-in gamble of entrepreneurship. He recalls sitting in conference rooms hearing executives talk about market share and percentage gains. “I figured that if I could capture just one percent of the snack market, I’d be doing great,” he says. He did his research, landed on Greensboro as the ideal site for his new company, raised some seed money and launched Carolina Fine Snacks. “I thought I’d just be a little regional snack food company making cheese curls and pork skins.”

That was in 1981. Phil would visit local grocery stores, deliver his pitch, take orders and then drive back to the factory to make the products. It was an uphill push, but not unexpected.

What no one could have predicted, however, were the infamous snack wars that began in the spring of 1984. There had been some trade law changes, Phil recounts, that likely contributed to the ensuing grab fest. Anheuser-Busch entered the snack food sector with Eagle Brands, and big players pushed small players out of the game. It happened quickly, he says. More than 300 manufacturers on the Eastern Seaboard were wiped out, leaving just a handful of conglomerate brands to fill retail shelf space and seize market share.

Carolina Fine Snacks, which was just getting started, came alarmingly close to shutting down and joining the long list of snack war casualties.

“It was a rough time,” Phil says. “Really rough. But I wasn’t ready to quit. I decided to focus on what I do best. I’m a good engineer, and I understand food processing better than most.”

He responded to a request for proposals (RFP) by Weight Watchers International (now WW International), which was owned by Heinz at the time. The company was interested in developing diet-conscious snacks. Phil submitted a proposal and product sample and then forgot all about it.

Then, out of the blue, a vice president from Weight Watchers called. “He asked me, ‘Who are you?’” Phil laughs. Over 100 companies had submitted samples to the RFP and no one met the criteria — except Carolina Fine Snacks. Weight Watchers flew a team to Greensboro, liked what they saw and offered Phil a contract on the spot.

Phil continued doing what he does best: Testing, trying, revamping and revolutionizing snack foods. He did contract manufacturing for Weight Watchers and other companies that jumped on the healthy snack bandwagon. But it was a space in constant flux, shifting from trend to trend: High-fiber, no fat, low-carb, protein-packed. Phil’s company responded to all. By the end of the 1990s, Carolina Fine Snacks had developed and launched nearly 130 products, each with a life expectancy of two to three years as fads came and went.

It was a rollercoaster, Phil describes. The company had lots of contacts and lots of contracts. They were busy, profitable and expanding. “But at some point, I realized I wasn’t doing what I had set out to do.”

In 2015, Phil decided to start fresh by creating his own brand. He would target a more mainstream market, consumers who wanted both healthy options and the crunch and savoriness of traditional snacks.

He took everything he had learned from decades of launches, formulated something flavorful and robust and relied on fresh vegetables and wholesome grains to achieve the desired taste and texture. He even engineered custom commercial ovens to simulate a frying effect.

“I was leaving nothing to chance. I’m a science guy, and my effort was totally science-based,” Phil says. From flavor formulation to seasoning selection to taste-testing, he dedicated himself to getting every aspect exactly right. He hired a renowned behavioral scientist to assist with branding. The name Wicked Crisps and the Janusstyle packaging art were chosen to convey a nutritious snack that tasted decadent. Wicked Crisps contain no artificial additives, no artificial preservatives and no trans-fats. They are baked, not fried. And still, they taste indulgent — a guilty pleasure minus the guilt!

Phil’s wizardry worked. He introduced Wicked Crisps at a trade show in 2016 and got his first real break about one year later with a 50-store trial from a Food Lion buyer. Within four months, Wicked Crisps was in 1,200 stores. Sales doubled monthly for nearly a year, and by the end of its second year, the brand had achieved more than 500% growth in same-store sales.

Wicked Crisps is now available in more than 3,000 grocery stores and retailers across the Southeast, with a West Coast debut expected soon. In February 2021, the brand was featured on QVC, selling out in just four minutes. Phil was invited back for a second appearance less than a week later, and Wicked Crisps sold out again.

He looks forward to expanding production, running additional shifts and hiring more employees. And here’s something decidedly un-wicked about Phil: He makes an effort to employ, train and empower persons with disabilities and has become a recognized advocate in the area of diversity hiring, skills training and development.

Part of Phil’s desire to help others excel may stem from his own personal quest to defy expectations. He’s done that several times over. And part may just be his wickedly wonderful magic and positivity.

For more information: wickedcrisps.com

- Lucinda Trew, editor

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