MOD Society Magazine - Triad November/December 2021

POP OF COLOR

The Kemp Group • the_kemp_group

Lee Kemp - 336.848.1096 • lee.kemp@allentate.com

Edi Gibson - 336.688.7476 • edi.gibson@allentate.com

EDITOR from the

Cue the balloons and upbeat tunes, this MOD issue is bringing all the happy!

It’s time, dear readers, to celebrate the season, those we hold dear and the spirit of community that brings us together. So, without further ado, let’s swan dive into our happy-packed pages!

First, we introduce you to the happiest place in High Point, the new Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum. The museum, due to open soon, provides a space of wonder, discovery and learning through play for children of all ages.

Our featured home is a blissful space in Greensboro’s Brown Town neighborhood, full of color, pop and pizazz. Barbour Spangle Design brought their magic to the renovation and to the fortunate family who get to live it up in the happy home.

Imagine how fun Margaret White’s workdays are! As owner of Polliwogs Children’s Boutique, she shares in all the happy moments of life: Gift-shopping for new babies, homecomings, christenings, first-day-of-school shoes and jolly outfits for family holiday photos.

If you’re looking for a fabulous gift, look no further than “Inspired Interiors,” a gorgeous new book featuring the best work of America’s top designers, including the Triad’s very own Linda Knight Carr. And check out our holiday gift guide, full of fun ideas for everyone on your list.

Justin Harrington, aka Demeanor, is a musical enigma who performs mind-bending, genre-defying combinations that bring together folk traditions and hip-hop beats. This talented young musician has an even broader mission: To use the power of music for unity and community-building.

Lisa Johnston is a pro at shopping, gift-giving and advising those who need help with both. Her tip this season? Skip the mall, the hassle of shipping delays, the headaches of will they or won’t they like it. Philanthropic giving is her heartfelt pick this year — and we think she’s on to something wonderful.

Jake Assaf, master sommelier and proprietor of the hip new wine bar Lewis & Elm, loves what his friends at Vivid Interiors did with his space. He swirls, tastes and says the décor is definitely champagne — bright, bubbly, sophisticated and fun.

Bring on the sparkles, sequins and 100-watt smiles, says Clothes Whisperer Maribeth Geraci, our go-to fashion guru. It’s time to shine on — and we’re not just talking about candles or the lights on your tree!

Here’s something else we’re marvelously MOD happy about it: The launch of MOD Society Magazine’s Triangle edition, debuting with a grand December-January issue. We couldn’t have done it without your support, ideas and input, so thank you. And while we’re growing, we’re not going. We are happy as can be to be part of the heart and soul of the Triad — and to celebrate the holidays with you!

Lucinda Trew, editor-in-chief

CONTENTS

FROM THE EDITOR

Our issue is full of people and places sure to make you smile — so get ready to get MOD happy.

INSPIRED INTERIORS

Kudos to Linda Knight Carr, whose work is featured in “Inspired Interiors,” a gorgeous new book highlighting America’s top interior designers.

POP OF COLOR

Check out this beautiful, blissful home renovation in Greensboro’s Brown Town community, styled by Barbour Spangle Design. It’s full of color, character and feel-good family vibes.

DESIGN & WINE

Vivid Interiors collaborated with wine aficionado and restauranteur

Jake Assaf on the design of Lewis & Elm, Greensboro’s newest hip spot.

DESTINATION INSPIRATION

Bradshaw Orrell honors the memory of Douglas Freeman by providing horizon-expanding opportunities to deserving young students.

TRIAD’S FINEST TIPS

Triad’s Finest Real Estate has selected the Salvation Army of Greensboro as the first recipient of the company’s 1% to Give initiative.

CONTENTS

49 5�

CLOTHES WHISPERER

Bring on the glitz and glitter, says Maribeth Geraci, our favorite fashion muse. It’s time to sparkle and celebrate the season of shine.

POINTS OF VIEW

’Tis the season of giving from the heart and Lisa Johnson has thoughtful ideas on philanthropic gifts that can make a lasting difference.

60

MOD GIFTS

We’re all about making life MOD easy. So put on your reindeer slippers, pour a cup of eggnog and peruse our first-ever fun and festive holiday shopping guide.

HIGH POINT’S HAPPY PLACE

66 5�

SPECIAL MOMENTS

Margaret White, owner of Polliwogs Children’s Boutique, loves sharing in life’s most special moments, and she’s proud to carry on a Triad family tradition.

The Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum will change the way children and families in our community learn, play and grow together. Tour this happy place with us as we explore the planet Mars, the marvels of science, a carousel of fantastic creatures and a child-sized hometown.

DISTINCTIVE DEMEANOR

Justin Harrington, aka Demeanor, is a performer on a mission to find unity in all genres of music — and all corners of the world.

Linda Knight Carr is an inspiration. Need proof? It’s right there in black and white — make that fabulous full color — in the pages of “Inspired Interiors,” a beautiful, bountiful book recently released by Intermedia Publishing.

Linda’s interiors feature prominently in this glossy tome of homes, a curated collection of the finest interiors styled by leading designers from across the country. It is a coffee table book of grand proportions, featuring more than 60 interior designers, 800 sumptuous photographs, and generous, gorgeous spreads of living spaces, kitchens, dining spaces, bedrooms, bathrooms, specialty spaces, outdoor living spaces and custom furniture design.

Linda, the creative principal behind the Greensboro-based interior design firm Knight Carr & Company, features prominently in “Inspired Living.” Examples of her beautiful projects can be found throughout the sections: A living room in blues and coral in a stunning coastal home; a sleek Texas kitchen in dark wood that gleams beneath modern lighting; an outdoor space with wood, stone, natural fibers and organic shapes inspired by nature; a small, charming office appointed with antique furniture and art.

Linda contributed more than pictures and cutlines. She wrote the introduction to the “Living Spaces,” section, reflecting, in part: “Living spaces are chameleons of sorts — they adapt and conform to a variety of needs. They are the rooms for intimate conversation, the venue for parties and gatherings, and the personal family spaces for a wide range of activities. Because of this, they are important areas of a home that require thoughtful design.”

Thoughtful design, indeed. Linda prides herself on not projecting her signature or personal style on projects. One of the most meaningful compliments she received recently came from a woman who visited a beach home Linda had designed and then homes she had designed in Charlotte and Greensboro. The woman was amazed that Linda was the creative force behind all three. “I never would have known,” the woman said.

That artistic anonymity is just fine with Linda. While some designers strive to put their unique stamp on every project they undertake, Linda prefers to reflect the individual lifestyle, taste, preferences and aesthetic of her clients. She’s a good and thoughtful listener and believes that just as no two clients are the same, no two interior designs should be the same. Being a part of “Inspired Living” gave Linda the opportunity to reflect on her 30+-year career in design. Interestingly, she had no intention of becoming a designer, despite the fact that she grew up amid the fabrics, patterns and furnishing of her father’s interior design store.

She studied child development at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While there, she took an interior design course as an elective, enjoyed it and signed up for more. Eventually, the design department told her she couldn’t continue taking courses meant for those majoring in the field. But she was persistent, and was finally granted permission — on the condition that she maintain a 4.0 grade point average. Linda kept her end of the bargain, graduating first in her class of the child development program.

She accepted a teaching position and was enjoying her new career when one of those wonderfully unexpected, opportune encounters occurred. Linda was spending a summer break at the beach and had rented her furnished Greensboro apartment to someone who was in town consulting to set up a new furniture store. He was impressed by her interior décor and asked if she’d consider a job with the new store. Linda took a leap of faith, accepted the offer and gained great experience and business skills. “I learned all the phases of a design practice, from working with space, the balance and comfort considerations of furnishings, color, texture, sales and purchasing.”

The immersive, experiential learning path continued when she collaborated with a partner in opening her first design business. She recalls how enlightening and perspective-expanding it was to work with a designer who offered new points of view and reference. Her post-college experience felt like earning a graduate degree, she says — and affirmation that she was on the right path.

Since those early days, Linda has built a successful business and an exemplary reputation. She creates custom interiors for clients nationwide and has designed a farmhouse in Pennsylvania’s countryside, an urbane office in the nation’s capital, a former embassy in Massachusetts, a yacht off the Charleston, South Carolina harbor, and homes from Nevada to the Florida Keys.

Because the “Inspired Interiors” project began two years ago and encountered delays due to COVID-19, Linda was able to look at the finished, hot-off-the-press book with fresh eyes. “I think the work included in the book is excellent,” she says. “And I’m so pleased to be included in this gathering of designers from around the country. I am enjoying turning the pages, savoring the stunning spaces — and I hope readers will find inspiration in it as well.”

As she is quoted in the book, “I’m most satisfied with my designs when I believe them to be well-executed, timeless, beautiful and the answer to the homeowners’ dreams and needs.”

For more information: https://www.knightcarr.com/

- Lucinda Trew, editor-in-chief

POP OF

COLOR

photography by maria west photography

The sophisticated touch of brass continues in cabinetry hardware, the sink faucet and trim on a fabulous oven hood.

Elizabeth and Philip Payonk moved to Greensboro’s Brown Town community in 2012. They bought a lovely home there — right next door to their dream home which they eventually bought in 2018. The move was easy, Elizabeth laughs.

“We had always admired this home, even when we lived next door,” Elizabeth says. “We loved the symmetry of the front exterior and the charm and character throughout.” So, when their 1950s-era dream home became available, the Payonks didn’t hesitate. They bought the home from a third-generation owner whose grandparents had built it.

Elizabeth and Philip had been through home renovations before, lived to tell about it and were still up for the challenge. They knew they wanted to modernize their new old home, make it work for their active family of five, and, importantly, preserve the original charm that attracted them in the first place.

They engaged Barbour Spangle Design and couldn’t be happier with both the process and the final product. The Barbour Spangle team worked closely with contractor Classic Construction every step of the way, says Elizabeth, from CAD drawings to electric and plumbing plans to selecting fixtures, flooring and finishes. “They were respectful of our wishes and helped with those little details, which to me were the big things. They listened intently to our objectives and creatively designed colorful, warm and functional spaces that reflect our family’s style and needs.”

It seems dreams, and dream homes, really do come true. The Payonks’ home is vibrant and lifestyle friendly. “Fun and fresh, with some happy moments of surprise,” is how Christi Barbour describes the project. Her team strives to create spaces that reflect the personalities of those who live there, she explains, and each project is a collective and curated mix of style.

The family room is the heart of this attractive home. It is bright, cheerful and comfortable, yet stylishly appointed and ideal for entertaining. Barbour Spangle began with a neutral backdrop: Walls in the space are a light greige, and two transitional gray sofas anchor the space. And then, there are pops of color at every turn: A pair of custom barrel chairs whose fronts are upholstered in Robin’s egg blue and backs are covered in a floral bouquet of navy, light blue and bright magenta. Two matching chartreuse ottomans sit in front of one sofa, pulling double duty as seating when needed, or tables for games or snack trays. A sleek modern coffee table in navy and brass is positioned in front of the second sofa. Geometric patterns, from the X-shaped bases of the ottomans to the area rug’s Greek key motif to the lime green drapes add a playful, modern touch to the room. A gray console occupies one wall and holds a pair of funky glazed ceramic lamps that call to mind Mid-Century sculpture.

A wet bar in the family room provides the element of surprise Christi mentioned. Cabinetry above and below the bar is a deep navy blue, offset with cool brass and Lucite pulls, a sexy tall faucet, a retro-style brass articulating arm lamp, and a hammered brass under-mount sink that shimmers like a jewel in the small space. The bar’s white quartz countertop provides consistency with those in the kitchen, and the designers and homeowners chose an antique mirror for the backsplash, reflecting natural light from the windows.

Color — and attention to detail — are evident throughout this vibrant space. The tailored skirts of the gray sofas have a fun, flirty navy trim. A small square table sits in one corner, perfect for a game of dominoes or laptop tasks. Built-in bookshelves on either side of the fireplace are lined with grass cloth-style wallpaper. And the fireplace screen itself is a work of art: A bronze, organic twig-like sculpture.

The family room opens to a crisp, airy kitchen awash in natural light. Cabinetry is soft, pale gray. Countertops and full-wall backsplashes are an exquisitely veined white quartz. The pop of color in this room is a happy mélange of blues and greens. A cheery Roman shade in ultramarine and cobalt blues brightens the window above the kitchen sink. Bar stools lining the ample kitchen island are covered in a fun blue mini animal print performance fabric – perfect for an active family with three kids. Chairs at the gray banquette table are upholstered in a chartreuse green pattern, and colorful area rugs pop against dark hardwood floors. Barbour Spangle chose to warm the space with touches of brass and shaded lighting. The bar stool legs are capped in brass, as are the foot rails. The sophisticated touch of brass continues in cabinetry hardware, the sink faucet and trim on a fabulous oven hood.

Elizabeth appreciates all the updates and amenities and the care Barbour Spangle took in respecting the home’s original aesthetic. An example she shares is the origins story of the small window that now hangs above the family kitchen table. “It’s this unique and adorable round window that was originally in a back hallway. It couldn’t stay there, so we carefully removed it and ultimately decided on its new spot where we get to enjoy it every day.”

She also appreciates Barbour Spangle’s focus on functionality. The team is all about livability and making space useful, efficient and durable. One of Christi’s favorite spots in the Payonk abode is a chic and serviceable laundry room outfitted in crisp white cabinets and cubbies, task lighting taken up a stylish notch or two and a smart, streamlined office space.

And since laundry rooms are where we sort colors from whites, let’s get back to the basket overflowing with brilliant, bold hues and character.

Dramatic, vibrant colors are found throughout this lovely home, in big rooms and small, wide-open expanses and tucked-away corners. Case in point? A powder room with punch and pizazz. “We love when clients are willing to embrace vibrant colors, paint the ceiling a piquant green, go big and go bold in a small space,” says Barbour Spangle designer Emily Yavorsky.

And this main-floor powder room packs a sophisticated punch beginning with a gorgeous wallpaper in shades of gray, white, and that beautiful chartreuse that keeps popping up — even on the ceiling of this elegant, pocket-sized space. The dash of brass continues here in an intricate, geometric gold-plated mirror and wall-mounted fixtures above a raised sink resting on a shimmery quartz countertop.

ON THE COVER Barbour Spangle Design

PUBLISHER

MSM Media, LLC

Kathryn Field

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lucinda Trew

Editor@yourMODsociety.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Maribeth Geraci

Kristen Haynes

Lisa Johnson

COPY EDITOR

Jennifer Weaver-Spencer

PHOTOGRAPHY

Aura Marzouk

DESIGN FIRM

Stallard Studio, LLC

DIGITAL AGENCY

The Buzz Effect

ADVERTISING

Advertising@yourMODsociety.com

Regarding the Home...

HOMEOWNERS: Elizabeth and Phil Payonk

DESIGN TEAM: Barbour Spangle Design

CONTRACTOR: Classic Construction

PHOTOGRAPHER: Maria West Photography

Featured Home Photos

Pages 22-23 Family Room

Page 24-26 Kitchen

Page 28

Family Room (upper)

Powder Room (lower)

Page 29 Family Room Bar

Page 30 Laundry Room

The overall effect of this respectful, invigorating renovation is fresh, modern traditional. It is a home full of lively color, unexpected touches and tasteful tributes to one family’s past and another’s future. “This perfect mixture is what we value and strive for in all of our projects,” Emily says. “The quintessential balance between a home’s rich history and the perfect backdrop for new memories to be made.” yourMODsociety.com

DESIGN & Wine

Ask Jake Assaf to describe his newest wine bar venture, Lewis & Elm, in sommelier terms, and he is quick to pop the cork: “It’s got to be champagne! The space is bright and effervescent. All of the design features we’ve incorporated make it lively, bright, sophisticated and fun. It feels like a freshly poured glass of champagne!”

Jake, who also owns Rioja!, Greensboro’s popular – and first – wine bar, opened Lewis & Elm in May 2021. He had contemplated a second restaurant for several years and had his eye on the historic Elm Street space, located in downtown Greensboro’s Southend. When the building became available in 2019, he jumped on the opportunity. Of course, we all know what happened next: The COVID-19 pandemic pause. Jake spent the time well, planning and preparing, creating a chic and inviting venue with the help of his downtown neighbors and friends, Gina Hicks and Laura Mensch of Vivid Interiors. As they say, no fine wine (or wine bar design!) before it’s time!

Jake had a clear idea of what he wanted his new place to look like. “I envisioned something cozy and comfortable, with a bit of a modern feel and some classic design features.” He also knew what he did not want: A trendy uber industrial vibe, with strong lines, sharp corners and coolness approaching cold. “When you walked into the place, we wanted it to feel like we’ve been here 20 years or more,” he explains.

Mission accomplished: Lewis & Elm is warm and welcoming, with the sparkle and fizz you’d expect to find in a wine bar. The project was Vivid’s first restaurant redo project and Gina and Laura, whose interior design shop is just across the street from Lewis & Elm, were delighted to be involved in the process. “We wanted the space to be sexy, sophisticated and classic – with a little bit of modern edge,” says Gina.

They began with color, painting the walls and ceiling a dark navy blue. A statement-creating 30-foot-long banquette, upholstered in the same deep blue, nearly fills an exposed brick wall. The effect is intimate, warm and

intense. Modern gold orb lighting, in varying sizes, cast a cheery glow, and, as Jake notes, call to mind champagne bubbles! The circle motif continues with gold-rimmed round mirrors that reflect light and provide a juxtaposition of light and dark from the bar.

And speaking of the bar, it is long and sleek with an elegant curve that mirrors the dramatic arc of the banquette’s back. Laura points out the distinctive fluted detail of the bar’s wooden base, which is also used in the raised platform featured at the front of the restaurant. One wall behind the bar is surfaced in glossy white square subway tiles, adding another element of sheen and freshness, while paneled molding provides the perfect frame for displaying bottles of wine. Hip stools from Blu Dot Furniture line the bar and match the table seating.

The overall effect is serene, stylish and smart, the perfect setting for enjoying a glass of wine, expertly curated by Jake and his staff, along with cheese and light seasonal fare. “I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out,” remarks Jake. “Vivid made sure we were happy with all the decisions and choices, and they created exactly what I envisioned.”

They say beauty is as beauty does, and one of our favorite aspects of Lewis & Elm is its connection to community. Jake was intent upon supporting, hiring and partnering with neighbors like Laura and Gina, who in turn sourced furniture and lighting from Area Modern Furniture, which has a shop on, you guessed it – South Elm Street. Paintings by Greensboro artist Kent Chilton grace the walls, and broad front windows give a view of downtown’s bustle.

Lewis & Elm is a gathering spot for the Greensboro community – and by the community. Salut to that!

For more information: https://lewisandelm.com/ https://www.vivid-interiors.com/

– Lucinda Trew, editor-in-chief

INSPIRATION DESTINATION

Those are the words of Moroccan scholar and explorer Ibn Battuta. They also describe the intention behind a loving bequest that honors the life and spirit of Greensboro artist Douglas A. Freeman, who died unexpectedly in March 2019.

Douglas was a renowned painter, furniture designer, equestrian, storyteller and friend. He was also the lifelong love, partner and collaborator of designer Bradshaw Orrell. The two met in college, in an Italian class at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). After UNCG, they headed to the Savannah College of Art and Design, and then embarked upon a path of creativity in many forms, from painting and fine arts to designing interiors, furniture and one-of-a-kind decor pieces. They found inspiration in their shared passion for travel and soaking in the diversity of world cultures and aesthetics.

So, when Bradshaw contemplated ways to honor Douglas, the notion of enabling young, aspiring artists to explore the world came to mind. “I know how much joy Douglas and I derived from traveling,” he recalls. “And how invigorating it was, artistically, to visit new places, experience new things, view the world through a new lens.” Bradshaw established the Douglas A. Freeman Artist Fund, administered through the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, to help fund educational travel excursions for UNCG art students.

It seemed, to Bradshaw and those who knew Douglas, a fitting tribute to someone who lived life ardently and loved nothing better than a fun, adventurous, creatively renewing journey. Bradshaw recalls the impact of his

ARTWORK BY DOUGLAS FREEMAN

first travel experience, when he visited Europe for the first time as an eighth grader. “Here I was, this little suburbanite kid from North Carolina, visiting Europe for the first time. It was eye-opening, aweinspiring and set me on course of wanting to live a big, bold life.” Travel had the same effect on Douglas, Bradshaw believes. Travel energized him, invigorated his artistic soul, sowed the seeds for extraordinary new works.

The foundation has proven to be a great success, beyond Bradshaw’s highest hopes. During the year following Douglas’ death, Bradshaw hosted a dinner gala to raise money for the fund, and surpassed expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented in-person events during 2020 and thus far in 2021, but Bradshaw is determined to keep the foundation well-funded, and the legacy of Douglas well-remembered.

He hopes to be able to name the first Douglas A. Freeman Artist Fund scholar in the summer of 2022. In true Bradshaw style, he’s not putting rigorous requirements into place or being overly prescriptive or demanding of those chosen. “I’m not going to ask them to write some boring essay when they get back,” he says with a grin. What he will do, though, is ask each scholar to create and donate a piece of art inspired by his or her travels.

Bradshaw likes the idea of the continuum of art, launching new talent and assembling a collection of work that will become part of Douglas’ amazing legacy. It will be like a collage of postcards, he imagines, beautiful reflections from young artists abroad. “It’s not so much about what we leave behind,” Bradshaw reflects. “It is about what we carry forward: The good we do and the stories we share.”

For more information, please contact Bradshaw Orrell bradshaw@orrellinteriors.com

– Lucinda Trew, editor-in-chief

Traveling – It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

TRIAD’S FINEST TIPS

TRIAD’S FINEST

REAL ESTATE

We are thrilled to announce that Triad’s Finest has completed the first quarter of our 1% to Give philanthropic initiative and that we have chosen the Salvation Army of Greensboro as our first recipient!

We are proud to team up with the Salvation Army in “Doing the Most Good” by donating over $5,000 to help facilitate their mission and kickstart their holiday season of giving. The Salvation Army of Greensboro works daily with our neighbors in need, not only in times of crisis. The Salvation Army provides food, shelter and support to achieve long-term stability, selfsufficiency and economic independence from poverty through their Center of Hope shelter, Family Success Center, Boys and Girls clubs and weekly worship.

A huge thank you to all our clients who joined us in contributing directly to our community by choosing to work with Triad’s Finest. Each of our agents is committed to donating 1% of their commissions from the sale or purchase of your home as a part of our #one2give initiative. We met as a company to review, discuss and vote on the organizations that are creating positive local impacts and submitted grant applications to us.

We would love to partner with more businesses or individuals who want to match or contribute to our quarterly donation to further amplify our local support. When our individual charitable giving is combined, it results in a powerful force. At Triad’s Finest, we believe that leading locally is of utmost importance — that people matter more than profit — and that each of us has the opportunity and responsibility to improve the communities in which we work by giving back to the places we LIVE in and LOVE.

Do you feel the same? Join us!

For more information: www.triadsfinest.com or 336-209-3382

– Kristen Haynes, Triad’s Finest

CLOTHES WHISPERER

It’s hard to believe that the holidays will soon be upon us. While our state of mind may not have reached the festive stage, most of us are trying to move life along and looking forward to gathering with friends and family. We hear there are parties proceeding and open houses in the works, so let’s get in the spirit of the holidaze ahead.

I’d like to share some glitter and glam suggestions that will help get you in the spirit to celebrate. Sequins are everywhere as they were last year, so if you have a glittery item, pull it out, change it up, and wear it again. Metallics, especially silver, are showing up in some wearable options. Velvet is trending as well. It reads luxury but has a short life, so I recommend buying something that can be worn beyond the holiday season.

If shiny isn’t your thing, choose from the selection of elegant knits with a metallic thread or a touch of sequin detail. We all like to be festive with some fashion. Wear what works for you and start by shopping your closet. Sometimes adding a dramatic earring or fabulous shoe can take your little black dress and elevate it to be just right for most holiday occasions. We are happy to help you update or change up any of your holiday pieces. Just bring them in and we will work some holiday magic for you.

At DressCode Style, we are showcasing the special occasion designers we think bring something to the party, including Halston, Bagley Mishka, Sachin and Babi, Saloni, Theia, and Black Halo. Whatever your social calendar calls for this holiday season, make it an occasion, and SHINE bright!

- Maribeth Geraci, DressCode Style

photography by aura marzouk

POINTS OF VIEW

With the holiday season upon us, giving gifts is top of mind for many. Exchanging gifts with loved ones, colleagues or friends is a custom throughout the year in many cultures. Good gift-giving is an art. The subject of gifting is fascinating because it reveals so many human traits such as how we see others, how we assign value to things, how we make decisions and most importantly, how we show compassion. One of the many benefits of gift-giving is that it forms, maintains and reinforces relationships.

I’m in the gift and design business, so I spend a lot of time thinking about gifts. This year, in particular, I want to do better by putting philanthropy at the top of my list. After all, doesn’t the desire to promote the welfare of others and love for humankind sound like an honorable way to gift?

I have the privilege of serving on two boards, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s (UNCG) Excellence Foundation and Weatherspoon Art Museum. I’m so proud of the ambitious students who fill the UNCG campus. More than 50% of new first-year students are the first in their families to go to college, and 48% qualify for federal financial aid. The university has a 130-year tradition of breaking down barriers and blazing new paths.

In October of this year, UNCG launched its Light the Way campaign to fund new ideas, innovative programs and address pressing needs. Light the Way is just one example of thousands to consider supporting this holiday season. So many organizations have faced unprecedented challenges, so finding a way to gift can be impactful to organizations that touch your heart or affect your families. From food banks that address the basic needs of life to art organizations that add vibrancy and value to our state, there are so many ways to benefit our community.

When you identify an organization or a cause, it is important to ensure their mission is aligned with your values. As your family gathers to celebrate, the dining room table is a great place to start the discussion of philanthropy. Teaching our children the importance of giving is paramount to the lessons of life. Let’s challenge one another to do better and set examples for the next generation. How great will we all feel when we reach the end of this year knowing we did the best we could, and we gave something of ourselves to others.

Wishing you all much health and happiness!

– Lisa Johnson Lisa Johnson & Company | Shop on Blair

Lisa Johnson is an expert on the art of gift-giving — and giving back. She shares her thoughts on making philanthropy part of holiday planning and sharing.

Lisa stands with UNCG’s statue of Minerva, goddess of Wisdom and Women’s Arts.

SPECIAL MOMENTS

Polliwogs Children’s Boutique is a beloved Greensboro tradition, the place to celebrate and shop for life’s happiest moments. Whether you’re welcoming a new baby, shopping for a baptism gown or preparing for the first day of school or a middle school dance, Polliwogs is the go-to place.

Margaret White, who co-owns Polliwogs with her husband Don, loves that she gets to share in those special moments. She wishes everyone could experience that toddler boy who gets so excited shopping for his first pair of tennis shoes that he runs around the store talking about how fast he is, or the little girl who’s getting ready for the daddydaughter dance and spins around trying on all the twirly dresses. “We love the fact that people want to share their joys and their celebrations with us — and we are honored to be a part of it.”

Margaret and Don bought Polliwogs in 2018 from previous owner Blythe Barton. The couple had contemplated the notion of owning a retail business, and when the opportunity presented itself, they knew it was the perfect fit. The couple have three children: 11-year-old twins Tripp and Eloise, and eight-year-old Harriet. Margaret had been a loyal Polliwogs shopper since the birth of the twins. She loved the store’s fun and welcoming atmosphere, the wide selection of quality brands and the memories she made shopping with her own children. So, when Blythe was ready to sell, Margaret was ready to step up, run the business and carry on the Triad tradition.

Margaret, a former speech and language pathologist, says the timing was right. Harriet had started kindergarten and Margaret was looking for a project. Shortly after purchasing the store, Margaret and Don moved Polliwogs to a larger space. They didn’t go far — just a few doors from the previous location. They renovated the new store, in Irving Park Plaza, brightening things up and putting the extra square footage to good use. “We added more of what our customers want,” Margaret explains. That meant more inventory, greater selection, larger tween sizes and an expanded array of gifts.

“We kept all of the elements that make Polliwogs so special to me and everyone else in Greensboro — and just added more room and merchandise.”

She is grateful for the store’s staff who helped her learn the ropes of retail. And she is grateful for the Greensboro/ Guilford County community, who continued to support the store during its transition and throughout the pandemic. The outpouring of support was heartening, she says, and a reflection of Greensboro’s commitment to local businesses. “We are so very fortunate to be here, surrounded and supported by such a caring community,” Margaret says.

Polliwogs patrons aren’t limited to Greensboro. Shoppers can shop virtually — from anywhere. And, if busy moms and grandparents need assistance, they can call upon “Personal Polli,” aka Julie Tillman. Julie is Polliwogs’ go-to personal shopper. Need cute outfits for the upcoming holiday picture? Call Personal Polli. Need the perfect shower gift? Call Personal Polli. Julie listens closely to your needs and preferences and selects options for you to choose from within your budget. She’ll even wrap gifts to make the whole experience stress-free and fun.

Toni Picarelli is Polliwogs’ store manager and Margaret’s trusted partner in selecting merchandise for upcoming seasons. The two travel together to markets across the U.S. to buy fashionable, fun inventory. The store is brimming with happy, stylish apparel and gifts. And, if you want to personalize that special gift, Polliwogs provides in-house monogramming services.

Margaret looks forward to once again hosting the community events Polliwogs is known for, such as cast appearances from local theater groups and festive holiday gatherings. Because, she says, it’s all about community, children, families and celebratory moments.

For more information: https://www.polliwogs.com/ Personal Polli: 336-455-2794, personalpolli@polliwogs.com, Instagram: @personal_polli

- Lucinda Trew, editor-in-chief

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Megan Ward, executive director of the Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum, remembers the moment she first heard Dr. Qubein’s vision for revitalizing High Point. It was in 2016, during a community meeting about the High Point Catalyst Project. At the time, the project was focused on the concept of a downtown stadium, now Truist Point, and the recruitment of a professional baseball team, the High Point Rockers. Megan was on assignment as editor of the High Point Enterprise. She recalls a large crowd of about 700, and the hush that fell over the group when Dr. Qubein, president of High Point University, began to speak. “You could have heard a pin drop.”

Dr. Qubein, in his signature inspirational style, urged city leaders and citizens to dream bigger and bolder. “He spoke about what High Point needed to transform itself in a meaningful, sustainable way,” Megan says. “And it was more than a stadium. He talked about an events center, downtown apartments, and a children’s museum. It was an exciting day for High Point, and I remember thinking ‘something big is going to happen now.’”

Big doesn’t begin to describe it. Or perhaps it does. The Children’s Museum, nearing completion, occupies 75,000 square feet of interior and exterior space on four acres in downtown High Point. It will be one of the largest children’s museums in the state, and certainly one of the most unique.

Dr. Qubein’s interest in a High Point children’s museum began well before the pivotal meeting. As his wife Mariana shares, he would seek out children’s museums whenever the couple vacationed with their grandchildren. Then, after the idea took hold, he visited children’s museums when traveling for business. He took note of features he admired, innovative educational ideas and fun family elements. But Mariana points out, it wasn’t all about fun and games. Dr. Qubein understood the tremendous impact a children’s museum could have on the High Point community, and that investing in children is an investment in the future.

Studies show that children’s museums help children develop essential foundational skills, light a spark for lifelong learning, help families connect in meaningful ways, serve as community hubs and build social capital. Given that compelling case, it’s no surprise that more than 30% of new children’s museums are part of downtown revitalization projects – and High Point is fortunate to be a part of that forward-thinking initiative, thanks to the vision and generosity of the Qubeins and other museum leaders advisers and donors.

Community engagement was critical from the very start, Mariana and Megan concur. They describe early research, focus groups and interviews with local parents, children and educators. “We asked, ‘What do you want?’ and they told us, straight up!” says Megan. Children wanted dinosaurs, adventure and pretend play. Parents wanted places to sit, outdoor space and, importantly, a café that serves coffee! Educators encouraged a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), and making learning opportunities available to even the youngest ages.

The museum partnered with renowned museum developer Argyle Design Inc. of Brooklyn, New York, and with the High Point University Stout School of Education to gain valuable insights and expertise. “Our affiliation with the university really sets us apart from other museums,” Mariana says. Dean Amy Holcombe, Dr. Shirley Disseler, coordinator of the university’s STEM education program, students and other faculty members have contributed their time, expertise and ideas to elevate our programming.”

As director of marketing and communications for the Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum, Olivia Pekkala has been busy escorting visitors through the facility’s construction site. Soon, she’ll put her hardhat away and welcome guests to the amazing, awe-inspiring space.

Standing in the sun-filled, two-story lobby she conveys a philosophical tenet of the museum: “We want every aspect of our museum and each and every exhibit to engage visitors and allow children to play, learn and grow – all at the same time.”

Play, learn and grow – let’s go! It’s time to sample some of the museum’s upcoming greatest hits.

A delightful double-decker carousel greets visitors to the museum grounds with music, sparkling lights and a colorful array of chariots, fantasy horses and whimsical creatures such seahorses, pandas, dolphins and ostriches –all beautifully handcrafted.

A menagerie of giant topiary-style “Easi Animals,” including giraffes, elephants, pandas and more, stand at the museum’s entrance. And once inside, you can’t miss the colorful, two-story Courage Climber, a soft, multilevel climber with petal-shaped platforms surrounded by a safe net canopy. The goal of this exhibit, Olivia explains, is to allow children to feel empowered, overcome fears and challenge themselves to new heights. Rest easy, parents: While it may look like your child is scaling Mount Everest, the Courage Climber is engineered to keep young ones safe and secure – while testing their motor and spatial skills and allowing them to feel a sense of accomplishment. No drop is greater than 18 inches, Olivia notes, and there are footholds and hand grips throughout.

clues, solve riddles and decipher codes. “It’s like an escape room,” notes Olivia. “A great place for parties, problemsolving and teamwork, but they don’t have to escape!”

High Point’s first STEAM Lab is the place to put on your scientist goggles and discover the wonders of STEAM. Visitors will be able to experiment, work with robotics, create their own microscopic slides and engineer incredible LEGO creations. Students and faculty from High Point University Stout School of Education are working with museum staff to create exciting, engaging programs, experiments and discoveries, and they plan to continually update programming and introduce new mind-expanding exercises.

Ginormous! is a space for children four and under, inspired by the world’s largest chest of drawers. Children will delight in the magical bedroom in which all things small have been made large, allowing them to crawl through the chest, slide into a laundry basket, ride in an ice cream truck and explore a charming dollhouse.

Play, learn and grow at

If you’ve ever wanted to visit the red planet and explore galaxies far, far away, now is your chance. The museum’s Mars Academy includes a space module and lab, mission control system and model of the solar system. Aspiring astronauts get to experience training as cadets, traveling to space, building a colony, servicing a Mars terrain vehicle and collecting and testing space rocks.

Kid’s Point is an interactive, child-scale town modeled on High Point where children can explore careers of interest. They’ll be able to work and play in the town’s grocery store, cafe, veterinary clinic, dentist office, TV news studio and speed ‘n’ sport shop. And, since Kid’s Point is High Point-based, they can get creative in the furniture design studio selecting fabrics, testing comfort and sketching designs. “I can’t think of another children’s museum that has a furniture design studio,” says Megan. “But we wanted to acknowledge the fact that we’re the furniture capital of the world, and celebrate children’s creativity.”

The Hall of Mysteries will appeal to sleuths of all ages. Guests will explore secret passageways and laser mazes, find

Dr. Qubein wanted to make sure that youth of all ages could enjoy the museum, and so a Big Kids’ Arcade occupies space upstairs. The Arcade features an interactive, oversized step piano, similar to the one made famous in the movie “Big,” arcade games and a TikTok station. The museum also features a state-of-theart family cinema where adults and children of all ages can watch favorite films.

There is ample outside space for running, resting up after your indoor escapades, exploring the outdoor adventure zone, excavating real fossils in Dino Dig or taking a ride on the whimsical carousel.

The Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum is slated to open soon, although the staff has not announced a grand opening date yet. It will be, Megan says, the happiest place in High Point and a new and memorable tradition for families. Bring on the happy!

For more information:

https://www.qubeinchildrensmuseum.org/

– Lucinda Trew, editor-in-chief

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DEMEANORDistinctive

Folk music and banjo riffs. Hip-hop and rap flows.

One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn’t belong. Or does it?

If anyone can bring these seemingly diverse disciplines together, it’s Greensboro native Justin Harrington.

Justin is a bit of an enigma, a musical unicorn, able to meld and blend genres into something exquisitely unique. He plays the banjo and the age-old rhythmic instrument “the bones.” He writes poetry and hiphop verse. He performs, under the name Demeanor, at venues that will give you category-defying whiplash: North Carolina’s famed MerleFest and Folk Fest. Global music concerts with artists from Egypt, Colombia, Morocco and Mongolia. On nationwide tours with his aunt, acclaimed musician and Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens. Opening for the likes of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Justin acknowledges and reflects on the universality of music. He is an old soul at the young age of 22, bringing together traditional and contemporary beats to make music — and peace.

Born into a musical family with eclectic tastes ranging from Motown, bluegrass, doo-wop, blues and rap, it would seem that Justin was destined to follow in the family tradition. His aunt, Rhiannon Giddens, is an accomplished indie artist and co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. His mother, Lalenja Giddens Harrington, is an educator and singer who performs as a solo jazz artist and whenever possible, with her sister.

Justin had another creative pursuit in mind, though: Acting. He began performing in regional theater productions at the age of eight, studied acting at Greensboro’s Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology and went on to the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music to pursue a degree in theater.

All the while, he was writing — poetry, stories and the verses of his music. He was playing with words, discovering their power and lyricism.

And he was playing with strings. Justin remembers being intrigued by the fiddle from an early age. “Of course, when the adults around me heard I wanted to play the fiddle, they decided that meant violin and enrolled me in a Suzuki class,” he says, shaking his head. Classical music didn’t interest him; traditional tunes did. He picked up a banjo at a folk festival with Rhiannon, and she taught him the basics. He also learned to play the bones, a percussive staple of traditional, bluegrass and roots music.

And he was mixing things up, drawn to the power and poetry of hip-hop. In college, Justin and a friend set up recording equipment in a dorm room and started laying down tracks. He recorded two albums while at the conservatory, before leaving in 2017 to accompany Rhiannon on her Freedom Highway Tour. The tour was a turning point, Justin recalls. He had room to explore and perform new genres, express himself authentically and grow into the artist he is today. Justin describes the experience as enlightening and not just in terms of realitychecking him on touring. “It was a revelation learning that I could fuse styles, stretch and break boundaries, and use my voice and views as an instrument.”

The immersive learning curve continued when Justin was invited to be part of OneBeat 2019, an annual residency program that brings together about 20 early-career musicians from around the globe to write, produce and perform original music collaboratively and develop strategies for arts-based civic and social engagement. Working with fellow musicians from Algeria, Russia, Cuba, Nepal, Tunisia and elsewhere expanded Justin’s view of music, race and social constructs. “It became so clear to me that we have such a binary approach to race in the United States, especially in the South. We label groups and people, and we tend to see the world in limiting absolutes — Black or white, American or foreign. OneBeat brings artists from diverse backgrounds together to seek common ground, create music and find ways to discover how music and artistic expression can build a healthier, more collaborative and peaceful world.”

24K GOLD FIRMING

Justin says he will carry the lessons from OneBeat with him forever. Seeing so many people from different parts of the world speaking different languages yet working together creatively and instinctively was impactful. So much so that Justin and a small collective of artists launched the nonprofit Haus of Lacks, an artist advocacy platform dedicated to providing equity and accessibility to people through the performing arts. “Our goal is to encourage artists to bear cultural responsibility, be the voice of their generation and foster empathy and understanding.”

Haus of Lacks celebrates diversity — and reaches into diverse spaces. The nonprofit hosts “Underground Now,” an intimate concert series featuring diverse artists and thoughtful discussions on community building. It produces “Underground All Access,” a YouTube-based program showcasing guest artists and the music-making process. And Haus of Lacks was the driving force behind the “Pieces of Now” exhibit at the Greensboro History Museum featuring street art created during the pandemic and summer of protests, along with photos, objects and video interviews with artists and organizers. The nonprofit also organized and curated a recent salon-style interactive exhibition in Greensboro’s CVA gallery.

Justin walks the talk of unity in his music as well as his activism and advocacy. He abhors labels and the categorization of musical expression and delights in merging folk, hip-hop, jazz and R&B elements. Rap is folk, he believes, in the truest, most traditional sense. Rap and folk music both tell stories, often in coded language, he explains. Both are music of the people, steeped in history, cultural touchpoints and the drive for social change.

Justin is tireless in his crusade to break down divisions and bring people together via art. He delivered a 2020 Greensboro TEDx Talk on our collective American musical legacy. He was the first-ever artist to perform a full rap set at the Newport Folk Festival and earlier this year he curated a new hip-hop portion of North Carolina’s Folk Festival — another first. He is putting the final touches on a new solo album that he’s shopping around. And he’ll be traveling soon to South Africa to produce a show titled “Underground Everywhere” in which he’ll work with artists around the world to create records from scratch.

With his banjo and hip-hop beats, eloquent championing of harmony and humanity and insatiable curiosity about global cultures and connections, Justin Harrington is a timeless talent — a rapping Renaissance man intent on creating both art and change.

For more information: https://demeanormusic.org/

- Lucinda Trew, editor-in-chief