MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE
I’m ready for quality time with my family, baking up a storm and binge-watching shows and movies. I’ll head home to Virginia at the end of the month for some much-needed R&R, but until then, I plan to take advantage of all the town celebrations that I can. We’ve rounded up the most festive events – from cooking classes and shopping to parades and concerts – in our holiday checklist on page 46. Here’s where you’ll find me this month:
Shopping at The Carolina Inn’s Sunday afternoon markets for the perfect presents. There’ll be doughnuts, caramel apples, s’mores and hot chocolate as well!
Attending the annual Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade. I haven’t sat on the sidewalk watching all the bands, organizations and floats since my freshman year at UNC.
Being Santa to a senior. For the past few holiday seasons, I’ve bought gifts for seniors as part of Home Instead Senior Care’s Be a Santa to a Senior program. That means visiting a participating business around town, picking a name or two off their tree and returning a few days later with some items off their wishlist. It just felt good to shop for cozy slippers and scarves and to imagine the recipients enjoying them. (At press time, The UPS Store on Fordham Boulevard, K & W Cafeteria, Starbucks on Franklin Street and the Seymour Center were participating – find more information at beasantatoasenior.com.)
Sipping a hot toddy. I’ve got fond memories of finishing up my last final of the semester at UNC and trudging along Franklin Street in the cold with a classmate to Carolina Brewery for something to warm us up – nothing does that quite like Kahlúa & hot chocolate. Maybe when my last issue for the year goes to press …
Ringing in the new year with my best friend. I’ll be back in town just in time for the ball drop and to show off Orange County to my pal who lives out west.
I wish you joyful holidays and a happy and healthy 2019!
FEATURES
28 Priceless Gem
Poet & novelist Marsha White Warren
36 Office Spaces
Three local companies provide a behind-the-scenes look into their cool workplaces in downtown Chapel Hill
44 Lessons from Lawrence
Takeaways from the 2018 Inter-City Visit to the college town
46 Holiday Checklist
Celebrate the season with markets, parties, decorations and more
54 Strength in Numbers
The camaraderie of group workouts, like the three we’ve featured here, make staying active fun and easy
68 Now Trending
What we’re seeing this year from builders featured in the Parade of Homes sponsored
33 Holiday Gift Guide
PEOPLE & PLACES
16 Sip + Savor
18 Festifall
20 A Tasteful Affair
21 Carrboro High students meet a Nobel Peace Prize winner
22 Roy Williams’ Fast Break Against Cancer
23 SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals groundbreaking
24 Film Fest 919 at Silverspot Cinema
IN EVERY ISSUE
8 Letter from the Editor
12 Noted
26 Chef’s Table
90 Dining Guide
92 The Dish: Elaine’s on Franklin
99 Joyous Cooking: Gifts for Foodies
102 Weddings
Faircloth & Wilkinson; Motta & Schneider; Ripley & Hill