March/April 2026

March 3, 2026/Chapel Hill Magazine/The Magazine

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It all began at a dining room table in Southern Village in 2006. Dan Shannon and Ellen Shannon set out to create a magazine rooted in creativity and a deep love for this community. That first issue sparked what has become a 20-year tradition of conversation and connection.

I graduated from high school a few months after the launch of Chapel Hill Magazine and headed to UNC to study journalism, fresh off my stint as yearbook co-editor and carrying a very specific idea of magazine life. I imagined fast-paced days, dreams shaped by rom-com newsrooms and the glossy pages of all the magazines I read cover to cover. I never expected that my path would eventually circle back to this town.

My career after college took me to Fast Company and Southern Living before I joined the staff here in 2014 and quickly realized how much there was still to learn. Dan proved to be a tough but fair teacher who pushed the work because he believed it could always be better. He taught me to sweat the smallest details to make a cover truly stand out. He considered sharing the stories of our neighbors in print to be a great privilege, and it remains true even more so today, especially as thoughtful, high-quality local storytelling becomes increasingly rare.

I stepped into the editor’s role in 2016 with a deep sense of responsibility. That shared sense of stewardship stretches across our team – from company president Rory Gillis to creative director Kevin Brown, the magazine’s longest-tenured leaders – and it guided every decision behind this refreshed 20th anniversary issue. We wanted the pages to honor where we’ve been while making space for what comes next.

I spent hours revisiting old covers, early stories and familiar names while preparing for this issue. Each edition reminded me how much our community has grown and changed while holding tight to what makes it special.

Thank you for being part of this story. We’re honored to celebrate the past 20 years with you – and even more excited for what’s ahead. – Jessica Stringer, editor

OUR 20th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

54 Cover to Cover
Twenty years of stories, told on the front page

62 Worth Repeating
We revisit two iconic covers and reconnect with the families who brought them to life

66 In Good Company
Chapel Hill Magazine co-founder and current Triangle Media Partners president sit down for a candid conversation about our publication’s past and look ahead to what’s next

72 Photographic Memories
Photographers, past and present, share a few of their fave snaps

86 Behind the Byline
Former staffers reflect on the magazine’s early days

88 Back Issues
Two decades of unforgettable stories that filled our pages

104 Let It Grow
Carolina North shifts from vision to action plan, expanding UNC’s footprint – and its future

108 Home Sweet Home
Who doesn’t love looking inside other people’s houses? Here are some of our favorites we’ve featured over the years.

120 Design Forecast
Industry experts share insights on changing tastes (take note: gray is on its way out!) as well as the lasting details that never go out of style

124 Still the One
Catching up with the couples behind our past wedding stories

130 Cheers to 40!
Sister publication Heart of NC Weddings also marks a major milestone this year

132 Recipe Rewind
From our archives to your table: beloved dishes that have stood the test of time

138 How It Started, How It’s Going
We caught up with local leaders and business owners also marking major milestones to reflect on their beginnings, growth and what lies ahead