November/December 2024

November 1, 2024/Chapel Hill Magazine/The Magazine

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It was hard to believe Carrboro Town Council member Randee Haven-O’Donnell and I had only met the night before as we hurried from the cheese counter at Zingerman’s Deli. We became fast friends during The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s Inter-City Visit to Ann Arbor, Michigan, bonding over our mutual adoration for The Grateful Dead (she saw them live at Woodstock!). We zigzagged our way through downtown to our next destination, the University of Michigan campus, reflecting on the personal connections and insights we’d gained thus far.

The city’s identity was not just a reflection of its past, but also a testament to the potential for growth and change. Two new hotels were going up downtown along avenues lined with shops and bustling cafes, creating a dynamic atmosphere. On Sunday evening, families walked through the blocked-off streets as part of the Main Street Alliance program, while others partook in the social district. It was made clear by city and downtown officials that when topics like affordable housing, the arts and public-private partnerships are a priority, everyone wins. I know our civic and business leaders feel the same way and came back to Chapel Hill feeling inspired. Read some of their takeaways from the trip on page 32. I personally returned with a renewed appreciation for our area and our elected officials, like Randee.

That sense of dedication to community is something I’m reminded of as we reflect on the legacy of our founder, Dan Shannon. The week this issue went to press, we lost our fearless leader. (Read more about his esteemed career in media and how he started Triangle Media Partners on page 14.) He leaves a significant void, but his influence endures. Dan’s relentless pursuit of perfection pushed us all to improve – he never met a headline or caption or layout that he couldn’t make better. He’d regularly remind us of why we were working so hard: We had a great responsibility to our neighbors whose stories we feature on our pages. His eyes sparkled when he told a joke or mentioned a very specific movie reference, especially if we understood it. I’ll always have him on my shoulder as I edit, urging me to “write shorter!” We will miss him dearly. – Jessica Stringer, editor