Cary Magazine June/July 2026

Unleash Summer Fun

Spectacular New Gated Waterfront Community!

Hyco Lake - 60 Miles North of RDU Airport

Don’t Miss It, Phase 1 Sold Out in Just a Few Weeks!

PRIME LOCATION

• Spectacular 430-Acre Waterfront Peninsula –3.5 Miles of Shoreline!

• New Private Gated Community

• Less than 65 Miles from GSO & RDU Airports

• Gated with Paved Roads & Street Lights

• Live at the Lake and Work from Home!

THE ULTIMATE LAKE LIFESTYLE

• Fully Recreational Lake for Boating, Fishing, Waterskiing, Wakeboarding & More

• World-Class Bass Fishing

• Planned Community Docks* & Boat Launch*

• Community Waterfront Park with Pool, Pavilion & Fireplace

• Community Boat & RV Storage for Property Owners

WATERFRONT LIVING MADE EASY

• Estate-Sized Waterfront Homesites from .5 – 2.5 Acres

• Our Final 70 Lakefront and Lake Access Homesites Being Released

• Buy Now, Build Later

• Choose from Several of the Area’s Finest Custom Home Builders

• Excellent Financing Available

• Ask How to Buy Property With Your IRA

• Properties Sold on a First Come, First Served Basis

• Gated Community

• 23 Beautiful Acreage Lots

• Private Roads

• Well & Septic

• Overlooking the 4,000 acre Shearon Harris Lake

• Homesites starting at $309,500

• Custom home packages from $2 million

GO TOPLESS ON THE BEACH AGAIN.

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ON THE COVER:

Photographed by pet photographer Tara Lynn of Tara Lynn & Co. Photography, 3-yearold Rocket was adopted in 2023 from Saving Grace by Kathryn Hart and Daniel Shinaman. While other puppies ran around and played, Rocket was enjoying chewing on a stick — that energy drawing Kathryn and Daniel to him. savinggracenc.org

June/July 2026 • Volume 23, Number 5

EXECUTIVE

Bill Zadeits, Group Publisher Kris Schultz, Publisher

EDITORIAL

Erin McKnight, Editor

Tara Shiver, Digital and Copy Editor

Emily Uhland, Senior Editor

CONTRIBUTORS

Samantha Carson Lea Hart

L.A. Jackson

David McCreary

Teri Saylor

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jonathan Fredin, Chief Photographer

Annie Kimura

Tara Lynn

PRODUCTION

Atiya Batts, Graphic Designer

Jennifer Casey, Graphic Designer

Dylan Gilroy, Web Designer

Beth Harris, Graphic Designer

Matt Rice, Webmaster/SEO

Rachel Sheffield, Web Designer

Lane Singletary, Graphic Designer

ADVERTISING

Maureen Powell, Senior Account Executive

Paige Gunter, Senior Account Executive

SOCIAL MEDIA

Arlem Mora, Social Media Coordinator

PUBLIC RELATIONS

S&A Communications, Chuck Norman, APR

ADMINISTRATIVE

Kristin Black, Accounting

Lisa White, Senior Event Coordinator and Distribution Manager

Valerie Renard, Human Resources

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Ron Smith

Cary Magazine © is published nine times annually by Cherokee Media Group. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Subscriptions are $18/year.

CARY MAGAZINE

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This publication does not endorse, either directly or implicitly, the people, activities, products or advertising published herein Information in the magazine is deemed credible to the best of our knowledge.

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editor’s letter

Summer here means open screen doors, steamy greenways, and paw prints on every patio — exactly the kind of joyful bliss we celebrate in this issue devoted to summer fun and pets. Front and center is our cover dog, Rocket, photographed by Tara Lynn of Tara Lynn & Co. Photography. (As the Cary Magazine team can attest, Rocket is just as adorable in person as he is in print.)

After more than 15 years as a TV news reporter, Tara traded early mornings and breaking news for the art of telling stories with images — especially of dogloving families and the brands that bring them together. As a pet photographer, she captures love, laughter, and those really real moments that make your heart ache in the best possible way. For brands and business leaders, she creates images that reflect the heart of what you do so your ideal clients feel seen, connected, and ready to say yes.

A proud Tar Heel, Tara lives in Cary with her husband, three young children, and two dogs. Her brand statement says it best: Playful & polished photography for dog-loving families and the brands that bring them together, so memories last, businesses thrive, and life stays as colorful and joyful as the moments themselves.

In this issue, we’ve mapped some dog-friendly destinations for your next romp, rounded up some crisp and craveable salads for hot days, and circled the date for the 50th anniversary of the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. If you’re feeling competitive after exploring the festivals that pop up like lightning bugs this time of year, we invite you to step into the mech mania that is Giant Robot Fight Club. The Make a Splash program at Triangle Aquatic Center is removing financial barriers for children who need to learn water safety and swimming skills, and Bricks & Minifigs is building a LEGO community of kids and adults. And, of course, don’t miss the ever-popular annual Parade of Pets, which returns this year with all the tail-wagging, feather-flapping joy we’ve come to expect from readers’ portraits of pure cuteness.

Whether you’re chasing good times or tennis balls, we hope you’ll make this summer wonderfully, wagfully yours.

Thanks for reading!

Erin McKnight, Editor

55+ ACTIVE ADULT HOMES

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EPISODE 60

PODCAST? What’s on the

Host Melissa Wistehuff takes you beyond the pages of

Seaside Stories with NY Times Bestselling Author Kristy Woodson Harvey

Debunking Skincare Myths with Dr. Thomas Knackstedt

EPISODE 59

EPISODE 62

EPISODE 63

Beyond Awareness: The Invictus Project’s Mission Against Exploitation

From Broadway to Raleigh: The Journey of Lauren Kennedy Brady

Raleigh’s Culinary Growth: An Interview with Amber Moshakos

EPISODE 65

A Rare Waterfront Opportunity Returns to Hyco Lake

Just 55 miles from the Triangle, a rare opportunity awaits: a private, gated waterfront community on one of North Carolina's most scenic lakes. With oversized homesites offering up to 300 feet of shoreline*, and the option for a private dock*, The Pointe offers the kind of lifestyle most families only dream of.

Last Chance to Own on One of North Carolina's Most Scenic Lakes—Just 55 Miles from RTP

Following a highly successful initial release last year—where Phase 1 sold out in just weeks— The Pointe at Hyco Lake is preparing to unveil its final collection of homesites this summer, offering a limited opportunity to secure property in this thoughtfully designed lakefront community.

Expansive Lakefront Homesites

Homesites range from half an acre to 2.5 acres, with 100 to 300 feet of private shoreline* - some of the most generous lake access in the region. Most lots are eligible for private, double-slip docks* up to 1,800 sq ft, making it easy to enjoy life on the water.

Set among rolling terrain and mature hardwoods, The Pointe was designed for those seeking a peaceful retreat and timeless natural beauty.

Build on Your Schedule

One of the unique advantages of The Pointe is the flexibility it offers future homeowners. Buyers can purchase their homesite now and have up to six years to begin construction - an appealing option for those planning ahead. When ready, owners will work with one of the community’s top-rated, local custom home builders, ensuring a seamless process and a home that’s thoughtfully tailored to both the land and their lifestyle.

Designed for Family, Fun, and Connection

More than just a place to live, The Pointe is designed for gathering and recreation. Planned amenities include a lakeside pool, waterfront pavilion, private boat launch, and community dock*. Onsite boat and RV storage adds an extra layer of convenience for property owners. "We're building more than a new community here—we're creating a place for generations to come," said one of the community's developers.

Life at The Pointe is about slowing down and soaking in the simple joys of lake life: coffee on the porch, mornings casting a line, afternoons on the water, and evenings gathered around the fire watching the sunset fade into night. It's a lifestyle that invites connection, adventure, and memories that last a lifetime.

Mark Your Calendar

Just 70 new homesites will be released during the Phase 2 Grand Opening this Summer, marking the final release of homesites at The Pointe. The limited offering represents the last opportunity for buyers to secure property within the community.

Schedule your private tour today at HycoPointe.com or call 844-778-0855 for more information.

“The Pointe isn’t just a place to live - it’s a legacy. We’re creating a place where families can reconnect with nature, with each other, and with what matters most.”

THINGS TO DO

Music in the Park

Indian Creek Trailhead, Morrisville

June 5, 6–8:30 p.m.

Pride Celebration with 22 Strings band, Party in a Pita & Raleigh Popsicle Co. food trucks, and drag bingo.

June 19, 6–8:30 p.m.

Juneteenth Celebration with Sahara Reggae Band, Tropical Delights food truck, and a vendor market.

Rhythm & Reels

Nature Park Amphitheatre, Apex (2600 Evans Road) apexnc.org/1673/Rhythm-Reels

Pack a picnic and enjoy music and movies under the stars at this free summer series.

June 6, 7 p.m.: Sweet Dream

June 13, dusk: Freakier Friday August 1, 7 p.m.: Tre.Charles August 8, dusk: The Bad Guys 2

Pride in the Park

June 13, 4–10 p.m. Downtown Cary Park

Get creative with themed crafts open to all ages at the Art Cart from 4–8 p.m. Shop locally made goods from LGBTQ+ artisans and allies at the Pride Night Market from 5–10 p.m. Hit the Great Lawn Pavillion and pick up some glowing headphones to dance your heart out at the Silent Disco.

Juneteenth in the Peak

June 20, 1–8 p.m.

Apex Town Hall Campus

Honor history and celebrate community at this uplifting sixth-annual festival featuring educational exhibits, performances, food trucks, vendors, and family activities.

Juneteenth Celebration

June 20, 4–9:30 p.m.

Downtown Cary Park

Curated by historian Darrell Stover, this annual event celebrates culture, community, and the power of dance. Performances include SUAH African Dance Theatre, Flee Dance and Wellness, the Akoma de Gabo Dance and Drum Performance Ensemble, and more. Also enjoy food trucks, vendors, and activities at the Art Cart.

Summer Fun Dance

July 11, 5–7 p.m.

Halle Cultural Arts Center, Apex apexnc.org/2142/Summer-Fun-Dance

Kids and parents can beat the heat and make memories while dancing to family-friendly tunes. Off the dance floor, more games and activities await, plus snacks and drinks to keep everyone smiling. $5 per person, $2 children 2 and younger.

Dog Days of Summer

July 17, 6–8 p.m.

Morrisville Dog Park

Celebrate the star power of our furry friends at this event inspired by Sirius, the dog star. Enjoy themed contests, prizes, and opportunities to connect with fellow dog lovers. Free, but a Dog Park pass is required to attend.

Fourth of July Festivities

Red, White & BOOM

July 2, 6–9:30 p.m.

Cedar Fork District Park, Morrisville

A LED hoop performer, balloon twister, juggler, stilt walker, face painter, and more family-friendly fun open the event, followed by live music from The Amazing Lounge Lizards and a fireworks show.

July 3rd Celebration

July 3, 4–10 p.m.

Downtown Cary Park

Enjoy free games, a mist zone, crafts and activities, and a screening of Independence Day. Fuel up at onsite food trucks, and grab drinks from the Bark Bar.

Fireworks Frenzy

July 3, 4:30–10 p.m.

Hunter Street Park, Apex

Kick off the evening with a Parade of Wheels, where kids are invited to decorate bikes, wagons, tricycles, and other nonmotorized vehicles in red, white, and blue. Cool down at

the Splashdown, then enjoy food, inflatables, and more fun before a drone light show and fireworks.

Capitol 250 NC

Freedom Fest

July 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

State Capitol, Raleigh

History is in focus with special exhibits and trolley tours of downtown Raleigh. Performances throughout the day include Tift Merritt, Rissi Palmer, the 82nd Airborne All-American Brass Quintet, poet Zach Zachary, and more. Visit the Carolina Hurricanes KidZone, plus more than 50 vendors and food trucks. Afterward, head to Dix Park for fireworks.

Independence Day Concert

July 4, 8 p.m.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary

As part of the America 250 celebration, the NC Symphony will perform a free concert with patriotic music and a fireworks display over Symphony Lake. No tickets required.

Battle Bots: Giant Robot Fight Club

WRITTEN

BY

ERIN MCKNIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHED

BY

JONATHAN FREDIN

“The first rule of Giant Robot Fight Club,” announces referee Fudge Shemp to a raucous audience from inside the ring, “is please talk about Giant Robot Fight Club. Tell your friends. Tell your enemies. Tell your weird cousin ...”

“Your weird cousin’s gonna love this,” interjects Hot Dog Henly, emcee and creator of Giant Robot Fight Club. The show is one he describes as “a bunch of different things. At its heart, it’s an independent comedy wrestling show. It’s a community. It’s an art show. It’s a performance art piece. It’s immersive theater.”

After living in New York City for about 15 years and working as an actor, playwright, and stand-up comedian, Hot Dog moved to Durham to be closer to his wife’s family. He’d known that

he wanted to produce something here. He just wasn’t exactly sure what it was going to be.

While looking for a hole in the local market, along with the kinds of events that were doing well, he found sports meetups, crafting events, and “role-playing things, like Dungeons & Dragons sort of stuff.” Hot Dog’s goal was to “figure out how I could mush all of that into one big thing,” he says.

Hot Dog had become what he describes as “super obsessed” with wrestling, which he

wasn’t allowed to watch as a kid, so he was thinking about a show that centered on some kind of fight. It was at The Common Market Durham that things clicked into place for him, as the upper level of tables and lowerlevel bar evoked a Colosseum setting.

A theater background helped Hot Dog recognize that wrestling is theater distilled to its bare elements. “The most simple story you can tell is in a wrestling ring,” he explains.

ABOVE: Although all robots are suitable for both children’s and adult shows, every character, such as Time Parrot, doesn’t appear at every performance.

Referee Fudge Shemp officiates the George Washingmachine versus Frostbite bout.

To tell the story of a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Hot Dog and Fudge — who coordinates the fights and works with the venues — set up each show with some jokes and satire. The running narrative has been told for over a year and a half now, and the goal is to ensure that every show feels different for a returning audience but is easily followed by those new to the Club.

While the show is scripted by Hot Dog, he describes the writing process as “more like daydreaming and kind of writing it down. … It’s just kind of a thing that exists so that I sort of know where I’d like it to go.”

For first-timers, Hot Dog and Fudge start by situating people in the narrative using comedy, but as Hot Dog admits: “If there are details that they miss, it really doesn’t matter because they’re here to see people in cardboard robots fight.”

You read that right. Otherwise respectable people use cardboard and duct tape to dress up as robots and fight each other.

“We do some fights, some comedy, bits of dancing, and there’s lots of physical comedy. Sometimes stuff spills out into the audience …”

— Hot Dog Henly

The requirement is that suits can only be made from cardboard, duct tape, foam, and paint of some kind; participants don’t have to use them all, but they can’t use anything else. One caveat is that after someone has fought a lot, and after the suit’s safety has been verified, they’re allowed to include lights.

While Hot Dog writes the story of the human characters — the host, the ref, the DJ, the head of security, the ring manager — and directs the show to the extent that is possible, everything else is up to the people doing it. “I get mad at the robots if they tell me what’s gonna happen in their fights,”

he says. “I like to go in knowing as little as possible because that’s where the fun and surprises are.”

That fun and those surprises are best witnessed in person, as much of GRFC must be experienced to be appreciated.

Attending the show, it’s clear that Hot Dog’s tongue-in-cheek characterization of “the absolute dregs of society” in attendance is accurate. He describes the audience as made of “moms, construction workers, scientists, and one super old dude who’s really good at judo.” The show typically includes groups of friends and several couples, as well as hype groups for the night’s fighters.

At the show at Raleigh Comedy Festival on March 28, Sheila Carty, wearing a GRFC T-shirt that matched her phone case, was eager to share how the show would unfold. “It’s just been great,” she said as she pulled out her camera roll and highlighted her longstanding support, explaining that there’s even a Reddit group dedicated to the show.

Before a less-than-official panel of judges, robots enter the personalized GRFC ring (which Sheila shared was recently upgraded from a taped-on GRFC lettered mat) to fight. As described by Fudge in his referee introduction: “Rule number 6: Two robots enter. One robot leaves.”

“If someone wants to sign up to fight their own child, I tend to allow it.”

— Hot Dog Henly

What happens between involves a lot of physical comedy and some great music.

When Cary Magazine caught the show, there was new fighter Bot Lobster and fan favorites Frankenbot, George Washingmachine, (who fought to Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.”) Pink Pony Clubber, the much-maligned and thenreigning GRFC champion Pabst Blue Robot, and live wire Ace Venterminator.

While GRFC’s participants fight to win “cash, prizes, and the love of the audience,” Fudge might best encapsulate the real goal when he says, “Rule number 7: Don’t die.”

A kids’ show might therefore not seem like a natural extension, but with a significant toning down of language (“It’s the end of the world. … We tend to use some pretty colorful language,” Hot Dog says) and simplification of reference points, the kids “understand the assignment in two seconds.” Since the “violence” in the regular show is so cartoonish, little reworking is required, and the young audience needs minimal help from Hot Dog to get worked up.

More kids’ shows are planned as part of GRFC’s aim of achieving “absolute world domination.” Already, very small shows in small venues have become large-scale shows in bigger music venues. GRFC is currently in talks with the Carolina Theatre, and the prospect of touring is always on the table (as are comic books, action figures, and more). Hot Dog also hopes to reach a national audience through the release of an online show on the Club’s YouTube channel.

GRFC tends to announce the next show on the day of the current show, but Instagram is the best bet for information. “We like there to be some mystery about where we’re gonna pop up next,” Hot Dog says.

And GRFC is swinging hard with 20 (and counting) sold-out shows.

Something Fudge highlights again on fight night: “The second rule of Giant Robot Fight Club is please talk about Giant Robot Fight Club.”t

@giantrobotfightclub

Golden Daze

Cary’s Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival celebrates 50 years of creativity, community, and culture

If you ask longtime Cary residents to recall their most vivid memories of the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, they might remember when the Band of Oz manifested cool ocean breezes when they performed beach music in 1984.

They might tell you about the time Hurricane Irene blew through in 2011, forcing the festival’s first cancellation in 35 years.

Or they might laugh about that day in 2014 when organizers brought in a snow machine to beat the legendary late summer heat that has been woven into the festival’s identity.

This August, Lazy Daze will be a memory-making 50th Anniversary in downtown Cary — a celebration of the late founder Jerry Miller’s dream to create a signature event that brings people together and salutes the arts.

For Jerry, a beloved Cary artist who was 93 when he died in 2025, Lazy Daze was a labor of love, and he put his heart and soul into the event every year since launching it in 1977.

Those who knew him still can’t envision Lazy Daze without him, but they are grateful for the strong foundation he set that will enable the show to go on for the next 50 years.

Hillsborough artist Katie Hayes remembers standing in her booth at Lazy Daze three years ago, chatting with clients and friends, when a town crier, clad in a bright red jacket, stepped out of a John Deere Gator and began ringing a bell right in front of her.

“I thought, ‘Man, that’s really loud,’” Katie says. “I couldn’t even hear myself speak.”

Then Jerry Miller, wearing his signature straw hat, strolled over and presented her with a giant prize ribbon complete with a full rosette, proclaiming her the winner of a Lazy Daze Best in Show award for printmaking.

Katie, who has participated in Lazy Daze for five years, owns New South Pattern House in Hillsborough. Cary residents and visitors may be familiar with her work from places like the Peck & Plume restaurant in The Mayton, for which she designed the wallpaper.

“Jerry was so sweet and warm and kind,” she recalls, admitting she was starstruck in the presence of the larger-thanlife local celebrity.

A Family Affair

According to town records, in 1977, Cary’s population was 21,763. The Research Triangle Park was just beginning its rise, and no one could have predicted the explosive growth that would transform small, sleepy Western Wake villages into full-fledged cities.

Today, Cary’s population has swelled to about 187,000, and Lazy Daze has grown alongside it, evolving from its humble beginnings as a small, earnest one-day street festival to the modern two-day extravaganza that

attracts about 300 artists and over 60,000 art lovers annually.

Julie Miller recalls the early years of Lazy Daze as a rustic, homespun arts festival. She was just 12 years old when her father launched it, and from the beginning it was a family affair.

“My brother, mother, and my dad did most of the work, including going out onto the street and sectioning off the squares designating the booth spaces, numbering them, and getting everything organized,” she says.

Her brother, Jerry “J” Miller, died in 2016, but up until his death, he and his wife

Pat played key roles helping with setup and managing the event.

Julie shaped the festival’s history, too, although she didn’t know it at the time.

“As a child, I would sit up and draw all night long,” she recalls. “And one night Dad asked me to draw him a picture of a man asleep under a tree with a dog at his feet, but he never told me what it was for.”

Her drawing became the original Lazy Daze logo, which for years was the festival’s public face, adorning posters, flyers, banners, and even T-shirts.

Roots of Inspiration

As an artist himself, Jerry Miller was a regular on the art show circuit, rarely missing a weekend.

“When we were growing up, he would lug us from show to show,” Julie recalls. “As we got older, we started working at the shows, and sometimes we had three going on the same weekend, so each of us kids covered a different one.”

Those shows taught Jerry how much art can unite a community. A man with deep love for his Cary home, he was inspired to bring that experience to his own town.

In a 2022 interview with Cary historian Peggy Van Scoyoc, Jerry described how Lazy Daze took shape.

Jerry notoriously sketched the layout for the whole event on a scrap of paper while having breakfast at a local restaurant. He convinced Southern National Bank, for which he was a board member, to sponsor the budding festival and his wife, Jean, to help set up.

The fourth weekend of August had little competition from other events, so Jerry decided to lean in to the hot, lazy days of late summer and affectionately title his creation Lazy Daze.

The imagined streetscape placed 10foot booths along Chatham Street from the corner of Academy down to Walker Street. Each space rented for $10, with Jerry convincing 100 of his friends to participate via a bit of arm-twisting.

“Jean and I would get a 10-foot pole and go out and use it to measure out the booths, mark the street with a red marker, and then number them all,” he said in the interview.

He was careful not to place similar artists next to each other — a practice that continues today.

“That worked real good,” he continued. “From then on, I never ever had to beg anybody to come to Cary for the arts and crafts festival.”

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In the early days, Jerry and his team, which still primarily consisted of family members, took a low-budget approach to marketing, substituting sweat equity for cash investment.

He painted the words “Arts & Crafts Festival, Cary, North Carolina” on full 4-by8-foot sheets of plywood and on the morning of the festival, hauled them out to strategic locations on all the roads leading into Cary, leaning them against power poles, trees, and anything else that would support them.

Those rustic signs attracted countless curious travelers passing through and locals alike.

“It was the best thing we did, and also the hardest,” he told Peggy.

Realizing the Goal

Right from the beginning, Lazy Daze gave Cary a financial boost.

“Jerry wanted to bring activity into the downtown area, and he envisioned it as an economic development project,” says Joy

Ennis, who served as festival director for two decades and is now general manager of the Downtown Cary Park. “That first year, the proceeds from Lazy Daze went toward purchasing a tent for the Cary Parks and Recreation Department, and it just kind of grew from there.”

The festival’s impact has grown exponentially. Over the years, proceeds have led to the creation of a grants program that has provided funds for amenities like the Cary Town Clock and the Lazy Daze Playground. Over the years, the festival has raised over $1 million for hundreds of local nonprofits.

“Lazy Daze is a great event, and we love it because it’s part of Cary’s history, but it’s also a way for us to give back to the community and support the arts,” says Kris Carmichael, supervisor of the PageWalker Arts & History Center.

The Town of Cary now handles administrative duties, including artist jurying and recruiting up to 300 volunteers.

In the ’90s, the festival lineup expanded

“LAZY DAZE IS A GREAT EVENT, AND WE LOVE IT BECAUSE IT’S PART OF CARY’S HISTORY, BUT IT’S ALSO A WAY FOR US TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT THE ARTS.”

—

KRIS CARMICHAEL, SUPERVISOR, PAGE-WALKER ARTS & HISTORY CENTER

to include a Spring Daze event in April. Held in Bond Park, it is open exclusively to North Carolina artists. Spring Daze has won numerous awards, including the 2004 Regional Event of the Year for North & South Carolina by the North Carolina Association of Festivals & Events.

Lazy Daze has also introduced traditions, like the town crier, a role made famous two decades ago by John Webster, a Canadian who hails from Cary’s sister city of Markham, Ontario, and performs his duties decked out in bright red regalia.

Through the years, Lazy Daze has moved around downtown, toggling between the main streets and the Cary Town Hall campus due to various periods of road construction. In 2015, the Town Hall campus became the permanent home for the two-day event.

The site also offers a shady respite from the heat, a feature that Clayton artist Val Taylor appreciates — although at that time of the year, it’s even hot in the shade, she says.

Cary | 1388 Kildaire Farm Rd.

Raleigh | 4516 Falls of Neuse Rd.

* Coming soon!

Chapel Hill | 4416 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.

Cary | 2025 Renaissance Park Place

Raleigh | Transfer Co. Food Hall 500 E. Davie St., Suite 108

“I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE AWARDS UNTIL THE TOWN CRIER CAME BY RINGING HIS BELL. I WAS ON A BIG HIGH THE REST OF THE DAY AFTER THAT.”

— VAL TAYLOR, ARTIST

As a photorealist, Val uses colored pencil to create lifelike art. The 2024 Lazy Daze festival was her first time exhibiting there.

Like Katie the printmaker, Val was also surprised when Jerry Miller showed up at her booth in 2024, awarding her a giant rosette.

The experience left her speechless.

“I didn’t even know about the awards until the town crier came by ringing his bell,” she says. “I was on a big high the rest of the day after that.”

That would be Jerry Miller’s last year of presenting the awards.

A Golden Legacy

The 50th-anniversary festival, August 22–23, will showcase over 250 artists from across the country. The event will feature

four live entertainment stages, more than 25 food vendors, a beer garden, Lazy Lounge, and Kid Daze events.

Through it all, Jerry Miller’s presence will be felt everywhere.

A bronze bust of him, complete with his signature straw hat, was unveiled in May 2022 and sits on the Cary Arts Center grounds, recognizing his extensive contributions to the town.

He was a talented artist in his own right, celebrated for his meticulous watercolor and pen and ink illustrations of state and local landmarks. He has presented works of art to US presidents, and last year was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest civilian honor.

His legacy is an energetic festival that has brought Cary together for a half-century

on the hottest weekend of the year, while dodging hurricanes, navigating downtown construction, raising money for nonprofits, welcoming thousands of visitors, and showcasing award-winning art.

And while his wide-ranging contributions had the power to lift up an entire town, sometimes his greatest impact is felt in smaller ways.

Katie treasures the ribbon she won in 2023 and says it inspires her every day, giving her the boost she needs when she feels she’s not good enough.

“I still have it hanging in my studio, and it’s good to have that validation,” she says. “On days when I doubt myself, I feel like Jerry is there reassuring me and telling me, ‘You’ve got this.’” t

carync.gov/lazydaze

A Parade of Pets

We can’t get enough of the sweet faces, silly antics, and the unconditional love only a pet can give. Thank you to all the readers who sent in their companions! This year’s roundup is a 10/10.

Lark

Lark is incredibly observant and full of personality. She loves chasing a simple wand toy and will happily spend time watching bird videos on YouTube, perched on the mantle for the best view. She’s obsessed with her favorite treats and loves to play, be silly, and have all eyes on her.

Kathryn Chappelle

Juno, Lollie & Snickers

Juno is our 5-year-old pup. He is good friends with our son’s bunny, Snickers … who has not met a dog he doesn’t like. Juno is teaching our new puppy Lollie that bunnies are friends, not food!

Andrea Dusina

Cookie

Cookie is our foster girl from Wake County Animal Center. When she first came to us, she was very shut down, but with time, patience, and love, she has blossomed into the silly, sweet, and loyal girl we know today. She is currently undergoing treatment for heartworm, and through it all she continues to shine. Cookie loves every pup she meets and is always ready to play. More than anything, she has reminded us how powerful even the smallest acts of love and kindness can be.

Anna Campbell

Busby

Meet Busby, my 9-year-old ginger kitty. He’s full of energy, running from room to room, and spends hours “watching TV” out the window. He’s charming, a bit flirty, and shows love in his own way — with a soft little nibble.

Marianna Pittman

Roach

Roach is 5 years old and was adopted from the WCAC in March 2025. She loves Churu, chasing wand toys (her favorites are worm-ona-string toys), and telling me about the birds she sees from the window. Her coat was pretty sad and dandruff-y when I first got her, but now she’s so soft and floofy. Her vet says that she has the most impressive ear hair she’s ever seen!

Esme Chiara

Louie

He is Louie LongDog. An eclectic blend of all dogs, he doesn’t let just one breed define him. Pet his abundant neck fur while he dusts your low-level furniture with his luscious tail. If you’re lucky, he’ll say “ahwoo” at you.

Christina Stoffan

Buster

We rescued Buster at 2 years of age in October 2025 from a shelter in Montgomery County. We adore Buster, who has brought much joy and happiness to our household. He’s a fabulous watch dog with stunning eyes, slightly mischievous, and living his best life of boiled chicken, rice, yummy treats, numerous walks per day, and endless love and attention he so deserves.

Glenn & Susie Smith

Maize & Blue

My husband Phil works in sales from home and is originally from Holland, Michigan. We married in 2001. We are huge Michigan fans, so why not name our dogs after the school colors, MAIZE and BLUE?

Maize is a black 7-year-old female maltipoo, but she likes to be held like a toddler on your hip. And she believes she is human and a huge NCSU fan!

Blue is a white 8-year-old male maltipoo, only 5 pounds. He loves to walk the trails of Hemlock Bluffs.

Hillary Strengholt

Belle

Belle lives up to her name — entering every room like the belle of the ball. With her black-and-white tuxedo coat, she’s always dressed to impress. Her short, upward-pointing tail shows her love, and her playful spirit keeps things lively — chasing the dog or “tickling the ivories” at home like a true little star.

Finn

Finn is a 4-year-old vizsla and a goofy, fun, smart, silly ball of energy. He makes us laugh every day with his antics. In spite of his size (at 85 pounds), he wants to be a lap dog and is true to his breed’s “Velcro dog” label.

Cheri Gray

Moxie

Moxie is an old gray cat with the soul of a queen and the attitude to match. She spends her days ruling the house, judging from sunny window perches, and accepting affection strictly on her own terms. Mysterious, moody, and magnificent, Moxie proves that true star power does not need to ask for attention.

Sheri Erhart

Harper Lee Grace

Harper Lee Grace (named after the writer and my mother’s middle name) is 2 ½ years old. I fostered Harper for almost a year until she became my first foster fail. She is now a permanent part of the family, joining her two older feline brothers, Jack and Keegan. Though it took some time to build trust, Harper is a very affectionate and loyal cat. Her brothers may tell you she’s bossy, and they wouldn’t be wrong. She has the heart of a lion in the shape of a raccoon!

Kelly Winner

Colby

Sweet Colby will be 2 years old in July. She has a fun, charming, and playful personality that I hope she never grows out of. She loves going to her downtown Barkyard in Cary to play with the other ‘biggies’ (larger dogs) and getting chased by the dogs there. She stops along the fenced entrance to greet the ‘smalls’ (smaller dogs), and they seem to like her too. Love this girl!

Debbi Burns

Nutty, Baby & PooGun

Say hello to The Tuxedo Trio: Nutty, Baby & PooGun. Three tuxedos cats, all adopted from a pet rescue weeks apart. Not related by birth, but related by adoption. Each about 4 years old. Our loves.

Moose

Meet Moose! He’s the cutest little guy with the best head tilt that melts everyone’s heart. He loves playing with his toys, showing off his tricks (shake, lay down, and roll over!), and will never say no to a good belly rub.

Kelli J. Bass

Zoe

Zoe is the sweetest, friendliest puppy. She came into my life as a 2-month-old Pomapoo. She is almost 10 months old and she is one of the biggest joys in my life!

Sonia Weber

Aspen

Aspen is our rescue dog who turned 13 in December 2025. She is happily sharing about the most recent children’s book in her mom’s book series about dogs who help. She has mentored seven service dog puppies and shares about her journey in her book Aspen, Life After Rescue. She loves to chase anything that moves but despises Southern thunderstorms.

Margot Bennett

Bandit

Bandit is a fun-loving husky who just became a big brother to his human sister! He loves walks, treats, and going to the park!

Diesel & Mater

These two bullies keep a smile on our face and make us laugh out loud! Since our girls have flown the coop, they are our world.

Catherine

F. Connors

Pepper

Pepper is a mini Australian shepherd living her best life. Twice a week, she hops on her beloved Pup Park Shuttle bus for off-leash adventures with her dog friends. When she’s not riding in style, she’s sampling pup cups at her favorite local restaurants. Sweet, sassy, and always ready for fun, Pepper brings big joy in a little Aussie package.

Sheri Erhart

Helios

Helios and his siblings were found as babies abandoned and alone during the solar eclipse! He’s grown into a big snuggly boy who loves to play with his toys, run wild through the house, and just be the funniest, silliest guy! Nicknamed “He-Man,” we are so grateful we rescued this special kitty!

Julie Watson

Tammy

Meet Tammy, our shy but incredibly sweet terrier who never says no to a tasty treat or a cozy nap.

Chase

Chase is the sweetest, most lovable pet you could ever ask for. He brings so much joy, comfort, and laughter into our lives every day. We love him deeply, and he truly makes our home feel complete.

Giselle & James

Pumpkin

Hey, what’s that tattoo on my dog’s belly? It’s typically a blue/green line letting you know your rescue has been spayed. It may fade over time, but it’s permanent, just like the mark left on our hearts by adopting a pet in need!

Nothing says “I love you” to an animal like providing hope, care, and a forever home. They might not have seen fresh air, sunlight, grass, or playtime. Now, the windows of opportunity are endless.

Pumpkin is looking out, ready to go! What breed is she? RESCUE! MG

Tucker & Duke

Meet Tucker and Duke, two silky-eared gentlemen who take porch sitting very seriously and have mastered the art of the soulful stare. They’re Cary locals, loyal companions, and genuinely believe they’re the most handsome dogs in any room. (They’re not wrong.) These two bring joy everywhere they go and would be honored to be Cary’s most beloved duo!

Sherry Riano

Rio & Cairo

Meet golden-hearted Rio and bold Cairo. A striking contrast yet a perfect bond as two shades, one heart. Together they balance warmth and strength. Calm yet full of character, both are natural posers, always camera-ready and effortlessly stealing hearts. The youngest, Cairo is full of playful energy, always nudging Rio to join in and keeping him on his toes. Proud rescues from Saving Grace in Wake Forest.

Follow their journey @rio_cairopaws on Instagram.

Rina Yadav

Elle

Elle is waiting patiently for her share of a Goodberry’s Concrete custard.

Keegan

Keegan is 5 years old. He is the sweetest boy in the world, which is why he is also known as my “pumpkin muffin.” Keegan loves belly rubs and basking in the sun. He gets along with dogs and other cats, including his siblings, but loves his mama the most. Although Keegan may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, he is the gentlest in the bunch. He is full of peace, love, and kindness.

Kelly Winner

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Fest

Get ready to go hog wild at the Cary Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival — two unforgettable days packed with beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, and BBQ eatin’. Join thousands of BBQ lovers at the beautiful Koka Booth Amphitheatre for an all-youcare-to-taste experience featuring dozens of bourbons, beers, and mouthwatering barbecue from top pitmasters. From smoked meats and Southern favorites to live music, cigars, bacon, boots, and bluegrass, this festival is the ultimate Southern celebration.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre

July 31 & August 1

Friday: 6–10 p.m.

Saturday: noon to 6 p.m.

VIP & General Admission Available

Admission includes a souvenir tasting glass so guests can enjoy unlimited sampling of beer

SUMMER 2026

Get ready for big adventures for your little ones — Little Fentonians returns to Fenton Square every second Thursday in June, July, and August. These free events bring a variety of interactive activities and themed experiences, making each month a new opportunity to play, explore, and make memories.

During each gathering, we’ll also be collecting school supplies for local schools in Wake County.

and bourbon throughout the session. Whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast, craft beer fan, or BBQ fanatic, this is one summer event you don’t want to miss. Gather your friends, bring your appetite, and spend the weekend enjoying great food, cold drinks, and live entertainment at one of the South’s favorite festival traditions.

BOOK BANANZA

Thursday, June 11 10am - 12pm

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Thursday, July 9 10am - 12pm

DINO DAY

21 Fenton Main Street, Cary, NC 27511

@FentonNC

Thursday, August 13 10am - 12pm

8003 Regency Parkway Cary, NC

(800) 830-3976

cary.beerandbourbon.com

Little Fentonians

Get ready for big adventures for your little ones — Little Fentonians returns to Fenton Square every second Thursday in June, July, and August. These free events bring a variety of interactive activities and themed experiences, making each month a new opportunity to play, explore, and make memories.

During each gathering, we’ll also be collecting school supplies for local schools in Wake County. Events include:

Book Bonanza | June 11

Enjoy live storytelling by Poppy Snickerbug and interactive activities by The Bunny Hive.

Touch-a-Truck | July 9

Explore a real Cary Fire Department fire engine, meet officers from Cary PD, and climb aboard a kid-sized trackless fire truck ride cruising up and down Main Street. It’s hands-on, high-energy, and perfect for curious kiddos who love big wheels and flashing lights.

Dino Day | August 13

Experience a lively, interactive show filled with fossils, magic, music, and larger-than-life dino characters. Little explorers can also enjoy dinosaur-themed crafts and activities.

Fenton Square by Paragon Theaters, 21 Fenton Main Street (919) 568-1040 fentonnc.com/event/little-fentonians-book-bonanza-2026/

Rhythm & Reels

Need a place to park your lawn chair this summer? Join us on select Saturday evenings at the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre for Rhythm & Reels, Apex’s free outdoor summer concert and movie series. This year’s local lineup features the rockin’ Sweet Dream,

VOTED BEST KIDS’ PROGRAM BY CARY MAGAZINE READERS!

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

soulful Tre.Charles, enchanting Emma Rae, and raucous grass-rock band Ol’Joey Scrums. Movie showings include Freakier Friday, The Bad Guys, and The Mario Galaxy Movie. Concerts will begin at 7 p.m., and movies will begin at dusk. Visit thehalle.org to view all event dates and details.

Keep the fun going at the Summer Fun Dance on Saturday, July 11, from 5–7 p.m. at The Halle Cultural Arts Center in downtown Apex. Families can enjoy music, games, refreshments, and dancing in the cool indoors! Tickets are $5 per person and $2 for children ages 2 and under available on etix.com.

237 N. Salem Street Apex, NC (919) 249-1120 apexnc.org/1442/Halle -Cultural-Arts-Center

Don’t miss the the 2026 NITRO CIRCUS 2.0 TOUR Presented by Ram Trucks! This electrifying live event is back and better

than ever, and will make a stop in Durham at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Saturday, August 22. Co-founded by action sports icon Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus features elite athletes and world-class daredevils at the top

of their game in Freestyle Motocross, BMX, Skate, Scooter, and everything in between. Nitro Circus features jaw-dropping stunts, top-tier athletes, and unstoppable energy that will wow fans of all ages. Get ready for an exhilarating ride you gotta see to believe. Tickets are on sale now at nitrocircus.com!

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

409 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC (919) 956-2855

nitrocircus.com

Starpath Dance

Come join us at Starpath as we dance into friendships and fun this summer! Campers ages 3–6 will twirl and soar in Angelina Ballerina Camp, bounce and boogie in our Hip Hop Move & Groove Camp, and

learn new moves with Bluey and Gabby’s Dollhouse. Children ages 6–17 can explore acting and dancing in Stars of the Stage Camp, new styles with In My Dance Era Camp, or work on skills for dance team in the Skills Clinic Camp. Visit starpathdance.com/ summer to view all themes. Year-round classes begin July 18 at our Cary & Apex locations for ages 2 through adult in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, contemporary, lyrical, acro, and more. Our award-winning curriculum is designed and implemented to ensure each child grows in confidence and skill, all while having the time of their lives! Register today at starpathdance.com.

3675 Green Level West Road, Suite 106, Apex, NC

(919) 267-6230

starpathdance.com

Tryon Palace

Tryon Palace in New Bern was the center point of many pivotal moments in North Carolina’s march toward independence as the first permanent colonial and state capitol. This year, we are celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial — 250 years of independence — and our summer has several highlight events plus recurring opportunities, like Caswell’s Capital revolutionary tour and Outlander in the Palace, focusing on the hit series.

In July, Tryon Palace continues its tradition of a free Glorious Fourth celebration on Independence Day. Attendees will enjoy a costumed interpreter reading the Declaration of Independence and experience a performance by the renowned Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corps.

We continue our Semiquincentennial festivities on August 27 with a free celebration of the New Bern Resolves, which listed grievances and called for actions against the British

One History,

Glorious 4th | July 4th

Join us at North Carolina’s First State Capitol for a Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Fife & Drum performances, guided cannon demonstration, and a Parade. Plus experience a special presentation of Caswell’s Capital Tour at 3:30 (Ticket required for tour).

TryonPalace.org 529 S. Front St.

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

government. We will host local chapters of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution as we remember North Carolina’s leading role in calling for independence.

Starting in July, visitors can also visit our exhibit at the North Carolina History Center celebrating 250 years of independence, Freedom & Identity: Symbols of a New Nation. Plus, from August to October, we will display an eyewitness sketch of the North Carolina Brigade drawn in 1778. For the latest on all our summer events, visit TryonPalace.org/Calendar and see what exciting things are happening at Tryon Palace.

529 S. Front Street

New Bern, NC (252) 639-3510

tryonpalace.org

Summer

Music Series

Summer music is back at Waverly Place! Throughout the month of June, join us for Live Music Wednesdays in the Waverly Place Park from 5:30–8:30 p.m. You’ll be treated to an array of popular, local bands playing a variety of genres. Make a date night of it or connect with friends and family. Bring your own blanket and/or portable chairs to sit in the Park. Plan a late dinner at one of our restaurants or stay after the music and

June 3 – Bounce Party Band

June 10 – Island Time Band

June 17 – The Embers

June 24 – Heads Up Penny

Theses concerts will be hosted light drizzle or shine. In the event of severe weather and cancelation/reschedule, we’ll provide an update via our website and social media profiles. Wine and beer will be available for purchase on-site. Coolers and outside alcohol are not permitted.

302 Colonades Way, Cary, NC (919) 859-5818

waverlycary.com/events

Town of Cary

Downtown Cary Park’s CaryLIVE! concert series brings rising regional and nationally recognized artists to the heart of downtown Cary for unforgettable evenings of live music under the stars. Held on the Great Lawn & Pavilion at 327 S. Academy St., the free series invites the community to gather, relax, and enjoy live performances

in one of Cary’s most vibrant public spaces. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or folding chairs for a comfortable viewing experience.

The 2026 CaryLIVE! season opens May 30 with Fancy Gap, followed by Abraham Alexander on June 27, The Suitcase Junket on July 25, and Delta Rae on Aug. 22. Each concert features an opening act, with additional performers to be announced throughout the season.

Taking place on select Saturday evenings from May through August, CaryLIVE! offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience live music, community connection, and summer evenings in Cary. The series is free and open to the public, making it an accessible and welcoming destination for music lovers of all ages.

For the latest concert announcements and event details, visit DowntownCaryPark. com/carylive and follow @downtowncarypark on social media.

Great Lawn & Pavilion at 327 S. Academy Street Cary, NC (919) 319-4533 downtowncarypark.com

Nightingale

For a summer night out that feels a little less ordinary, reserve a seat at Nightingale Cocktail Club in downtown Holly Springs.

Hosted monthly inside The Emerald Room at Nightingale Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, Cocktail Club is part tasting, part storytelling, and part social night out. Each event explores a new theme through three handcrafted cocktails, festive bites, dessert, live music, and guided conversation from Nightingale’s beverage team.

J U L . 3 1 & A U G . 1

Guests do not need to be cocktail experts — just curious. Upcoming summer themes include Harbor Nights, Red White & Booze, and Tales of the Tiki, each offering a fresh reason to gather, sip, and try something new.

Come for one event, make it a date night, bring friends, and discover why Nightingale was voted Best Cocktail Bar in the Triangle.

300 S. Main St. Suite 312 Holly Springs, NC (919) 299-2004

nightingalerooftop.com/ cocktailclub

Dog-Friendly Destinations

WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA CARSON | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

As someone who grew up outside the city limits of a small town with few neighbors and little entertainment outside of sports, television, sports on television, and books, one of the things I love most about the Triangle is the wide variety of things to do and the relative ease of getting to them.

As a lifelong dog lover, I also appreciate how dog friendly many of these attractions are. After all, the only thing better than visiting your favorite go-to spot for a coffee, a drink, or a meal is enjoying them alongside your best four-legged friend!

I checked out several local spots with my dog, Ampersand, and I hope you’ll do the same with yours!

The Bark Bar

Embedded in the Downtown Cary Park, The Bark Bar is an open-air pavilion adjacent to the Barkyard dog park. Patrons can purchase snacks as well as beer (all brands from North Carolina), wine, and nonalcoholic beverages, then enjoy sitting and peoplewatching (or puppy-watching) or strike up a conversation with another pet parent. For safety reasons, no food or drinks may be taken into the dog park, which is separated into sections for small and large dogs.

The relaxed hangout spot is popular with those who aren’t dog people, too. John Cline, co-owner of vendor Cary Park Ventures, says, “We’ll talk to people and they’ll go,

‘We just come for the ambience. We just like the vibe.’”

Note that the line for the bar can be long, particularly during events such as festivals and Town programs, so plan your visit accordingly. The Bark Bar’s hours depend on the weather, but it is usually open from 4–9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. A fire pit keeps patrons cozy year-round. Nearby parking options include the Town of Cary Library Parking Deck, which has chargers for electric vehicles, as well as limited street parking on South Academy Street.t downtowncarypark.com/locations/the-bark-bar

Bond Brothers Beer Company

A downtown Cary staple, Bond Brothers Beer Company celebrates its 10-year anniversary in June. The brewery features a taproom and beer garden, with rotating food trucks onsite daily.

Dogs are allowed both in the bar and on the patio. A jar of treats sits on the bar inside, and a water bowl and dog waste station are provided outside.

We went soon after opening on a weekday, and the area was quiet and calm with

only a handful of customers. Large umbrellas were open at each table on the patio, so Ampersand was able to rest comfortably in the shade spanning from table to table. He enjoyed a treat and water from the water bowl, and although we didn’t need to use the waste station while we were there, we were pleased to see it well stocked with bags.

Downtown Cary has seen a great deal of development in the past several

An Amp-approved visit

years, and while street parking is available along East Cedar Street and in a public lot directly beside Bond Brothers, it may be worthwhile to park in the new Cedar Street Parking Deck during peak hours to ensure you can find a space. The brewery location is open Monday to Thursday from 2–10 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 10 p.m. t bondbrothersbeer.com

1. Gentle Care Animal Hospital at Ten Ten Cary, NC – (919) 387-3435

2. Gentle Care Animal Hospital at Tryon Raleigh, NC – (919) 852-4386

3. Kildaire Animal Medical Center Cary, NC – (919) 469-8086

4. Preston Animal Hospital Morrisville, NC – (919) 678-1410

5. Trinity Animal Hospital Holly Springs, NC – (919) 303-7880

Mention code: EVENT

*Offer valid for new clients at participating hospitals on first annual exams only (no sickness exams). Not valid at specialty and emergency hospitals. One per household. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Not redeemable for cash. Clinic fees apply. Must mention code.

• Fresh Salads

• Sandwiches

• Kabobs Catering Available For All Events!

#TasteTheYummus

Southern Peak Brewery Taproom and Pizzeria

Located in Sweetwater Town Center on the western edge of Apex, Southern Peak Brewery Taproom and Pizzeria opened in late 2025, building on the popularity of the brewery established in 2016. Founders Ken Michalski and Nathan Poissant joined forces with Anthony Masino for the taproom, which serves distinctive pizzas designed to complement Southern Peak’s craft brews.

While the menu offerings are top-notch, equally important to the animal lovers is the

dog-friendly patio complete with water bowls where people can enjoy their food and drinks alongside their four-legged companions. When Ampersand and I stopped in, other patrons had brought their dogs to do the same. We all enjoyed the lovely weather from the patio, the humans chowing down on pizza and the dogs having a good sunbathe.

The Taproom and Pizzeria is open seven days a week. Hours are Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday

11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. Sweetwater Town Center as a whole integrates dining, shopping, entertainment, and apartments into a walkable community. Sidewalks and green spaces with pet waste stations make this spot ideal for a pre- or post-meal stroll with a dog, and Ampersand quite enjoyed exploring the new sights and smells on a walk before our meal. t southernpeakbrewery.com/southernpeaktaproomandpizzeria

Boxyard RTP

Boxyard RTP is a two-level outdoor food hall and marketplace that includes plentiful indoor and outdoor seating options as well as a covered pavilion. What makes Boxyard unique is that each vendor is housed in a repurposed shipping container, which gives the spot an eclectic post-industrial vibe. Live events and

live music are frequent, and kids and dogs are welcome.

We’ve taken Ampersand to Boxyard a few times to meet up with friends, both human and canine, and he always enjoys himself. With the variety of vendors located in the marketplace, there’s an abundance of smells for dogs to explore. Ampersand particularly enjoys investigat-

ing all of the different food scents, which vary from Mexican to pizza to Korean barbecue.

In addition, the adjacent Barkyard dog park offers play furniture, waste and water stations, and secure fenced areas for large and small dogs. Large free parking lots have EV chargers. t boxyard.rtp.org

Triangle Canine Club

Last but not least, the Triangle Canine Club deserves a mention, although it’s not a destination. Originally founded as The Dog Moms of Durham, event coordinator Anna Carter explains: “The vision was to create a social network of dog moms with the ultimate goal of supporting community rescue. As the group grew and got more and more popular, we decided to rebrand to Triangle Canine Club to be more inclusive.”

The nonprofit provides a resource for dog owners who want to meet fellow pet parents, find out about local animal advocacy organizations, and support local businesses. The Club regularly hosts fundraisers for local animal rescues as well as social events and annual festivals, often at Fenton or Boxyard RTP.

Lifetime membership costs $25 for an individual or $40 for a household. Benefits include a T-shirt for a human, bandana for a dog, access to member-exclusive events and discounts at local businesses, and more.

“In 2025 we raised $12,470 for local rescues. We want that number to continue to grow year over year,” says Anna. “In addition to events that raise money for rescues, we also help sponsor at events like APS Walk for the Animals. We would love to be able to continue to increase our sponsorship amounts as well.” t trianglecanineclub.org

Wh o is your Intern et for ?

The Internet is big, full of possibilities, and, these days, ruled by bigger and bigger Big Tech companies.

At its best, the Internet can connect you to people, ideas, things you can make, and opportunities you didn’t even know existed.

What your Internet looks like should be up to you, not Giant Corporations. Your potential shouldn’t be limited to being encouraged to scroll, click and consume content so you can be eyeballs for advertisers. And what you can do shouldn’t be limited by the company you pay every month for your Internet connection.

Thank you, North Carolina, for choosing Ting.

We created Ting Internet to bring the kind of Internet we wanted for ourselves. Because The Internet isn’t just for Big Companies. The Internet experience you get should be up to you.

So, whether you want to tune out and doomscroll or tune in and make something meaningful. Whether you choose Ting or another Internet company. We hope you Make The Internet your Internet. Ting.com

small business spotlight

Bricks & Minifigs

WRITTEN BY LEA

HART | PHOTOGRAPHED

BY

JONATHAN FREDIN

Paul Eagle was what he calls a “casual LEGO fan” growing up in the area.

He fell away from the hobby as he got older, but his interest rekindled as an adult. During the Marvel movie craze, when innumerable sets brought to life scenes from the movies, he admits he quickly filled a room with his builds.

When he returned to live in the Triangle several years ago, he transformed his hobby into something deeper.

After growing a successful career in video production, Paul was looking for a change. He happened across news of a Bricks

& Minifigs store opening in Richmond, Virginia, and his first thought was, “Why isn’t there one of these here?”

From there, Paul admits he went “down the rabbit hole,” doing research on the national franchise that soon turned into a local business plan.

In the summer of 2024, he took the leap, opening Bricks & Minifigs Cary on Kildaire Farm Road. He hasn’t looked back since.

The shop embodies more than the typical retail experience, serving as a gathering place for hobbyists of all ages and levels of expertise.

“We want to provide a community experience,” Paul says. “There are plenty of places you can order LEGO sets without getting off your couch. We want to give people a reason to come through the door — and a reason to come back.”

The store’s inventory is its first differentiator. Bricks & Minifigs Cary stocks new retail sets, but its shelves and bins are lined with items not found at Target or on Amazon. It’s the place to go to look for retired, discontinued, or certified used sets, as well as loose minifigures, individual bricks sold by the piece or by the cup, and pre-built

“

There are plenty of places you can order LEGO sets without getting off your couch. We want to give people a reason to come through the door — and a reason to come back.

”

used sets that range from modestly priced to coveted and collectible.

Customers run the gamut, Paul says, but he’s ready to help them find whatever they’re looking for.

“Someone might need 1,000 tan bricks for a custom Star Wars build. Someone else wants a new set to crack open tonight; some are collectors chasing discontinued items, and some are building armies of minifigures.”

The store’s trade desk ensures an everchanging inventory, as customers bring in sets they’ve outgrown and receive store

credit to shop for something else. This, Paul points out, drives repeat visits.

“With a traditional toy store, the shelves are always basically the same,” he says. “With us, it’s different every time people come in.

“I also keep track of what people are looking for and can let them know when we have that item.”

Paul is clear-eyed that there’s always competition. LEGO products are widely available. So he and his staff make sure they ask the question every day: Why would someone come here instead?

The answer, in large part, is the clubhouse-style atmosphere fostered in the shop. Staff members engage with customers. The focus isn’t on processing sales, but talking LEGO, helping someone track down a hard-to-find piece, and ensuring customers see the store as a gathering place.

“People are happy to talk LEGO, talk the news, talk pop culture with us,” Paul says. “That’s part of the experience.”

Events amplify that sense of community. The store recently hosted a Star Wars Day celebration complete with costumes, raffles,

and giveaways. Paul said he has organized building classes — such as a session where participants constructed a Jedi Starfighter — and community minifigure swap nights. Birthday parties are available, with options that include building activities and a LEGO car soapbox derby. He is expanding the events calendar and expects more programming to be added in the coming months.

The store also aims to help the youngest LEGO fans develop confidence and other life skills. When children bring their own sets to trade in, Paul and his staff encourage parents to let the kids handle the negotiation themselves — understanding what they have, what it’s worth, and what they want in return.

“You see them figuring it out,” he says. “It’s a budget lesson. It’s cute, but we’re also teaching something real.”

Two years in, Paul says the reception from the greater Cary area has exceeded his expectations. He returns support to the community, donating to PTA fundraisers — perhaps offering a birthday party as a silent auction prize — and has done similar outreach for the Cary Police Department. He’s also worked through a local nonprofit to supply inventory for visitors to the Ronald McDonald House.

Along the way, Paul has also discovered that the LEGO community is larger and more hidden in plain sight than he anticipated. Fans span generations, from grandparents browsing with grandchildren to young professionals rediscovering the hobby now that they have disposable income to spend on it.

“The LEGO fans are hiding everywhere,” Paul says with a laugh.

Reflecting on the shop’s first two years — celebrated with a two-day event June 6–7 — Paul says the rewards come in seeing his customers’ reactions.

“Seeing kids walk in for the first time is one of the best parts of this job,” he says. “They’re usually running in before their parents even get through the door. You hear that ‘oh my gosh’ or that ‘wow’ — that never gets old.”t

bricksandminifigs.com/cary-nc

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A FRESH SPIN ON SALAD

WRITTEN BY DAVID MCCREARY | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Summer means salad season.

Whether you’re craving a protein-packed bowl or a fruit-flecked toss, your next favorite meal awaits.

We scouted the area and found four new spots serving the freshest offerings available right now. Read on to discover what stands out.

Strawberry Feta Salad

WHERE TO FIND: Pastrami Tom’s East Coast Deli & Grill

ELEMENTS: A balanced blend of romaine and spring mix is crowned with fresh strawberries, blueberries, dried cranberries, candied pecans, feta cheese, and a tart balsamic vinaigrette.

LOWDOWN: “It’s our most popular made-to-order salad,” says Ohio-bred proprietor Tom Scheidler, who opened the deli back in January to accommodate locals and Maryland-to-Maine transplants. “We use North Carolina strawberries, and we’re very selective with the quality of all the fruits and vegetables we serve. The candied pecans add a nice crunch as well.”

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS: Diced chicken, oven-roasted

turkey, ham, roast beef, or — of course — navel pastrami, which comprises the rich belly cut of meat.

RECOMMENDED DRINK PAIRING:

Maine Root

Blueberry Soda, a distinctive, caffeine-free craft beverage infused with carbonated pure water, organic cane sugar, spices, and real blueberry juice. Better yet, it comes in a 12-ounce glass bottle.

BONUS TIP: Order a side of crispy sweet potato fries accompanied with a delectable dipping sauce. “The sauce is made with apple butter, sweet Thai chili, and caramel,” Tom reveals.

312 W. Chatham St., Suite 103 (West Chatham Village), Cary pastramitoms.com @pastramitomscary

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

WHERE TO FIND: Sabatino’s Italiano

ELEMENTS: Organic mesclun greens coalesce with sliced pears, gorgonzola dolce, candied walnuts, and scratch-made blood orange vinaigrette.

LOWDOWN: “The salad was created by Chef Romer Mendieta, and he’s really particular about the ingredients,” says Amanda Dood, the front-of-house manager who’s worked at Sabatino’s since it opened in January 2025. “We use fresh pears, and the walnuts are candied in house.” It comes with complimentary house-baked Italian bread and a savory dipping oil comprising aromatic fresh herbs, garlic, and roasted red pepper.

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS: Chicken, salmon, shrimp, meatballs, or Italian sausage.

RECOMMENDED WINE PAIRING: Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina, a crisp white wine from Campania, Italy. “It reminds me of the aroma of a sauvignon blanc but the body of a chardonnay, and it pairs perfectly with the salad,” Amanda says.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Far from a simple pizzeria, Sabatino’s is a full-service bistro that accepts reservations. The manager’s personal favorites include Ricotta Cavatelli alla Norma — roasted eggplant and pecorino cheese folded into house-made pasta — and Scarpariello, a hearty “shoemaker’s chicken” brimming with sausage, potatoes, pepperoncini, and asparagus in a tangy white wine sauce.

1001 Davis Dr., Apex sabatinosapex.com @sabatinosapex

Prosciutto or Mediterranean Salad

WHERE TO FIND: Milo’s Café

ELEMENTS: Arugula, cherry tomatoes, parmesan, and mozzarella come together in the Prosciutto, dressed in a French-style house vinaigrette and finished with a standout homemade pesto. For the Mediterranean, a spring mix base gets layered with cucumbers, feta, green olives, and cherry tomatoes, then drizzled in a bright lemon dressing. Both salads arrive alongside sourdough focaccia from Durham’s Ninth Street Bakery.

LOWDOWN: “We make everything in house using seasonal ingredients,” says Algerian-born Menad Haliche, who opened the unpretentious spot in 2024 and runs it with his wife, Liliana. “With the salads, we can make and serve them anytime we are open, and most days start at 7 a.m.”

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS: Boiled egg, avocado, and chicken. “The chicken cutlet is the same as the schnitzel we serve on our (signature) sandwich,” says Menad.

RECOMMENDED DRINK

PAIRING: Iced strawberry matcha latte. “The strawberry syrup is made in house,” says Menad. “It’s not overly sweet, so it provides a good balance between the matcha and the syrup.”

DISTINCTIVE DESIGNATION: Earlier this year, the café was named Best Sandwich Shop in the Triangle by the readers of The News & Observer.

10119 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville @milos_europeancafe

CAN YOU SEE WILD HORSES AND DOLPHINS IN THE SAME PLACE?

WHERE IN THE OBX

Only in The Northern Outer Banks

Only in The Northern Outer Banks will memories be filled with Corolla Wild Horses roaming free on pristine beaches, historic maritime attractions, luxurious accommodations and abundant laidback family fun. Plan your perfect vacation!

The Farm Caesar Salad

WHERE TO FIND: Farmside Kitchen

ELEMENTS: A nourishing bed of baby kale and shredded romaine supports grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, shredded parmesan, warm seasoned quinoa, and house-made parmesan crisps — all tossed in a classic Caesar dressing. This salad — and every other at Farmside — is gluten free.

LOWDOWN: “We provide a different take on the Caesar, since ours includes quinoa and tomatoes,” says Elizabeth Blunt, guest experience manager. “Instead of croutons, we add crunch with the parm crisps that we make in house each day. Plus, the chicken and quinoa add a lot of protein.”

RECOMMENDED DRINK PAIRING: The refreshing

watermelon hibiscus lemonade featuring lemon, cane sugar, and watermelon from Rob Glover Farming in Bailey, NC.

LOCAL FOCUS: CEO and cofounder Meg Schiffman opened the original Farmside in Durham in April 2021, alongside Ben Protheroe. The fast-casual concept focuses on health-conscious, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, a mission they extended to Cary in March 2025. “We’ve been so grateful for the warm welcome from the Cary community,” Meg says. “We created Farmside to make eating well simple and satisfying — with delicious, wholesome food and an inviting atmosphere.”

316 Colonades Way, Suite 212 (Waverly Place), Cary farmsidekitchen.com @farmsidekitchen

pay it forward

Make a Splash at theTriangle Aquatic Center

BY ERIN MCKNIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANNIE

KIMURA

The Make a Splash program at Triangle

Center

aims to remove barriers to swimming instruction and ensure that more area children have the opportunity to learn water safety skills like those taught by Sara

Reflected on the surface of an indoor swimming pool are boys and girls in swimsuits who fist-bump and high-five their parents before grabbing kickboards, adjusting their goggles, and entering the water with a splash. It’s in these pool lanes, under the watchful gaze of a lifeguard, that a broader story of access, safety, and opportunity ripples outward. This is Triangle Aquatic Center’s (TAC) Make a Splash program.

TAC Swim Academy Associate Director Steve Hoffman oversees the daily operations of the facility’s learn-to-swim programs, managing curriculum development, instructor training, scheduling, and program quality. Within the Make a Splash initiative, he helps

to coordinate the delivery of swim instruction, ensure that safety and teaching standards are maintained, and work to “provide meaningful access to swimming and water safety education for children in our community who may not otherwise have that opportunity.”

The Make a Splash program was launched through a partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation and its national Make a Splash initiative, which focuses on preventing drowning by expanding access to swimming lessons and water safety education. Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children, so adoption at TAC was a mission statement in action.

Make a Splash aligns with TAC’s broader aim of developing swimmers for lifelong success. Because Steve frames water safety as “a foundational life skill that helps children build confidence, independence, and resilience both in and out of the pool,” the program functions as a doorway through which swimmers learn essential safety skills and discover the joy of the water. The program doesn’t end with a lesson, as Steve says: “We hope these early experiences encourage healthy, active lifestyles and foster a lifelong love for swimming and aquatic activities.”

Results, Steve notes, aren’t measured merely by headcount. “Success isn’t just about participation, it’s about impact. Every child who

RIGHT: Make a Splash is integrated within TAC’s broader Swim Academy programming, so staff expertise, training systems, and pool time are shared, which helps maintain operating standards and high program quality.

completes the program gains an essential safety skill,” he says. The proof is found in everyday moments, like parents reporting that their child can safely enjoy activities like pool parties, beach trips, or family vacations involving water.

Yet barriers to access exist. Namely, education around water safety and access to facilities. Some families lack exposure to formal instruction, and parents who didn’t grow up swimming may unknowingly pass that fear on to their children. Make a Splash

counters these challenges by delivering structured instruction that emphasizes both swimming skills and water safety education for swimmers and their families. By keeping communication open and creating a welcoming environment, where proud parents freely record their swimmers’ progress, TAC ensures that families — especially those new to aquatics — feel informed, supported, and confident as their children take their first strokes.

The program’s strength lies in its integration within TAC. As an established nonprofit with experienced instructors, TAC integrates Make a Splash into its broader Swim Academy structure and maximizes available resources. “Funding support from the USA Swimming Foundation, individual donors, and other community partners helps us offset program costs and make the lessons accessible to families,” Steve explains.

Safety is the initiative’s top priority.

There are certified lifeguards present during lessons, and all instructors complete comprehensive training before they begin teaching and undergo ongoing staff development and safety education. Additionally, staff complete background checks and abuse prevention training. The result is a dependable, safety-first environment where preparation meets opportunity.

Program eligibility is targeted and transparent, with enrollment available to Wake County elementary-aged children who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Once enrolled, each swimmer receives a minimum of two months of instruction in the form of one 30-minute lesson per week. This consistent schedule allows swimmers to build comfort and reinforce skills over time.

Make a Splash serves children ages 5–12 who need to learn how to swim. TAC can accommodate up to 20 swimmers at a time, and the program runs year-round. The curriculum unfolds in two levels, with the foundational level building comfort, safety skills, and body control. The second level progresses toward independent swimming and stroke development.

Coaches — like Sara Dobcsanyi and Samantha Gaines — come from TAC’s own ranks, with the program being taught by the same trained instructors who teach within TAC’s TITANS Swim Academy. All instructors complete comprehensive training that focuses on progression-based teaching methods, skill development techniques, water safety education, and child engagement and communication. The emphasis is on teachers who can pair knowledge with energy and empathy.

“We look for instructors who are knowledgeable, energetic, organized, and able to connect well with both children and families,” Steve says. That passion and purpose is evident in the sounds of laughter, chants of “You can do it!” and cannonball countdowns audible from the pool deck.

Swimmers graduate from Make a Splash when they demonstrate the ability to safely

“Funding support from the USA Swimming Foundation, individual donors, and other community partners helps us offset program costs and make the lessons accessible to families .”

— Steve Hoffman, Associate Director, Triangle Aquatic Center

and independently swim the full length of the pool using freestyle and backstroke with proper breathing. For families facing hardship, graduation can unlock ongoing participation through the Opportunity Scholarship, which last year awarded $34,000 to keep dedicated swimmers in the sport they love.

Stories of success come in many forms. For some, Steve says swimming becomes the first steps through a path to TAC’s TITANS Swim Team, building “skills, friendships, discipline, and a lasting connection to the sport.” Not all Make a Splash participants progress into higher-level programs or competitive swimming, but Steve says, “Success

is not limited to competitive pathways. We also love hearing from families when their child confidently swims at a pool.”

The future of Make a Splash is anchored in the same principles that drive it today: trust, access, and community. That foundation only strengthens through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and initiatives like Swim 1922, which help extend vital water safety education to families who might not otherwise reach the pool.

As TAC looks ahead, the vision is one of expanding access, deepening instructional pathways, and ensuring every child who wants to continue swimming is able to do so. But

expansion depends on the collective effort of donors, sponsors, and community partners who believe that water safety is not a privilege but a life-saving skill.

For those who want to help that circle of access continue to flow — through funding, volunteering, or partnership — TAC welcomes support that makes the mission to empower more children to feel safe, confident, and at home in the water possible. To learn more about how to support their mission, visit triangleaquatics.org or reach out to advancement@triangleaquatics.org.t triangleaquatics.org/programs/make-asplash

Tail Chaser

FROM SOUTH LINE BREWING CO. | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

South Line Brewing Co. collaborated with The Bark Bar to craft a beer perfect for enjoying in the warm weather of a North Carolina summer. Tail Chaser West Coast

Lager pairs a simple backbone of 100% pilsner malt with Mosaic, Cryo Mosaic, and Nelson Sauvin hops varieties. The combination keeps the hoppy bitterness in check while allowing their flavors to shine through. At 5.7% ABV, it’s the perfect beer for both lager drinkers and hop heads to enjoy at The Bark Bar.

South Line Brewing Company ’s goal is to fuse the art of fermentation with street art and live music to create a vibrant downtown Cary area that everyone can be excited about.

southlinebrewing.com @southlinebrewing

recipes from readers

FROM HOLLY WALDEN ROSS

This is a simple and quick meal that delights everyone who tries it. The eggs and beans provide protein, the tortilla strips give it an amazing slightly spicy kick, and the tomato balances everything out. Using the habanero-lime tortillas from Trader Joe’s is key, as plain tortillas do not give the dish the same flavor profile. If more spice is desired, you can top it with Tajin seasoning.

It’s quick enough to whip together in a hurry, and you can double or triple the recipe to feed a hungry crowd! Plus, it’s very forgiving on measurements.

2–3 Trader Joe’s Habanero-Lime Tortillas

1–2 teaspoons olive oil

1 can RO-TEL

1 can black beans

1. Drain and rinse the black beans in a colander. Then dump the RO-TEL tomatoes on top of the black beans in the same colander and let them drain. (You don’t want extra juice in the final dish.) Set aside.

2. Use a pizza cutter to slice the tortillas into small rectangular strips.

3. Preheat a nonstick frying pan to medium and add the oil and tortilla strips. Fry them, stirring frequently, until they are crispy (about 5–7 minutes), but resist trying to cook them faster because they will burn! Once crispy, move strips to a bowl.

4. If needed, spray the pan with olive oil spray and scramble the eggs, adding salt and pepper.

5. Add the black bean and RO-TEL mixture to the scrambled eggs and cook for 1–2 minutes, until warmed through.

6. Serve egg mixture in bowls with crispy tortilla strips added on top just before serving.

garden adventurer

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY L.A. JACKSON

Savoring Squash Blossoms

As your squash patch reaches maturity under the strengthening summer sun, welltended plants should begin brimming with their delectable edibles, meaning you can reap the benefits by harvesting … and harvesting … and harvesting. Before you know it, you might be up to your neck in crookneck, straight neck, patty pan, or zucchini fruit.

But as much as you like squash, I’m sure you don’t want to eat it a zillion times or more until the first frosts of late fall bite the warmseason veggie garden. So, what to do? Pickle or freeze the excess? Give extras away? Or, as an alternative, perhaps try a new way to savor this old garden-to-kitchen staple?

Before squash plants bear fruits, they produce their bright yellow flowers, which, believe it or not, are edible. And tasty. With a flavor like squash fruit but fainter, these blossoms aren’t strangers in fancy restaurants, being served raw in salads as well as sautéed, fried, or baked for elegant side dishes.

Interested? Don’t chomp on a mouthful of flowers just yet — there’s a few basics to go over first, starting with insecticides. If you insist on spraying your garden with commercial bug killers, make dang sure they are cleared for use on vegetables, and even then, try to limit applications.

Now, let’s talk botanical birds and bees. Squash plants have both male and female flowers, with the he-blooms being typically perched on extended stems, while the she-blooms nestle closer to the bases of leaf stalks. There are usually many more male flowers than female blossoms, so if you want to also maintain a steady crop of squash fruit through the growing season, go for some of the boys first.

Although overall squash production will be reduced, female flowers can be picked as well. To make these blooms more interesting

To Do in the GARDEN

JUNE

• Make rakes, hoes, and shovels even more useful in your garden by marking the handles with paint, permanent marker, or waterproof tape in inch increments. This gives you handy measuring devices to use for checking row widths as well as planting depths and distances.

• If you remove some of the stem suckers off the lower portions of your tomato plants and tuck each away in a small pot filled with moist dirt in a semi-shaded spot, many will root and, in about a month, be ready as transplants that are exact copies of the momma plant for the midsummer veggie patch.

JULY

• To help prevent moist conditions that can be ideal for the development of nasty foliar diseases, use a soaker hose for irrigation or water plants early in the morning so leaves will dry off quickly in the rising sun.

• Enjoy a good drink after a long session in the summer garden? Your insect-eating feathered friends do, too, so be sure to clean out and refill the birdbath at least once a week during these hot, hazy days.

TIMELY TIP

If you find the foliage of your carrot, parsley, fennel, cilantro, or dill plants being munched on by rather large green caterpillars with yellow dots banded by black and white stripes, don’t be so quick to reach for the bug spray. These are immature forms of the eastern black swallowtail butterfly. Instead of using insecticides on such beauties-to-be, consider growing more of their favorite plants than you will need for yourself in a separate part of the garden. Then, serve them up as sacrificial suppers, meaning when you find any of these caterpillars on “your” plants, simply relocate them to “their” plants to feast upon so they can bulk up for their continuing metamorphosis that will eventually result in pretty butterflies.

edibles, wait until a baby squash grows to about 1 to 2 inches long on each blossom base before harvesting.

Kitchen prep is pretty simple: First, examine the flowers for bugs, especially bumblebees — I can’t tell you how many times I have found these chubby buzzers blissfully asleep in blossoms. Then, snip out the pistils or stamens tucked inside the blooms, and wash the petals. Finally, let your inner culinary creativity be your guide.

I have enjoyed lightly fried squash blossoms with ranch dressing as a nifty appetizer myself, but do a search for “squash flowers,” and you will find a ton of other tantalizing recipes to try! t

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine Want to ask L.A. a question about your garden? Contact him by email at lajackson1@gmail.com.

spring daze arts & crafts festival happenings

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Spring was in full bloom at Bond Park April 25 for the annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. Thousands of visitors gathered to peruse works from more than 170 North Carolina artists while enjoying live performances, hands-on activities, tasty food offerings, and celebrating Earth Day.

happenings

On May 5, the CARY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL team hosted its first baseball playoff home game since 1989. Coach Tim Renfrow says making the playoffs was important to the team because, in addition to not having a good season last year, “We’ve got nine seniors on the team, and it means a lot to them because this is their last chance to make a playoff run.”

The achievement was also personally important to Coach Tim, who played when he attended Cary High School. He graduated in 1987. “It’s a really full-circle moment, that you’re able to be a part of something that you were a part of as a kid,” he says.

Of the nine seniors on the team, the coach says six are assigned to play college baseball. “A lot of different players stepped up in different moments” throughout the season, Coach Tim says. The Imps beat the New Bern Bears 8-4.

During National Volunteer Week in April, Raleigh-based nonprofit

ACTIVATE

GOOD helped create 1,330 signups leading to more than 3,300 hours of service. Activate Good matches volunteers with opportunities across the Triangle.

The organization celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025 with a record-breaking 34,258 sign-ups. More than 400 of the nonprofit’s 550-plus community partners are based in Wake County. activategood.org

Ashley Prince of The Goddard School of Cary

– Lochmere was named a 2026 Teacher of the Year by the franchise. She was one of 16 regional finalists from across the country out of more than 7,500 teachers nominated. The award is given to teachers who “encourage curiosity, inspire discovery, and foster a love of learning in their students,” according to a press release.

“Ashley brings a sense of calm, intuition, and compassion into the classroom every day,” says Geetika Gupta, owner of The Goddard School of Cary –Lochmere. “Her commitment to inclusion, safety, and meaningful connections with families makes a lasting impact on our children and truly represents the heart of what we strive for at Goddard.”

“Working with infants is about building trust, both with children and with their families, from the very beginning,” Ashley says. “Every moment is an opportunity to help a child feel safe, loved, and confident as they grow, and I’m honored to be recognized for doing the work I care so deeply about.”

FUQUAY-VARINA ARTS CENTER

Summer 2026 Classes

Draw, paint, print, sculpt, crochet, dance, play, and more with our experienced instructors in the Arts Center Studios! All materials provided. Scholarships available through artscenterfriendsfv.org. Find what you love to do at FVArts.org today! All ages welcome!

Summer Camps and Track Out

Explore and create in these fun-filled camps. Draw, paint, print, sculpt, dance and more! All materials provided. With an assortment of all new Dance and Art camps, your child won’t want to miss out on these! Camps normally run Monday through Friday. 9:00AM to 1:00PM or 1:00PM to 5:00PM. Ages range from 4 to 13. Register early as spaces can fill up! FVArts.org.

The Teen Art Exhibit

Come see us from May 2 through July 3 for a gallery exhibit by our local teen artists! Free and open to the public any time throughout the week! There will also be a reception to attend on Saturday, May 2 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM where you can meet the artists! Our gallery hosts multiple artists per year, so don’t miss out on seeing these talented individuals.

happenings

Eleven sculptures have been installed around downtown Apex as part of the sixth-annual BRETT GANTT SCULPTURE WALK. Artists from inside and outside North Carolina created the sculptures, which will be on display through March 2027. Visitors can use the QR code at each sculpture to vote for the People’s Choice Award Winner through June 16.

In April, the Town of Morrisville announced the winners of the Morrisville Creek Week Design-a-Sticker Contest. Bhagyasre Savaram of Panther Creek High School won in the youth category, and Eula Valdez won in the adult category. Creek Week is held in mid-March to raise awareness about the ecological and environmental importance of clean water.

The Town of Apex recognized the winners of the 2026 THINK APEX AWARDS at a ceremony in May. The awards, first given in 2016, recognize community members who demonstrate dedicated service to others and Apex as a whole. Recipients included Pawan Mishra (individual/group), Nishka Karki (youth), A Voice for All Foundation (nonprofit), and Peak of the Vine (business). apexnc.org/946/Think-Apex

NOVARTIS plans to add a 56,200-square-foot manufacturing facility in Morrisville in late April. The facility will focus on active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing for solid dosage tablets, capsules, and RNA therapeutics.

“Last year we committed to adding seven new facilities in the US, and today we finalize our plans to expand our US manufacturing and R&D footprint in the US,” Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said the day of the announcement. “By building a connected, end-to-end footprint, we are strengthening our ability to locally develop, produce, and deliver medicines at scale, enabling timely access to innovation for patients in the US.” novartis.com

write

BY JONATHAN FREDIN

SpongeBob’s workshop

The children grew and moved out years ago, but the keepsakes left behind will always have a place at home.