Wake Living March/April 2026

BRINGING THE CAPITAL AND ITS COMMUNITIES TO LIFE

2026 Maggy Awards

DINE + DISCOVER AT FOXCROFT WHERE WILL YOU WANDER? UNITED ARTS MAKES MAGIC

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Full Service Grooming

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*No Appointment Needed Sanitary Trim Dog Boutique 919-453-0765

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

MARCH/APRIL 2026

GROUP PUBLISHER Bill Zadeits

PUBLISHER Kris Schultz

EDITOR Erin McKnight

SENIOR EDITOR Emily Uhland

COPY & DIGITAL EDITOR Tara Shiver

SOCIAL MEDIA Arlem Mora

CONTRIBUTORS

Samantha Carson

L.A. Jackson

Marti Maguire

PHOTOGRAPHY

Jen McFarland

Joe Overby

Andrea Richards

Jonathan Fredin, Chief Photographer

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

PUBLIC RELATIONS

S&A Communications, Chuck Norman, APR

ADMINISTRATIVE

Kristin Black, Accounting

Cherise Klug, Traffic Manager

Lisa White, Senior Event Coordinator & Distribution Manager

Valerie Renard, Human Resources

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Stuart Weiss

Wake Living © is published six 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.

WAKE LIVING

Westview at Weston

701 Cascade Pointe Lane, Suite 103 Cary, North Carolina 27513 (919) 674-6020 • (800) 608-7500 www.wakeliving.com

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.

Stronger Together.

Your Family. Our Team.

The diagnosis is cancer. You’re scared. You feel alone. But you’re not. You have your family. Your friends. Their love. Their support. And, along with each other, you have us. An experienced, talented, multidisciplinary team armed with highly advanced treatment options and a “your cancer is our cancer” confidence that says we’ve got this. Instead of alone, you feel stronger than ever. To learn more, visit us online. We believe you’ll agree, together, we make a great team.

wakemed.org/cure

SATURDAY APRIL 25, 2026 9AM TO 6PM

MOUNT OLIVE, NORTH CAROLINA

editor’s letter

Since 2013, Wake Living readers have voted annually for their Readers’ Choice Award winners. Likewise, readers of Cary Magazine and Main & Broad have voted each year — over 20 years for Cary Magazine and half a decade for Main & Broad — to determine their Maggy Award winners.

When Wake Living joined the Cherokee Media Group family in 2022, the Readers’ Choice Awards continued for two years. Over time, however, it became clear that having a separate awards program felt disconnected from its sister publications.

With that in mind, we made the decision to rebrand the Wake Living Readers’ Choice Awards as the Wake Living Maggy Awards, creating a more cohesive experience across all three publications while honoring the same trusted, reader-voted tradition.

We are pleased to honor this year’s Maggy Award winners in the categories of Lifestyle, Services, Restaurants, and Shopping. These are the people and places that won your hearts — and your votes.

The experience of notifying winners and getting to meet them and hear their stories firsthand has been a potent reminder of the power of small businesses in our community and why they are so deserving of our support.

Two residents who know something about winning are Linda Pelnik and Sue Dohm, the creative minds behind the bluffing dice game That’s Spot On. The aim of Linda and Sue’s company Spot On Games is to bring back family game night … and have some fun along the way.

Foxcroft Food & Wine, the Maggy winner for Best New Restaurant, offers wine discovery and dining for everyone, with the North Hills eatery making wine accessible and seasonal meals appetizing.

Aware that we accomplish more together, United Arts, the county’s designated arts agency, has for more than 50 years supported artists and cultural organizations by helping to fund everything from murals to theater performances to pottery classes to arts festivals.

We hope this year’s Maggy issue inspires you to go to some new places and meet a few new faces.

Thanks for reading!

Erin McKnight, Editor

Spring comes alive at Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in the heart of Bond Park, Cary, North Carolina. Nestled beneath tall trees and scenic trails, this beloved Cary event features professional artists from across North Carolina, live toe-tapping performances, and delicious local eats. Wander the shaded park, find the perfect piece of art, and soak in the sounds and colors of the season. Spring Daze is where art, nature, and community meet.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

CARYNC.GOV/SPRINGDAZE26

EPISODE 46

EPISODE 48

EPISODE 47

Host Melissa Wistehuff takes you beyond the pages of Rinkside with Carolina Hurricanes Player Jordan Martinook

Visit Raleigh: An Insider’s Guide with Jessica Holt A Beacon of Hope: NeighborUp CEO André Anthony

EPISODE 50

Art in Bloom: Inside the NCMA with Director Valerie Hillings From Pharmaceuticals to Pastries: Hanadi Asad of Asali Desserts & Cafe

EPISODE 49

LISTEN NOW

Art in Bloom

March 18–22

North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh ncartmuseum.org/artinbloom

Floral designers create showstopping displays interpreting works in the museum’s collection. This year’s theme, Written in the Stars, adds inspiration from the signs of the zodiac. Make a reservation at the NCMA Café to make a feast for all the senses.

Runway to Resilience

March 19, 6–8 p.m.

Raleigh Founded eventbrite.com, search “Runway to Resilience”

Fashion, community, and purpose combine for an evening centered on empowerment and healing. A runway show will feature looks from local designers and boutiques. A silent auction and pop-up shop offer opportunities to browse. All proceeds benefit The Bridge International’s programs supporting women and girls recovering from human trafficking.

KoreaFest 2026

March 28, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Agri Supply Expo Center at NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh inwavemovement.com/koreafest-2026

Learn about modern and traditional Korean culture through games, classes, performances, and activities. Try on Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes), learn how to read Korean characters, sample Korean cuisine from vendors, and shop K-pop merch. Idol, Singing, Solo Dance, and Group Dance competitions will be judged by internationally recognized judges.

Peak City Pig Fest

April 10, 5–10 p.m.

April 11, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Apex Town Hall Campus peakcitypigfest.com

Bring on the smoke! Taste masterfully crafted barbecue, enjoy live music, visit the beer garden, and watch the police-versus-fire-department rib eating contest.

Pimento Cheese Festival

April 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Downtown Cary Park carync.gov/pimentocheese

The only festival in the US dedicated to pimento cheese! Try everything from ice cream to egg rolls made with the Southern specialty, plus live music, activities, and even a cheese sculpting contest.

Wake on Stage!

April 17, 6–9 p.m.

Fuquay-Varina Arts Center unitedarts.org/events/wake-on-stage

A new event from United Arts Wake County brings local celebrities, business leaders, and elected officials to the stage to showcase their artistic talents. The lineup includes WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels, NC House Representative Mike Schietzelt, and television personality Valonda Calloway, as well as local and professional musicians and performance groups. The evening benefits Artists in Schools, United Arts’ flagship program that places teaching artists in Wake County schools for curriculum-based performances, workshops, and residencies.

’Cuegrass Festival

April 18, noon

Downtown Raleigh cuegrass.com

Celebrate two North Carolina loves: bluegrass and barbecue. Tap your toes while you fill your belly, then shop the vendor village and silent auction. Proceeds benefit SAFEchild and the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Raulston Blooms

April 25, 10 a.m.

JC Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh jcra.ncsu.edu

Shop spectacular and hard-to-find plants from local nurseries and peruse the springtime blooms in the Arboretum’s gardens. Impressive creations made for the annual birdhouse competition will be on display. Pick up tips and tricks from talks and educational displays. And visit the makers market, food trucks, and family activities to make a day of it.

Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

April 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bond Park, Cary carync.gov/springdaze

Shop art from 170+ North Carolina artists in the scenic setting of Bond Park. Kids can choose their own works for just $5 at the Kid Collectors Market. Visit educational booths on Earth Day Lane to learn about sustainability. And as always, catch live performances and enjoy lots of tasty food from vendors.

Apex PeakFest

May 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Apex Town Hall Campus peakfest.org

A full day of entertainment awaits with vendor booths, local artists, live music, shopping, and outreach from area nonprofits at this 45th annual event. The festival draws thousands of visitors each year.

THE BEST OF WAKE LIVING

Restaurants • Lifestyle Services • Shopping

M A G G Y The

WRITTEN BY ERIN MCKNIGHT

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

The Wake Living Readers’ Choice Awards are now the Maggy Awards. Same local love with a new name.

restaurants

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Foxcroft Food & Wine

Ruckus Scratch Kitchen

Jeff’s Bagel Run

BEST FOOD TRUCK

Portable Portugy

Not Just a Fry Guy

B’Wiched Gourmet Sandwiches

BEST APPETIZERS

Ruckus Scratch Kitchen

Barcelona Wine Bar

Vinos Finos Tapas & Wine Bar

BEST COCKTAILS

Sous Terre

Bird’s Nest at Blackbird

The Dry Cleaners

BEST BAKERY

Paul & Jack Bakery & Pastry Shop

La Farm Bakery

Groovy Duck Bakery

BEST DESSERT

Groovy Duck Bakery

Paul & Jack Bakery & Pastry Shop

Cake Town Bakery

BEST DONUTS

Daylight Donuts

Duck Donuts

Heritage Donuts

BEST FROZEN TREATS

Two Roosters

Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream

Goodberry’s Frozen Custard

BEST BARBECUE

City Barbeque

Longleaf Swine

Ole Time Barbecue

BEST BREAKFAST

Brigs

Big Ed’s

Sola Coffee Café

BEST BRUNCH

NCMA Café

Hummingbird

Coquette Brasserie

BEST BURGERS

Wakefield Tavern

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

Mojoe’s Burger Joint

BEST DATE-NIGHT

RESTAURANT

Foxcroft Food & Wine

Rey’s Restaurant

Margaux’s Restaurant

BEST COFFEE SHOP

NoRa Cafe

Sola Coffee Café

Jubala Coffee

BEST SEAFOOD

Cape Fear Seafood Company

Backfins Crabhouse

A’Nets Katch

BEST STEAKHOUSE

Oak Steakhouse

Angus Barn

Vinnie’s Steak House and Tavern

BEST PIZZERIA

Mellow Mushroom

Oakwood Pizza Box

Peri Brothers Modern Italian

BEST WINGS

Wakefield Tavern

Carolina Ale House

Woody’s @ City Market

MOST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Mellow Mushroom

Milton’s Pizza & Pasta

Gonza Tacos y Tequila

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT

Brewery Bhavana

Lemongrass Thai Restaurant

Bida Manda

BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

Sassool

Taverna Agora

Sitti

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Farina

Amalia’s Authentic

Italian Restaurant

Vivo Ristorante

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

Tamasha Modern Indian

Bazil Indian Cuisine

Bombay Curry

La Buena

Vida

BEST MEXICAN/ LATIN

AMERICAN RESTAURANT

La Buena Vida

Gonza Tacos y Tequila

Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila

BEST RESTAURANT FOR SPECIALTY DIETS

Irregardless

Sassool

Pure Vegan Cafe

BEST HEALTHY DINING OPTIONS

Poppyseed Market

Sassool

The Lemon Tree

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

Wakefield Tavern

Over the Falls

Bedford Food & Drink

BEST SPORTS BAR

Carolina Ale House

The Pickled Onion

Tap Yard Raleigh

BEST OUTDOOR DINING

Lafayette Village

Taverna Agora

Margaux’s Restaurant

BEST CRAFT BREWERY

Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company

Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

Salty Turtle Beer Co.

BEST LOCAL DISTILLERY

Olde Raleigh Distillery

Durham Distillery

Mystic Farm & Distillery

BEST CATERER

Catering Works

City Barbeque

Rocky Top Catering

Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company

BEST CRAFT BREWERY

“We’re in a neighborhood. We’re a neighborhood brewery,” says Chris Nadeau, co-owner/brewer at Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company. “We try and make it as welcoming as we can for everybody.”

While trivia on Wednesday night is the most popular event, there’s always a good turnout for music bingo, karaoke, and dog adoptions … and there’s even a quarterly Pokémon night, puzzle swaps, and the Flying Penguins Run Club. “We want everybody to just come, hang out, meet new people, and have a good time,” Chris says.

The options for Sneaky Penguin events are plentiful, and the menu is varied. Yellow Umbrella, which started as a test batch, is now brewed year-round and has become synonymous with Sneaky Penguin.

The 6.7 % ABV Hazy IPA is described as a “tropical juice bomb with layers of citrus and stone fruit” that “bursts with bold hop character.”

In April of 2025, Sneaky Penguin opened a second location in Warrenton, approximately an hour north of Raleigh, teaming up with the former Mill Hill Brewery to reopen its brewery and taproom.

Although Chris describes the vibe as the same, the aesthetic is different. It’s cozy indoors and spacious outdoors, “but it’s the same kind of welcoming … community based.” It’s also worth making the drive, he says, because Sneaky Penguin is “starting to brew more and more exclusive beers up there …”

Reflecting on winning the Maggy Award for Best Craft Brewery, Chris says, “We’re just three years old, so to have the community supporting us and picking us as their top choice, it’s awesome. It’s just a great feeling.”

sneakypenguinbrewing.com

In addition to its on-tap beers, Sneaky Penguin offers ciders, wines, nonalcoholic Hazy IPA, and juices and sodas.

Groovy Duck Bakery BEST DESSERT

Warm, welcoming, and a little nostalgic in the best way, Groovy Duck is the kind of place where you are greeted when you walk in, kids press their faces against the case, and regulars know what they are ordering before they reach the counter.

The bakery focuses on doing the classics exceptionally well, from scratch, every day. “No shortcuts, no frozen bases, no mixes,” says JP Rivera, who owns Groovy Duck with

Laura Zabala. “Just real ingredients and a team that truly cares. At the same time, we do not take ourselves too seriously. The duck keeps things fun. We combine high-quality baking with personality, warmth, and consistency. That balance is what keeps people coming back.”

The blueberry muffin is a customer favorite and “probably the one people talk about most,” says JP. “It is big, buttery, packed with fruit, and topped with that perfect golden dome.” The chocolate chip and coffee cake muffins are also staples. Beyond muffins, custom cakes — which

taste just as good as they look — are made-to-order for any occasion and bring customers’ ideas to life. Decorated shortbread cookies have become a signature, and chunky cookies have built a loyal following of their own.

Winning the Maggy Award for Best Dessert is “incredibly humbling,” JP shares. “Knowing that our community voted for us means everything. It motivates our team even more to keep raising the bar … and to continue being a place our community is proud of.”

groovyduckbakery.com

Groovy Duck is preparing to bring the same energy to their new downtown Apex location, with a goal to keep their hometown feel wherever they are.

Mellow Mushroom BEST PIZZERIA

MOST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Cheesy, saucy, chewy, and customizable to fit any palate — pizza just might be the perfect food. So what makes the best pizza?

“Our spring water dough is the real star of the show no matter what toppings you add,” says Karen Busick Halsey, who owns Mellow Mushroom locations in downtown Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Durham with business partner Casey Fox.

At Mellow, toppings extend into unexpected territory, including everything from jerk chicken and tempeh to bleu cheese and cucumbers. “The Mighty Meaty is a hit with carnivores,” Karen says, loading on pepperoni, Italian sausage, honey ham, and applewood-smoked bacon, “while the Kosmic Karma is a creative combination of tomatoes, pesto, feta and spinach.”

The pies aren’t the only standouts on the menu, though. “If you haven’t tried the Cloud 9 Garlic Parmesan wings, you are missing out,” Karen says. “Many people don’t know that we serve a delicious smash burger, too. We also have great vegan and gluten free menu options. We truly offer something for everyone.” And

that includes a rotating selection of local beers and handcrafted cocktail menu!

Equally important is the vibe, which truly makes the Mellow experience unique. “Each store has its own funky art, cool statues, and most importantly their own unique staff members,” Karen says.

Being named Best Pizzeria reflects an ongoing drive to serve up the best food and experience. “We love our community and are honored that after almost 25 years in the area we are still feeling the love. We take pride in serving a delicious pizza and a mellow experience and are thankful to our guests, new and old.”

mellowmushroom.com

lifestyle

BEST LOCAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL

Friday Night on White

NC State Fair

Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

BEST LOCAL MUSIC GROUP OR ARTIST

American Aquarium

The Life Projects

Bill & Zita

BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC

Red Hat Amphitheater

Lincoln Theatre

ZincHouse Winery & Brewery

BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION

Dix Park

Knightdale Station Park

Pullen Park

BEST PLACE FOR FAMILY FUN

Klaystation

The Makery

Pullen Park

BEST PLACE FOR A FUN NIGHT OUT

Strike and Barrel

Klaystation

Rewind Retrobar

BEST FITNESS PROGRAM

Kerr Family YMCA

GLOW Fitness

Nourish Studios

BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO

Pulse Pilates

Alchemy Hot Yoga

Homebody Yoga

BEST NONPROFIT

Roots with Purpose

A Place at the Table

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM

ASF Interiors

Pure Grace Design Co.

Tranquil Designs

BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITY

Don Schwenneker, ABC11

Renee Chou, WRAL

Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL

BEST LOCAL RADIO

PERSONALITY

Erica DeLong, iHeart

Madison Lane, 96.1 BBB

Adam Gold, 99.9 The Fan

BEST SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT

Holly Boyd, @maketodayahollyday

Raleigh FoodTrap, @raleighfoodtrap

Amanda Steinert Francfort, @asfinteriorsnc

BEST LOCAL PODCAST

Ovies & Giglio

The E-Spot with Camille Kauer

The Maverick Rose Music Hour

BEST ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY

Hayes Barton Place

The Cypress of Raleigh

Springmoor Life Care

Retirement Community

BEST HOTEL OR RESORT

The Umstead Hotel & Spa

The Longleaf Hotel

The Westin Raleigh-Durham

BEST NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

The Sanctuary at Falls Lake

Grove 98

Raven Ridge Place

BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL

Sycamore Creek

Elementary School

Broughton Magnet High School

Magellan Charter School

American Aquarium

BEST

LOCAL MUSIC GROUP OR ARTIST

Since founding Raleigh-based rock band American Aquarium as an NC State student in 2006, BJ Barham has developed a fiercely loyal fan base through a do-it-yourself ethos.

During shows, BJ bounces around the stage like a denim-clad pinball, grinning at bandmates and swinging his acoustic guitar like a pickaxe.

These can’t-miss live performances are part of why readers voted American Aquarium as Best Local Music Group or Artist, the latest in a line of milestones.

Last February marked 10 years of the band’s curated Roadtrip to

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL

St. David’s School

Ravenscroft

The Franciscan School

BEST PRESCHOOL

Soapstone Preschool

Primrose School

Temple Beth Or Preschool

BEST SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Melody Brunson, Sycamore Creek Elementary School

Raleigh music festival at Lincoln Theatre. Earlier this year, they celebrated the 20th anniversary of their debut album, “Antique Hearts,” with a surprise revisited version of the record.

A Reidsville, NC, native, BJ has called the Raleigh area home since 2002, choosing the City of Oaks over music meccas like New York, Austin, or Nashville.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have been afforded the means to live anywhere I want to live in this country. And I choose here,” BJ told Wake Living in a 2025 interview.

“Me still being here and raising my family here is a choice. But it’s a choice that was very easy for me to make just because of my affinity for Raleigh.”

americanaquarium.com

Dr. Mariah Walker, Wake Young

Women’s Leadership Academy

Kelly Aman, West Millbrook

Magnet Middle School

BEST SCHOOL COACH

Amy Sellers, Leesville Road

High School cheerleading

Eric Gamble, Leesville Road

High School track

Carlie Sellers, Pine Hollow

Middle School cheerleading

BEST KIDS’ PROGRAM

North Carolina FC Youth

City Ballet Raleigh

KidStrong

BEST TRACK-OUT OR SUMMER CAMP

Klaystation

Lake Lynn Community Center

Raleigh Little Theatre

ASF Interiors is dedicated to transforming lives by transforming spaces through involvement with the Green Chair Project and Curated for a Cause.

ASF Interiors

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM

ASF Interiors is intentionally “not on trend.” Instead, the firm labels itself “unforgettable.” Helmed by Amanda Steinert Francfort, who founded ASF approximately 18 years ago and moved it to the Triangle area about a decade ago, rule breaking is in the interior design firm’s DNA.

Equal parts creative visionary and astute problem-solver, owner and principal designer Amanda transforms homes into sanctuaries that reflect artistry and authenticity. Her designs balance sustainable luxury with a sense of whimsy. “True luxury isn’t just about expensive finishes,” she says. “It’s about having a home that feels bespoke and thoughtfully curated ... something authentic to each client and that no one else can copy.”

Amanda is active throughout Wake County with modern, mid-century modern, contemporary, and traditional projects. The area is growing quickly, so outdated houses are being knocked down to build modern homes, and ones several years old are in need of full remodels. Being proficient with the different styles of homes and skilled with bringing life to a new development makes ASF Interiors the perfect choice for any homeowner. Every ASF Interiors design provides clients with the personal touches they crave while incorporating sustainable luxury into elegant yet authentic spaces.

“Winning a Maggy Award for Best Interior Design Firm is such an incredible, full-circle moment,” says Amanda. “I’ve spent 20 years building relationships, breaking rules, and pouring all of my energy and passion into ASF Interiors, so to have our community embrace that boldness is the ultimate win.”

asfinteriors.com

Klaystation charges no studio fee. The price found on the piece of bisque includes all supplies, glazing, and firing in onsite kilns.

Klaystation

BEST PLACE FOR FAMILY FUN

BEST TRACK-OUT OR SUMMER

CAMP

Pottery painting studio Klaystation invites you to “just come on in … and bring your imagination!” With hundreds of different pieces of pre-fired bisqueware to choose from, anyone can create their own masterpiece at the walk-in art studio.

And it’s not just glazing pre-made pottery that brings creativity to life at Klaystation: A plethora of classes suit anyone ages “8 to 108,” according to co-owner Frederick Mergenthaler. Fred, along with his potter wife Emily, bought the studio in 2016 and turned it into a Raleigh staple for art exploration and fun. “I think there’s a lot of people that

are coming because they’re looking for something different,” Fred says.

With teacher workdays, summer camps, monster pottery classes, and a unique space for parties, Klaystation offers something for every age. While Emily says “artists thrive” in wheel classes, novices can be just as moved by the hands-on experience. One participant now uses the open studio almost every day to continue his newfound passion for pottery. “I don’t know what he does in his real life,” Fred says, “but I feel like he’s found this outlet, and now he wants to come all the time.”

Summertime and Saturdays are busy times, and classes are so popular that many people are hoping Klaystation will implement memberships, which are currently planned.

About Klaystation’s double Maggy win, Fred says, “It’s kind of unreal — but cool!”

klaystation.com

services

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Doug Bray, Towne Wealth Management

Marty Coward, Edward Jones

Brian Luce, Heartland Financial Advisor

BEST HOME

MAINTENANCE PROVIDER

King’s Mechanical, Inc.

Point Electric LLC

The Home Inspector Team

BEST HOME CLEANING SERVICE

Go 2 Girls

Dust and Mop

BEST AUTO MECHANIC SHOP

Quality Plus Automotive Service

Peoples Tire & Auto

Atlantic Tire

BEST CUSTOM HOME BUILDER/HOME RENOVATION SPECIALIST

Bost Custom Homes

Blue Heron Signature Homes

Distinctive Remodeling

BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

Coastal Credit Union

First Bank

North State Bank

Best Clean Ever

BEST SALON

LUX Salon

Pinup Studio

The Hightide Salon + Suites

BEST SPA

Skin Sense, a day spa

Salon Serenity & Spa

White Dahlia

BEST MED SPA

Blue Water Spa

Regenesis MD

LunaSol Med Spa

BEST PET SERVICES PROVIDER

Dirty Dogs Spa

Well Groomed Pets Raleigh Woofinwaggle

BEST ATTORNEY

Linda Ward, Ward Family Law Group

Amanda Osbourne, Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C.

Kristen Frye, Oak City Family Law

BEST MORTGAGE OFFICER

Thomas Eller, North State Bank

Phil Jawny, The Jawny Group/ TowneBank Mortgage

Chris Murray, The Chris Murray Team/ American Security Mortgage

BEST INSURANCE AGENT

Thomas Walters, Allstate Insurance

Candi Conaghan, Conaghan Insurance Group

Matt Davis, State Farm Insurance

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

Laurie Evans, The Real Estate Studio

Tina Caul, Caul Group Residential

Kimberlee Edwards, Allen Tate Real Estate

Jenn Birch, Birch Therapy

BEST MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

“We celebrate the wins, big and small,” says Jenn Birch about both the families Birch Therapy serves and her team members who show up every day to support the change process of children, parents, and the family system.

After being in solo practice for many years, growing to a group of 20 clinicians within just a few years has brought many benefits. Since the goal of Birch is to meet the needs of all within the community, Jenn has established a diverse team to meet the unique needs of every family. “While we are all very different, our common goal remains the best interest of the kids and families we serve.”

The group practice has expanded its reach to offer psychological testing and evaluations, parenting classes, community workshops, and social skills groups because Jenn knows: “When the whole system is supported, the child thrives.”

The space is intentionally calming, cozy, and welcoming, and Birch continually offers parenting classes, called Circle of Security Parenting. Jenn and her team don’t believe in working with the child in isolation and feel it is imperative to work alongside the parents while treating each child in an environment that is cultivated to support them.

“I still don’t believe it,” Jenn says about the Maggy win. “I am in awe … and full of gratitude. I am accepting the win on behalf of the Birch Therapy team, since we are all committed to the daily task of equipping the next generation for a healthier community.” birchtherapypllc.com

BEST DOCTOR

Dr. Susan Denny, Carolina Total Wellness

Dr. Manuel Bulauitan, Avance Care

Jena Hoh, Novant Health Village Family Care

BEST EYE DOCTOR

Dr. Lee McPherson, McPherson Family Eye Care

Dr. Linda Stolfo, Linda M. Stolfo, O.D.

Dr. Kimberly Douglas, McPherson Family Eye Care

BEST PLASTIC SURGEON

Dr. Michael Law, Michael Law MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

For families’ convenience, there are five Birch Therapy locations across the Triangle.

Dr. Sanjay V. Daluvoy, Specialists in Plastic Surgery

Dr. Shruti Tannan, Tannan Plastic Surgery

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Molly Hall, Active Chiropractic

Dr. Evan Wagoner, Wake Forest Chiropractic

Dr. Lindsay Mumma, Triangle Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center

BEST DENTIST

Dr. Edmond Suh, Supremia Dentistry

Dr. Anna Shope, Wells Family Dental Group

Dr. Simon Melcher, Raleigh Implant & Family Dentistry

BEST ORTHODONTIST

Dr. Andrew Wells, Wells Orthodontics

Dr. Caroline Cheek-Hill, Cheek-Hill Orthodontics

Dr. Jason Gladwell, Gladwell Orthodontics

BEST MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

Jenn Birch, Birch Therapy

Dr. Katherine Walker, Wake Forest Mind and Health, PLLC

Chaila Yarborough, LifeStance Health

Dr. Lee McPherson, McPherson Family Eye Care

BEST EYE DOCTOR

Family is in focus at McPherson Family Eye Care, founded in 2012 by Drs. Lee and Samantha McPherson.

“We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our patients,” says Lee, who has served the Wake Forest community’s eye care needs since 2005. After graduating at the top of his class from the University of Alabama School of

LUX was born from the bond of four sisters and an inherited entrepreneurial spirit. Though they came from different professional backgrounds, the siblings shared one vision: to build more than a salon — to create a space where people feel heard, cared for, and confident.

Optometry, he completed a residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, the top eye hospital in the nation.

The practice’s five doctors provide a comprehensive array of services, from specialty contact lens fittings and pediatric eye care to preventative detection. The dry eye center is regionally recognized for providing compassionate, skilled, and individualized dry eye diagnosis and management. Plus, for an extra personal touch, the office features free refreshments and a large play area for children.

In addition to serving the eye care needs of the community, Lee and the McPherson Family Eye Care practice believe in giving back. They regularly participate in parades, golf tournaments, and festivals, as well as sponsoring multiple local schools, sports teams, and other community organizations.

mcphersonfamilyeyecare.com

Today, LUX is rooted in this culture, described by co-founder Chrissy Sopina as “one of warmth, connection, collaboration, and genuine care … (one) where our team feels empowered and our clients truly feel special.”

Clients love looks that feel effortless but still elevated, color that grows out beautifully, and extensions that add length and fullness. There’s also strong demand for customized treatments that keep hair healthy and shiny.

LUX Salon has two convenient Raleigh locations at Towne North and Lafayette Village.

“We have the privilege of helping people see themselves in a new light,” says Chrissy. “Knowing that we get to play a part in that transformation every day is something we are deeply grateful for.”

Being a family-owned business also makes a difference for clients, who get to see the sisters present in the salon every day — building genuine relationships. “Our clients are people we’ve grown alongside over the years,” Chrissy shares. “We’re personally invested in every experience, and I believe that shows.”

“Winning the Maggy Award for Best Salon is such an honor,” she says. “As sisters, it feels especially meaningful because we’ve built this business with heart and passion. It’s a celebration of our team, our clients, and the relationships we’ve grown, and we’re truly grateful!”

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Cottage Baby Boutique is proud to serve families online and at locations in Raleigh, Cary, and Wilmington.

Cottage Baby Boutique BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

Inspired by a shared concern for babies and toddlers dealing with skin sensitivities, eczema, and allergies, mother and daughter co-founders Lynn Warren and Bailey Warren Mayer wanted to create a space where parents could shop confidently for items that are both gentle and safe.

Lynn and Bailey carefully research and curate every brand Cottage Baby Boutique carries, prioritizing materials such as GOTS-certified organic cotton, hypoallergenic Pima cotton, muslin, modal, and bamboo. They also look closely at how products are made, ensuring ethical production and high-quality craftsmanship.

Just as important to Lynn and Bailey — who work closely together to oversee every aspect of the business, from product curation and brand vision to daily operation

— is to select pieces that are beautifully designed because, as Lynn says, “Parents shouldn’t have to choose between health-conscious products and cute, timeless style.”

In addition to clothing, the boutique offers sustainable swimwear and plush toys made from recycled materials. Families appreciate knowing they can find thoughtfully chosen products that support their children’s health, reflect their values, and still feel fun, stylish, and special. Lynn and Bailey frequently hear from parents whose children have struggled with eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin and experienced noticeable improvement after wearing their clothing.

“This recognition reflects the trust families place in us,” says Lynn about winning the Maggy Award. “As a small, locally owned business, being recognized by Wake Living and our local community affirms the care and intention behind everything we do.”

cottagebabyboutique.com

TrenLend

BEST NEW BUSINESS

“With growing demand for more affordable and sustainable alternatives to traditional retail, customers are turning to rental options that still allow them to enjoy ‘something new’ for every occasion,” says Amelia Zahn.

She and her friend, Emmy Weiland, recognized that demand personally as college students who wanted a fresh look for each social event but couldn’t afford the price tag of constantly buying new pieces. They tried online clothing rental but were often left disappointed by items that didn’t fit as they hoped.

Starting with their own closets, they created an in-person clothing rental service that allows customers to try on their looks before committing. The concept was so successful that they opened a Cary storefront while still in college, followed by a North Hills location a year later, offering everything from formalwear to vacation attire from brands like AMUR, De Loreta, Acker, and Significant Other.

“Hearing from customers who had a great experience or found the perfect outfit for a special event is always a reminder of why we started this in the first place,” Emmy says. “Knowing we’re creating something meaningful while having a real impact keeps me motivated every day.”

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BEST NEW BUSINESS

TrenLend

Happy Feet Planet

Bloomin’ Blinds of Raleigh

BEST CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

Cottage Baby Boutique

Little Oak Collective

Lamb’s Ear

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING

Kannon’s Clothing

AUSTIN ALANS

Gentlemen’s Corner

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING

Swagger Boutique

Monkee’s of Raleigh

LILYMAES

BEST RESALE SHOPPING

Raleigh Furniture Gallery

Little Oak Collective

The Giving Tree

BEST FLORIST SHOP

Bloom Works

Fallon’s Flowers

Heritage Flowers

BEST FURNITURE STORE

Woody’s Furniture

Furnish

Raleigh Furniture Gallery

BEST GARDEN CENTER

Homewood Nursery & Garden Center

Logan’s Garden Shop Macon Gardens

For a deeper dive into TrenLend, check out our Small Business Spotlight on page 40.

BEST GIFT STORE

LILYMAES

StUf n SUCh

Swagger Boutique

BEST HOME DÉCOR

La Maison

2 Girls Antiques & Estate Decor

Furnish

BEST JEWELRY STORE

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry

Wake Forest Jewelers

Raleigh Diamond Fine Jewelry

BEST PET STORE

Unleashed, the Dog & Cat Store

EarthWise Pet

Pet

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LILYMAES also earned an Honorable Mention for Best Women’s Clothing.

LILYMAES BEST GIFT SHOP

Stylish but never intimidating. Welcoming, happy, and full of personality, LILYMAES carries all the beautiful fashion, thoughtful gifts, and little things you didn’t know you needed but can’t live without. “We want it to feel like you’re shopping with friends,” says owner Tiffany Brockmann.

The family-owned boutique showcases intentionality, hand selecting every item and frequently refreshing the Wake Forest store — and brother store AUSTIN ALANS, which offers clothing, gifts, and accessories for the modern gentleman — ensuring that there is always something new to be found.

Customers come in for everyday fashion pieces, statement jewelry, candles, bath and body items, and giftable accessories, and LILYMAES is especially known for its birthday gifts, baby gifts, hostess

gifts, and their “just because” finds. While the boutique team loves being a part of life’s celebrations — from birthdays and weddings to teacher appreciation, baby showers, graduations and holidays — being included in the small “thinking of you” moments feels just as special to them.

Describing the LILYMAES team as “hands on and personally invested,” Tiffany says, “We live here, we shop here, and we truly care about the relationships we build.” This personal connection makes a difference that customers can feel, she believes, and the experience becomes one where they are helped to find the perfect gift and not just sold something.

“It’s incredibly humbling” to win the Maggy Award for Best Gift Store, Tiffany says. “We’re so grateful for our customers and our amazing team. This award really belongs to the community that supports us — and it motivates us to keep making LILYMAES a place people love to shop.”

lilymaes.com

Best new Business

small business spotlight

TrenLend

WRITTEN BY SAMANTHA CARSON

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

It was 2022, and NC State sophomores and friends Emmy Weiland and Amelia Zahn were frustrated. They frequently needed new dresses for sorority events, but like many college students, they were both on a budget and couldn’t afford to buy a new outfit for every occasion.

Looking around for ideas, they noticed many of their peers using social media to rent out personal clothing as a way of making money on the side. Inspired, the friends tried various online-only clothing rental companies, but the results were frequently disappointing, leaving them with dresses that looked great online but didn’t fit right in person.

Then an idea struck: in-person clothing rental. With the ability to try on clothes, rent, and then return, their wardrobe problems could be solved. The friends decided to test the concept and asked: What if we rented out our own clothes this way?

And so TrenLend was born. The business started off small, at first relying entirely on Instagram for marketing and the personal closets of Emmy and Amelia, along with some of their friends’, for inventory. It wasn’t long before Emmy and Amelia found that their initial hunch about in-person clothing rental had been correct. “What we realized through this experience is that people love to come try (clothing) on before renting,” explains Emmy. Their experiment became so successful,

Offerings focus on women’s designer clothing for special occasions and vacations.

in fact, that despite still being full-time students, they opened a storefront in Cary in August 2023.

The friends both graduated in 2024 with degrees in business administration and immediately turned the TrenLend venture into their full-time jobs. One year after opening the Cary store, they opened a second physical location in the North Hills Innovation District. This storefront is part of Makers Alley, home to micro-retail spaces for artisans and other hyper-local shops.

“The store looks like a traditional retail store, but (customers) can come in, try everything on, and just rent it instead of purchasing,” says Emmy. “So it really keeps the unique concept of the affordability, sustainability, and accessibility aspects of the clothing rental industry, and adds in that insurance of making sure that it fits for the customer.”

Offerings focus on women’s designer clothing for special occasions, particularly formal dresses (including bridal), sets, and tops. They also carry maxi, midi, and mini dresses appropriate for vacations. Currently their most popular brands include AMUR, Acler, ELLIATT, De Loreta, and Significant Other.

In addition to ensuring a good fit for clothing and occasion alike, in-person shopping enables Emmy and Amelia to build relationships with their customers, something that was, and still is, crucial to their success as the founders of the Triangle’s only brick-and-mortar clothing

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“Weddings, formals, graduations, and other big events are moments people remember forever. ... We love being able to give someone the chance to feel beautiful.”

— Amelia Zahn, TrenLend

rental business. To them, it is these relationships — and the milestones customers are often shopping for — that ultimately make all the time, energy, and work worthwhile.

“Weddings, formals, graduations, and other big events are moments people remember forever. What you wear plays a big role in how confident you feel walking in,” says

Amelia. “We love being able to give someone the chance to feel beautiful and put together without spending hundreds of dollars on something they may only wear once. Seeing someone come in unsure and leave excited about their outfit is one of the best parts of what we do.”

For TrenLend, building these relationships starts as soon as a customer walks through the door.

Walk-in customers are welcome with no appointment required. A TrenLend sales associate will greet them and, if this is their

first visit, walk them through the TrenLend experience from beginning to end. Customers can try on as many styles and outfits as needed to ensure the right fit. Once the customer has selected an item, they can rent it that day or reserve the piece up to 120 days in advance.

As the business continues to grow in popularity, Amelia and Emmy are focused on ensuring that the TrenLend customer experience remains “top notch,” as well as increasing online sales.t

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@trenlend

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United Arts Wake County

WRITTEN BY MARTI MAGUIRE | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Lee Pike was spending her birthday at work, listening to students read poetry at the High School Spoken Word Contest, an event organized by United Arts Wake County, where she is vice president of development. She planned to duck out early to celebrate her special day, but instead, she sat transfixed, brought to tears by a reflection on a student’s grandmother that reminded her of her own.

“I was weeping, crying, and I’m sitting next to my coworkers who are also crying,” she says, “And I thought, this isn’t just my birthday; it’s a magical moment.”

As the county’s designated arts agency, United Arts has made such magical

moments available to Wake residents for more than 50 years by supporting artists and cultural organizations, helping to fund everything from murals to theater performances to pottery classes to arts festivals across the county.

The organization’s flagship program, Artists in Schools, brings professional teaching artists into K–12 schools, reaching more than 130,000 students in 150 schools a year through performances, workshops, and writing residencies.

Beyond schools, United Arts serves as a major grantmaker for artists and arts organizations across Wake County. It funds

individual creatives, small nonprofits, city and town arts programs, and major festivals, including the American Dance Festival and community celebrations such as African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County.

United Arts also runs the Wheels on the Bus Fund, which provides transportation and tickets for students to attend live performances. Field trips often include productions by the Carolina Ballet and shows at Raleigh Little Theatre. Students who might never see a live performance light up at the chance to see professional theater, says Lee, who recently attended

The Nutcracker with a group of students participating in the program.

“The lights go down, the curtains go up, and the kids’ screaming is incredibly loud,” she says. “They just get so excited. It’s just such a joy.”

The organization further supports artsintegration training for teachers, helping educators incorporate creative strategies into subjects like math, science, and language arts.

Among their new initiatives this year are the premiere Wake on Stage! fundraiser, with performances by prominent local personalities, and an ambitious push for greater arts funding from the county, according to Lee.

The April 17 fundraiser will help bring Artists in Schools programming to schools that lack the resources to participate.

“The lights go down, the curtains go up, and the kids’ screaming is incredibly loud. They just get so excited. It’s just such a joy.”

— Lee Pike, VP of Development united arts wake county

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Typically, schools raise money to bring in artists through parent-teacher organizations, which United Arts would then match. But that left some schools — particularly Title I schools and those in higher-poverty areas — with limited or no access,

“We’ve always done pro bono programs when we could,” Lee says, “but in the past couple of years, we’ve been intentional about fundraising specifically to support schools that don’t have those resources. It shouldn’t be an afterthought.”

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Performers at the event include Wake County commissioners with jazz artist Shana Tucker, WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels on drums, as well as members of the General Assembly and Raleigh City Council.

Perhaps the organization’s most sweeping project is its work on a countywide cultural master plan, conducted in cooperation with Wake County and its 12 municipalities. Developed over two years, the report involved a series of surveys, interviews, and statistical analysis aimed at assessing and strengthening the county’s creative infrastructure.

One finding stood out: Wake County currently spends about 41 cents per person annually on arts and culture, while comparable counties in the region invest between $5 and $9 per capita. The plan proposes a phased increase to $4 per person over the next eight years.

Lee says the funding could support infrastructure such as rehearsal space, studios, and affordable live-work housing for artists. It would also help smaller municipalities develop their own cultural identities through everything from outdoor murals to arts festivals.

“We want Wake County to be a place where artists can live and thrive,” Lee says. “And we want arts and culture happening all over the county, not just in the bigger metropolitan areas.”

Another recent initiative aims to bring arts programming into assisted living and

rehabilitation centers, reaching an older audience that can at times face isolation from the larger community. Lee says it’s a natural outgrowth of the organization’s goal of reaching all Wake residents.

If these efforts bring joy and connection, they are also economic drivers, Lee says. Companies relocating to the Triangle often cite quality of life as a major factor, and a vibrant cultural landscape helps recruit and retain talent.

“Arts and culture are part of what make a place livable,” she says. “It’s not just a ‘nice to have.’”

Lee acknowledges that the work can feel precarious at a time when arts funding is diminishing at the federal level; United Arts maintained its funding this year from the National Endowment for the Arts, despite deep cuts to the agency’s budget. The uncertainty was stressful. But, she says, the arts community is resilient.

“When times are hard, people turn to art,” she says. “They need joy. They need expression. Artists are going to keep creating no matter what. The question is whether we, as a community, show that we value it.”t unitedarts.org

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Wander Find Your Next Favorite Trail with

WRITTEN BY JEN MCFARLAND

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Everyone should have a favorite place to walk, hike, or bike. For some of us, that’s the Neuse River Trail at sunrise. For others, it’s an easy loop where the kids can burn off energy and you get to grab coffee. For Vimal Vyas, the Downtown Cary Park tops the list for “just the different activities that they have there, the openness of it.”

“They have food trucks and it’s so walkable,” he says. “You get a library so (kids) tired of playing on the playground can go look at the books.”

Combining staying active with more leisurely endeavors creates a sweet spot, making it easier to enjoy the outdoors and everything around it.

Now, thanks to a countywide collaboration, those options are combined in one app.

Seamless Access

Wander is a free, easy-to-use mobile app that combines geographic data, municipal trail information, and commercial listings into one seamless experience. Utilizing open data from an array of local and regional organizations, the app now includes guides and tours for Wake County. With more than 300 miles of greenways and trails, plus over 138,000 acres of open space, there is lots to explore.

The app exists thanks to a partnership between Visit Raleigh (the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau), the Triangle

“My experience in going out with my family (is asking), what is around? What is there to do? What’s close by?”

— Vimal Vyas, Visit Raleigh

Trails Initiative, Wake County, and participating municipalities such as Cary, Zebulon, Wake Forest, Apex, and Garner. Those partners provide their own data about their parks and trails, which Wander uses to keep maps accurate and up to date. The arrangement helps ensure data accuracy; those managing the assets are the ones updating them.

According to Vimal Vyas, Visit Raleigh’s vice president of data, security, and AI innovation, this partnership is the key to success.

“These are all shared goals of Wake County, all these different municipalities and the parks departments, to bring all this together in one place,” Vimal says. “So I think that’s one of the important parts of this app — to show the connectivity between municipalities and that seamless access and visibility.”

Not every town has the same technology, budget, or staff. Some parks departments have sophisticated GIS systems; others are

working with smaller budgets and older tech. Wander helps level the playing field.

“There are different sizes of municipalities, and they all have different technologies, and they all do it differently,” he notes. “But the good thing is, this system gives them the ability to pull it all together.”

Setting the Destination

Wander isn’t just a cool tech project — it’s one of the concrete outcomes of Wake County’s long-term tourism roadmap, the Destination Strategic Plan (DSP), sometimes called Destination 2028.

Commissioned in 2017, the DSP is a 10-year tourism plan for Wake County. Visit Raleigh worked with JLL’s Tourism and Destinations team and stakeholders across all 12 municipalities to understand the county’s tourism “ecosystem” and identify priorities that would increase visitor traffic while also improving life for residents.

The plan is organized around eight priorities: Meetings and Conventions, Sports, Events, Key Attractors, Individual Leisure, Destination Development, Regional Demand Drivers, and Quality of Place. Wander fits squarely in Quality of Place, representing the assets that residents already love — parks, trails, greenways, museums, walkable downtowns — and finds ways to position them for visitors, too. The strategic plan isn’t simply for bringing more guests; it prioritizes smarter investments in the things that make Wake County a great place to live.

By centralizing trail and park information and tying it to local businesses and attractions, Wander turns a strategic goal — elevating Quality of Place — into a tool you can download and use this weekend.

Built for Real-Life Needs

Vimal appreciates that Wander solves a very real family problem: what to do after the playground or hike.

“My experience in going out with my family (is asking), what is around? What is there to do? What’s close by?” he explains. “Once the kids are tired at the park, they want ice cream; they want to get a drink. What’s nearby? Is there a coffee shop? Is there a bakery?”

Wander lets you see that full picture — trail plus treats, playground plus lunch, bike ride plus brewery — without bouncing between multiple apps and websites. Because Visit Raleigh maintains a robust database of hospitality partners, and municipalities contribute their trail data, Wander can “snap” those pieces together.

“I think that’s the biggest part: We want to enhance the quality of life for the residents, but also create more experiences for the visitors,” Vimal says. At the same time, centralizing all this data “gives visibility to other areas, increasing tourism regionally.”

This is a tremendous benefit to the

Wander lets you see that full picture — trail plus treats, playground plus lunch, bike ride plus brewery — without bouncing between multiple apps and websites.

“We want to enhance the quality of life for the residents, but also create more experiences for the visitors.”

— Vimal Vyas

area. Wake County already sees 19 million visitors each year, spending $3.4 billion and supporting 26,000 local jobs. Those guests also generate $321 million in state and local tax revenue. Using the app to increase these numbers — even marginally — can have a huge benefit for local residents.

You can also take the app on the road. In addition to Wake County, the Wander app includes curated lists for destinations like Chatham and Washington counties as well as Statesville, Edenton, and other locations in South Carolina and Virginia. And if you’re planning a trip for spring break or summertime, consider perusing Wander for other, more distant paths to roam.

The Road Ahead

Wander is already a great resource, but that doesn’t mean Visit Raleigh and its partners are done.

“We will be adding check-in processes,

gamifying the platform,” Vimal shares. He points to existing efforts like Visit Raleigh’s Mural Trail, which includes 37 examples of the area’s outdoor art, as the kind of challenge to enjoy. More checkins, challenges, and incentives for visiting certain parks or completing specific trails are in the works.

In the end, the Wander app is about discovery. Maybe your favorite trail is one you already know by heart. But it may just be that your favorite hike — the one your kids remember, the one you recommend to visiting friends, the one that makes you feel lucky to live in Wake County — is one you haven’t found yet.t wandermaps.com

highlights

Available Wake County Guides & Tours

These preset tours provide fun options for exploring the area with the planning already done!

Favorite Fall Hikes in Raleigh with 5 locations

The Best Free Attractions to Visit in Raleigh with 10 places

Outdoor Mural Trail with 37 places

Seven Outdoor Wonders of the Raleigh Area

36 Hours in Raleigh with 26 items that will probably be tough to complete in 36 hours!

of

Game On!

Two Cary Inventors Roll the Dice

WRITTEN BY ERIN MCKNIGHT | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Over the first weekend of March 2025, Linda Pelnik and Sue Dohm visited New York City. The longtime friends, along with more than 25,000 other people, were in Manhattan to attend Toy Fair 2025 — the largest toy show in the Western Hemisphere and the industry’s most iconic event. There, thousands of toys and games from around the world are just waiting to be discovered.

It was a bitterly cold evening when Linda and Sue left Javits Center after the fair’s first day.

Ahead of them, several people were gathered on the sidewalk.

“Are you guys coming from the Toy Fair?” one of them called out.

In casual conversation, Linda asked them if they’d seen anything at the fair they liked. They hadn’t walked around much, they said, but a friend did and shared with them that the “best thing they’d seen was this new dice game.”

As Linda explains today: “That Toy Fair is immense. I mean, it’s blocks long. It’s LEGO

trucks, full-sized. It’s Hasbro and Mattel.”

Back on the NY city street, one of the young women got out her phone and showed Linda and Sue a picture of the game.

As she is known to do with the “shelfies” she takes after finding the game they invented, That’s Spot On!, on a store shelf, Linda broke into tears.

“This person loved our game,” she says. “We felt like we belonged. We were there with Mattel and Hasbro, and we were holding our own.”

A New Spin

The addictive family-friendly dice game is the debut title of Spot On Games, which was founded in 2024 by Cary residents Linda and Sue. That’s Spot On! was released on April 1, 2025, and is designed for 2–6 players ages 12 and up (though savvy youngsters will also enjoy it). The quick playtime runs 15–30 minutes.

Players take turns placing bids, calling bluffs, or shouting “Spot On!” to test their instincts and outwit the competition. With Pass Tokens, Reverse Tokens, and wild dice rules, every round brings a twist — and all the fun happens around the table with family or friends.

The game’s tagline is “It’s Liar’s Dice — Only Better.” After purchasing the original bluffing dice game for her son at Christmas, Linda observed: “There were things that I didn’t like about it that we changed within our family. I just changed the rules myself, and instead of Liar’s Dice, we called it Spot On.”

Getting on Board

Years after Sue and Linda first met in the stands during their daughters’ middleschool sporting events, their families continued to get together for game nights.

“We had a common interest in games, for sure,” Sue says.

Although Linda had for many years said that she was going to manufacture the game, when she approached Sue about the possibility, Sue didn’t hesitate to say, “Let’s do it.”

After being in IT for 35 years, Sue had recently left her job and wasn’t enticed by new opportunities. Linda was an English teacher who had stepped away to raise her now-grown children.

The timing was spot on.

“We talked to family. They came up with ideas, and we just kept adding them and making the game even better.”

— Linda Pelnik, Spot On Games

The Dice Are Cast

The agreement for starting their company was that Linda and Sue would walk away if there was ever an argument that couldn’t be solved.

“Linda’s got her strengths. I’ve got mine,” Sue says. “We complement each other.”

In Liar’s Dice, players hide dice under a cup and try to guess what everybody else has under their cups, raising or challenging bids. Linda’s original change added the option to wager that a bid is exactly right, or spot on.

When she and Sue started writing out the rules for their new game, Linda says, “We talked to family. They came up with ideas, and we just kept adding them and making the game even better.”

Getting Rolling

Following a game prototype to ensure players understood the rules, more feedback flowed in. Then came the design stage.

Finally, after selecting a US intermediary and manufacturer in China, That’s Spot On! was in production. From start to finish, the process took roughly a year and wasn’t without its hiccups (like just missing the tariff deadline and having to outlay 20% before a game was ever sold).

Coins and Precious Metals

Upon shipping, Linda and Sue were advised to fill a 40-foot cargo container, which accommodated 8,000 copies of the game. Unfortunately, the shipment was rerouted several times, causing delays and an unexpected financial hit. Linda recalls, “It was terrible watching our boat travel all over the world.”

Thankfully, when those boxes arrived at the Tarboro warehouse, it was water under the bridge.

Game Changer

Sales have been in line with what Sue

and Linda anticipated for a brand entering a crowded market. They expect the steady growth to continue, and Sue says the positive response has been “especially validating.”

Local retailers have been supportive, with Learning Express the most recent to carry the game.

Sean O’Neil at Science Safari in Cary was one of Linda and Sue’s first champions. Sean has been in the business for almost 40 years, and he shared his valuable experience related to selling, marketing, and packaging the game.

“I was able to give them some insight,” Sean says humbly, though Linda and Sue

think enough of Sean’s assistance that when the games arrived at the warehouse, Science Safari was their first stop to drop off an initial one-case order.

“For us,” he continues, “that’s what community is. We ask people to shop local. We shop local if we can.”

“Everybody was so nice,” Linda says about the generosity they encountered. “We talked to other game people, other game inventors …”

“They were just so eager to talk to us and share their ideas and even their contacts,” Sue chimes in.

Let the Good Times Roll

Linda and Sue want to keep educating the public about That’s Spot On! because when people know how to play it, they’re hooked. (Linda’s husband, Chris, is perhaps the game’s best advocate, as he continues to play it daily with his coworkers.)

“We’re having fun for sure,” Linda says about making their invention a joyfilled reality. Spot On Games will continue making games until she and Sue “aren’t having fun anymore.”

Though that doesn’t look like it will happen anytime soon. Public tournaments are planned, and when Sue’s children visit from across the country, they can always expect a family game night.

The goal, after all, is to bring people together through gameplay.

Hosting That’s Spot On! game events has been one of Linda and Sue’s favorite parts of the business, and they are always happy to talk with groups interested in custom events.t spotongames.com @spotongames

their next play

Spot On Games’ new family game, Spot & Snap Safari , releases this summer.

The dice adventure takes players through a safari where they race to get all the pictures of the big animals.

Local artist Christina Britte provided all the game’s art. A “great creative force in our community,” Linda and Sue were enthralled by her work when they met her at the Junior League of Raleigh event A Shopping SPREE!

GUIDE TO

GUIDE TO SUMMER CAMPS

Fuquay-Varina Arts Center

At the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, campers create and explore with an experienced instructor in our many spaces. Learn to paint like a pro, draw your favorite dragon, build a sculpture, act, sing, and dance — there’s no limit to your creativity! We have all the materials you need, so you don’t have to bring anything except your imagination. Camps are designed to be fun while building skills and techniques. Camps are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1–5 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. Register online at fvarts. org or come in and check out the facility and register with

our front desk at 123 E. Vance Street in Fuquay-Varina. The Arts Center is committed to providing a clean, safe, and friendly environment for all. Partial scholarships are available through the Friends of the Arts Center at artscenterfriendsfv.org. Spend this summer at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, where fun and art are at the center of it all!

Rock Solid Warrior

Rock Solid Warrior TrackOut and Summer Camps provide a fun, safe, and unique environment for your kids. Our goal is to provide a place where kids can climb, swing, jump, and play, then return home tired and happy! Additionally, we have plenty

Spor ts & games

Exciting

Field trips & special events

GUIDE TO SUMMER CAMPS

of games and activities for campers to do throughout the day!

During the school season, our TrackOut Camps are designed to be flexible and work with your schedule. We offer camps for ages 5–12 with full-week, full-day (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and half-day (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.) options along with post-care (4–5:30 p.m.). You may also purchase Track-Cut Camp passes and use the days as needed throughout the year (excluding summer).

We teach ninja skills, lessons, and games focused on building strength and character. We reinforce the character lessons throughout the day as children interact with each other to help them build healthy relationships where they are thinking of others, not just themselves.

All camps are located at our South Apex and Fuquay-Varina locations with a Rolesville location coming soon.

Rock Solid Warrior day camps and summer camps offer a fun, safe, and encouraging environment for your children to build character and overcome obstacles! They can run, climb, swing, jump and play to their hearts content.

GUIDE TO SUMMER CAMPS

Chesterbrook Academy

This year, Be Bold, Be You at Chesterbrook Academy’s summer camp! Every week, campers immerse themselves in hands-on activities from science and nature exploration to creative and performing arts, sports, and games. Our camp offers a perfect blend of indoor and outdoor adventures, all packed with excitement. Registration is open — save your spot today!

City Ballet

City Ballet Raleigh offers a variety of summer classes, camps, and intensives for dancers of all levels, from age 2 to adult. Our Preschool and Primary camps use games and music to help students explore movement and creativity in a safe, encouraging environment. Meanwhile, our intensives for older dancers build the strength and technique necessary to reach their full potential. No matter the level, City Ballet Raleigh pro-

vides a warm, supportive community where dancers of any aspiration are both challenged and inspired.

We utilize internationally recognized curricula to ensure age-appropriate growth for every performer. Our goal is to build confidence and foster a genuine love of the stage. By focusing on the foundations of strength, coordination, and storytelling, we give our students tools they will use for a lifetime.

Voodoo Gardening

In the dying light of an early spring day last year, I was giving stubborn weeds in my garden their long-overdue last rites with a sling blade when something out of the corner of my eye froze me in my tracks.

There, below a vitex tree with bare limbs that reached out like bony fingers, was a slim, dark purple specter, beckoning. ... In an instant, voodoo had me in its spell — well, not the spooky kind of voodoo, but rather a voodoo lily (Amorphophallus konjac) that I planted two years ago.

A member of the Arum family, the voodoo lily is definitely a strange

thing, meaning if you want a perennial in your garden that will conjure up a conversation, it has the eye-catching mojo to do so.

Grown from corms (which aren’t hard to find for sale), voodoo lilies are hardy in our area, but they are best planted in the warmth of mid-spring. Since strong summer sun can scald the leaves, pick an area that receives morning sun only or is in dappled shade throughout the day. The chubby corms should be planted about 6 inches into the ground. Voodoo lily grows best in welldraining, organically enriched soil. Even

in such prime growing ground, this plant wants more. It is a heavy feeder, so add a monthly dose of diluted liquid fertilizer high in phosphorus during the growing season.

After planting, a young voodoo lily might only sprout pleasing fans of green foliage on speckled stems for a few years, but when it matures, the bizarre begins. From seemingly out of nowhere, a curling leaflike spathe will arise in the spring, embracing a dusky purple spadix that can top out at about 4 to 5 feet.

Word on the street is it can stink to high heaven to attract pollinating flies

and midges. While I am sure it does, I can’t confirm because I don’t make a habit of sticking my nose in places it doesn’t want to go.

This otherworldly flower will last about a week and then wither away, making room for another round of long-lasting foliage fans. But if pollination is successful, a single stalk will also rise to support a vertical cluster of bright orange berries containing seeds.

As autumn moves in, the entire plant will shrivel back to the earth, leaving nothing but the promise of another round of visual voodoo in the garden next spring! 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.

Written and photographed by L.A. Jackson

Timely Tip

Besides spooky voodoo lilies rising up in the springtime landscape, there are, of course, more conventional flowering pretties for your viewing pleasure at this time of year, especially early blooming woody ornamentals such as fringe trees, ornamental cherries, mock oranges, deutzias, forsythias, camellias (Camellia japonica), azaleas, witch hazels, flowering quinces, and dogwoods.

Do enjoy these woodies in their full flowering flaunts, but when the blossoms begin to fade, it is prime pruning time if any have stretched beyond their allotted garden space. Leave the hedge trimmer in the shed and prune the right way by using hand pruners or loppers to individually cut any overreaching branches back to a bud node or limb junction in the interior of the tree or shrub.

To Do in the Garden

MARCH

• Even with spring temperatures warming up, there is still time this month to plant such cool-season veggie favorites as turnips, radishes, spinach, Irish potatoes, onions, mustard greens, kale, leeks, lettuce, Swiss chard, cauliflower, collards, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.

• The foliage of spring-flowering bulbs should be allowed to die back naturally so the green leaves can continue photosynthesizing (say that three times fast) sunlight into energy, which will be stored in the bulbs to recharge them for next spring’s bloom-fest.

APRIL

• Prepare the soil in your veggie patch at the beginning of this month, but hold off adding mulch until May so the strengthening springtime sun can heat up the growing ground to make it comfy for such warm-season edibles as lima beans, cucumbers, peppers, watermelons, tomatoes, green beans, eggplant, squash, and pumpkins — all of which you can start planting by the middle of April if your green thumb has a serious itch that needs to be scratched early.

• Cool-season veggies such as carrots, collard greens, radishes, spinach, parsnips, and lettuce that were started from seed in the garden last month should now be thinned to their proper spacing requirements.

Foxcroft Food & Wine

Wine Discovery and Dining for Everyone

WRITTEN

BY

ANDREA RICHARDS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Even amid terrible weather — pouring rain and abnormally low temps — the high tops and tables of North Hills’ popular Foxcroft Food & Wine are busy and the bar buzzing. Though sitting outside on the large, dogfriendly patio — one of the restaurant’s beloved features — isn’t possible, it doesn’t matter. The scene inside is cozy, and thanks to the temperature-controlled preservation system behind the bar, there are nearly 50 wines available by the glass, thus plenty of ways to warm up.

That selection is only the tip of the iceberg. Alongside all the wine-by-the-glass options (available in 6-ounce glasses or 2-ounce tastes), there’s a menu of carefully curated wine flights. Plus, you are literally surrounded by wine shelves featuring hundreds of bottles available to drink with your meal or take home.

The layout encourages patrons to interact while wandering through the racks on your way to a table and picking up bottles

to explore the extensive offerings. Ben Sidebottom, the shop’s retail manager and wine buyer, is there for questions or suggestions. He also leads Foxcroft’s masterclasses and a monthly drop-in wine tasting, which for only $5 offers a great opportunity to sample new wines and learn about particular regions and producers. It’s also a fun date option or excuse to gather with your friends.

Now with six locations, Foxcroft was founded in Charlotte 22 years ago by North

Carolina native Conrad Hunter, a former musician who wanted to merge his love of wine and community. “Every step along the way has been an intentional act to break down the barriers between customers and the wines,” he says.

Tired of pages-long, monotonous wine lists that “cause your eyes to roll back in your head,” Conrad sought to take the intimidation factor out of wine. He jokes that the motto of Foxcroft is “We’re serious about wine, so you don’t have to be.”

But it’s true. The Raleigh location, opened a year ago, is not a spot where anyone is going to shame your chardonnay. Instead, the delightful staff will ask what you like, listen, and respond, gently encouraging expansion with a taste of something new, or steering those who know toward a special bottle that is sure to delight. Knowledgeable and kind, they will gladly offer up as much

information as you would like, making discovery a possibility but not a requirement.

Raleigh’s Foxcroft not only makes wine accessible; it makes drinking it while dining interactive and fun. Having a bottle shop fully integrated into the restaurant not only offers a seemingly endless selection of wine; it also means the menu has been crafted by Foxcroft’s Culinary Director Stephanie Klos with pairings in mind. Chef Jarrad Gwaltney heads the kitchen in the Raleigh location, bringing that vision to life and adding occasional daily specials.

While Foxcroft started in Charlotte as strictly a retail wine shop, today it has expanded upon the domain of good wine with good food. You might think it to be a typical bottle shop where the selection of eats is limited to maybe a little charcuterie. But this is where Foxcroft really surprises, offering separate

daytime, weekend brunch, and dinner menus with extensive options that lean toward new American cuisine and span from comfort foods, like their award-winning burger, to impressive entrees, such as a roasted whole fish.

The dinner menu’s servings are, for me, meant to be shared. Even small plates are sizable enough for a couple to share, which is exactly what I want to do when leisurely trying new wines — a bite of this, a sip here, seeing how flavors expand and pair. Obviously, the menu is ready made for wine, although you certainly don’t have to drink to enjoy it.

For starters, there are bright options: a smoked burrata and roasted beet panzanella, citrusy marinated olives, and a zesty, housemade ricotta, perfect with the Pecorino and Coteaux du Giennois Blanc wines I sampled. The vadouvan brussels sprouts are a dish not to miss, savory and earthy, with just a hint of

sweetness from a pomegranate-chili glaze. I love the kale Caesar as well, its toasted pistachios, kalamata breadcrumbs, and pickled red onion adding texture and acidity.

The Foxcroft burger is, for many, a known entity. One bite lets you know why: Beef sourced from Sherrill Ford’s Little Mountain Farm is ground in house and paired with truffle aioli, yielding a perfect mess of savory succulence.

There’s an option to add a salad or fries, and I think you already know what you need to do: the fries. These are a thing of beauty — hand-cut steak fries that are, of course, double fried, served sprinkled with parmesan and oregano atop and even more of that incredible truffle aioli on the side for dipping. Thank goodness these fries are available on their own as a small plate because you will not want to share the ones that came with the burger.

“Every step along the way has been an intentional act to break down the barriers between customers and the wines.”

Conrad Hunter, Foxcroft CEO

Things start to get serious after the burger. There are homemade pastas (ricotta dumplings!) and an impressive array of entrées that change with the season.

My favorite part of the wonderful braised shortrib, featured on Foxcroft’s winter menu, is the charred bits of bok choy nestled in the grits. Like the burger, both this

shortrib and the New York strip (served with a thick Diane sauce and a heavenly potato gratin) are sourced from Little Mountain Farm, which delivers its cuts twice a week.

A bold companion to both dishes, the Herald Cabernet Sauvignon, from the Alexander Valley, is one of seven exclusive labels for which Foxcroft either collaborated with the producers to create or is the only NC retailer. Other offerings include Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Rosé and a chardonnay and pinot noir from Burgundy. Diners receive a discount on bottles, so it’s certainly tempting to take a few home.

Like a sunny patio, Foxcroft is all about inspiring casual comfort. Along with everyday access to all kinds of wine, the friendly staff will make wine lovers at any level feel at home. “We’re a neighborhood place,” Conrad says. “The original (Foxcroft) is kind of like Cheers. There’s guys that have their regular seat at the bar. ... They even go on vacation together now.”

He hopes the Raleigh location inspires the same sense of community — and from what we see, even on a rainy winter night, it does.t foxcroftwine.com

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!

ALPINE HIGHBALL

from sous terre

Sous Terre is Chef Scott Crawford’s private underground cocktail club located beneath Jolie and Crawford & Son in Raleigh’s Oakwood neighborhood. Enjoy a perfectly made classic cocktail, sip a rare spirit, or try a new favorite showcasing the team’s creativity and craft at the chic jewel box–style bar. barsousterre.com @barsousterre

“Braulio earns all the cool points in our book,” says Zachary Stephens, director of operations at Crawford Hospitality. An Amaro produced in the Alps, he notes, “It’s aged for 2+ years in large Slovenian oak barrels and boasts flavors of caramelized herbs, juniper, wormwood, and pine resin.”

While the spirit is “wildly flavorful” on its own, Zachary says the coconut oil used for a process called fat washing “helps soften all the ingredients and makes an unlikely but perfect flavor buddy.”

2 ounces Coconut-Washed Braulio ½ ounce fresh lime juice

4 ounces Fever Tree tonic water mint

Measure Braulio into a chilled highball glass. Add lime juice and tonic. Top with ice and garnish with a bouquet of mint.

For Coconut-Washed Braulio:

Add 1 bottle of Braulio to a nonreactive container. Gently melt around 15 ounces of unrefined coconut oil; cool briefly, then add to container with Braulio and mix well. Seal the container and place in the freezer overnight. The following day, remove the solid fat cap off the top, then pass the liquid through a mesh sieve or coffee filter.

Food & Drink

• Al’s Burgers

• Aqua Vitae

• Burney’s Sweets & More

• Chun Yung Tea

• Foxtail Coffee

• Fratelli’s Delicatessen

• Greek Kouzina

• Kaara Modern Indian

• Mama Birds Ice Cream

• Mi Cancun

• Papa John’s

• Peace Love and Little Donuts

• Potbelly Subs

• Sobol

• Southern Peak Brewery Taproom & Pizzaria

• Taco Bell

• Taki Sushi

Health & Fitness

• Black Diamond Chiropractic

• Club Pilates

• Danielle Marie Hair Salon

• Degree Wellness

• Duke Health

• Kim’s Yong In Martial Arts

• Radiant Brows and Beauty

• Royal Nails Bar & Lounge

• Sweetwater Dental

Retail & Services

• Bless Your Heart Boutique

• Fifth Third Bank

• Harris Teeter

• Harmony Home Furnishings

• Lightbridge Academy

• Prepaze Academy

• The UPS Store

Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake

An absolute family favorite! The hardest part is peeling and chopping the apples.

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar

¾ cup white sugar

4 teaspoons cinnamon, divided

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground ginger

¾ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch square pan. In a large bowl, mix flour, brown and white sugar, 2 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, salt, and ginger.

2. Add oil and stir until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer ¾ cup of mixture to a separate bowl and add remaining cinnamon; this becomes the topping.

3. Mix baking soda and baking powder into the original mixture. Add apples and stir to evenly distribute.

4. Whisk together egg and buttermilk, then add to apple mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and sprinkle with topping.

5. Bake until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Begin checking around 45 minutes, then check every 5 minutes until done.

Have a go-to cookout side dish that always leaves you with an empty bowl? Send it our way! Submit at wakeliving.com/recipe-submissions

1 pound Granny Smith or other tart apple, peeled, cored, and chopped

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

Jean Guevarra You, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Jean Guevarra You,

Jean Guevarra You, DDS

Now Accepting New Patients

Jean Guevarra You, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

DDS

Jean Guevarra You, DDS • Maryam Qayumi, DDS • Katie Keogh,

DDS

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Early Morning, Late Afternoon & Friday Appointments Available. In-Network with Most Insurance Carriers. In-House Membership Plan Available Video Games, T.V.s, Photo Booth, Wi-Fi, Phone Charging Station, Coffee

Now Accepting New Patients

Now Accepting New Patients

Now Accepting New Patients

Jean Guevarra You, DDS Katie Keogh, DDS

Early Morning, Late Afternoon & Friday Appointments Available. In-Network with Most Insurance Carriers.

Early Morning, Late Afternoon & Friday Appointments Available. In-Network with Most Insurance Carriers.

In-House Membership Plan Available.

Early Morning, Late Afternoon & Friday Appointments Available. In-Network with Most Insurance Carriers.

Early Morning, Late Afternoon & Friday Appointments Available. In-Network with Most Insurance Carriers. In-House Membership Plan Available

Maryam Qayumi, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

In-House Membership Plan Available Video Games, T.V.s, Photo Booth, Wi-Fi, Phone Charging Station, Coffee Bar & More

“Dr. You is so knowledgeable, kind and patient...Highly recommend!”

In-House Membership Plan Available

Video Games, T.V.s, Photo Booth, Wi-Fi, Phone Charging Station, Coffee Bar & More

-Brendan S.

-Ayub A.

“I can not say enough good things about Dr. Jean You! She and her staff were extremely welcoming to my son and me at our recent

“...Dr.

Tel 919-303-2873 www.littletoothco.com info@littletoothco.com

“...Dr. You was amazing. She was so kind, patient and down-to-earth, and that not only put my son at ease, but me as well. We’re thrilled to have found such a warm, welcoming practice and we look forward to being patients for many years to come!”

“Dr.

“Dr. You is so knowledgeable, kind and patient...Highly recommend!”

-Ayub A.

tell that Dr. Jean has a true passion for this profession and loves what she does. We had an awesome experience at Little Tooth Co. and are so appreciative of the care that we received. If you are looking for a wonderful dentist to take your child to, you definitely need to become a

“I can not say enough good things about Dr. Jean You! She and her staff were extremely welcoming to my son and me at our recent visit. Dr. Jean was amazing with my son - very calm and comforting. She explained everything she was going to do before doing anything. You can tell that Dr. Jean has a true passion for this profession and loves what she does. We had an awesome experience at Little Tooth Co. and are so appreciative of the care that we received. If you are looking for a wonderful dentist to take your child to, you definitely need to become a patient of this practice!”

this practice!”

The Future of Smiles:

HOW CUTTING-EDGE DENTAL TECHNOLOGY IS TRANSFORMING ORAL HEALTH

CONTRIBUTED BY DR. EDMOND SUH, D.D.S.

From AI diagnostics to digital X-rays and laser precision, modern dental innovations are elevating patient care and outcomes. Dental technology has entered an exciting new era, reshaping how clinicians diagnose, treat, and manage oral health. Today’s innovations — from artificial intelligence and digital imaging to laser dentistry and advanced temporomandibular disorder (TMD) therapies — are improving accuracy, comfort, and long-term results for patients.

AI Technology

One of the most influential developments in dental care is the integration of AI systems, which can analyze large volumes of clinical data and images to assist in early detection of dental issues, such as cavities, periodontal disease, and more. AI-enhanced software serves as a realtime third-party aid to evaluate patterns that might be difficult for the human eye to detect, helping dentists make more informed decisions and personalize treatment plans.

Digital X-Rays

Compared to traditional film radiography, digital X-rays deliver high-resolution

images instantly on a computer or tablet, reducing the need for retakes and lowering radiation exposure by up to 80–90%. With enhanced contrast and detail, dentists can assess bone structures, root positions, and hidden decay with greater precision. Digital systems also facilitate better patient communication; clinicians can display and explain findings directly during consultations, improving understanding and engagement.

Laser Dentistry

Offering a less invasive alternative for many procedures, dental lasers use concentrated light energy to remove or reshape tissue with minimal discomfort, bleeding, and swelling. ey are used in gum disease treatment, cavity preparation, and soft-tissue surgeries, often reducing or eliminating the need for anesthesia. Patients typically experience faster healing times and less postoperative pain.

Digital Scanning

Digital scanning technologies — including intraoral scanners and 3D imaging — are revolutionizing how dental

impressions are captured. Gone are the days of messy putty molds; digital scanners create highly accurate three-dimensional models of teeth and oral structures in minutes. ese digital impressions improve the fit of restorations like crowns, bridges, and aligners, and patients have a more comfortable and efficient experience.

TMD Treatment

TMD — a complex condition affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles — has also benefited from technological progress. Advanced diagnostics, including 3D imaging and motion tracking systems, help clinicians understand how a patient’s jaw moves and where dysfunction occurs. At Supremia Dentistry in Wake Forest, their team uses BioPak, a state-of-the-art computerized measurement device built by leaders in neuromuscular and physiology technology. It provides a wealth of precision data, including muscle readings, joint sonography, and computerized jaw tracking. Data is then analyzed to ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

Key advancements are redefi ning modern dentistry, and Supremia is leading the way. With just one visit, you’ll see and experience what a contemporary practice looks and feels like fi rsthand. Make your appointment today!

Edmond W. Suh, D.D.S., is the owner of Supremia Dentistry in Wake Forest. He is an international lecturer on advanced esthetic dental procedures, and leads an award-winning team that has completed extensive training and continuing education to implement the latest technologies and techniques. For more information or to make an appointment, call (919) 556-6200 or visit supremiadentistry.com.

happenings

Velvet Taco, a Texas-based brand with a cult following, expanded into Raleigh, opening in North Hills on February 16. The popular Weekly Taco Feature (WTF) introduces a limited-time offering each week. The opening week WTF, the Raleigh ’Cue, featured pulled pork, hushpuppies, slaw, pickled onions, and Fresno peppers, with proceeds benefiting area nonprofit Note in the Pocket. The first 56 guests on opening day received free tacos for a month, in honor of the brand’s 56th location.

“North Hills has a vibrant, adventurous food culture, and the people here are eager to try something different, which is exactly the kind of community we thrive in,” says Bessie Henry, general manager of Velvet Taco North Hills. “We’re bringing flavor combinations unavailable anywhere else in Raleigh, and we’re opening by supporting a local organization doing critical work in Wake County. Partnering with Note in the Pocket from day one is an example of how we want to show up as neighbors invested in this community.” velvettaco.com

Raleigh launched the new Your City, Answered podcast in early February, a question-and-answer-style podcast aimed at answering residents’ questions about the local government. Hosts Ran Northam and Katie Dombrowski will explore one resident-submitted question on each episode, beginning with “What impact does winter weather have on trash pickup?” and “Is there lead in your water pipes?” City of Raleigh staff and other guests will join to provide information. raleighnc.gov/services/ submit-question-raleighs-podcast

The Wake Forest Police Department raised $7,300 for Special Olympics NC with the WFPD Polar Plunge on February 7, held at the Heritage Lake Pool. Community members were invited to participate in the plunge with a donation of $75 or more. Those who were “too chicken” to plunge could register for $20 and provided with a heated area known as the “chicken coop.” The event also included a costume contest, awards ceremony, and raffles.

The City of Raleigh is piloting an AI program to improve traffic signal timing and safety. The program aims to improve the efficiency of intersections in busy corridors.

“If we can perfect and scale the pilot, we can provide our timing engineers with real-time accurate data so they can improve signal timing,” says Transportation Manager Jed Niffenegger. “This can result in a monumental amount of cost savings in both time saved and fuel savings.”

happenings

Following the Bigger Play, Brighter Futures campaign, Marbles Kids Museum is undergoing the largest expansion project in its history. An existing courtyard will be enclosed to create Futuropolis, a 2,895-square-foot exhibit focused on career exploration in industries like manufacturing and construction. The second story will feature a rooftop courtyard and Marbles Skyway racetrack. Construction is expected to take about 10 months.

“With this project, we’re building a bold new space where hands-on play opens doors to big possibilities,” says Marbles CEO Jonathan Frederick. “This transformative addition and the Futuropolis exhibit will redefine how kids imagine and explore their potential future careers.” marbleskidsmuseum.org/expansion

Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources will host the 2026 SPIRIT of Inclusion

Expo on March 21 at the Joyner Park Community Center (701 Harris Road). From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the expo will offer information, support, and resources for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Demonstrations, workshops, and vendors include A Special Needs Plan, which helps families plan for their child’s future; the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center, which provides training and education to children and youth with disabilities; Made4Me, which builds customized adaptations at no cost to families; Smiling While Sending Hope, which creates care packages for individuals up to age 26 with chronic illness and special needs; and many more. wakeforestnc.gov

Raleigh nonprofit Healing Transitions, dedicated to longterm recovery from alcohol and other drug addictions, commemorated its 25th anniversary with the Men’s Campus Trudge, a 5-mile walk through downtown Raleigh in honor of its community partners. The walk followed the route taken by early participants in the program as they relied on the support of local churches, soup kitchens, libraries, and other community organizations. Over its 25 years, the nonprofit has given recovery support and shelter to more than 30,000 people and served nearly 5 million meals.

“Reaching 25 years is not just a milestone for Healing Transitions — it’s a celebration of community,” says Healing Transitions Executive Director Chris Budnick. “Our recovery model is built on peer support and dignity, but it is strengthened every day by organizations that opened their doors, offered meals and believed in the possibility of transformation. This walk is our way of saying thank you and honoring the lives changed because of that belief.” healing-transitions.org

happenings

Dancing Man Productions brought the second installment of Broadway Senior to Raleigh Little Theatre in February with The Music Man SR. Shows in the series have been condensed to a 1-hour runtime, and all actors and crew are age 55-plus.

“Our mission is that we strive to celebrate creativity and cultural expression through various art forms. Our goal is to provide a platform for artists and entertainers to share their work with the world,” say Mark Steward and Freddie Lee Heath, the show’s producer and director/choreographer. “We envision a vibrant world where creativity knows no age and every voice finds expression. We aim to be a global platform that not only showcases diverse artistic talents but also empowers individuals — especially senior citizens — to rediscover purpose, joy, and connection through the arts.” dancingmanproductions.com

This year’s Friday Night on White series kicks off April 10. The free concert series brings performers to downtown Wake Forest on the second Friday night of each month from April through September from 6–9 p.m. Norse Brewing and White Street Brewing will have beer for purchase beginning at 5 p.m. Bring blankets or lawn chairs, but leave coolers and outside alcohol at home. wakeforestnc.gov/friday-night-white

April 10 : Bounce! Party Band

May 8 : Sleeping Booty Band

June 12 : Night Years

July 10 : Love Tribe

August 14 : The Amazing Lounge Lizards

September 11 : Liquid Pleasure

Residents of Raleigh and utility service areas of Garner, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell, and Zebulon were invited to turn trash into fashion inspiration for this year’s Trashion Show. Three categories — youth ages 10 to 18, college students, and adults — will feature cash prizes for creations made from at least 75% recyclable materials like cardboard, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. The Environmental Advisory Board will judge entries based on originality, functionality, and quality of construction.

See this year’s creations at the Trashion Show and awards ceremony, part of the 2026 Earth Day Celebration in Dix Park on Friday, April 24, from 5–10 p.m. dixpark.org/event/raleigh-earth-day

happenings

MOM’s Valentine for You! delivered 1,000 bouquets to residents in Cary, Apex, and Morrisville on February 13. Cary resident Marie Martin founded MOM Wishing Widows Well after reading an article about an organization that delivered flowers to widows and widowers in Charlotte in 2021. The first delivery consisted of about 50 arrangements for Mother’s Day. The project expanded each year since, shifting its focus to one annual event for Valentine’s Day. A team of volunteers helped assemble the bouquets at the Cary Senior Center in the days prior to delivery.

“The response has been truly heartwarming,” Marie says. “You don’t always realize how much a simple bouquet of flowers can mean to someone who is alone.” momswishingwidowswell.com

The NC Courage signed goalkeeper Molly Pritchard to a two-year contract through the 2027 NWSL season.

An Atlanta native, Molly played at Ohio State University through 2025, earning Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year honors and being named to the All-Region and All-Big Ten teams. She had a programrecord 32 shutouts and finished second in program history for career saves with 306.

“We’re delighted to add Molly Pritchard to our goalkeeper group. She was among the very best at the collegiate level thanks to both tremendous talent and hard work,” says Courage Chief Soccer Officer Ceri Bowley. “Her mindset, desire to learn, and technical qualities make her an ideal fit with our club, and we are excited to help her transition to the professional game.”

“Playing in the NWSL is a dream come true, and I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Courage. I look forward to learning from such outstanding players and coaches, both on and off the field. I am eager to be pushed in every way possible. Go, Courage!” Molly says.

Beat

Yoga & Pilates opened in Morrisville on January 24. To celebrate its grand opening, the boutique hot yoga and Pilates studio offered free classes through January 30. The studio’s name reflects its core values: Balance, Energy, Accessibility, and Transformation, and it is “rooted in the belief that yoga and Pilates should be accessible, effective, and welcoming for every body,” according to a press release.

Owner and teacher Rachel Mzhickteno has more than a decade of industry experience, including coowning Hot Yoga Richmond. “BEAT is the culmination of everything I’ve learned about building a studio that truly serves its community,” says Rachel. “I wanted to create a space where people feel supported, challenged, and genuinely welcome — whether it’s their first class or their thousandth.”

A special introductory rate gives members three weeks of classes for $30. beatyogapilates.com

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BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Chasing the chill

February’s brief but chilly snowstorm dumped several inches of powdery, perfect-for-sledding snow in Raleigh. It wasn’t long before kids and adults alike bundled up and hit the slopes at North Wake Landfill District Park.