BY MELISSA WISTEHUFF   The recipe for sprouting a plant is much like that of creating a solid business plan: Add light, nourishment and room to grow.  For Jo Ann Dewar, however, who had aspirations to start a garden center in the early 1970s as a female entrepreneur, the formula wasn’t quite so straightforward. Now 90 years old—and still the first to arrive and last to leave Fairview Garden Center each day—Dewar looks back on her decades as a business owner, saying she wouldn’t change a thing.  “I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way—probably enough to write a boo ..read more

BY NAN K. CHASE   Jewels! Jewels! Jewels! And they’re all free. Blue ones, pink ones, yellow, red, purple—even gaudy white ones. The ephemeral wildflowers of early spring decorate the forest like a collection of the finest jewels, ranging from tiny gems barely an inch high to the blossoms of towering trees a hundred feet overhead. Perhaps nowhere in the eastern United States offers such botanical riches as the dense woods of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. And among the finest places to enjoy spring wildflowers is the 57-mile-long New River Trail State Park, a well-maintained, linea ..read more

BY DATHAN KAZSUK   According to radio personality Kitty Kinnin, she came from a perfect family in Miami, Florida.    Her father worked at the Miami Herald and was a professional tennis player who, at one time, was ranked number one in the seniors circuit. She was even part of her dad’s bowling team, sporting her own blue-and-pink bowling ball.   But don’t be deceived by all of that. Kinnin readily acknowledges that she was always a bit of a wild child. Reflecting on her upbringing, she explains, “My sister was always the most athletic, most studious sweetheart, and I ..read more

BY MARIO BOUCHER   Nature connects us with our environment, bringing joy and improving our health, and research shows that the natural world boosts our well-being. In a 2021 study published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 73% of people the team surveyed reported that tending indoor plants during the COVID-19 pandemic helped their mental health. Landscaping and transplanting plants can also decrease blood pressure and stress. This is where Garden Supply Company comes in to provide a “happy place.” Starting as a local grassroots business (pun intended!), the s ..read more

Harvesting Change The impact of female farmers on local communities BY KRISTEN SCHRUM A new kind of farm is flourishing in Wake County under the care of its women farmers. These pastoral pioneers sow more than just seeds in the soil; they cultivate a community conscious of the richness that comes with shopping locally and embracing the land’s yield. Their dedication lies not only in agriculture, but in education and connection as well. From the delicious goods harvested and sold by Stoney Acres NC and Jean’s Neighborhood Market to the sun-dappled grapevines of Cloer Family Vineyards, these ..read more

Honoring Moments with Savor + Fete: The Art of Intimate Tabletop Settings BY KRISTEN SCHRUM | PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAVOR + FETE In the heart of every memorable gathering is a table—a silent witness to laughter, stories, confessions and toasts. At the dining table, bread is broken, wine is poured and the essence of connection is savored. That is why one of the Triangle’s newest hospitality businesses, Savor + Fete, has dedicated itself to transforming dining experiences into intimate celebrations of togetherness. Founded by Nannette Collier, Savor + Fete is not just a tabletop setting service ..read more

Personal Sanctuaries Crafting identity in a Jamison Park house BY KRISTEN SCHRUM | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABIGAIL JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY AIn a world where the line between home and life blur more with each passing day, interior design has evolved into more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating a space that reflects the souls of those who inhabit it. Kristyn Bock from Kristyn Bock Interiors has masterfully captured this essence in a house in Apex’s Jamison Park neighborhood, where every room tells a story, every corner holds a secret and every surface echoes the depth and personality of the owner ..read more

Edit Text Editor Readers throughout the community voted for their favorite businesses, services and venues. Now, we are excited to present the 2024 gold, silver and bronze Diamond Award Winners. Browse the list to see if your favorites are there, and make a note of any new businesses you’d like to check out. Congratulations to all of our winners!   HEALTH + BEAUTY   Best HAIR SALON Gold: Von Kekel Aveda Lifestyle Salon Spa (tie); Bebe Ellis Salon (tie) Silver: Salon Blu Bronze: J&F Gemelli   Best MANI-PEDI Gold: Pacific Nails Spa Silver: Venetian Nail Spa Bro ..read more

BY JANICE LEWINE   Winter is the perfect time to dive into a great book. Locally owned bookstores offer extensive knowledge to help your child find that perfect read, whether it’s a novel, picture book, memoir or book series. Many stores also host storytimes, book clubs and author readings to connect with the community and inspire a lifelong love of reading. Here are 10 independent booksellers in the Triangle where your family can discover new reading adventures.   Quail Ridge Books  4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh  919.828.1588 quailridgebooks.com One of Raleigh’s ol ..read more

BY ANITA B. STONE   This is the story of two men whose partnership during segregated times would change history forever, transforming America and leaving an impact on the lives of thousands of African American children and adults. The good work these men accomplished shaped generations, the historical remnants of which continue to exist in Wake County today. This story begins in 1911 when Julius Rosenwald, a Chicago philanthropist and progressive who had succeeded Richard Warren Sears as president of Sears, Roebuck and Company in 1910, met Booker T. Washington, a man who had e ..read more