LETTER FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR

I love feel-good stories, and this issue offers at least a dozen doses of inspiration.
First, we meet Gwen Høeg, 18, a Northwood High School senior brimming with energy and ambition. The story on page 32 tells only the beginning of this young woman’s journey into the male-dominated motor sports world. She doesn’t yet realize that tenacity is her real superpower. Gwen is unafraid to give a wholehearted effort and make course corrections to achieve her goals. She believes she can, so she will.
On page 54, read about Angela Cacace, a powerhouse making room for women in the construction industry. Her hashtag #moveoverbob has grown into a full-fledged venture that amplifies positivity for female workers and male allies.
For Brandi Morris (page 40) and Hannah Brown (page 48), their families are a source of support for their businesses in downtown Pittsboro – Red Moose Brewing Company and Deep River Mercantile, respectively. And throughout our fifth annual women’s issue, we learn about what drives Gwen, Angela, Brandi, Hannah and eight others who are passionate about the welfare of children, the benefits of art and literature, the rights of humans and animals alike, and the well-being of our own health as individuals and as a democracy.
As Chatham County grows, change is inevitable, and our quality of life depends on each of us and how we choose to act. These 12 women, whether on the brink of retirement or just starting to learn of their potential, serve as role models who show up every day to make a difference. – by Anna-Rhesa Versola
The Women’s Issue
32 Gwen Høeg
Northwood High School
36 Michelle Paige
Chatham County Democratic Party
38 Gilda McDaniel
Fearrington Village
40 Brandi Morris
Red Moose Brewing Company
42 Cindy Perry
Town of Pittsboro
46 Cristal Ocampo Ruiz
Chatham County Public Health Department
48 Hannah Brown
Deep River Mercantile
50 Genevieve Megginson
Chatham County Partnership for Children
52 Pandora Paschal
Chatham County Board of Elections
54 Angela Cacace
A. Marie Design + Build, Move Over Bob and The Bower Creative
56 Keebe Fitch
McIntyre’s Books
60 Pam Fulk
Carolina Tiger Rescue
HOME & GARDEN
64 What We Love About Living in … Powell Place
Three families share what drew them to the neighborhood north of downtown Pittsboro
86 In Her Garden, Goodness Grows
A local artist uses her backyard as a creative outlet
92 Plant This, Not That
Three local experts share their advice for picking native species
DEPARTMENTS
4 Letter from the Managing Editor
8 Six Events
Events you won’t want to miss
22 Noted
What we’ve heard around our towns
26 Who’s Who in Town & County Government
Cory Saulsbury moves up the ranks to Pittsboro’s water plant superintendent
98 Here We Grow Again
Updates on commercial and real estate projects in downtown Pittsboro
102 Engagement
Marro & Riggsbee
103 Weddings
Allen & Henning
Elkins & Moore
PEOPLE & PLACES
10 Fearrington Folk Art Show
12 Mardi Gras Pub Crawl
16 New Mural at The Plant
18 Lyle Estill’s 60th Birthday Celebration
SPONSORED CONTENT
29 The Big Give
Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved