Ahhh, summer – a season of outdoor fun and travel for a change of pace. This issue is packed with inspiration to have your best summer yet; you’ll find family-friendly things to do, places to see and people to meet, starting on page 58 with Heather Cassese, a chiropractor in Pittsboro who often spends her day off atop a paddleboard at Jordan Lake. Flip the page to discover recommendations for summer reads from Circle City Books & Music’s Myles Friedman.
The athletic at heart will enjoy reading about the pickleball trend, a great way for older adults in our communities to stay active. Read about a few local players on page 96. Dancing with members of the Chatham Social Club (page 104) is another form of exercise for mind and body.
Keep reading to learn more about a select few individuals who immerse themselves in what they love, like woodworker Roy Underhill, 72, who will close the Woodwright’s School in downtown Pittsboro in August. Rather than truly “retire,” he will pursue historical research as he writes a new book. Then, there is Roger Berkowitz, 78, a retired art museum director who reenergized Galloway Ridge with an exceptional art collection.
Lastly, I want to introduce you to our new managing editor, Morgan Cartier Weston. She grew up in Wake County, but fell in love with Chatham as a child when she visited her aunt and uncle, who have lived in Pittsboro for more than 25 years. Morgan moved to Fearrington Village in 2020, and brings a wealth of experience as she adds a savvy dimension to our growing audience in print and online.
As for me, I am following my own passion and expanding my role as a writer to create content for all the magazines published by Triangle Media Partners. Thank you for your continued heartfelt support, and may the sun shine warmly upon you this season and beyond. – Anna-Rhesa Versola, managing editor
PLAN YOUR ULTIMATE SUMMER
58 Paddle Days
Spend your days off on the water
60 Curl Up and Read
A page-turner for every reader
62 Hand-Picked Harvest
A comprehensive guide to picking your own fruits
64 Sounds of Summer
Outdoor concerts, movies and more
68 The Year of Happy Trails
Explore a 5.5-mile loop on horseback, plus a handy hikers’ guide to local trails
72 Help Keep Our Waterways Clean
Pitch in to preserve our rivers and lakes
74 Volunteer to Feed the Community
Lend a hand to those in need
76 Ride a Moving Museum
Travel back in time aboard the New Hope Valley Railway
78 Tee Up!
Putt around area golf courses
80 Alpacas and Camels and Goats, Oh, My!
Visit farms and their furry residents at camps and classes
82 Get Cooking
The Sycamore at Chatham Mills welcomes a new executive chef
84 Ice. Cold. Drinks.
Sips of the season
90 Games Families Play
Find tabletop fun at our libraries
94 Plant Now, Bloom Later
Native plants to nurture your garden
148 Home Away from Home
Three vintage homes transformed into sought-after vacation spots
AGING, WELLNESS & RETIREMENT
50 Pass it On
Lifelong Chathamites tell their stories for prosperity
96 Kind of a Big Dill
Pickleball entices older adults to stay active and social
104 Come Dance with Me
Meet two couples who step out for fun and fitness
114 Grand Dames of the Court
These women prove you’re never too old to play basketball
119 Hiking for Health
Hit the trails with this 55+ group
120 The Measure of a Man
A local cultural celebrity leaves his mark on Pittsboro and beyond
128 The Art of Retirement
A former museum coordinator adds culture to his community
DEPARTMENTS
6 Letter from the Managing Editor
10 Five Events
You won’t want to miss
38 Noted
What we’ve heard around our towns …
42 Who’s Who in Town & County Government
Learn about the man whose team we count on in case of an emergency
170 Here We Grow Again
Commercial development updates, plus a look at upcoming projects
PEOPLE & PLACES
14 Chamber of Commerce Women’s Social
16 Carolina Brewery Tapping Party
18 Spring Ag Fest
20 Havoc Brewing Grand Opening
22 ClydeFEST
24 Piedmont Farm Tour
28 Spring Stroll
31 CORA’s Empty Bowls
32 Chamber of Commerce Development Briefing
WEDDINGS
172 Coleman & Mitchell
174 Little & Matthews
176 Broedell & Ciociola
