Vitis House and the NCMA team up to host a simply sippin’ wine class.
Oh, sip! It’s time to go back to school—wine school, that is. Vitis House, the North Carolina Museum of Art and Catering Works have teamed up for The Art Inside the Bottle Nov. 3, an intoxicatingly fun and educational class that explores wine history basics, wine production and the main grape varietals in conjunction with three themes that informed the reimagining of NCMA’s galleries: Identity, Place and Power.
NCMA curators specially selected works of art to feature alongside the wines—which encompass rare versions of the styles discussed in the rated “R” (for rare, natch) class. In essence, a beginners-level class with an adventurous palate. And, to boot, food pairings will be provided by Catering Works.
“To reveal the place, identity or power of a wine is to invite a crucial understanding of its excellence and significance,” says Vitis House owner/founder Doreen Colondres. “When we examine these elements together, we can truly appreciate that wine is more than fermented grape juice we pour into a nice glass.”
And, as Colondres emphasizes, “As with paint and music, wine is, indeed, another expression of art executed with feeling and passion.” Get ready to be on cloud wine.
In October, we wear pink… and take part in traditions, events and causes for breast cancer awareness!
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month, and there’s a slew of local ways to show your support that we’re tickled pink to share. Time to save the tatas!
Hit the green to rep the pink! North Ridge Country Club is hosting its sixth annual Pink Ribbon Classic to support metastatic breast cancer research Oct. 6–7, complete with outdoor activities like golf, tennis and pickleball, followed by a Pink Party, and a live and silent auction. How tee-rific!
Make strides against breast cancer via the American Cancer Society’s annual walk on Oct. 22, which raises lifesaving funds to support breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers and caregivers. You can choose to lead a team, join an existing team or go solo;, then set up a Facebook fundraiser to earn funds for the cause. Time to lace up your sneaks to stomp out cancer!
Finally, an excuse to wear your finest formal Old Hollywood attire! This dazzling fundraiser at North Ridge Country Club Oct. 22 benefits the Pretty in Pink Foundation, which has been financially assisting North Carolinians with the disease since 2006. Ooh, la la!
Get ready to punch cancer in the face—er, join in on this full-body drumming workout (really) combining cardio, conditioning and strength training with yoga and pilates-inspired movements at Boxyard RTP Oct. 22. Your $10 suggested donation goes to the Pretty in Pink Foundation—and enters you in a raffle to win some rockin’ prizes. #PinkPower!
Show off your cornhole skills while raising funds to cancel cancer at Crafty Beer Shop’s double-elimination cornhole tournament Oct. 23 (100% of proceeds go toward the American Cancer Society). Time to toss—and fight cancer!—like a boss!
Bike for the boobs (!). Put the pedal to the medal to increase awareness of breast cancer in the African American community via Black Girls Do Bike’s 35-mile bike ride on the Neuse River Trail Oct. 29.
Dubbed the Dribble for Victory Over Cancer program (and hosted annually since 2008 by UCLA and St. John’s University), this charity event is now expanding to include Triangle collegiate basketball programs, with the next event hosted at NC State on Oct. 15.
Each event involves community members gathering to dribble through a brief campus course while meeting collegiate basketball players, coaches, various student-athletes and other notable alumni en route. To dribble up support, participants can set up fundraising pages to ask friends and family to fund the cause. How baller is that?!
“The enthusiasm for Dribble for Victory Over Cancer proves what I have always believed,” says Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation Executive Director Jeri Wilson. “We are stronger together. And this is certainly the case when it comes to raising money for pediatric cancer research, which has been underfunded for too long, leaving kids with cancer few modern treatments.”
By uniting to raise money and recognize the needs of the community in such a visible and motivating way, Wilson says “North Carolinians are telling children with cancer, ‘We see you, and we are going to help you take back your futures.’”
In the 15 years since its formation, Dribble for Victory Over Cancer has raised over $2 million for pediatric cancer research (!)—with Aug. 28 UNC’s event drumming up over $75,000… meaning “the ceiling is the roof” for this charity cause.
“We are dedicated to funding the most innovative cancer research projects, and the funds raised by Dribble for Victory Over Cancer will benefit the world-class scientists who are working every day to defeat pediatric cancers,” says The V Foundation Chief Executive Officer Shane Jacobson. “Together, we are committed to learning more about the disease, improving treatments and giving all children the bright futures they deserve.” Get ready for another slam-dunk!
Raleigh Magazine sat down with Marie Osmond to talk motherhood, mental health and finding hope amid hardship.
Just a few weeks ago, an eighth-grader hanged himself in a Wake County middle school—and it’s certainly not the only instance of a suicide by a school-aged child across the country this year. There’s no question that mental health is a nationwide crisis. The stats are staggering, with nearly 1 in 5 Americans living with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Leading the fight locally is Foundation of Hope founder and Angus Barn owner Van Eure by “investing in groundbreaking scientific research and mental health initiatives.” Its annual Evening of Hope charity dinner and auction in September featured award-winning singer, actress and mental health advocate Marie Osmond as its 2022 guest speaker—and Raleigh Mag got the honor of chatting with her before the event.
Osmond has been a huge player in spearheading the conversation about mental health. She’s talked at length about her battle against bulimia and anorexia, and was the first celebrity to pen a book detailing her experience with postpartum depression. She’s also been at the forefront of destigmatizing mental health and depression—and fighting to raise awareness—after losing her 18-year-old son to suicide a little over a decade ago.
“Depression is depression is depression,” says Osmond. “It feels the same however it is put into your life, and for somebody who has always been able to find something to laugh about or some reason to be positive, I couldn’t find that—and it was terrifying.”
While mental illness is remarkably common in adolescents—and adults for that matter—it can be hard to diagnose. Osmond urges parents to listen to their children, especially with many dealing with coming out of isolation from the pandemic. “Listening is a really important thing,” she says. “I know with the issues facing the world, our children are dealing with some big issues.”
Both Osmond and the Foundation of Hope believe just talking about mental illness is a significant way to fight rising mental health issues and suicide rates. “I believe by sharing, we stop competing—and we start completing,” says Osmond. “We all go through similar things in life, and it’s nice to know you’re not alone.” walkforhope.com
Take the plunge and check out these four epic North Carolina waterfalls for a splashing day (or weekend!) excursion.
TLC famously told us not to go chasing waterfalls… but we rec the opposite. And fall is prime time to explore NC’s many beautiful cascades (hey, fall foliage!).
Here, we round up four awe-inspiring Western NC waterfalls to visit this season, plus pit stops for snacks, sips and sleep along the way. Amid your waterfall wanderings, plan to check out gift shops with products from local vendors, bite into BBQ sandwiches and baked goods from small shops, and end a day of adventuring with a good night’s sleep under the stars (or stay somewhere luxurious—dealer’s choice!).
Essentially, just go with the flow (!). Whether you’re into splashing, strolling or simply stopping to see the views, there’s a NC waterfall that you’re sure to fall head over heels for. Water you waiting for?!
DO
Looking Glass Falls One of the most accessible in North Carolina, these picturesque 60-foot waterfalls—named for their glistening, glassy appearance during those frosty winter months—are located just off U.S. 276 along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. You can see the waterfall from the road, but you’re gonna wanna get out of your car to take in its full beauty—or dip your toes in!
Moore Cove Falls Just a hop, skip and jump away from Looking Glass Falls is this hidden gem, one of the rare NC waterfalls visitors can venture behind by path. A fam-friendly 1.5-mile hike, the unmarked journey to Moore Cove Falls features a walk through a lush forest of ferns and rosebay rhododendron (translation: plenty of ’Gram-worthy ops!). Trust us, Moore Cove is no mainstream stop.
Sliding Rock Oh, chute! If slipping down a 60-foot boulder into chilly water is your thing, then this natural waterfall is right up your alley. A staple stop for light thrill-seekers, this mountain waterfall tempts patrons to skid into an 8-foot pool of water, swim to shore and repeat. After all, they say happiness comes in rushes. But if you don’t want to get wet, post up at the observation area to relish the views—and splashes. You don’t wanna mist this one.
Whitewater Falls Falling at 811 feet, these jaw-dropping waterfalls along the border of North and South Carolina are the tallest east of the Rocky Mountains. The short 1/4-mile trail leading the way lends its own gushworthy views (think a wildflower forest and Lake Jocassee)—and the paved overlook offers plenty of spectacular photo ops. Things are really looking up…
EAT
Historic Toxaway Market and Mountain Cafe There’s no need to wine, as this friendly market and cafe has everything you need for a perfect picnic, from ~500 wines to cheeses to breads and pastries from local bakeries and more—plus coffee and Hershey’s Ice Cream to refuel after a day spent adventuring. How sweet! Lake Toxaway, historictoxawaymarket.com
Bracken Mountain Bakery You’re bound to fall in loaf with this neighborhood bakery, featured as one of Southern Living’s 2022 Best Bakeries in the South. Located in historic downtown Brevard, it’s best known for scratchmade European-style breads and pastries, making it the perf stop for breakfast, lunch or a snack pre- or post-waterfall viewing. Seriously dough. Brevard, brackenmountainbakery.com
Smoke on BBQ Get ready to go hog wild at this drive-thru BBQ resto that smokes its meats daily and makes all its own barbecue sauces, marinades and seasonings in house (!). Despite its small size, this smokin’ joint packs a serious punch with generous portions, killer collards and cooked-to-perfection ’cue. Pig out! Brevard, eatsmokeonbbq.com
DRINK
Cup & Saucer (photo by Chris Wilson)
Cup & Saucer Started as a mobile coffee cart, this cute coffee shop now serves up specialty coffee and fresh housemade baked goods to satiate sweet or savory cravings within its quaint digs (the flaky, buttery biscuits are a must-order!). Post-nosh, wander down to the Mercantile to grab some gifts for the foodies in your life. Brevard, cupandsaucernc.com
Noblebräu Brewing The brainchild of Cody Noble, this bangin’ brewery began in Noble’s basement before he moved up to the big leagues and opened up his brewery + tasting room at hoppin’ live music venue 185 King Street. So, come for the brews and stay for the tunes. Ale, yeah! Brevard, noblebrau.com
Oskar Blues Brewery There’s no feeling blue at this “adventure-crushing” craft brewery. With 32 beers on tap year-round and a rotating selection of specialty brews to boot, it’s the perfect spot to chill with a cold one on the spacious covered patio and relish the cool fall air—or within its cool industrial interior. Tap in! Brevard, oskarblues.com
STAY
Deerwoode Reserve Oh, deer! With 175 acres of wildlife along the banks of the French Broad River, this serene reserve is a true Carolina paradise. In addition to the cozy cabins (studio; one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom ops are available), the property serves up trails, water activities, yard games and more. Goodbye, boredom! Brevard, deerwoode.com
Cherryfield Luxury Group Camping This luxury camping venue puts the glam in glamping—we’re talking luxury indoor steam showers, signature swings, fire pits and plenty of places to relax under the stars. With four spacious side-by-side tent pavilions, the glamping destination is ideal for gathering with friends or fam for a neat nature retreat. Pitch, please! Brevard, glampingwnc.com
High Hampton If you’re a fan of the high life, book a room at this charming inn that touts a balance between “removed, but not remote” and “social, but not stuffy” (um, the perfect balance!). When you’re not resting your head in one of the historical-yet-upgraded abodes, treat yourself to a spa day, tee up at the golf course or enjoy a fine dinner at one of the on-site restaurants… if you feel so inclined. Cashiers, highhampton.com
