Tricks or it didn’t happen. … Creep it real with our festive quiz on local horror movies, spooky seasonal specials and other Oak City Halloween tidbits. So if ya got the knowledge, now’s the time to haunt it.
1. While Cape Fear, a tantalizing thriller about a convicted criminal seeking revenge, wasn’t actually filmed on location in NC (boo!), it’s still set in a popular local destination. Where was most of the 1991 version of the film shot instead?
a. Savannah
b. Charleston
c. Wilmington
d. Hilton Head
2. Calling all nerds! Nerd Escape Room on Glenwood South offers up perplexing puzzles perfect for escape room novices or seasoned experts. How many escape room options are there to choose from?
a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 7
3. By day, Dorothea Dix Park is a pleasant place for rest and play. … By night, some say the cemetery on the grounds near Dorothea Dix Hospital is haunted by the spirits of patients long passed. What year did the hospital cease operations?
a. 2000
b. 2012
c. 2015
d. 2018
4. Time to up the fear factor. … Filmed in Shelby, NC, Final Exam is your classic Halloween slasher film feat. college students getting picked off by a nameless killer (how fun!). What year was this hair-raising horror film released?
a. 1981
b. 1990
c. 1995
d. 2002
5. Happy haunting! The Raleigh Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour combines local ghost stories, folklore and history during visits to four different ghost and paranormal sites. At which historic home might you find a peg-legged ghost?
a. The Yarborough House
b. Heck-Andrews House
c. The White-Holman House
d. The Oberlin House
6. If you think being a Wolfpack fan is easy, you’re dead wrong. NC State’s supposed curse of athletic hardship has haunted our beloved football team for decades. When was the last time the Pack secured an ACC championship?
a. 1979
b. 1980
c. 1983
d. 1995
7. Sir Walter Coffee has scary good coffee and cocktails, NTM rotating seasonal specials that are to die for, including all the classic autumn drinks. What is the name of Sir Walter Coffee’s pumpkin spiced latte?
a. Witch’s Brew
b. Pumpkin Potion
c. Pumpkin King
d. Spice Up Your Life
8. Don’t get your knickers in a twist. Which classic Halloween flick will be showing at Raleigh Little Theatre this month?
a. Scream
b. Halloweentown
c. The Addams Family
d. Hocus Pocus
9. Trick or treat yo’ self to a free doughnut at Krispy Kreme by showing up in your costume on Halloween (um, doughnut mind if we do!). In what NC city did the first Krispy Kreme open its doors in 1937?
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
Scrub up on small business soap shop The Bath Place and its bubbly owner.
“Simply fresh, confident and clean” is the MO of founder and Chief Soap Artist Kimberly Clayton Thigpen’s The Bath Place, which recently opened a second location at the Pop-Up Shops at Martin Street—and it’s exactly what you’ll get with her spa-quality natural products made with simple ingredients (read: no harmful chemicals!).
Thigpen started making soaps in 2006 in response to a family member of hers who suffered from eczema. She began researching soapmaking and looked for ways to incorporate shea butter into soap, which she found worked well for the condition. In the process, she fell in love with the approach to making soap by hand.
“It’s joyful for me,” gushes Thigpen. “Like, ‘Oh, my gosh! I made soap and it actually works!’ Even if I wasn’t selling it, I would do it for free. It’s just therapeutic.”
After three years of moonlighting and selling her products—think body and facial bars, lip scrubs, candles, hand sanitizer, and soap (natch)—online and at craft shows, festivals and farmers markets, Thigpen opened her first retail shop in Rocky Mount in 2012. Now, after over a decade of business, in addition to the two brick-and-mortars, The Bath Place products have even bubbled onto shelves at five local Whole Foods Market locations (!).
And the world is taking note. Thigpen’s business made the pages of Travel + Leisure, and she was one of this year’s keynote speakers at Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s esteemed State of Downtown program. Talk about scrubbing up success! “We had to learn to create the product at scale,” she says. “But while the process has changed, we try to keep the love involved.”
With no intention of leaving Raleigh anytime soon (who can blame her), this artisan soapmaking mom of six and small-business owner has her sights set on a clean future. She’s currently working on building out a warehouse facility, increasing her community engagement and finding a permanent space in Raleigh (“I love it here!” she says). Talk about a soap-erstar. thebathplace.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
If you haven’t visited Lake Raleigh before, water you doing? Nestled on NC State’s Centennial Campus (and surrounded by 96 acres of protected woodlands!), this hidden, scenic gem is the perfect picturesque spot for a picnic, casting a line (look out for largemouth bass and catfish) or paddleboarding. Meanwhile, active souls are gonna wanna hop on the greenway trail for a run, pedal to the metal by bike or get their disc golf on at the nine-hole course starting at the lake’s entrance. And we’re already hooked. centennial.ncsu.edu
