by Cameron Rhinehardt | Sep 12, 2022 | Eat, September 2022
Here’s where to celebrate Negroni Week (Sept. 12–18) in the Triangle. Bottom’s up!
Drinking for a cause? Count us in! Negroni Week (Sept. 12–18)—a nationwide fundraiser organized by Campari and Imbibe magazine that celebrates the drink itself while raising money for charitable organizations across the world—is back, and a host of Triangle bars and restaurants are offering traditional and specialty drinks to celebrate the cause. Here’s where to grab a ’tail this week!
Whether you’re a fan of the classic Negroni or are looking for a modern spin, The Willard’s gotcha covered. Head to the rooftop lounge for its barrel-aged Negroni or try the New-groni, a unique concoction of Conniption American Dry Gin, Nonino Amaro, Hoodoo chicory liqueur and coffee bitters. To boot, a portion of proceeds from both drinks will be donated to Slow Food to give direct support to those in hospitality. Cheers to that!
Negronis and tapas—name a better duo, we’ll wait. Belly up to the bar for Spanish small plates and your pick of a classic Negroni, boulevardier or a Negroni/sangria mashup (!)—or try them all… no judgment. Cheers!
You won’t be bitter about fan-fave cocktail x coffee bar Bittersweet’s Negroni Week celebration Sept. 14–19 with a special menu feat. a “starter Negroni” and—for the Negroni lovers!—a build-your-own op with exciting gins and unique flavor-infused vermouths. NTM a portion of proceeds will go toward Raleigh Pride and Planned Parenthood (!). Sweet, indeed.
Where better to celebrate one of the most iconic cocktails than at an iconic Raleigh bar?! Hit up Dram all week long for special variations, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Slow Food foundation.
Given that Negronis are traditionally an Italian drink, we’re pretty confident that Mother & Sons’ Negroni Week offerings are gonna be top notch—and they’ll be donating a portion of sales to Saving Grace (!). Choose from three classic cocktails, or mix it up with one bartender Samantha Hamrick’s special creations—think the In the Limelight with Conniption navy strength gin, Campari, Mommenpop lime vermouth and lime. Oh, mother!
by Cameron Rhinehardt | Aug 17, 2022 | Do, July 2022/August 2022
After hearing past reports of unusual experiences at Logan’s Garden Shop, The Ghost Guild, a nonprofit org composed of “professional, dependable and committed individuals with a love for history, science and the unexplained,” figured now would be the perfect time to investigate the historical building (!).
Logan’s Garden Shop, within Seaboard Station, is just one site in North Carolina where paranormal activity has been reported (hang tight for the report from the investigation to be released in early November). Just within the state, The Ghost Guild—which is on a mission to investigate such reports of unexplained paranormal activity in an attempt to better explain yet-to-be-solved mysteries in historically significant locations, plus help historical sites with preservation efforts—has explored 28 different sites (seven in Raleigh!), including old plantations, jails, theaters and more.
“We saw an opportunity to help sites of cultural and historical significance through paranormal investigations and our love for research into history, legends and science,” says The Ghost Guild Executive Director and co-founder Nelson Nauss.
The Ghost Guild’s investigations are science-based, meaning they observe data, form hypotheses, and try to explain the situations and observations before starting experiences—um, looking at you, Ghost Hunters. … “We don’t depend on the devices made popular by TV shows, especially devices that cannot be easily reviewed,” explains Nauss. “Sometimes TV shows use devices that are expensive and not grounded in a good process. The electronic devices we use are primarily data loggers that enable us to collect environment variables.”
You can get in on the haunting action yourself, as The Ghost Guild is offering at least three opps for the public to join an investigation to gain hands-on experience:
- During Mordecai Historic Park’s 50th anniversary celebration on Sept. 10, attendees will be able to register to win the opportunity to join an investigation of the park in early 2023 at The Ghost Guild’s booth.
- The Ghost Guild hosts one ticketed public investigation aboard the USS North Carolina every year (the date TBA in November).
- Through its new partnership with The Murfreesboro Historical Association, civilian ghost hunters can enter a giveaway for two to Murfreesboro and investigate one of the properties with The Ghost Guild to help find the ghostess with the mostess.
According to Nauss, The Ghost Guild also hopes to keep audiences engaged by sharing information about paranormal places through data, stories, history and science.
“When we share our data, we never label findings as ‘evidence’ of the paranormal; we always ask our audience to make their own conclusions, and we hope they feel like they’re part of the growing story of paranormal investigations,” he says. “We like to make our audiences—even those who think they might not like science or history—interested enough to become curious.” So, if you’re looking for a boo, this team of modern ghost hunters might be just what you need to lift your spirits.
by Cameron Rhinehardt | Jul 18, 2022 | Buzz, July 2022/August 2022, Web Exclusive
We’ve got one more thing to add to our list of what makes Cary cool—the Raleigh burb (so-dubbed the “Concentrated Area for Relocated Yankees,” among other not-so-flattering acronyms…) is getting a new park (!). Slated to open in the spring of 2023, Downtown Cary Park—a project 19 years in the making!—will be a 7-acre gathering space for the Cary community and visitors alike (plus doggos, of course) with a dog park, a children’s play area, a market, a bar, walking trails and more.
And while the park will certainly provide plenty of green space for social events, programming walks, and the like, it’s also designed to serve as a catalyst for future development of and investment in downtown Cary, says Downtown Cary Park General Manager Joy Ennis. “The park is set to energize the heart of downtown Cary and unify the Cary community,” she adds.
But wait—there’s more. Downtown Cary Park will also feature the Bark Bar, a hub near the dog play areas that will serve coffee, juice and pastries in the morning, and transition to a traditional bar with beer and wine at night. When hunger strikes, you can hit up the Marketplace, which will offer a broad range of items—from pastries to wine and Champagne—or if you’re planning a picnic, the Support Kitchen will offer grab-and-go items and picnic essentials, while also providing catering and storage for the park.
The ultimate place to just park it, the essential goal of Downtown Cary Park is to “create a space that feels like home and represents Cary in the most unique and interactive way possible,” says Ennis. “Through workshops, board committees, discussion and focus groups, and surveys, an iconic public space was conceived. Downtown Cary Park is a world-class park in the making with incredible attention placed on community engagement designed to develop a park that citizens feel is truly their park.” Don’t worry, Raleighites… it can certainly be your park too. Sharing is caring.
by Cameron Rhinehardt | Jun 30, 2022 | Do, July 2022/August 2022
Carolina Tailwinds is serving up the perfect summer trips for sightseeing and touring beautiful North Carolina.
Looking for a wheelie good time? Take sightseeing to the next level this summer through Carolina Tailwinds, a cycling vacation tour company that offers carefully planned multiday inn-to-inn bicycle tour packages in 10 states throughout the Eastern U.S.—including NC, natch. Beach bums will wanna coast through the Outer Banks (four-, five- and six-day tours are available), while pro cyclists can kick it into gear via epic climbs in the Blue Ridge of the Carolinas over a five-day tour with a small group and a guide—each with stops at historical sights and attractions along the way. And—wait for it—lodging and most meals are included with the trip’s cost (!). So not only will you get a ton of exercise in during your vacay, but you’ll also get to lay your head at Carolina Tailwinds’ favorite country inns and boutique hotels while enjoying decadent meals from the area’s best restos—plus partaking in extra activities like paddleboarding. (Um, sign us up!) You can bring your own trusty steed or rent one from Carolina Tailwinds that’s optimal for whichever trip you choose. Time to gear up and head out! carolinatailwinds.com
by Cameron Rhinehardt | Jun 30, 2022 | Buzz, July 2022/August 2022
From whimsical fests to abandoned ghost towns, these NC hidden gems are worth the trip.
Take the road less traveled—read: less tourists!—this summer with an NC hidden gems adventure. First, ace our quiz on some of our state’s most mystical secret spots—then pack your bags and make it your summer adventure bucket list.
“Once you find a kindred spirit, never let them go…” If you’ve ever been to Bird Island, you’re probably familiar with the Kindred Spirits Mailbox—where visitors can leave thoughts, wishes and prayers. The mailbox served as inspiration for which popular Nicholas Sparks novel?
a. Every Breath
b. The Wish
c. Safe Haven
d. The Last Song
Now a small-town destination for restaurants, boutiques, inns, entertainment, music history and the like, which revitalized NC city was once home to the world’s largest manufacturer of household textiles?
a. Sylva
b. Mount Airy
c. Franklin
d. Kannapolis
If you’re squirming your way through NC, the Wooly Worm Festival—which hosts wooly worm races to forecast winter—in Banner Elk is def worth digging into. How many years has the fest taken place?
a. 25
b. 35
c. 45
d. 55
Down for a whirlwind of a time? Look no further than the two-day all-inclusive NC Whirligig Festival in Historic Downtown Wilson. Whirligigs, a piece of art made from road signs, bicycles, ceiling fans (to name a few), were created by which local folk artist?
a. Minnie Adkins
b. Vollis Simpson
c. Jimmy Lee Sudduth
d. Benny Carter
I don’t think we’re in Raleigh anymore. … Follow the yellow brick road to Beech Mountain this September for The Autumn at Oz Festival, the largest Oz fest in the world. The fest takes place at the now-defunct theme park Land of Oz, which closed in what year?
a. 1970
b. 1975
c. 1980
d. 1985
Who ya gonna call? If you’re obsessed with ghost stories and all things paranormal, the Cryptozoology and Paranormal Museum is right up your alley. Not your average museum, it offers visitors the chance to hunt for Bigfoot in which NC locale?
a. Pisgah National Forest
b. Stone Mountain State Park
c. Nantahala National Forest
d. Medoc Mountain State Park
The Judaculla Rock, an ancient boulder in Sylva that served as a sacred site before the colonization of North America, is believed to be imprinted with a seven-fingered handprint by the ancient creature Judaculla (um, spooky!). Archaeologists believe the engravings on the soapstone could be traced back to what time period?
a. 4000 B.C.
b. 3000 B.C.
c. 2000 B.C.
d. 1000 B.C.
Down for a night of haunted fun? Just an hour outside of Asheville is the abandoned Henry River Mill Village in Hildebran, single-handedly owned by a man who lives nearby. The ghost town was the site of which well-known sci-fi movie?
a. The Hunger Games
b. Divergent
c. The Adam Project
d. Arrival
Stay forever young with a visit to NC’s very own fountain of youth, located near The Cabins at Healing Springs in Crumpler. The historic healing spring, said to cure everything from indigestion to poison ivy, was discovered in what year?
a. 1791
b. 1820
c. 1872
d. 1884
Answers: 1. A; 2. D; 3. C; 4. B; 5. C; 6. D; 7. C; 8. A; 9. D
