by Mandy Howard | Oct 17, 2016 | Eat, October 2016
Close your eyes and picture a hog farmer, a restaurateur and a brewer. Did the images tend to be male? There is no question that the food and beverage industry is still primarily led by men, but women are making huge strides in the industry. Meet some of the local women proving these stereotypes are meant to be sliced and diced.
The Restaurateur
As a Latin American woman, Angela Salamanca is well aware that discrimination and stereotypes exist but, for her, the focus remains on the positive and the possibilities.
“There are a good number of women running very successful restaurants. I am honored and proud to be part of this group,” says the owner of Centro Mexican Restaurant and Gallo Pelon Mezcaleria in Raleigh.
Her Uncle Carlos took Salamanca in when she was young, and he taught her what she knows about both Mexican food and the restaurant business. He inspired her and helped her open Centro. However, she is quick to note that she is Colombian.
“I love Mexican food and culture but never set out to be a representative of that culture,” she says. “I am humbled and honored to do so to the best of my abilities. I am also happy to have an opportunity to have a voice that can contribute to the development of this lovely city that is now my home.”
In opening Centro, she hoped to create a stable living for her family but, just as importantly, she wanted to make a difference in her community. “Changing the narrative of my family to grant my children with opportunities I never even dreamed of is my daily prayer,” she adds.
She is cognizant that her role as a woman, an immigrant, a Latin American and a business owner can provide inspiration and hope for others. And she wants to be sure Centro continues to be a place for the community, a place where people can come together and feel loved and accepted. It is a lofty goal for a business, but one that seems realized from the moment you walk into the cozy restaurant and see the word “Comunidad,” Spanish for community, printed on the bright walls.
The Hog Farmer
Megan Sutton Spence is used to the surprise in people’s eyes when she tells them what she does for a living because when people envision a hog farmer, they don’t normally envision, well, a her. Recently serving as the face of the North Carolina Pork Council, Spence is single-handedly shattering this stereotype. Serving as the farm manager at Sutton Family Farms in Goldsboro, Spence is proud to be part of a movement that shows women are ready and capable to begin taking leadership roles on the farm, but her goal wasn’t to be part of a movement.
A college graduate in recreational therapy, Megan went home to her family farm while waiting for her licensure to come through. However, after jumping back into the same jobs she had done her whole life, she decided simply to stay. “The farm felt like home and where I was supposed to be,” she says.
Though it felt right, she had her doubts:
“At first when I became full time on the farm, I was thinking, do women really do this? Is it possible? Am I setting myself up for failure? But then I noticed more women were doing it, and I thought, if they can do it, I can too.”
She credits that grit to her grandmother, Margaret Sutton. “She helped my granddaddy run his businesses. She wasn’t scared to work and taught me that if you had to take on a more ‘masculine’ role, so be it! You’ve got to get the job done,” she adds. Guided by both these women, the farm has flourished, and thanks to a partnership with Smithfield Foods, you can purchase their pork at most Raleigh grocery stores.
The Brewer
For centuries, men have dominated the brewing industry but that’s changing now. Locally, Raleigh Brewing Company CEO Kristie Nystedt infused her passion for home brewing with her 20-year business career to start the only woman-led brewery in Raleigh. Along the way, she was inspired by Teri Fahrendorf, the Founder of the Pink Boots Society, an organization created to encourage women in the beer industry, and Kim Jordan, the original Founder and President of New Belgium Brewing.
But she credits her experience in corporate America as laying the best foundation for working in the male-centric industry. “The leaders were a strong mix of both male and females. [They] inspired me to overcome large barriers to success,” she says. “Stereotyping is just one barrier to overcome when heading toward your goal in the brewery biz. But if you keep focused on the end product, to create a great craft beer experience for your customer and gain respect by your peers, the stereotypes don’t create a problem.”
Nystedt, however, is clear that passion can only get you so far. You have to be committed to producing a superior product and correcting your path when necessary. “Move forward passionately and aggressively,” she says. “Be accountable for your actions and commit to quality. Never let your gender be an excuse for not obtaining your goals.”
by Mandy Howard | Sep 6, 2016 | Buzz, September 2016
A behind the scenes look at being the head ball coach’s wife, with Sara Doeren
From the outside, being married to a Division 1 head football coach seems glamorous: good paycheck, traveling to games and meeting interesting people. But what’s life really like when you’re a coach’s wife? I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I met with Sara Doeren, wife of Wolfpack Head Coach, Dave Doeren, and she agreed to give me a behind the scenes look at their lives. I can tell you I did not expect to pour an entire glass of tea on her. In slow motion, the drink toppled over. The lid popped off and like a cruel perfectly aimed tea cannon, the icy liquid cascaded directly onto Sara’s lap. I was mortified. Through nervous laughter I apologized and offered to pay for her dry cleaning.
She laughed too: “I’m a Mom of three boys! I don’t wear clothes that need dry-cleaning!” And with that auspicious beginning, Sara opened the door to her home and her heart about the good, the bad and the sometimes bizarre of being married to football.
Are there any rituals or superstitions for game day?
Dave used to have lucky shoes, lucky socks. There was one time, when we were dating, I thought his lucky shoes were in the Goodwill pile, and I donated them. When Dave asked where they were, I had to go to the Goodwill and ask them to search through their bins to find them. That was embarrassing! But after a while, you have to leave without the shoes and the outcome is exactly what you wanted, you realize, “I guess I didn’t need those.”
Now, Dave has to get up and go for a long walk with a cup of coffee that he rarely drinks; he just walks. And whether it’s me, or the boys, we have to go. That’s part of it, you have to go for a walk every game day. It could be 10 degrees out and you’re just walking in the parking lot. It’s not a weird ritual, because it’s just a walk, but it’s every game day.
After a game, is there anything special you do?
Most big games, a handful of recruits will be in town that will have dinner at our house, win or lose, which (after a loss) is not always fun. When Dave comes back, he just has to relax. He’s been so focused and so “on” during the game for five intense hours. He just needs to sit back, so he’ll come home, get a few minutes to get himself together and then we’re entertaining. I’m really fortunate because all of the coaches are amazing. It’s never just Dave and me entertaining 12 kids and their families. It truly is a family atmosphere.
Do you cook for recruits?
No, we cater. I am a terrible cook. I’m just going to put that right out there. I’m horrible! But even if I was a great cook, I don’t think I could pull that off, I mean being gone all day and then coming in and flipping that [switch]. I don’t know how people do that.
What are some unique challenges you face as a mom?
We’re in a profession that is entertainment essentially. But it’s not entertainment for us. It’s our livelihood. You need a winning record to keep your contracts going. I don’t know if social media has spun this out of control or what, but people think they can say the most bizarre things. I’m OK if it’s to me but when they start getting my kids involved…that’s the hardest part. I can shelter my kids, but I can’t completely shelter them.
How do you handle it?
For the most part, the kids have really great friends, the ones that can say, “Good game, I’m glad we won, want to go play baseball?” We have had to teach them to turn the other cheek early on, and it’s a little sad that you have to do that over sports but it goes both ways. We had a great teachable moment because when we beat Carolina they went into school excited and went right to their (Carolina fan) friends and talked it up, but the next year when Carolina beat us and it came back to them, they realized it didn’t feel so good.
Youíve used the word “bizarre” to describe things people have done, can you give us some examples?
Honestly I try to block them out. We were in Wisconsin, and my son had a teacher who said, “I wish I could help you out but you’re Wisconsin, and I’m Michigan State.” My kid came home and said, “Ms. So & So said she won’t help because she’s a Spartan.” I’d say, [incredulous] “Wait, is that true?!” So, we scheduled time to talk to her, thinking for sure she was kidding or my son misunderstood. And she said, “It’s just really hard. Every time I see him… I just really don’t like the Badgers.”
Wow.
There have been times we bid on houses and people would refuse to sell to us because they were fans of the opposing team. In one city, we stopped getting our newspaper. The deliveryman was a fan [of the opposing team].
What’s the most fun part about being a coach’s wife?
Bowl games are great carrots at the end of a good season. You don’t want to be home for Christmas. Every year people ask me, “Where are you going for Christmas,” and I just say, “I hope not here!” I love that time of year. I like not knowing where you’re going to go but you’re going to go somewhere fun. Dave’s busy because they still have practice but the bowl schedule is just completely different. You’re doing fun activities throughout. Also, traveling to sports venues I’ve never seen before is neat. Not everyone gets the opportunity to hop on a plane and do that.
Anything that you want people to know?
Our lives are like any other, just maybe under the microscope a little. A friend and I were talking and she made the best analogy. Her husband had been working on a deal for two years and it fell through. He came home disappointed and then the next day, they got up and went out for pizza. She told me: “Dave has a disappointment, and everybody knows about it. The disappointments my husband has are very private.” I had never really thought about it that way, but that is truly what it is.
What do you think is hardest for people to understand about your lifestyle?
I can’t tell you how many times people ask, where’s your husband? I’ll say, “He’s coaching football.” They either get it or they don’t. Luke was bitten by a dog and had to get reconstructive surgery. It was a Friday before an away game. We met with the doctor, understood the plan and he kissed me and said, “OK, I’ll see you after the game tomorrow” and he left. The surgeon just looked [shocked], “Is he really leaving?” I said, “Yes, he has to; he has a game.”
What is your favorite part about being in Raleigh?
It’s just such a beautiful city. I absolutely love the trees and parks; it’s just so lush. Dave takes the kids hiking and fishing. The fact that we can get to the lake, the mountains and the beach so quickly is awesome. You can do all those things just a couple hours away.
by Mandy Howard | Sep 6, 2016 | Buzz, September 2016
Wolfpack football alums talk about football today, how the game has changed, whether they’d let their kids play and “rabid” Wolfpack fans.
Who’s who
Jason Biggs Punter from 1993-1998 and Graduate Assistant Coach from 1998-2001. He went on to coach and serve as an athletic director for East Wake High. He currently runs FS Series Sports with fellow former player, Marc Primanti.
Carl Reeves Defensive End from 1991-1994. He was drafted to the NFL and played for the Chicago Bears. He later played arena football with the Carolina Cobras. Currently an ordained minister, Reeves gives back to the community through a mentoring program and works at Crossroads Ford.
Marc Primanti started as a walk-on kicker in 1992. He won the starting position in the 1995 season, went on to become a first team All-American and won the Lou Groza Award for the nation’s top kicker. He runs FS Series Sports with Biggs.
Jimmy Sziksai Place-kicker from 1992-1994, Sziksai is a very involved Wolfpack booster and coaches his daughter’s AAU basketball team.
Jimmy Sziksai
Terry Harvey Quarterback from 1991-1995. Harvey led the Wolfpack to victories in both baseball (as a pitcher) and football. He led the team to three bowl games during that span.
Reeves: There is no former. Once you’re a Wolfpack, you’re always a Wolfpack. You’re always part of the brotherhood.
Harvey: Whether it’s 20 years ago or 20 minutes ago, you’ve bled, you’ve been there, done that, earned your stripes.
How do you sum up NC State fans?
Biggs: They support, no matter how we’re doing.
Sziksai: We just came off a 7-5 season and we sold out in record time. There’s no tickets left, and we’re not a great team yet.
Primanti: If we start winning, it’s going to be ridiculous.
Sziksai: Could you imagine if we became a consistent top 25 team? They’d have to add to that stadium.
Reeves: That’s an understatement.
Sziksai: NC State fans want to win, and they’re so passionate about NC State sports. That’s why they’re a little unrealistic sometimes.
Reeves: We live and die with the Wolfpack. Wolfpack fans have a tendency to recruit every fan that comes into the Triangle. “Hi, welcome, you’re a Wolfpack fan, right?”
Has the game changed since you played?
Harvey: Definitely, they’ve tried to minimize some of the contact blows.
Reeves: The rules…they modify them to benefit the offense to get more people in the stands. Last time I checked, last Super Bowl included, offense brings people in the stands, defense wins championships.
Harvey: There’s protection in the pocket for the quarterback. There’s still a chance for bodily harm but as far as the game ending or season ending injury, those chances are more minimal because defense has to stay away from knees and the head.
Jason Biggs
Would you consider these positive changes overall?
Sziksai: For the players it’s better. You never want to see anyone get hurt, but it’s taken away from the physicality of the game.
Primanti: What was a good tackle a few years ago is now a 15 yard [penalty] and could cost you the game.
Harvey: It’s gotten to the point where it’s become very subjective.
Biggs: It makes the game a judgment call. I mean the whole point of the game for a long time was to take out the guys from the other team.
Sziksai: Legally.
Biggs: Yes, legally, but you’d want to knock that guy out of the game.
Knowing what you know now about the risks, would you let your sons play?
Reeves: Risk? I have gone all over the world playing football; forget the risk. You want to lessen the risk, talk to the little league. The coaches in little league; teach the players how to enter into contact. Most of the concussions happen in high school anyway.
Biggs: Absolutely, I’d let them play whatever they want. You have more chances of getting hurt driving down the road than you do playing football.
What age would you let them start playing?
Reeves: Six, same age I started, so they can learn how to do it right.
Harvey: I have three sons, and they play everything. There’s always a concern when you’re a parent, but kids are going to be kids, and boys are going to be boys. They’re going to find something to get into and if football’s the worst thing they get into, they’re probably going to be OK.
Whatís your most memorable game as a spectator?
Sziksai: I was at Carolina. We won ,and I jumped the fence, and I started digging up the turf. I turn around and there’s a guy with a camera. I give him my name and they ran it in the N&O.
Primanti: The Peach Bowl with Mississippi State.
Biggs: For me it was when we beat FSU the first time. Weinke had six interceptions, and we won 24-7. I have a piece of the goal post from that Florida State game.
How about your favorite game as a player?
Terry Harvey
Reeves: Sophomore year, we went down to Clemson, Death Valley. Jesse Campbell came up, hit the quarterback, ball fumbled, I picked the ball up, ran it in for a touchdown. I did my little celebration move]. Coach Sheridan watched me do 200 pack ‘ems for celebrating that touchdown. I thought, “This dude is crazy! I scored a touch down and got two sacks!”
Harvey: I’m going to go with Duke—my first career start. They were ranked in the top 15 in the country. They were up 23-7 late in the game, and we came back and beat them 24-23. That was one where we kind of shocked our fans. They tore the field goal post down.
A game you want to erase from memory?
Primanti: I never made one kick in the state of Alabama. That game in Alabama stuck with me. My parents were there. I was thinking, “They just gave me a scholarship; are they going to take it away?”
Biggs: How about when Carolina beat us with no quarterback, I think they pulled him over from wide receiver.
Harvey: There were some bad ones, but there is one that was just ugly. We played Baylor. I think it was the first time we had been shut out at home in 20 some years. We got beat 7 to nothing. It was punt, punt, punt, ugly. I think even my parents left early!
Any other significant Wolfpack Memories?
Reeves: One of the main things that Dick Sheridan did—he made us pledge allegiance to the helmet. I was like, “Man, what is this?”
Reeves: [We went to the] Velvet Cloak; the freshman had to stand up there and hold the helmet. I was thinking, everybody’s looking I better not drop this helmet.
How do you stay in touch?
Reeves: Spring ball and the Kay Yow football game.
Sziksai: Coach Amato started it, and Coach O’Brien really put some time and effort into encouraging every former player to come back during the spring game. Friday, he’d invite us to watch practice, and then we’d go up in Vaughn Tower and have dinner and fellowship together. And, Coach Doeren has continued and made it bigger.
Sziksai: What’s nice is the guys that are out of town will make a weekend of it and bring their families. The last one was 400 people.
How do you feel about playing Notre Dame for Carter Finley’s 50th Anniversary Celebration?
Reeves: I would’ve preferred Wake Forest.
Harvey (laughs): It’s gonna be a really tough schedule, but with that comes tremendous opportunity. You win some of those games that on paper you’re not supposed to, and you can make a statement. It can slingshot you into recruiting for 2017. I’m a glass-half-full guy.
by Mandy Howard | Sep 6, 2016 | Buzz, September 2016
For years, the last thing quarterbacks facing the Wolfpack wanted to see was Carl Reeves coming. Reeves’ incredible quickness and drive off the line earned him a reputation for game changing plays.
Today, he directs that drive to tackling social problems in the community. Working with Crossroads Ford, Reeves has access to all NC State home games. And though he makes it clear that he is once and always a member of the Wolfpack brotherhood, he uses the games for more than reliving his days on the field.
“With all the tragedies and mess going on, you’ve got to do something about it, so I take young men to the game and I say, ‘This is what science and math will get you,’” he says. And he expects the kids he mentors to work hard to excel in these subjects. “I’m showing you what science and math will get you. You don’t have science and math, you’re not getting into State.”
A hometown hero originally from Durham, Reeves feels strongly about giving back. He has been taking at-risk youth to games for nearly 16 years. He met one young man at the age of 13 who wanted to play football. “I gave him a piece of paper with 5 a.m., noon and 11 p.m. written on it. I told him, ‘Copy this 7 times, fill it out with how your spending your time for a week and bring it back to me, then I’ll help you,’” he recounts.
That young man is now a graduate of Harvard University.
“If I can teach you to manage your time, the rest will fall in place. Dreams have a tendency to float off into the ether. A goal is a dream with a deadline,” he says. “If I can teach you how to beat a deadline, I can tell you how to reach your dream. I don’t care what your dream is, I just want to know how bad you want it.”
He knows that his path isn’t possible for many so he encourages kids to focus on academics, reminding us that football is a luxury for many kids.
“Mama’s at work, she doesn’t have time to run you up and down the road for football. That’s a luxury when you’re trying to keep the lights on. I want you to read. A great gentleman once told me, ‘You want to keep the rich rich and the poor poor? Put the secret in a book, because the poor man will never take the time to open up the book to see what the keys to success are,” he says.
For anyone inspired to mentor, Reeves insists it’s not hard, or expensive: “You can have a relationship for a lifetime, just take a kid to a movie and take them to McDonald’s. Use the movie to create conversation and to process. When I teach a young man how to process, I’ll use scripture. I’ll say, this is what the Bible says, this is what the movie says, what say you? At that point I’m not saying a lot. I’m asking questions.”
An ordained minister for a decade, Reeves also preaches in prisons. “I take the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the darkest corners of society,” Reeves says. Despite the continued and inspiring work. Reeves remains humble and says simply, “You can talk about it, or you can be about it. That’s it.”
by Mandy Howard | Jul 25, 2016 | Eat, July 2016 / August 2016
For restaurants in Raleigh, art is more than something to fill blank space. It’s a way to spotlight local artists, create a warm atmosphere and give back to the community that supports them. Check out these local eateries that make art a part of their mission.
Centro
At this authentic Mexican cantina in downtown Raleigh, you’ll find the word “Comunidad,” or community. According to Manager Chris Arcara, connecting with the local community is central to why the restaurant features new artists each month as part of the First Friday series downtown. “Food is just another art form,” he adds.
Winston’s Grille
For co-owners, Charles Winston, Jr. and Wil O’Neill, the artwork inside Winston’s Grille is as much about taking pride in North Carolina’s artistic talent as it is about providing a warm atmosphere. One spotlight piece is a portrait of the two owners as early 20th century barkeep and patron by Southern Pines artist Joan Mulligan.
Lilly’s Pizza
Ask anyone from old Raleigh where you’d go to find local artwork showcased, and Lilly’s Pizza in Five Points would be one of their first answers. Large canvases for sale, currently from St. George, complement the eclectic and bright atmosphere at the pizzeria known for their own creative pies.
Relish Café and Bar
A local artist’s market is the centerpiece of this “new Southern” style cafe and bar off Creedmoor Road. Paintings from Greenway series artist, Autumn Cobeland (featured in our May issue) are displayed alongside T-Shirts, home decor and locally-made gifts for every true southerner on your list.
