It’s strange typing out this note. It’s the first time I’ve sat down to reflect and pen another letter from the editor since Dan Shannon left this “pale blue dot,” to reference Carl Sagan, whom he deeply admired.
If he had edited this page, he would have struck through the word “deeply.” “Get to the point,” he’d say. “Adverbs make for lazy writing.” (Though I’d still slip one by him on occasion, thinking, “That one was necessary.”)
What Dan did love was a pun, an idiom, a good song lyric or title – if we could incorporate any into a clever headline, all the better. He admired powerful quotes and a strong lede. He was in the business of words and storytelling, and I’ll be forever grateful to have worked alongside Dan in the editorial world he built from the humble beginnings at his kitchen table to this community-driven, multimedia publishing company that Triangle Media Partners is today.
That last paragraph would be left in tatters from Dan’s pen. “Get. To. The. Point,” I can hear him say in my head.
OK, Dan. Here’s my point: You helped shape my career – and my life – so profoundly. You taught me much over the past 13 years, but it was during your illness that I learned one of the most important lessons, which is that we are not promised tomorrow, so we must make the most of every moment we have. Or, to insert my own bookworm quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings:” “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
This season of change and at times, yes, of sorrow, is also one of hope and renewal. It’s when we celebrate where we’ve been, choose resolutions and plan for the future. So cherish the memories of those you have loved and lost, and savor the moments you have now, together, with those who matter most (we gathered a number of ways to do so this holiday season, beginning on page 44) and discover ways to be well in the new year starting on page 66. – Executive Editor Amanda MacLaren
HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING
44 A Gracious Plenty
This hearty, market-fresh appetizer is sure to steal the show at your next soiree
46 Season’s Greetings
Entrepreneur Gail Jennings blends heritage, heart and heat in her award-winning spices
50 Baking the Season Bright
Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets’ Katie Meddis shares festive flavors and family-friendly baking tips to fill your kitchen with cheer
54 Jingle All the Way
Oh, what festive fun there is to find during your Bull City holiday
58 Deck the Halls
Holiday magic and DIY merrymaking converge at these local craft studios
62 Dry Spell
Sip on a spirited selection of zero-proof cocktails from some of Durham’s most creative mixologists
WELLNESS
66 Find Your Flow
Two Sisters Adventure Company invites all to discover wellness on the water
70 Sharing Common Ground
A run club and social hub join forces to foster fitness and friendship, cultivating connections that go beyond the finish line
72 Relax, Recharge and Revive
Embrace a new season of self-care and restoration at 3 wellness hot spots
HEALTH CARE
84 Healing With Heart
A two-time cancer survivor leads with empathy and compassion for others
86 Driving Change
How a mobile health lab bridges gaps in care
88 Answer the Call
Meet the dedicated team combining critical care expertise and swift transport to save lives across North Carolina
90 A Legacy of Care
Durham Women’s Clinic doctors reflect on decades of delivering compassionate, comprehensive care
92 Picture of Health
Public health director tackles new challenges as the county grows
FEATURE
96 Perfect Pairings
A family builds a life full of love and lasting memories in South Durham
DURHAM INC.
105 Networking: Inter-City Visit
106 Conventional Wisdom
City stakeholders aim to boost tourism and drive economic growth with larger convention center
DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS
8 In Memoriam
Daniel Joseph Shannon
12 Go.See.Do.
Celebrate the season with wonderful winter events
24 Noted.
What we’ve heard around our city …
112 Wedding
Tying the knot, Bull City-style
PEOPLE & PLACES
16 Durham Arts Council’s CenterFest
17 El Futuro’s Hispanic Heritage Kermes
18 Triangle Together: Hurricane Helene Relief Project supply drive
20 Museum of Durham History’s ‘100 Years of Duke: Names to Remember’ exhibit opening
SPONSORED CONTENT
32 The Big Give
Our area nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
75 Faces of Durham
Celebrating the people behind our local businesses
