I seem to enter every winter a little frazzled – and this year is no exception. It’s the busiest stretch of the calendar, stacked with deadlines (some self-imposed, others all too real). Yet that pace runs counter to what this season is meant to offer. Winter invites reflection, quiet pockets of time and moments of pause to recognize and appreciate what matters most.
That’s the mindset I’m attempting to manifest this season. Forgoing the many and multifaceted to-do lists, the chores that seem never-ending, the constant tug on time and attention. Putting down the phone, the laptop, the TV remote (well, unless the Tar Heels are playing or a beloved holiday movie is on) to simply just be.
That doesn’t mean you or I should shut ourselves off from the world. My winter wish is this: let’s be intentional but also leave room for a little spontaneity. Take a morning off to grab coffee with a friend you haven’t seen in too long. Pause on your way home to talk with a neighbor – ask about their holiday plans, see if they need a hand with any yardwork, or simply thank them for the chat and suggest doing it again soon. Wander into a local shop with no agenda; if you spot something that speaks to you, for yourself or someone else, go ahead and buy it. (Our gift guide on Page 30 might spark a few ideas.) Tend to yourself – schedule that doctor’s appointment, book that long-overdue haircut or carve out time for something restorative – and to your friends, family and community, too. Heck, to really take a break from all the responsibilities, use your imagination to build your own Lego fantasy world and minifigure like mine (above) – find out where to go to create your own on Page 32.
This season is about giving, but it’s also about filling your own cup. The stories in this issue highlight people who do exactly that – using their passions and expertise to lift others, strengthening Durham’s culture of care. Each piece in our health and wellness coverage demonstrates what becomes possible when people are supported with the right tools, guidance and compassion.
So here’s to a winter of presence and possibility – a season when we create room to reconnect, recharge and rise to whatever the new year has in store (turn to Page 42 for a few ways to end 2025 on a high note). – Executive Managing Editor Amanda MacLaren
HOLIDAYS
16 The Big Picture
African American Dance Ensemble’s 40th annual Kwanzaa Fest
18 Winter Wonders
Explore festive markets, seasonal events, and cozy spots to sip and savor
26 Hometown Flavor
Counting House’s new executive chef returns to her roots, sharing her culinary journey and a recipe that still inspires her holiday table today
32 Block Party
A couple brings the world of Lego magic – and a dose of holiday spirit – to north Durham
40 Scents of the Season
Three candlemakers share their must-burn fragrances to brighten chilly days
42 Countdown to 2026
10 experiences to check off before the clock strikes midnight
WELLNESS
60 On the Fast Track
A world-class running team finds its footing in the Bull City
66 Worth Their Salt
Two wellness studios reimagine the practice of salt therapy through design, sound and mindful intention
70 No Sweat
Inside the Durham-born brand helping thousands ditch discomfort and reclaim their confidence
HEALTH
86 A Soft Place To Land
A young cancer survivor and her mother launch a nonprofit to create a comforting home-away-from-home for families traveling to Duke Children’s for care
90 Good Grief
Philanthropist Rebecca Feinglos partners with Duke Health to create a first-of-its-kind program that offers support for patients, families and providers facing life’s hardest moments
94 The Power of Patience
Meet a champion for local families, shaping programs that provide resources, education and advocacy
96 Nature & Nurture
Architecture meets traditional Asian medicine to create a sanctuary for whole-person wellness
FEATURE
54 Pop-up Power
Three entrepreneurs bring fresh concepts to Boxyard RTP
DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS
10 Go.See.Do.
Chill out with these top winter events
20 Get Out of Town
Top Triangle events this season
22 Let’s Dish
at Cucciolo Famiglia
24 New Bites
Now serving: the latest Bull City restaurant news
104 Wedding
Biechele & Chamberlin
PEOPLE & PLACES
100 Durham Arts Council’s 50th annual CenterFest
101 “Brett’s Open Mic: Celebrating 30 Years” Parties for the Park fundraiser
102 Durham Technical Community College’s Novo Nordisk Life Sciences Center and Health Sciences building groundbreaking ceremonies
SPONSORED CONTENT
43 The Big Give
Our area nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
73 Faces of Durham
Celebrating the people behind our local businesses
