Part 1 in our Cary Parks series.
Cary, NC — Nestled alongside a small creek in an unassuming neighborhood lies one of the jewels of Cary’s park system – MacDonald Woods Park. It is not the largest (only 13.8 acres) nor the best equipped (there are no restrooms or shelters), but there is a certain charm to MacDonald Woods that attracts a variety of visitors, many from outside the neighborhood. Read more
Story and pictures by Hal Goodtree
Cary, NC – The sun was shining and the excitement was high on Saturday for the 52nd Annual Cary Band Day. Read more
Author Peggy Van Scoyoc and Gwen Mattews at "Desegregating Cary" event
All photos by Brooke Meyer
Cary, NC – The turbulent Civil Rights Era was experienced right here in the Town of Cary, but many of us don’t know about it.
Real Life Stories
Peggy Van Scoyoc, Cary’s oral historian, recently published a book titled “Desegregating Cary” to tell real life stories about people that lived through these times in Cary. In her book, Peggy records the oral histories of 43 people.
Five of those individuals spoke as part of a panel discussion on Monday, October 23 at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center.
Charlie Adams speaks of his father's commitment to desegregation
Charlie Adams is the son of Henry Adams, the original pharmacist and owner of the drugstore that later become Ashworth Pharmacy. Charlie remembers those times when his father was not popular in town.
Henry served on both the local Cary School Board and the Wake County School System’s board.
Henry knew in the early 1960’s that desegregation was coming and firmly believed in it. He thought there should be a plan and it should begin with his own town. He became one of the chief architects of that plan.
At times friends shunned him and threats were made. Mr. Adams stuck to his beliefs and Cary became one of the first towns in North Carolina to institute such a plan – and do so peacefully and voluntarily. One of Cary’s elementary schools, Adams Elementary, is named so in his honor.
In 1963, Cary High School was the first formerly “all white” school to allow African-Americans to voluntarily enroll, and 6 girls did so. The plan went smoothly, and became a model for other schools in Wake County and then spread to other areas in North Carolina. Other areas in the south called upon Cary to help with their own plans. Imagine – Cary only had 5300 residents then and was a civil rights model for the country!
Other members of Monday night’s panel included several of those early students.
Lucille Evan Cotten was one of 6 students to integrate Cary High School in 1963
The Six Young Women Profiled
Lucille Evans Cotten and Gwen Matthews were two of those first six students. They spoke about what they endured as they attended Cary High School at a time when few wanted them there. Gwen later went on to become the first black woman to graduate from Meredith College in 1971.
Debrah Matthews Wright was one of the first black students at Swift Creek Elementary in 1965
Gwen’s younger sister, Deborah Matthews Wright was one of four black students to attend Swift Creek Elementary School in 1965. Deborah told of her bus rides with all ages riding the same bus – elementary schoolers along with high schoolers – and how she had to stand in the bus and endure ridicule on these rides for three years.
Carolyn Rogers was one of the first black school teachers in Cary in 1969.
Carolyn Rogers was one of three black teachers hired in 1969 to teach the predominantly white school children. She experienced an uphill battle not only with the students, but with the parents and faculty. There was a predominant opinion that she was not qualified to teach the children.
The Raleigh City School System merged with the Wake County School System in 1976 to become the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) that we know today.
The evening was always inspiring and often emotional.
“History informs us of past mistakes from which we can learn without repeating them. It also inspires us and gives confidence and hope bred of victories already won.” – William Hastie
Cary, NC – The Cary Library is having a party and everyone’s invited!
The Cary Public Library celebrates its 50th birthday this Friday, October 22, 2010. At 7 PM, a special after-hours event will celebrate the past, present and future of the Cary Library. Refreshments will be served and music will be performed by Chris and Gail Anderson. Read more
Story by Matt Young
Cary, NC – I grew up around grapes. Many of my relatives in Northeast, PA (yes, that’s the name of the town) had vineyards. When my family moved when I was a boy, I was surprised to learn that there were people that had never seen a vineyard or tasted home made wine. Standing in a vineyard is something very personal to me. I still make wine in my garage.
“We’re a short trip from the hottest wine-making region in the country and I’m going to write a story,” I told the publisher.
“You can’t expense a trip to California, Matt” he said.
“No, it’s right here in North Carolina,” I said. “An hour and a half away in the Yadkin Valley.”
North Carolina Has A Long History as Wine Country
The wine history here in North Carolina is long. In 1840, North Carolina was the number one wine producing state in the Union according to the U.S. Census. Over the course of a couple hundred years it was shut down and started back up for a number of reasons – some examples include The Civil War and prohibition. In the late 1990’s, land turned from tobacco to grapes. The Yadkin Valley was named as the state’s first American Viticultural Area shortly after that.
“(North Carolina) wine would be distinguished on the best tables in Europe, for its fine aroma, and chrystalline transparence.” – Thomas Jefferson
The State of North Carolina now ranks 7th in the nation in wine production. A nice history can be found at VisitNCWine.com. But the North Carolina wine and grape industry is not just muscadines, scuppernongs and sweet wines anymore. Our friends just to the west are growing the grapes and making and selling cabs, merlots, zins and chardonnays.
Making up stuff about wine. Photo by Trish Prestia.
Taking One for the Team
I planned a day-trip to Yadkin Valley – gathered up 3 other couples and my bride, we hired out a limo (about $100 a head, but it can surely be done for less). Sounds like a lot of money, but its something you may do once only every 5 years, and its what you might pay for a two-hour concert or a day at the State Fair.
Truth be told, I would have done this whether I worked with CaryCitizen or not. I chose Weathervane, Childress, Junius Lindsay, Native Vines and RayLen to visit.
Here’s the down-low in a nutshell:
Weathervane: Quaint, nice little gift shop, knowledgeable staff, informal. Tastings are $5 (you get a glass to keep).
Childress: Touristy, but great wines, huge selection and a great bistro for lunch. There was live music when we were there and a big crowd. Huge gift shop. Very knowledgable staff. Tasting are expensive at $10 and up, but you get a glass to keep. Great views.
Junius Lindsay – Small, outdoor tasting bar. Beautiful surroundings. Friendly staff. Wines feature Syrah and Viognier. Tastings are $5 (you get a glass to keep).
Native Wines – Very rustic. Down-home surroundings. Friendly, very informal staff. They claim to be the first “American Indian Owned and Operated Winery in the US”. Tastings are $5 (no glass).
Ray-Len – This was my favorite, although all of the wineries had their own “personality.” Amazing, sensibly priced wines, huge vineyard and the staff was great. Highly recommended.
Of course, it wasn’t just about the wine. The scenery was beautiful. We had a lot of laughs as you can imagine. We were with good friends. We drank a lot of wine – a lot. But in small amounts over the course of 6 hours – we all had our wits about us on the ride home.
Yadkin Valley Wine Region Map
Here’s Google Map of the Yadkin Valley Wine District. Rollover the dots to see the wineries.
Feel free to email me at matt.young@carycitizen.com if you want some advice on planning a trip of your own or have a favorite NC winery to recommend. We are also interested in covering other “Short Drives From Cary.” Shoot me a line with your ideas!
“It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend, one’s present or future thirst, the excellence of the wine, or any other reason.” – Latin Proverb
Story and photos by Leslie Huffman
Cary, NC – Everyone in town knows at least one person who works for SAS Institute here in Cary. The company has won many awards for it’s innovative technology and family friendly work environment.
But SAS Institute is also changing the environment with the production of clean, renewable energy for our community. I was invited this week for a tour. Read more
Story by Leslie Huffman
Cary, NC – Burt Music Company is a multi-faceted enterprise run and owned by a jewel of the community, Harold Burt. Mr. Burt has been making music in Cary since 1950, when he became Cary High School’s first band leader. I visited Mr. Burt at his music shop where he was surrounded by a library of music, a variety of instruments and newspaper clippings of stories written about him over the years. Read more
Story by Matt Young. Photo by Hal Goodtree.
Cary, N.C. – I made my first home brew from a “Mr. Beer Kit” my wife bought me for Christmas 5 or 6 years ago. I looked at the box and said,”What? YOU CAN DO THAT?” Admittedly, I made and bottled about 6 different beers all in the span of 6 weeks and began to read everything I could get my hands on. Read more
Story & pictures by Hal Goodtree.
Cary, NC – There are so many interesting places to shop, eat and do things in Cary. As far as small shopping centers, Lochmere Pavilion is one of the most charming. Read more
Cary, NC – Lots happening this weekend in Cary with multiple art openings and receptions on Friday, July 30, 2010. Read more