Whether competing or cheering someone on, the venues for swimming, cycling, and running offer landscapes ideal for concentration, motivation, and appreciation of nature. Swimming at Vista Point and cycling through part of Chatham County are part of the itinerary June 2 at the IRONMAN triathlon and with spring just a few days away, training schedules are expanding.

Check out the swimming venues a few weeks before the event and participate in the 1.2 or 2.4 mile Open Water Challenge with the Triangle Open Water Swim Series. Find great motivation, prizes, food, and training to help prepare.

Make a weekend of it and get into training mode or explore a diverse number of day trips for cycling, swimming, hiking, and more.

We are ecstatic to announce that Carolina Brewery will release a commemorative beer this April, the Myth Perpetuator Double IPA.

We were thrilled when they shared this news with us and are as equally pleased to share the story of the name. The idea for the name came from the brewers with the concept that the brewers and members of the beer industry are “living the dream” and this awesome beer is going to continue to perpetuate that myth.

Some thoughts from Carolina Brewery:
Jon Connolly, Director of Brewing Operations:
Our brewers work long hours in a physically demanding job in order to bring liquid joy to our guests. Often times customers will come in to relax and have a cold beer and watch the brewing process. They love to remind us that we are “living the dream” though we find this somewhat ironic since they are the ones actually drinking the beer while we are at work!
Our favorite way to make the myth a reality is in the formulation of new recipes and the production of beer styles that we haven’t made before. So that’s how we came up with the name of our latest incarnation “Myth Perpetuator”. This super hoppy double IPA has a huge emphasis on west coast hop varieties which impart delicious citrus flavors and earthy floral aromas.
So now you know,  there’s more to our work than quality control (tasting!) but we like perpetuate the myth whenever possible!

Nate Williams, Head Brewer
The plan for Carolina Brewery’s Double IPA, Myth Perpetuator, is to brew a strong golden beer with intense floral hop aroma and solid bitter edge. We used enough malt to drive the alcohol above 8.5% but didn’t want a lingering malty sweetness. The finish dries out cleanly to accentuate a spectrum of hop flavors.

It was brewed recently and we are looking forward to the reality of Myth Perpetuator Double IPA this April!

Search their site to plan your next outing and select by rental trip, guided trip, or course. Pumpkin Paddles, Sunset Paddles, and Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga are just a few of the offerings. Maybe a relaxing float that encourages you to find balance, calm, and focus within a serene setting is more your scene, a departure from an active adventure.

Plan a visit with friends or family or solo and stay in one of our bed & breakfast inns where you’ll start the day with a hearty breakfast to prepare for an exciting paddling experience. Cap the day with a good meal and a restful night’s sleep.

We’re looking forward to the inaugural NC Beer Month this April, an endeavor created by the 

Our participants thus far include:

• Bean & Barrel
• Bear Creek Brews
• Carolina Brewery & Grill
• Circle City Books & Music
• City Tap Bar
• Fearrington House Restaurant, Fearrington Granary, Belted Goat
• Oakleaf
• Paperbacks Plus!
• Pittsboro Roadhouse & General Store

Chatham County is home to Carolina Brewery & Grill, which offers weekly tastings and tours. Carolina Brewery is the Triangle’s oldest brewpub and has won numerous prestigious awards for its handcrafted, fresh, local brews. The large, modern Pittsboro brewery produces their five core brands (Sky Blue Golden Ale, Flagship IPA, Copperline Amber Ale, Oatmeal Porter and Firecracker Pale Ale) and allows for distribution throughout the Carolinas and into Tennessee and Virginia. The original brewery, in its 18th year and a Chapel Hill institution, brews small batch beers onsite and offers customers 12 handcrafted beers from which to choose.

“Carolina Brewery is very excited to participate in NC Beer Month. In honor of the occasion we are making preparations for a new beer to be unveiled in April and have plans in the works for a family-friendly ‘Spring Fling’ special event,” Carolina Brewery’s owner Robert Poitras told us.

Craft beer will be available at various events throughout April, including First Sunday, The Festival of Legends, and more. The party continues into May when we share our appreciation for good music, craft beer, farms, food, and wine at NC Hops and Roots Fest.

Stay tuned for details on all NC Beer Month festivities in our area.

Tommy Lee Edwards directing a music video last month for David Holmes’ new band “Unloved”.

Buying local, farm-to-fork dining, and supporting independently-owned businesses are all features showcasing a destination’s distinct offerings. Another way to support local is through art and Tommy Lee Edwards has discovered a way to fuel his passion, illustrate his talents, and provide others a glimpse into Chatham County through film.

Edwards’ portfolio is already vast and he has worked on various genres, including sci-fi, western, historical, fantasy, and horror. Projects have included artwork for movies like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Batman Begins, comics like X-Men and Daredevil, and video games such as Command & Conquer and Medal of Honor. Explore more of his work through Microsoft’s Random Adventures of Brandon Generator in which Edwards illustrated and directed the animated series from a script by Edgar Wright.  All of these projects are spearheaded from Edwards’ studio behind his house in Chatham county. The Denzel Washington film, The Book of Eli, was designed by Edwards from here, as well as Kung-Fu Panda, director John Stevenson’s new animated film.

Edwards hasn’t just worked on a few films in Chatham County; he has assembled plenty of North Carolina talent to work on various projects, from casts to crews to caterers. The latest project is certain to be another great adventure, both during the five-day filming and once the movie trailer is released. Edwards and his team will film a short tribute to 80s action-movies called Vandroid. Vandroid is a soundtrack album, a comic book, and a movie. Filming will take place December 16 near downtown Pittsboro and December 17 around east Chatham County for some thrilling driving sequences and pyrotechnic stunts.  A casting call is being held at Chatham Mills.

“I’m working hard to develop more of my own film and animation projects, which will enable me to keep more of my work close to home and utilize many untapped local talents and businesses.  Vandroid is hopefully the first of many live-action film projects I’ll be bringing to Chatham County.”  -Tommy Lee Edwards

Edwards has a diverse volume of work and has been a telecommuter based in Chatham County since 1996, working with top-notch clients and talent around the world on animation, books, games, magazines, films, and comics, by making occasional visits to Los Angeles, London, New York, and operating via email and FedEx otherwise. Along with his children and comic-colorist wife, Edwards helps organize the North Carolina Comicon as a business partner of Ultimate Comics in Chapel Hill. Look for Edwards’ work on a computer screen or big screen and you’ll also find scenes of Chatham County, made and created entirely in North Carolina.

Contact: Noah Smith, Co-Writer & Executive Producer, 919.971.6196

Visit this month for a few shopping experiences that will leave you feeling relaxed rather than rushed. Local arts and crafts, handmade items, and gift-wrapping are available for the pre-Black Friday frenzy. Soaps, wreaths, jewelry, toys, scarves, candles, cards, aprons, towels, books, handbags, apparel, and a mix of other locally made items will be available for the gift-giving season.

Mistletoe Magic (November 10) is an annual shopping event held at Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park. Enjoy the fall color as you drive to the location and maybe stop at Good Times Cafe for some comfort food on your way home. Mistletoe Magic coordinators Teresa Miracle (yep, that’s really her name) and Wanda Crawley invite you to shop, eat (hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches, fries, homemade pies, and more), and explore the venue (great meeting site for an upcoming function too) as a one-day marketplace for holiday gifts.

The Holiday Bazaar (November 16), hosted by Paperbacks Plus! and historic downtown Siler City, is in its first year and kicks off the Third Friday ArtWalk in the evening. Quilted and crocheted items, pottery, old-fashioned candy, gourmet foods including local cheesecakes, books, jams, jellies, and a myriad of other unique items will be available to buy. Enjoy good food, free beer tastings, and free gift-wrapping.

Sometimes, we travel and pick up a souvenir or two and this month, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for that as well as a festive shopping destination for local and unique gifts. Additional resources for local gifts include our Pinterest boards, the 3/50 Project, Small Business Saturday (some of our visitor-related businesses are participating),and our annual holiday gift guide (see last year’s issue).

The weekend starts with First Friday tours at Piedmont Biofuel and Biofarm (Pittsboro). The green tours include learning about solar double cropping, a walk through the medicinal herb garden, constructed wetland, and more. Later on Friday, November 2, visit Vineyards At Southpoint, for their Anniversary weekend celebrations, which include wine tasting specials, tasty nibbles, and a few delightful surprises. The atmosphere is relaxing and the fall colors come through vibrantly from inside or from the deck. Another option to consider–check out Charlie’s Barn (Siler City) for local music on a Friday night and visit Vineyards At Southpoint (Durham) Saturday, November 3, instead, where the anniversary festivities continue with wine, chocolate, sangria, and music.

Also toasting to one year in operation is unWINEd (Moncure); visit  Saturday, November 3, for sweet and savory crepes from Parlez-Vous, music, and North Carolina wines, all in a cozy atmosphere. Just down the road, Circle City Bookstore, which opened recently in Pittsboro, invites you to their Grand Opening Saturday, November 3. Festivities include an author reading by Daniel Wallace, co-hosted by Davenport’s Cafe & Lounge, followed by a book signing at Circle City Bookstore. Guests can participate in drawings for prizes from Pittsboro businesses. While in downtown Pittsboro, take in the Joyful Horizon Fashion Show, co-hosted by The Joyful Jewel and New Horizons Trading Company.

Sunday is just as busy! Kick off the day at First Sunday, which includes Avis Autrey performing at Liquidambar Studio of Art (2pm – 4pm), Kay Goldstein reading from Star Child at The Joyful Jewel (1pm – 2pm), a wine tasting at Vino!! Wine Shop (12pm – 4pm), plus Beggars and Choosers (antiques, vintage clothes, collectibles) and Circle City Books & Music will be open. It’s a fun-filled day of music, a few food trucks, and plenty of time to browse and shop in downtown Pittsboro. Hope you still have some energy to explore because our newest bed & breakfast in Pittsboro, Small B&B and Cafe, invites you to a special Grand Opening, complete with refreshments, tours of the B&B rooms, and a look at the owners’ digs too (one day only!).

Alongside all these festivities to kick off November, you’ll find plenty of other events, including tastings and tours and it’s also the perfect time to see fall color on your drive to Southern Supreme in Bear Creek. It’s Daylight Saving Time so you’ll have an extra hour to explore our area!

We’re pleased that North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has introduced a program for visitor-related businesses to apply for NC GreenTravel recognition and already, Chatham County has two sites recognized as green champions, CCCC Natural Chef Cafe (three Dogwood Blossoms rating, which represents the program’s highest level of sustainability) and The Inn at Celebrity Dairy (two Dogwood Blossoms rating).

Tom Rhodes, NC GreenTravel Initiative Program Coordinator, tells us that the NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach, along with Waste Reduction Partners, are available to provide free, non-regulatory consultation for applicants to help them reach their sustainability goals and will be very happy to assist applicants in filling in the application form. He also tells us that Recognized NC GreenTravel recipients receive a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and a door decal denoting them as a NC GreenTravel member, plus a free listing on the website and a marker on the NC GreenTravel state map.

Learn more about this program, as a business/organization or as a traveler.

While many believe that good things happen in threes, we like to think that they start that way. We’re excited to be one of the three pilot counties (including Beaufort and Madison counties) to partner with People-First Tourism. We’re also thrilled to introduce the first three tourism micro-entrepreneurs of the program and hope you’ll take advantage of their tours. Join Crystal, Esta, and Melba on their tours of farms, photography and story telling, history, local food, plus a chance to see private working farms and the people who live and work on-site.

Take a tour, learn about our area, make a weekend of it, and immerse into some authentic experiences.

Today, we introduce Huckleberry Trail Farm in Siler City, which we discovered this summer while they were hard at work getting the farm ready for guests. A corn maze, pumpkin and cotton patch, farmyard area for games and picnicking, and hayrides are all just around the bend for family fun this fall. We’re really excited that their opening day is the same weekend of the long-running annual Pumpkin Festival in Bear Creek–you’ll certainly maximize your visit with a trip to our destination.

Join us as we explore the corn maze, acres of open space, fresh air, good eats, and the farmyard.