Talk of the Triangle

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In this episode, hosts Adam and Melissa welcome two talented romance novelists, Samantha Chase and Dolly Sickles (writing under the name of Becky Moore), who both reside in the Triangle area. Hear a discussion about the art of romance writing and the authors' love for books and reading. Chase and Sickles delve into the intriguing world of romance novels, its ups and downs, heartbreaks, and endearing love affairs that make this genre so captivating.

Show Notes:

Introduction: Adam and Melissa welcome the listeners and chat about the hot summer weather in the Triangle, which leads into scorching summer romance reads and an introduction of Samantha Chase and Dolly Sickles, two talented romance novelists from the Triangle area.
Samantha talks about her mountain getaway and Melissa teases Adam about being unaware of the rising temperatures while he was away.
The hosts discuss their reading preferences, and Melissa reveals her love for audiobooks during long drives. This leads to a discussion of whether audiobooks should be considered equal to reading physical books. Adam shares insights from a friend who prefers listening to certain books rather than reading them due to the dense content.
Dolly explains why she writes under a pseudonym and how it helps separate her fiction work from her journalistic career.
The group discusses literary juggernauts in the Triangle. Melissa expresses her surprise at the number of talented authors in the area, especially in the romance genre.
Both authors discuss the romance industry. Dolly talks about the misconceptions surrounding romance novels and the true talent and success of the authors in the genre.
Learn some of their tips and tricks, and how they approach romance writing.
Chase discusses one of her novel's being turned into a Hallmark movie called "The Christmas Cottage."

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Our Guest, Nick Eakes, a science education specialist for Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, discusses the best places to stargaze in the Triangle and the many space education resources available here.
Show Highlights

[00:05:44] Meet Nick Eakes and learn about his background in space science education. Nick shares how he stumbled upon his career through volunteering at Morehead Planetarium during high school—and eventually presenting in the planetarium—after his mentor suggested it.
[00:08:24] Learn about the significance of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in the Triangle area and its history since 1949.
[00:09:04] Listen to a discussion about other planetariums across North Carolina, including the Perry PGA Astronomical Research Institute and the Shield Museum in Gastonia.
[00:10:04] Listen to a discussion on how programming varies between different planetariums and the general standard of the North Carolina Science standards used to design programs.
[00:11:04] Learn about the planetarium’s new show, "Forward to the Moon," which focuses on NASA's Artemis mission.
[00:11:24] Learn about NASA's Artemis mission and Christina Cook, an astronaut from North Carolina who is part of the Artemis 2 mission crew.
[00:12:04] Discuss why we're returning to the moon and how it serves as a testing ground for future missions, including Mars.
[00:14:04] Hosts Adam and Melissa discuss the importance of pushing ourselves to use new technology for space exploration and research purposes.
[00:14:24] Melissa speaks about the possibilities that could arise from revisiting the moon, given our technological advancements.
[00:14:44] Nick discusses NASA's plans for a more permanent presence on the moon, which could include a moon base or lunar gateway to make trips more efficient.
[00:15:04] Melissa jokingly suggests sending certain people to live on the moon, and Adam shares about his interest in visiting it.
[00:15:24] Adam shares his fascination with viewing Earth from space, as told by astronauts' first-hand accounts.
[00:15:44] Melissa, on the other hand, compares going to space to a rollercoaster or a slingshot ride, which she isn't too fond of.
[00:16:04] Nick shares the top questions often asked by children about space, including the existence of aliens.
[00:16:44] They discuss the “overview effect,” a cognitive shift often reported by astronauts when viewing Earth from space.
[00:17:24] Adam compares space flight to air flight, pointing out the necessity of trusting in technology and the people managing it.
[00:17:44] They joke about the differences in safety and oversight between NASA missions and amusement rides.
[00:18:24] They discuss the stargazing feature in the July issue of Midtown Magazine and the Guest's contribution to the article.
[00:18:44] Nick provides tips on what to expect for amateur stargazers, comparing it to fishing and emphasizing the importance of patience.
[00:19:24] He offers advice on how to get started with stargazing, from using your eyes and identifying bright stars to buying and using a telescope.
[00:20:24] Melissa shares her experience with a mobile app that identifies constellations and planets, which Adam agrees is useful for novice stargazers.

Resources

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador program
NASA Artemis Mission

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Ira David Wood III (born November 19, 1947) is an American actor, author, singer, theater director and playwright. He is the Executive Director of Theatre in the Park, a community theatre company in Raleigh, North Carolina. Wood is the father of actress Evan Rachel Wood. Wood is best known for conceiving, producing, and headlining (as "Scrooge") a popular musical comedy adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" that has been performed annually in Raleigh—since 1974, and more recently, in nearby Durham as well.

Ira David Wood III shares how he first got into acting and gained admission to the North Carolina School of the Arts.
We discuss some life-changing lessons Wood learned in high school and how to "play defiance on the forward foot."
He plans to give up the role of Scrooge after next year's show, on its 50th anniversary, and turn it over to his oldest son, Ira David Wood IV, with whom he now alternates performances.
After college, Wood spent summers in North Carolina's Outer Banks performing in "The Lost Colony" play and shared an entertaining story of meeting Andy Griffith during that time, while Griffith was still filming "The Andy Griffith Show." We learn about Griffith's competitive spirit and how would cheat at volleyball!
Wood tells us, "You don't remember plays, you remember moments on stage."
Wood's desire to perform the Charles Dickens classic stemmed from wanting to do a Christmas play because, at the time, none of the theaters in Raleigh were open during the holidays.
We talk about the amazing heritage of theaters in Raleigh.
Theatre in the Park was renamed the Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre in 2004.
Wood shares that his daughter, Evan Rachel Wood, who has starred in "Westworld," and "Frozen II," went to Hollywood to work when she was just 6 years old, and talks about how he missed so much and now strives to make every moment with her and his other children count.

Find out more info on Theater in The Park

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Nelson Nauss's first exposure to the paranormal came at a very young age in his childhood home, and it forever changed how he viewed the world around him. It wasn't until 2007 that his avid interest saw him join two other paranormal groups to seek answers. In 2016, Nelson met Kelly, and together they founded The Ghost Guild.

Al Parker has created several Ghost, Legends, and Lore tours and enjoys digging into research.

Kara Leinfelder's interest in the paranormal started at the young age of three after a particularly lucid sleep paralysis episode. Her family was deeply entrenched in Southern history. She then spent most of her childhood traipsing around historic sites and homes, often experiencing the sensation that she was not alone.

The team at The Ghost Guild approaches their research from a science-based and skeptical point of view. Science has not been able to prove the existence of the paranormal yet, but they do approach their work with the hope of having an experience with the paranormal.
Our guests explain the origin of their interest in the paranormal with personal experiences from their lives and the possible scientific explanations for their experiences.
Kara serves as the Creative Director of the North Carolina Museum of History and shares some of the possible ghost stories at the museum. They plan to do an investigation of the museum.
We discuss haunted objects and how they can make great movies.
Al shares legends and ghost stories from where he grew up in Murfreesboro, how he joined the Ghost Guild, and why he created ghost tours from the folklore and history of local cities.
We ask how the Ghost Guild was started and how you can join the group.
We discuss the tools of the trade for the Ghost Guild, microphones, data loggers, and collect humidity, pressure, and temperature. The Guild also tries to connect the data they collect with the property's history in mind and the research they've done on the stories they are investigating and trying to recreate.
What is the most haunted place in Raleigh?

Find out more info on The Ghost Guild Website

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Ernest A. Dollar Jr. is the director of the City of Raleigh Museum, as well as the director of the Pope House in Raleigh. He is also the author of "Heart's Torn of Thunder Trauma and the Civil War's Final Campaign in North Carolina."

A Durham native, Ernest was born here in the Triangle and has been involved in local history since he was the director of the Orange County Historical Museum in Hillsborough in 2001.
We discuss Ernest's book and North Carolina's role in the Civil War.
Ernest discuss the question some have of, "Why have we forgotten the part North Carolina played in the Civil War?"
The Bennett Place is a state historic site in Durham, just between Durham and Hillsborough where General William Tecumseh Sherman accepted the surrender of Confederate General Joseph Johnston.
From Raleigh to Morrisville, we start to see ghost stories emerge from the woodwork about a wave of broken, diseased and horrifically mangled men seeking care in our hospitals. Many of them died in Raleigh.
We talk about Peace College and it's history as a hospital during the Civil War.
Any historian looks at the lived experience of the people we study—everything from economics, literature, arts and labor—but also the mythology and people's beliefs.
We discuss the 2022 True Death, True Crime Dark Raleigh Walking Tours.
We talk about the ghost of the governor's mansion.
And more! Don't miss this convo!

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From Executive Chef Oscar Gnapi's delicious Italian cuisine at Colletta Italian Food & Wine, to Master Blender Brandon McCraney's honey cask finished bourbon at Olde Raleigh Distillery, you'll be yearning for one—or BOTH—of these fine offerings after listening to this episode of Talk of the Triangle.

Executive Chef Oscar Gnapi, originally from Paris, France, honed his craft over decades at restaurants and hotels in Paris, Italy, London, California and North Carolina (in Chapel Hill and Cary). For as long as he can remember, Gnapi has pursued the culinary arts. “I was raised in Paris with a very large family and am from a culture where cooking was as valued as breathing air.”
In addition to serving as executive chef for Colletta Italian Food & Wine, which opened in Cary's Fenton September 2, 2022, Gnapi worked across Europe at five-star hotels, including George V in Paris, and Le Meridien and SoHo House in London.
Gnapi’s more than 20 years of experience in the culinary industry includes a range of cuisines and a wealth of experience from leadership positions. After moving to North Carolina in 2007, Gnapi served as Executive Sous Chef on the opening team at An: New World Cuisine for three years, followed by Executive Chef of La Residence in Chapel Hill in 2017, and at the Unscripted Durham in 2018.
Among his most noteworthy experiences, Gnapi credits his work at Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower, as well as his time working with renowned chefs Michel Rostang, Daniel Boulud, Bruno Loubet, Pascal Even, Jean-Pierre Gagnaire, Christopher Mihy, Francesco Mazzei and locally with An's Michael Chuong.
Gnapi, who met his wife in North Carolina, now resides in Fuquay-Varina with his two young boys. When not at the restaurant, he loves to draw, read, cook and create dishes for his family.
Brandon McCraney, owner, operator and master distiller at Olde Raleigh Distillery, is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has spent years immersing himself in the spirits industry to dissect the world of whiskey.
McCraney's role extends beyond the walls of the distillery to fostering partnerships with local farmers and introducing heirloom grains to the heart of Old Tobacco country.
As a Raleigh resident, McCraney aims to build a meaningful brand that gives back to the community he loves. His goal is to showcase the positive environmental and economic impacts distilleries contribute from farm to glass.
McCraney's desire to make a broad impact stemmed from his experience as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly served for four years.
As the sole owner and operator of Olde Raleigh Distillery, McCraney is set on making his family name one to be reckoned with in the craft whiskey world.
Find out what makes McCraney's old fashioned cocktail so unique and what is involved in making honey cask finished bourbon.

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Did you collect baseball cards? There’s a good chance Gregg Forwerck was behind the camera that took your favorite athletes’ photos. In this episode, the Charlotte-based photographer, who also covers the Carolina Hurricanes, shares some of his favorite memories about life as a baseball card photographer and discusses how baseball card photos have changed over the years.

Baseball card collecting and trading made a huge comeback during the COVID-19 pandemic. eBay reported that its sports card sales increased by 142% in 2020, with more than 4 million cards sold.
Hear about the famous players Gregg photographed over the years and some of the more unique photos he has taken.
Find out how baseball card photos have changed over the years and how prospects are featured prominently in the cards and established players.
Find out how this baseball fanatic turned his love of baseball into a lifelong career by thinking outside of the box.
Hear Gregg and our sports writer, Kurt Dusterberg, discuss their experiences covering the Carolina Hurricanes.
Listen to a discussion about youth sports and the many choices kids have today when deciding on what sports to play.

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Meet two couples living the RV Life: Kristen and Zayne Taber are newlyweds who sold their house and lived in an RV for a year. Brodie and Eric Jenkins are married parents who travel in their Class B Airstream Interstate 19 Touring Coach anytime they get a chance.

Find out why planning ahead is a must if you're traveling in a 44-foot RV.
Learn about how Zayne's experience as a U.S. Marine is helpful when operating an RV.
Kristen shares how a toy-hauler helps when traveling with dogs.
Kristen and Zayne both work remotely and so not only was their RV their home, but it was also their office.
The Tabers used a Garmin GPS to select their size of RV and it would pick the routes based on what works best for their fifth wheel.
The Jenkins' discuss the benefits of smaller RVs when it comes to parking availability and ease.
You won't believe how much fits into a 19-foot Touring Coach.
Get the answer to how long it took both couples to find their perfect RV.

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Leigh-Kathryn Bonner,Founder and CEO of Bee Downtown shares about her journey and passion to educate and inspire through beekeeping, corporate hive programs and partnerships.
We discuss why bees are like the pandas of the insect world.
Honeybees are often in the spotlight but there are many other pollinators we can take practical steps to support.
Leigh-Kathryn walks us through how her company was founded, how it has grown and how the company's staff is passionate about bringing joy to their partners.
Heather Rollins from Fairview Garden Center joins us to continue the conversation about pollinators with some helpful tips on the right types of plants that can support local bees and butterflies right here in the Triangle.
Heather highlights what types of local plants do well in our region, when to plant them, which ones work best in shade and much more.
Heather lists some great resources to learn more about gardening in the Triangle, whether it's the nursery's blog, YouTube channel, Instagram and Facebook.

Talk of the Triangle: Recent Episodes

Cary Living and Midtown magazines