Spring + Summer 2026
A Word From The Publisher
Welcome to our Spring + Summer issue of CIRCA Magazine … and to the beginning of our 25th year! Reaching this point is something I don’t take lightly. For a quarter century...
Spring Sounds + Summer Celebrations
The Town of Wake Forest is excited to offer a full lineup of events over the spring and summer months that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. From Friday Night on White an...
Turn Up The Heat
As warm weather settles in, the grill naturally finds its way back into the weekly dinner routine. Burgers, steak, and chicken are probably already on rotation, and there’s nothing...
The Art of Effortless Dressing
There’s something about the shift from spring into summer that invites a reset. The light changes. Evenings stretch a little longer. Calendars quietly fill with weddings, garden pa...
Reimagining the Everyday
As the weather warms up, many of us feel the urge to refresh our homes – open the windows, lighten the rooms, and make everything feel a little happier. The good news? You probably...
Orange You Glad It's Cocktail Season?
It’s here! That favorite time of year when the colors seem brighter, the air is warm, and nothing pairs better with the sunshine than a delicious cocktail in your hand. I can see i...
Gardening Guru
Growing season has arrived. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve been waiting for it. Just a couple of weeks ago, I went into the greenhouse and got to work. I planned my garden ...
Financial Focus
Most people know they should contribute to their 401(k). Fewer know if they’re truly maximizing it. Your 401(k) isn’t just another paycheck deduction – it’s one of the most powerfu...
It's Not Just Allergies
If your eyes feel gritty, tired, watery, or irritated, you’re not alone. Dry eye symptoms are some of the most common concerns brought up during eye exams, especially this time of ...
Sourdough Rediscovered
In 2020, sourdough seemed to take over every corner of the Internet. We were all stuck at home and needed something to occupy the extra time. For many, the sourdough experi-ment fa...
Chrome and Fire
On Saturday, June 6, downtown Wake Forest will awaken with a roar. By 8:00 AM, the streets will begin filling with polished chrome, low rumbles of V8 engines, and the unmistakable ...
The Joy of Going Green
There’s something magical about bringing home your first plant. One minute your space feels ordinary, and the next it feels alive. Leaves catch the light, vines stretch playfully t...
It Starts With the Grain
As the days grow longer and farmers’ markets start filling up with herbs, peas, asparagus, and early tomatoes, lighter pasta dishes naturally return to the table. Warm weather call...
Vintage That Lives Outdoors
Mention vintage décor, and most people picture it indoors – china cabinets, sideboards, framed art, or heirloom furniture carefully placed inside. But many of the most interesting ...
Heat and Hydration
When temperatures climb into the 90s and humidity rises above 50%, heat becomes more than uncomfortable – it can be dangerous. In fact, extreme heat causes more deaths each year th...
Good Reads
Spring and summer are perfect seasons for rediscovering the pleasure of reading – whether it’s a quiet morning on the porch, a long afternoon at the beach, or a few peaceful minute...
Regular or Perfect?
After years behind the bar, I have learned that some debates never really end. Bourbon or rye. Cherry or twist. Shaken or stirred. However, few spark as much passion as the Manhatt...
A Warm Weather Reset
As the weather warms and days grow longer, it’s a natural time to reset your home. Open windows, brighter light, and shifting routines make this season ideal for tackling deep-clea...
Unexpected Tapas
Picture this – a bag of chips sliced open, piled high with toppings, eaten straight from the package with a fork, or even by hand. Casual, a little messy, and completely satisfying...
The Sound of a New Generation
In today’s digital age, music is more accessible than ever. Roughly 50,000 new songs are uploaded to streaming platforms every day, and more than 253 million tracks now sit across ...
Let's Talk Pulmonary Hypertension
Most of us have heard of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. While nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, there’s another, lesser-known type of hypertens...
The Things We Do More ... And Think About Less
Warm weather changes how we live, often without us realizing it. Doors stay open longer, schedules loosen, and more people come and go. Certain things like boats, golf carts, outdo...
Personal Spaces
As the seasons shift and windows begin to open again, many of us feel the urge to rethink the spaces around us. Increasingly, those refreshed spaces are becoming more personal than...
A Taste of Wine Country
It’s always fun to hear people talk about planning a “wine trip.” The idea of a vacation spent touring wineries, sampling wines, and eating well every day sounds like something str...
Everyday Movement
When we think about exercise, we often picture something structured – a yoga class, a run through the neighborhood, time at the gym, or another intentional workout. These are all v...
Driveable Destination - Southport
Some places feel designed for slowing down. Southport is one of them. Perched at the mouth of the Cape Fear River in southeastern North Carolina, this small coastal town – just abo...
Cooked in Tradition
Chess pie is one of those classic Southern desserts that appears in many forms but always begins the same way – with a handful of simple ingredients and a recipe passed down over t...
The Rise of Ninja Warrior Training
The reality TV show American Ninja Warrior has certainly influenced what you might see today at trampoline parks, CrossFit gyms, playgrounds, and a variety of endurance events for ...
Local Gem
Some of the Triangle’s most charming places aren’t the largest or most famous – they’re the quiet corners locals discover and return to again and again. Tucked behind the historic ...
It Begins in the Bowl
A glossy coat and healthy skin don’t happen by accident. They begin in the bowl. What dogs eat directly affects how their coat looks, feels, and functions. Shine, softness, texture...
The Scent of Shared Spaces ... Hospitality Beyond the Visual
We spend weeks picking the perfect porch paint, fluffing the throw pillows, and ensuring the hydrangeas are just right for the season. But there is a secret “connective tissue” tha...
Your Smile Your Way
When people think about enhancing their smile, they often picture a single solution – whitening, veneers, or “fixing everything at once.” In reality, smile enhancement today is far...
Peonies to Dahlias
Spring and summer bring no shortage of flowers. Garden centers, farmers’ markets, and neighborhood yards quickly fill with color and texture. While there are countless options, a h...
Our Heritage
In 1852, Wake Forest College trustees petitioned the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad to establish a depot at the school. The closest station was a mile south in Forestville, forcing st...