BEST COFFEEHOUSE:
La Farm Bakery
A newcomer in the Best Coffeehouse category, La Farm Bakery serves Counter Culture coffee, a Durham-based roaster that works directly with coffee farmers to source the most unique flavors. Owners Lionel and Missy Vatinet serve Counter Culture not only because it is the best in the country, they say, but because the roaster is locally based as well. Counter Culture’s focus on authenticity and quality directly aligns with La Farm’s goals for its own handcrafted breads and pastries. A perfect match!

Get your caffeine fi x from La Farm’s signature house blend or one of these delicious espresso drinks.

BEST PRESCHOOL:
Holly Springs School for Early Education
Owner Kate Newton strives to create an environment at the Holly Springs School for Early Education of learning through play, where families are always welcome in the classroom and children become lifelong learners.

One of the biggest testaments to the quality of the school is the dedication of the staff . “The majority of our teachers have been with this school for eight or more years. My director has been here for nine years,” says Newton. Learn more about Western Wake’s Best Preschool from Newton.

What makes HSSEE unique?
We are independently owned and not a franchised center. We have more flexibility and freedom to explore outside of a single type curriculum. Our curriculum was designed by myself with local public school expectations in mind to make sure our Pre-K students are more than ready to enter the area schools. Our parents like the idea of a center where the owner is involved every day.

How does HSSEE create a sense of community?
We participate in various charities such as the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, the Raleigh Women’s Center and we support all the Holly Springs elementary schools’ PTA organizations with donations through our Educator to Educator Program.

What is one of your favorite school activities?
Our Pre-K Holiday Performance. It is put on every December by the Pre-K children who perform songs and skits for the parents. We have costumes and scenery, music and dancing. It’s a huge production, and it has to be held at the Holly Springs Cultural Center due to the number of guests.

What style of curriculum is used?
We use a mixture of philosophies including Maria Montessori and Reggio Emilio, which believe that children form who they are as individuals. Our program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum. Our Pre-K curriculum is unique in the fact that our children rotate classes between language, math and art.

How do you mix learning and having fun?
To learn something it has to have meaning to you. To have meaning it has to be taught in a fun way that children can relate to. We try to see the environment through the child’s eyes.

BEST FITNESS CLUB:
The Cary Family YMCA
Best Fitness Club, the Cary Family YMCA, appeals to so many Western Wake residents because of its vast array of programs. Swimming, team sports, child care, camps and mentoring programs are just a few of the opportunities available to adults and children. There’s something for everyone in the group fi tness department too, with classes ranging from a “walk in the park” to “soaked in sweat.” Here are a few of our favorites and what to expect when the music starts.

BEST GOLF COURSE:
Prestonwood Country Club

Prestonwood Country Club maintains three golf courses enjoyed by players of all skill levels: Meadows, Highlands and Fairways. Holes from both Meadows and Highlands courses are played in the SAS Championship every year. The Fairways course contains “short course” family tees, part of the PGA Family Course Program to make golf more enjoyable for beginner and youth players. Prestonwood members weighed in on which holes club-wide rise above the rough.

MOST POPULAR SOCIAL EVENT:
The Prestonian
An annual member-guest event which includes three rounds of fierce competition on all three courses at Prestonwood with evening parties, great food and drink.

MOST COVETED TEE TIME:
Saturday 9 a.m.

Photos courtesy of Prestonwood and Sas Championship.
 

BEST PRINCIPAL:
Matthew Wight, Apex High School
Apex High School Principal Matthew Wight captured the top spot among area administrators for the second year in a row. Meet the famous — or he admits, possibly infamous — man in the head office.

EDUCATION: UNC-Wilmington for bachelor’s and master’s degrees
BEFORE AHS: Inaugural principal at Salem Middle School. A lot of the kids that I taught at Salem actually went to Apex. So when I moved over I already knew a lot of the kids and knew the community.
YEARS AT AHS: 7
I WANTED TO BE A PRINCIPAL WHEN:I was a teacher in Wilmington and saw the principal’s ability to have an eff ect on a whole lot of people; that intrigued me. As a teacher and a coach, I had an influence over a pretty small group of people. When I became an assistant principal, I had influence over a bigger group, but I was still one of several. But as a principal, you have the ability to influence an entire school community.
MOST REWARDING MOMENT: Every year at graduation, it is incredibly gratifying. To see kids walk across the stage and see what kind of people they’ve developed into is just a humbling and gratifying experience.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Keeping kids on track to graduate, because there are so many issues that kids deal with now. Sometimes people take it for granted that kids have a strong, supportive home life and have all the resources they need.
FAVORITE CHILDREN AND YOUTH BOOKS: Curious George and The Lord of the Rings series.
FAVORITE NONFICTION BOOK: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
HOBBIES: Playing soccer in the Triangle Area Soccer League, supporting Liverpool Football Club and running in Bond Park.

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANY:
Ivy Cottage Collections

Customers are first drawn in by the carefully selected home decor, fashion accessories and gifts that can all be found at Ivy Cottage Collections, a repeat winner for Best Interior Design Company. After experiencing the exquisite taste of owner Lisa Allen, many choose to solicit her expert eye to bring Ivy Cottage-inspired style into their own homes.

Allen offers the full gamut of interior design services through the Ivy Cottage, a Cary and Morrisville fixture for more than 17 years. She’ll assist clients by designing a room from scratch or by placing the fi nishing accessories and everything in between.