THE CHAPEL HILL INSIDER
FROM THE INSIDE…
Inside This Issue: A mother turned grief into 518 backpacks and a foundation that carries her daughter's name — we are spotlighting the Monet Richardson Community Foundation ahead of its 5th anniversary Rose and Roses Soiree on March 8. East Chapel Hill's swim and dive team just brought home a state championship with a perfect season and school records falling left and right. Plus, two days left to vote early, Epilogue has a latte that comes with a warning, and your Market Watch check-in with Meri Lynch.
LET’S STEP INSIDE →
Feature Story
A Mother's Promise: The Monet Richardson Community Foundation
Some organizations start with a strategic plan. This one started with a mother's broken heart — and her refusal to let grief be the end of the story.
Pat Richardson founded the Monet Richardson Community Foundation after losing her daughter Krissy in 2021. What could have become a private wound became a public mission: make sure young people in this community have what they need to succeed. Not someday. Now.
The foundation is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) — no paid staff, no overhead bloat, just Pat and a circle of people who believe backpacks and scholarships can change trajectories. And the numbers back them up: 518 backpacks distributed to local students and counting. Over $4,500 in scholarships awarded to young people who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Every dollar raised goes directly to programs.
This Sunday evening, the foundation hosts its signature fundraiser: the Rose and Roses Soiree at the Graduate Hotel on Franklin Street — celebrating the foundation's 5th anniversary. It is an evening of community, celebration, and purpose — and it is the primary way the foundation funds its work for the coming year.
Here is what I love about this: Pat did not wait for someone else to build the program. She did not apply for a grant and sit by the phone. She built it herself, named it for the daughter she lost, and turned personal devastation into community infrastructure. That is Chapel Hill at its best.
Rose and Roses Soiree
Sunday, March 8 | 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Graduate Hotel, 311 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
Tickets: $50 individual / $85 pair
monetrichardsoncommunityfoundation.com.
Community Spotlight
State Champs: East Chapel Hill Swim & Dive Just Had a Season for the History Books
If you haven't been paying attention to what's happening in the pool at East Chapel Hill High School — now's the time to start.
The Wildcats men's swim and dive team capped off a perfect season by winning the 6A state championship. The women's team finished second in the state. And together, East Chapel Hill took home the overall combined Women's and Men's 6A state title. The best swim and dive program in the state — right here in Chapel Hill.
Coach Gregory Cain shared some highlights with us, and "highlights" doesn't do it justice. This is a record-smashing, All-American-earning, legacy-rewriting kind of season.
Market Watch with Meri Lynch
Quick take this week — read the full February Market Watch
Spring listings are starting to hit the market, and the conditions we flagged last month are holding: mortgage rates near 6.09%, inventory up double digits in both Orange and Chatham counties, and buyers negotiating with confidence for the first time in years. If you are a seller, the takeaway is simple — price it right from the start. Overpriced homes are sitting. Well-priced homes are still moving. Meri has the full breakdown in this month's Market Watch.
Questions? Reach out to Meri Lynch at https://merilynch.hpw.com/
Upcoming Events
🎉 LOCAL EVENTS THIS WEEK
February 26 through March 11
Friday, February 27
Extraordinary Thrift Store Ribbon Cutting 125 W. Main St., Carrboro | Open house 3:00–5:00 p.m., Ribbon cutting at 4:00 p.m. extraordinarythriftstore.com
"The First To Know" — Opening Night at The ArtsCenter The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St., Carrboro | 7:30 p.m. | $25 Also performs Feb 28, Mar 6, Mar 7. Box office: 919-929-2787 or 984-500-4500. artscenterlive.org
Early Voting All six Orange County sites | 8:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. orangecountync.gov/EarlyVoting
Saturday, February 28
Last Day of Early Voting All six Orange County sites | 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. — Final chance to vote early. orangecountync.gov/EarlyVoting
Health and Wellness Fair Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Free health screenings and wellness resources. Open to all. carrboronc.gov/2978/Black-History-Month
The Bride's Latte — Merch Pop-Up at Epilogue Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews | 12:00–2:00 p.m. Exclusive movie merch for "The Bride" while supplies last.
"The First To Know" — Second Performance The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St., Carrboro | 7:30 p.m. | $25 artscenterlive.org
Monday, March 2
CDBG Grant Application Deadline Noon — Town of Chapel Hill Community Development Block Grant. Contact [email protected] or 919-968-2877.
Tuesday, March 3
Election Day — March 2026 Primary Polls open 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Vote at your assigned precinct. Photo ID required. Find your polling place at orangecountync.gov/Elect
Wednesday–Sunday, March 4–22
Macbeth at PlayMakers Repertory Company Joan H. Gillings Center for Dramatic Art, 120 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill Box office: 919-962-7529 playmakersrep.org/show/macbeth
Friday–Saturday, March 6–7
"The First To Know" — Final Weekend at The ArtsCenter The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St., Carrboro | 7:30 p.m. | $25 Last two performances. BOGO free with code 'DUEDATE'. Box office: 919-929-2787 or 984-500-4500. artscenterlive.org
Saturday, March 7
Habitat for Humanity Women Build Volunteer Day Weavers Grove, off Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill | Morning 8:30 a.m.–noon, afternoon 1:00–4:00 p.m. No experience needed. Volunteers 15+ welcome, all gender identities welcome. Register at orangehabitat.volunteerhub.com | orangehabitat.org/womenbuild | Email: [email protected]
Sunday, March 8
Kay Marion and The Neo Symphony — BHM Concert Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro | 3:00 p.m. Free. Final concert in Carrboro's Black History Month concert series (rescheduled from earlier date). carrboronc.gov/2978/Black-History-Month
Rose and Roses Soiree — Monet Richardson Community Foundation Graduate Hotel, 311 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill | 5:00–8:00 p.m. Tickets: $50 / $85 pair Get tickets | monetrichardsoncommunityfoundation.com
PORCH Food Drive Drop-Off Sunday, March 8, 12:00–6:00 p.m. Check chapelhill.porchcommunities.org for your nearest location.
Monday, March 9
PORCH Food Drive Drop-Off (continued) Monday, March 9, 8:30–11:00 a.m. Same locations as Sunday. chapelhill.porchcommunities.org
Local Stories
FROM AROUND TOWN
Health and Wellness Fair This Saturday
Head to the Carrboro Century Center (100 N. Greensboro St.) on Saturday, February 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free health screenings, wellness resources, mental health information, and community connections. Part of Carrboro's Black History Month centennial programming. No registration needed.
A Latte That Comes with a Warning
Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews is partnering with Warner Bros. and the UNC Student Film Association to celebrate the release of "The Bride" with a limited barista special: The Bride's Latte — a charcoal matcha latte with honey and their dark matter syrup. It looks as dramatic as it sounds.
Two Days Left to Vote Early — March 3 Primary
Early voting for the March 3 primary and Orange County Board of Education election ends Saturday. Tomorrow (Friday, February 27) hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at all six sites. Saturday, February 28 is the final day — hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you miss early voting, Election Day is Tuesday, March 3 (polls open 6:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. at your assigned precinct). Early voting sites: Drakeford Library Complex in Carrboro, Chapel Hill Public Library, Chapel of the Cross, Seymour Senior Center, Orange Works in Hillsborough, and Efland-Cheeks Community Center. Photo ID is requested but you can vote with or without it. More info at orangecountync.gov/EarlyVoting.
CDBG Grants — Deadline Monday
If you work with a nonprofit, community organization, or public service agency, the Town of Chapel Hill's Community Development Block Grant applications are due Monday, March 2 at noon. Up to $375,000 in federal funding is available for housing, economic development, and community services for low-to-moderate income residents. Contact [email protected] or call 919-968-2877. This deadline is firm.
PSF 5K for Education Turns 20 — And It's Filling Up Fast
The Public School Foundation's 5K for Education is back for its 20th year, and registrations are already over halfway to capacity. The 5K and 1K Fun Run happen Saturday, March 14 at 8:30 a.m. at UNC McCorkle Place. The first 2,000 registrants get a free blue t-shirt — it has become a bit of a collector's item. Register at runsignup.com/Race/NC/ChapelHill/PSF5KforEducation.
Chapel Hill Insider is your weekly guide to the people, places, and stories that make our community special. Know someone we should feature? Have a story tip? Reply to this email.
INsight from the INSIDER
A Final Note
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
— Pablo Picasso
Chapel Hill Cartoon Map
Big news: Ed King's beloved hand-drawn Chapel Hill Cartoon Map is now available digitally! In partnership with the original artist, we've brought this charming map—capturing every quirky corner and beloved business in our town—into the digital age.
Click to view the map online!
Until next time,
Be in the know!