Early Voting, Mental Health Help & a Paramedic's Story

On a nice October evening, the warm hum of conversation and laughter filled the dining room at the Heel & Horn, a cozy, welcoming restaurant at 1502 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, scratch-made comfort food, and community-minded spirit, The Heel & Horn has quickly become a favorite local gathering spot.

For one evening, it also became the perfect setting for inspiration. Members of the After Five Toastmasters Club met there for a meeting themed around Stress and Stress Management—a night that blended storytelling, humor, and heartfelt wisdom on finding calm amid life’s pressures. About a dozen members gathered in person, joined by others online, for an evening that reminded everyone that connection can be the best medicine for stress.

The highlight came from Meri Lynch, a Distinguished Toastmaster, who delivered an unforgettable speech titled “The Best Job in the World.” Lynch was featured in a recent article about estate services. Meri is one of the top Toastmasters leaders in the state. She is in the third position of the Toastmasters district that covers Eastern North Carolina; Bryant Pergerson, the president of After Five, is in second position; Chellie Grossman, who is in the first position, was a guest that evening.

Drawing from her years as a paramedic in Brooklyn, New York, Meri painted vivid scenes of courage, teamwork, and humanity under pressure—moments of saving lives, climbing fences, comforting the fearful, and finding clarity in chaos. She shared how her team had become a family, with each member learning to trust and depend on one another completely.

When the weight of her work grew heavy, Meri found peace in an unexpected place—standing beneath the Williamsburg Bridge, facing the Manhattan skyline, breathing in the calm that city lights bring. Her closing reflection—that helping others can be one of the most powerful antidotes to stress—resonated deeply with everyone in the room. She ended with an invitation to the audience to consider volunteering with the Orange County Rescue Squad, continuing her lifelong commitment to service.

The After Five Toastmasters Club, part of Toastmasters International, has been empowering members in the Triangle community for 15 years. The club provides a positive and supportive space for anyone who wants to strengthen their communication skills, share their story, and connect with others who love learning and laughter.

Meetings are held every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., and guests are always welcome—whether you’re looking to polish your public speaking, grow as a leader, or simply hear great stories.

Attend In Person: HPW Coldwell Banker, 1600 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill (NC) – parking available
Join Online: Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 846 9127 3214  Passcode: 048817
One Tap Mobile: +1 929 436 2866 (New York)

Learn more at After Five Toastmasters.

To mark its 15th anniversary, After Five Toastmasters will host a special Open House on Wednesday, November 12 at 5:30 p.m. at its regular meeting location. The event will feature cake, refreshments, and a keynote presentation by Mike Brown, a seasoned motivational speaker and leadership coach based in Raleigh, NC.

Mike brings more than 30 years of corporate HR experience and a decade of consulting across five continents. His approach—“Reach, Teach, Equip, and Empower”—helps people discover confidence and purpose in their professional lives. With his energetic, practical style, Mike will inspire attendees to embrace their strengths, take initiative, and find balance in both work and life.

By the end of the night, as the clinking of glasses gave way to conversation and laughter, the lesson of the evening was clear: connection is the cure.

Through storytelling, fellowship, and food, the members of After Five Toastmasters and the team at The Heel & Horn created a space where stress gave way to joy, strangers became friends, and voices—steady, sincere, and brave—filled the room.

In a world that often feels loud and relentless, that’s the kind of calm we all need.

🎯 Trivia Night | Every Wednesday at 7:30 PM
Lumina Theater Tap Room, Southern Village
Test your knowledge while enjoying local brews. Chapel Hill's favorite midweek tradition.

🔬 UNC Research Week | Through October 27
Multiple UNC locations
Celebrate innovation and discovery at UNC with the Research & Discovery Fair, speaker series, and more. Check calendar.unc.edu for the full schedule. Free and open to the public.

🎸 Ruston Kelly | Thursday, October 23
Cat's Cradle, Carrboro | Doors 7 PM, Show 7:30 PM
The Nashville singer-songwriter brings his folk-rock sound to Carrboro. Known for raw, emotionally honest performances.

🎭 The Connells | Thursday, October 23
Haw River Ballroom | Doors 7 PM, Show 7:30 PM
Chapel Hill's own indie rock legends return for a hometown show. If you grew up here in the '90s, this one's for you.

🎵 River Park Concert | Friday, October 25
River Park, Downtown Hillsborough | 6 PM | FREE
Triangle Music Alliance presents Sierra Hull with Fancy Gap, The Shoaldiggers, and Jesse Fox. Local food, local art, local beer. Perfect fall evening out.

🎃 Halloween Bash at The Heel & Horn | Thursday, October 31
The Heel & Horn, East Franklin Street | Starting at 10:30 PM
When the restaurant closes for dinner service, the bar stays open for Halloween festivities! Games, gift card giveaways, and spooky fun. Costumes encouraged, all welcome.

🎨 Orange County Artists Open Studio Tour | Nov 1-2 & 8-9
Various locations around Orange County
Over 100 artists open their studios to show where and how they create. Saturdays 10 AM-5 PM, Sundays 12-5 PM. Free. Perfect for holiday shopping and supporting local art.

🎨 Festifall Arts Market: Día de los Muertos | Friday, November 1
140 W. Franklin St., Downtown Chapel Hill | 12-5 PM | FREE
Chapel Hill's beloved street arts festival returns with vendors, music, performances, and Día de los Muertos celebrations. Support local artists and enjoy the community.

As we highlight mental health this month, remember — help is available right here in Chapel Hill. Whether you’re managing stress, facing a tough season, or supporting someone you love, these local resources are ready to help:

📞 Crisis Support (24/7):

For UNC Students:

Affordable Therapy Options:

Community Support:

You don’t have to face challenges alone. Reaching out for help isn’t a weakness — it’s strength.

Great news for runners, bikers, and walkers: Chapel Hill is moving forward with accelerated, quick-fix repairs to greenways damaged by Tropical Storm Chantal. While long-term reconstruction will take time, the town is prioritizing getting trails safely reopened with temporary solutions. Bolin Creek Trail, Morgan Creek Trail, and the Fordham Boulevard greenway sections were among the hardest hit. The town responded to advocacy from groups like Shift Chapel Hill Carrboro, who emphasized these aren't just recreational paths—they're essential routes to school, work, and daily life for many residents.

Early voting began Thursday across North Carolina, including right here in Chapel Hill. Sixteen days of early voting give residents flexibility to cast ballots for the Chapel Hill Town Council race and other local elections. Five candidates are competing for four Town Council seats, with the mayor's race unopposed this cycle.

Donovan Livingston, Chapel Hill's 2025-2026 Poet Laureate, is inviting creative writers, poets, emcees, lyricists, and storytellers to participate in "Talk of the Town: Chapel Hill Mixtape." The collaborative project will amplify intergenerational narratives of Chapel Hill through workshops and recording sessions, culminating in a community mixtape releasing in 2026. All skill levels are welcome to participate in this celebration of local voices and stories.

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.

Until next time,

Be in the know!