THE CHAPEL HILL INSIDER
FROM THE INSIDE…
Inside this week’s Chapel Hill Insider:
🎉 Celebrating our 100th issue with a community thank you
🧹 Meet Bruce Vance: The Duke grad with 17 certifications who teaches cleaning pros in 12+ countries—but keeps his business local
🎨 Carolina Day Arts Market, Haunted Hill, and more fall events
🌲 Trail repairs begin after Hurricane Chantal
💰 NC eliminates $6.5 billion in medical debt
📊 Reader poll: What local business should we feature next?
LET’S STEP INSIDE →
Feature Story
The World-Renowned Cleaning Expert Who Chose Chapel Hill
Duke grad Bruce Vance teaches internationally—but his heart (and business) stayed local
Vance, a world-renowned cleaning expert, teaches students from all over the globe.
Meet Bruce Vance: Owner of Town and Country Cleaning Services
When Bruce Vance came to visit Duke in sixth grade, he made two decisions: he would attend college in the South, and it had to be Duke. Nothing else would do. What the young New Jersey native didn't know then was that Chapel Hill would become more than a college town—it would become home to both his family and a cleaning business that's built on world-class expertise.
Today, Vance runs Town & Country Cleaning with a level of knowledge that's virtually unmatched. With 17 IICRC (Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) certifications under his belt, he's taught cleaning professionals in at least 12 countries across five continents. He instructs through ISSA (the International Sanitary Supply Association) and his own school, traveling from Malaysia to Australia to South America, sharing expertise that would make most cleaning professionals look like amateurs.
Yet for all that international acclaim, Vance has chosen to keep his business local and personal, serving Chapel Hill homes with the same meticulous care he teaches around the globe.
The $10,000 Marble Mistake
"I'm going to show you how you too can make a $10,000 mistake in less than two minutes using safe natural cleaning products following directions from the internet," Vance tells students in his classes—and he's not joking.
🎉 Celebrating Our 100th Issue! 🎉
A Community Thank You
This week marks a special milestone—Chapel Hill Insider's 100th issue! For 100 weeks, we've had the privilege of sharing stories about the incredible people, businesses, and moments that make our community extraordinary. From compassionate realtors to quirky cartoonists, from mothers remembering through service to educators empowering students, from bluegrass festivals to sustainable fashion—every story has reminded us why Chapel Hill is such a special place to call home.
None of this would be possible without you. Thank you for reading, for engaging, and for caring about our local community.
How you can celebrate with us: Help us build an even stronger community by sharing this issue with a neighbor or friend. Forward this email, post it on social media, or simply tell someone about a local business or event they might enjoy. When we support our small businesses and nonprofits, when we show up for local events, when we connect with our neighbors—that's when Chapel Hill and the surrounding community truly thrives.
Here's to the next 100 issues of discovering what makes our community amazing!
Upcoming Events
EVENTS THIS WEEK
🎨 Carolina Day Arts Market | Friday, Oct 18
140 W. Franklin St. | 12-5 PM | FREE
The first of two unique street arts markets features local Triangle artists, musicians, and performers. Mark your calendar now for the second market—Día de los Muertos on November 1, same time and place.
🎃 Haunted Hill Returns | Thursday, Oct 24
Chapel Hill Community Center Park | Starting at 5 PM | FREE
Grab your costume for a spook-tacular night of family fun! Collect candy at Trunk-or-Treat, enter the Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest, and stay for Movie in the Park. All ages welcome.
🎙️ Talk of the Town: Chapel Hill Mixtape
Poet Laureate Donovan Livingston invites creative writers, poets, emcees, lyricists, and storytellers to participate in a workshop amplifying intergenerational narratives of Chapel Hill. Selected participants will attend writing workshops and recording sessions, contributing to a collaborative community mixtape releasing in 2026. All skill levels welcome!
🍖 Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival | Saturday, Oct 18
Blackwood Farm Park (NC-86) | 12:30-10 PM
A new festival merging Acme's Salt & Smoke BBQ with Sonark Media's Harvest Festival. Food, music, and community—what more could you want?
🎬 Trivia Night | Every Wednesday
Lumina Theater Tap Room, Southern Village | 7:30-9:30 PM
Test your knowledge while enjoying local brews. It's become a Wednesday night tradition for many Chapel Hill residents.
FRI-SUN, Oct 17-19 — Man of La Mancha at Forest Theatre
When: Oct 17, 18 at 7:00 p.m.; Oct 19 at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Forest Theatre, Chapel Hill
Cost: $30 general admission, $25 students with ID, Pay What You Can on Oct 12
Dream the impossible dream under autumn leaves! Stone Soup Theatre Company presents this beloved musical featuring iconic numbers including "The Impossible Dream" and "Dulcinea." The leaves are turning, the weather is gorgeous—it's the perfect time for outdoor theatre.
Insider Tip: Arrive early for a picnic on the grounds. Sunday, October 12, is "Pay What You Can" day—perfect for introducing friends to outdoor theatre. Note: matinees are by daylight without theatrical lighting. Get tickets
PlayMakers Repertory: The Wolves
Where: PlayMakers Repertory Company
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Insider Tip: Opening night features a celebration in the lobby with light hors d'oeuvres and drinks, plus the chance to get playbills signed and meet the artists. PlayMakers consistently delivers world-class theatre right here in Chapel Hill—this production about a girls' indoor soccer team is both fierce and timely.
Join After Five Toastmasters at the Heel and Horn
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Heel and Horn, 1502 E. Franklin Street
Join us for an informal meeting at the local Heel and Horn! Share a meal, enjoy a speech, and even see what comes up during Table Topics! See what Toastmasters is all about in an informal setting.
Homebuyers’ Education Workshop from EMPOWERment
Get Your Piece of Chapel Hill History at Sabean’s
It's not just a map; it's a love letter to Chapel Hill rendered in ink and humor. Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for a Chapel Hill lover, a unique piece of art for your home, or a nostalgic reminder of why you love this town, Ed's got you covered. Catch him at Sabean's (11548 US Hwy 15 501 N) every Sunday and Tuesday from 10am-2pm, where maps are just $20. Trust us, you'll want to grab one (or two!) while you can.
BUSINESS NETWORKING
IN CHAPEL HILL AND ONLINE
Since 1998, Chapel Hill Leads Group has been the go-to networking hub where Chapel Hill entrepreneurs and business owners build real connections with each other and their customers. Join us every Wednesday from 8:30 - 9:30 AM for networking with light refreshments in a relaxed, business casual setting. New members welcome - your first meeting is free!
Community Update
NC Eliminates $6.5 Billion in Medical Debt
More than 2.5 million North Carolina residents are getting medical debt wiped out through a state program that offered hospitals extra Medicaid funds in exchange for debt forgiveness. This massive relief could transform financial stability for countless Chapel Hill families who've been burdened by healthcare costs.
Trails Reopening After Hurricane Chantal
Town of Chapel Hill Public Works and Parks Maintenance crews are beginning repairs on greenways damaged during Hurricane Chantal. The work will take several weeks, and officials ask residents to stay out of closed areas for everyone's safety. This is welcome news for our running and biking community who've been missing their favorite paths.
Property Tax Concerns in Orange County
The Orange County Property Tax Justice Coalition recently hosted an assembly addressing concerns about unfair tax revaluations. With property values soaring in our area, many long-time residents are feeling the squeeze. The coalition is advocating for reforms to protect homeowners from being priced out of their neighborhoods.
READER POLL
What type of local business profile would you like to see next in Chapel Hill Insider?
□ Restaurant owner or chef
□ Local artist or craftsperson
□ Small retail shop owner
□ Healthcare provider
□ Other: _______________
Email your response to [email protected]
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.
A Final Note
INsight FROM THE INSIDER
Q: Why is autumn the most emotionally intelligent season?
A: Because it knows how to embrace change with grace and still look stunning while doing it.
-Author Unknown
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Until next time,
Be in the know!