Hi, I’m Megan! As the HEAD CURATOR\TASTER AND EXPLORER of NC Eat & Play, I am thrilled to welcome you to my very first podcast. I’m sitting in my guest room here in Morrisville, NC while my husband, Harrison and my toddler, Dean are in the next room.
I started NC Eat & Play to highlight and celebrate local businesses, establishments and “worth-the-trip” destinations in North Carolina. Growing up here, I love the fact that we’re helping thousands of locals discover great local food finds and activities curated for sensible budgets and everyday play.
A Look Back at the Week
After hiking with my family at Duke Forest in Durham, I was excited to try a new restaurant and was very disappointed after discovering they were closed on Mondays. It seems like every restaurant I wanted to try in Durham was closed that day and sInce my stomach is directly tied to my emotions, I was pretty cranky about it. Instead of giving in and having a frozen pizza, we decided to try a new Chinese Restaurant, Flavors Kitchen. We’ve heard great things about them and tried their beef lo mein, fried rice and sesame chicken. The food was great and they were definitely following safety procedures and guidelines. I highly recommend them! Also, Duke Forest in Durham was absolutely beautiful and we had a really great time. It was our first time hiking there and we actually had a hard time finding it in Google Maps. A tip to find it easier is to search “Shepherd Nature Trail.”
Although I didn’t visit my favorite waffle food truck this week, I definitely wanted to mention them. Make sure you try Waffee Wagon – they make the best liege waffles. They are awesome!
Let’s Play a Game: More About Megan
My love for NC comes from my deep roots my family has here in NC. My great grandfather, Lake Howard, aka The Singing Farmer, was a bluegrass singer back in the 1930s in NC. During the day, he worked on a tobacco farm tending the fields and then at night he had to stoke the fire since tobacco was cured with wood. He would sit under the tobacco shed in Jacksonville and play his guitar and sing bluegrass songs that he created.
Eventually, the people in town heard him singing and would gather around the tobacco shed on the farm to listen to his songs. He quickly gained popularity and became known as the “singing farmer.” Later, there was a talent contest in Jacksonville and the winner received a recording contract in NYC. He won the contest, traveled to NYC and recorded his music. His recording was so successful that they invited him back to NYC to record again.
While he was on the rise, he was unfortunately diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away at the age of 34. His career and life were cut short, but fortunately, we still have his recordings today and I recently found him on YouTube as well.
The Main Course
Currently, we are all living through Covid-19 and are all experiencing its negative effects and the devastating impact it’s having on our local community, restaurants and local businesses. I am especially devastated as I have gotten to personally know the many chefs and restaurant owners through NC Eat & Play. It’s heartbreaking for me to see the impact and the difficulties they are going through.
Through these tough times, I do feel that people are truly recognizing the importance of supporting local businesses. It has added another level for people’s willingness to not only support local businesses but to also support the people behind these small businesses. I encourage you to continue to support local businesses, whether it be through ordering takeout, using delivery services or even leaving a good review. I’m excited to share my favorite local restaurants and truly respect the passion and love that goes into building these businesses.
I want to thank you for listening to this podcast. I always like to end every show by asking for your willingness to support local businesses as much as you can. I really hope that the information we share is of benefit to you and encourages you to support, shop, dine, explore and play more, locally.
I want to remind you that you can follow NC Eat & Play on Instagram and on Facebook. I’d love to connect with you and get suggestions and insights into the great places you recommend.