Character Studies: Coke Ariail, Urban Boat Captain
In recent years, downtown Durham passersby may have come across William “Coke” Ariail III—artist, craftsman, and film producer—at work on his sailing dinghies.
Character Studies: Maddie Jennette, N.C. State’s Resident Explorer
The alumna captures and shares everyday (and often bizarre) discoveries to preserve the memory of an ever-changing college campus.
Character Studies: Mama Cookie, Champion for Labor Rights
Durham organizer Bertha Bradley, better known as Mama Cookie, has been front-and-center in the fight for better working conditions across the South.
Character Studies: Josh Morin, the Guy Who Runs While Punching a Ball
Morin and his unconventional workout routine have become a fixture in Durham, where he takes therapeutic daily runs.
Character Studies: Champ, the Durham Bulls’ Bat Dog
Despite all the game day distractions, the highly trained Durham Bulls bat fetcher never fails to delight fans and demonstrate that he is indeed a very good boy.
Character Studies: Heather Leah, Raleigh’s Hidden Historian
The fifth-generation Raleighite documents and shares the City of Oaks’ hidden history and forgotten landmarks.
Character Studies: Gene Dillard’s House of Mirrors
The former repairman never expected his home to turn into a Durham destination—but after years of him sculpting it into a glittering mosaic sculpture, the house has become just that.
More Character Studies Coverage
Character Studies: Arturo Sanchez, the Trivia Host Who Wants to Make Your Team Argue
Arturo Sanchez is a fixture at several spots in downtown Durham. But he’s best known for hosting trivia at Bull McCabe’s, where he aims to make sure players have fun, think hard, and occasionally haggle over the right answers.
Character Studies: Derek Haynes, the “Chocolate Botanist”
Through social media, Durham resident Derek Haynes is educating his audience and debunking myths about both plant care and what a scientist might look like.
Character Studies: Carlos Lemus Sr., Raleigh’s Cake Jefe
Carlos Lemus Sr. got his start as a cake decorator at the Cheesecake Factory in the 1980s. Now, he’s Raleigh’s #CakeJefe.
Character Studies: Raleigh Emcee Kayla Knott, “the MILF with the Mic”
Knott goes by the name Holly Pocket for her work as a drag, burlesque, and cabaret emcee—a name inspired by the pastel Polly Pocket dolls.
Character Studies: Eross Guadalupe, An Ambassador for Cycling
A decade ago, Eross Guadalupe had never owned a bike. Now he’s a fixture in Durham’s cycling community, known for leading some of the Bull City’s most popular rides—and helping others get started on two wheels.
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