Northgate Park Neighborhood Association is sponsoring our annual Luminaries in the Park again this year! Due to the pandemic, we’ve had to re-think how to safely create this magical event, and we need your help to create some festive winter cheer!

We’re looking for neighbors to help us make the luminaries! Can you volunteer to make a set of 20 luminaries (or more than one set?) – adding sand and a candle to a paper bag – and then put them out around the park on the afternoon of December 12th? Come pick up a set of materials, take it home, and create the luminaries in the comfort of your own home. Our goal is to create and set out 500 luminary bags!

The packs are available in the gazebo behind 2500 Shenandoah Ave (with more detailed instructions). Please feel free to pick up a pack anytime during the daytime. There will be a sheet in the gazebo to sign to help us keep track.

Want to help with the event?! We need volunteers to help with candle lighting the day of the event, clean up the day after, and general help the day of. Please contact Eric for more information and sign up to help for a shift here.

Want to decorate your own home? We also have limited luminary sets available for purchase. Please contact Kari to order a set of 10 luminaries for $10 (including the bags, sand, and candles). You can pay for a house pack using PayPal on the northgateparknc.org website or mail a check to the NPNA Treasurer. Contact Kari for payment details and to set up delivery.

Sunday, October 31st at 2501 Farthing Street

Live Music and sound effects by Simone Fine
Appropriate for all ages and free!
10 minute show, every 20 minutes
6:00, 6:20, 6:40, 7, 7:20, 7:40, 8pm

Northgate Park Final Food Truck Pop-Up of the season
Thursday Oct 28, 5:00-7:30 pm, Parking lot by the Tennis Court (300 W. Club Blvd, Durham)

NPNA is bringing a  socially distanced/take home family-friendly Fall craft activity to our final food truck pop-up for this season.

Self-Guided Fall Lantern Craft: NPNA will be providing 24 fall lantern DIY kits for interested kids & their families to assemble on-site or take home 

For more info – https://tinkergarten.com/activities/let-there-be-light

Dinner: Tex-Mex food truck, Cilantro Mexican is returning to the Park. Check out their classic menu here –   https://streetfoodfinder.com/cilantromexicannc#!menus_section

Pre-Order: Order window Tuesday 26 Oct at 5:00pm – https://streetfoodfinder.com/cilantromexicannc

Onsite/Walk-up: Accept cash and cards

IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO:
Cilantro staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. Also, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.

NPNA is proud to organize a family-friendly event such as food truck pop-up + music but please keep social distancing and face-covering in mind so everyone, especially young children who are not able to be vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals can feel safe and enjoy this outdoor neighborhood event.

We would like to ask all attendees to please:

• Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order & pickup (all participants/attendees, of whatever immunity status)
• Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck
• Supervise children at all times
• Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available
• Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low
• Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!

NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.

We had 20 entries and the results are in! Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who participated!

Scariest kid: Ada

Scariest adult: Stef

Most Original kid: Rosie

Most Original adult: Tashi

Funniest: Alexander & Sharon

Most Detailed: Leroi

Carve your pumpkin at home and drop it off, or bring your pumpkin and carving tools and join us for a socially-distanced carving

When:

• Socially distanced carving: Saturday October 30th at 3:30
• Pre-carved drop-off: Saturday October 30th from 3:30 – 5:30.

Where:

• Lavender House at the Park, Northgate Park

Can’t make the drop-off? Drop-off your carved pumpkin at Lavender House anytime before Sunday, October 31, at 3:30 and send us an email at npnaevents@northgateparknc.org with a picture so we’ll know it’s yours for judging because there will be –

Prizes!

Categories:

• Scariest
• Funniest
• Most detailed
• Most original.

Come see the entries! Pumpkins will be lit at dusk on October 30th and October 31.

NPNA is squeezing a BONUS food truck pop-up on Thursday October 14th with Succotash and Bruster’s before our final food truck event on 10/28

Succotash:  Succotash’s motto is ” Fine Southern Fusion Fast” – reflecting the bold traditions of the South, including Louisiana Cajun & Creole, Texas BBQ, Low Country Cuisine from the Carolinas, and a little kick from Mexico! 
Menu  http://succotashdurham.com/index.php/the-truck/– includes Vegetarian + Vegan Options
Pre-Order: https://streetfoodfinder.com/order/112907
Onsite/Walk-up: Accept cash and cards

Bruster’s: Ice cream includes options like “Graham Central Station” and “Tin Lizzy”, along with many classic favorites.
Menu: https://streetfoodfinder.com/brustersapex#!menus_section
Pre-Order: Order window starts the day of event 14 Oct until 3:00pm https://brusterstruck.square.site/  Please provide the last four digits of your order number at pick up!
Onsite/Walk-up: Accept Cash and Cards

IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO:
Succotash & Bruster’s staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. Also, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.

NPNA is proud to organize a family-friendly event such as food truck pop-up + music but please keep social distancing and face-covering in mind so everyone, especially young children who are not able to be vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals can feel safe and enjoy this outdoor neighborhood event.

We would like to ask all attendees to please:

• Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order & pickup (all participants/attendees, of whatever immunity status)
• Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck
• Supervise children at all times
• Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available
• Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low
• Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!

NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.

Saturday, October 16th, 8:30 – 12:30

Featuring Arepa Culture Truck, serving grilled Venezuela-style arepas.

NPNA is once again welcoming back local entertainment – come hear the local band Spiral Cut featuring

Jon Newlin: fiddle/guitar
Terry Burtyk: banjo/guitar/fiddle
Bobb Head: fiddle/guitar/banjo
Dane Summers: dance
Andrew Berger-Gross: mandolin/guitar/banjo

Tips are also appreciated – Virtual Tip Jar (Venmo and Paypal) will be available at the event.

Can’t make it this month? Mark your calendar for our finale food truck event on 10/28

Arepa Culture:  Check out their most popular, La Tica ( Sauteed chicken with carmelized onions/bell peppers topped with provo-mozz) or try a Vegan El Beyond (Beyond Meat Crumble, Organic Greens & more toppings). Menu at http://www.arepaculturenc.com/foodtruckmenu – includes Gluten-free + Vegan Options!

Note from Arepa:  “We can happily accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions/preferences with our allergy-friendly menu items.”

Pre-Order: Order window starts day of event on 23 September, 8:00am – 7:30pm
https://arepa-culture-online-ordering.square.site/s/order
Onsite/Walk-up: Accept cash and cards

IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO:
Arepa & Dusty Donuts staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. Also, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.

NPNA is proud to organize a family-friendly event such as food truck pop-up but please keep social distancing and face-covering in mind so everyone, especially young children who are not able to be vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals can feel safe and enjoy this outdoor neighborhood event.

We would like to ask all attendees to please:

• Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order & pickup (all participants/attendees, of whatever immunity status)
• Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck
• Supervise children at all times
• Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available
• Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low
• Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!

NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.

Please join us for a volunteer opportunity to explore and catalog Durham’s beautiful nature!

No experience necessary! Simply take a photo of plant or animal life during the week of September 24th through October 3rd and upload it to the iNaturalist app – it’s that easy!

iNaturalist training sessions will be offered, and you can participate on your own or in small organized groups anywhere in Durham. In addition, we will be hosting organized walks in ECWA preserves and Durham parks within Ellerbe Creek Watershed!

More information here

For those who’ve joined us for our previous no-contact cookouts, your continued kindness reaches folks far and wide – from the hope Feed Durham NC brings to people who are struggling when we show up with hot meals and groceries to the stories we share with our loved ones about how Feed Durham has transformed our lives as stewards.

With the money Feed Durham NC has raised since April 2020, we’ve hosted 9 no-contact cookouts plus our 2020 Thanksgiving Grocery Bag giveaway for 250 households. We’ve fed close to 48,000 people, between the 15,000 meals we’ve prepared and the 33,000 pounds of produce/chicken we’ve donated to neighbors in need. We’re averaging $2.70/meal, but unlike fast food (aka filler food), these are hardy, tasty, nutrient-dense meals that strengthen our immune systems and keep us feeling full for longer. Every dollar raised goes towards food supplies, equipment, and stipends for out-of-work volunteers.

As we enter the winter months, and a flu season in which COVID promises to be as dangerous and unsettling as last year’s, the need to support our most vulnerable neighbors will be even greater.

Please support Feed Durham NC by volunteering (virtually or in-person), amplifying our posts, and donating. If you’ve already donated, please help Feed Durham raise $200 from your friends/family/colleagues. Any help you offer allows us to focus more deeply on eradicating the root causes of food scarcity in the Durham area, making our communities and schools safer.

Thank you,
Cy
Steward
Feed Durham NC

VOLUNTEER (IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL)
Email: feeddurhamnc-at-gmail-dot-com

DONATE
CashApp: $BullCityEats
www.gofundme.com/f/feed-durham-nc

FOLLOW FEED DURHAM
www.instagram.com/feeddurhamnc/
www.facebook.com/FeedDurhamNC
www.twitter.com/FeedDurhamNC

For those who are able…..the Northgate Park clean up coming up on Saturday the 11th……we will again be asking those who wish to participate to please do so as a family, couple or individually (not in a group) out of respect for the current COVID surge.

We are asking those who want to do so to do the following

In preparation
-wear protective clothing and gloves
-protect yourselves against insects like mosquitoes and ticks
-be wary of poison Ivy

On that day or any day before then may do any of the following
-pick up trash and liter and dispose of it in any of the trash bins located around the park
-pick up recyclables (clean) and place them in the blue recycle containers in the center of the park
-pick up and place large twigs/branches and limbs that have fallen out by the periphery of the park near the curb where the City can pick up the following week
-place the ‘yard waste’ items in piles: one on Club, one on Acadia (across from the church), one on Lavender and if needed one mid block on Glendale

I will inform the City the location on the following Monday of pick up

At this time, there will NOT be a leader coordinating clean ups. You are invited to participate on whatever schedule you find convenient next week starting Monday the 6th and ending on the 12th (Sunday) for fallen tree branches. Otherwise, you are always welcomed to pick up trash and recyclables at the park ANYTIME you visit it.

If you do any of the above during this timeframe, if you would, send me an email with what you did and those who were with you, so we can include it in the quarterly report of park clean ups.

You are appreciated!

Mike Shiflett

ps-there are two reasons we remove fallen tree branches/limbs from the general park area.

-they can create a hazard/damage to City mowers
-they can be hiding places for snakes which given that the park is visited by children is the greater hazard