Here’s a new spin on common topic. At this time of the year, it’s easy to ask people what they are thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches. The good thing about this simple question is that it changes our thoughts almost instantly to gratitude and the good things in life. We decided to ask a few residents: “What in Holly Springs are you thankful for?” Instead of the usual “I’m thankful for my health, kids, parents, pets…,” this perspective should give you some insight into this wonderful town that we all live in.
Holly Springs Mayor Sean Mayefski
My family and I moved to Holly Springs in 1999. We moved here because of the small-town feel. Before choosing Holly Springs, we spent some time with friends who, at the time, lived in Cary. We looked at all the surrounding towns but Holly Springs, to us, felt like home. The neighborhood we moved into had a lot of young families with kids the same age as ours and that made the transition fantastic. I’m thankful that despite growing from 8,000 residents when we arrived to more than 50,000 as of today, we still have that small-town feel.
I’m thankful that we are still one of the safest cities in the state and we have the best people you could ask for working for us at the Town. I remember when the property that now houses Holly Grove middle and elementary schools was a farm with a little white house on it. Well, that house now sits directly across the light (Mallie Jack Way) when you come between the GWF Donation Center and the dentist office and enter Avent Ferry Road. The land was used by the Holly Springs Parks and Rec department for athletic fields until construction started. I also remember when the land where Harris Teeter sits was used for the Holly Springs football team and for soccer fields. There was a farm that bumped up to the soccer fields and when the cows were by the fence, we had a heck of a time getting the kids to practice as they only wanted to stand at the fence and look at the cows.
I know we have grown since we first moved here and those who have lived here their entire life could tell even more stories about growth, but if you were one of the early families, you also remember having to go to other towns to get groceries or go to restaurants. We did have some, but not many. Now, you don’t have to leave Holly Springs unless you really want to. We have just about everything we need right here.
I’m also thankful that my family, as it continues to grow, lives close by. My youngest has moved back to Holly Springs and has bought a house. We have something great here and I’m thankful for all those who through the years have had a hand in making it a great town! Happy Thanksgiving!
The Mayefski House at Thanksgiving
Holly Springs Police Captain Michael Patterson
I moved to North Carolina back in 1999 after fulfilling an active duty service obligation with the United Stated Marine Corps. I am originally from Kettering, Ohio, and thought I would move back there after I got out of the Marine Corps. However, I could not resist the area and the thought of getting to live here, sandwiched between the beach and the mountains, was the icing on the cake. Another added bonus: the seasons here are not as extreme as they are in Ohio. Holly Springs reminds me a lot of my hometown and has similar demographics and population sizes.
No matter what your hobby may be, Holly Springs has something to offer whether you like to watch movies, see theater shows, are a runner, walker, frisbee golfer or golfer, like me. This community has been supporting my golf habit for years. With two championship courses in town, it is not hard for me to break away after a day of work and play a round of golf or just hit balls on the range. No matter what it is you may enjoy, I have found that Holly Springs has something for you.
Having been an employee in the town since 2005, I am amazed by all the generosity you can easily find here. Holly Springs is a community that has a huge heart and never fails to disappoint when there is someone in need. I have been lucky to be a part of many programs that have helped collect food for families in need, provide toys to families during the holidays, or provide relief in areas devastated by natural disasters.
Holly Springs is such a unique, inclusive, welcoming and loving place. I am happy to be a part of its wonderfulness and look forward to continuing to contribute to its uniqueness. Holly Springs is the place to be!
Holly Springs Resident and Commercial Realtor Baxter Walker
My family and I moved to Holly Springs in 2003. Growing up in Cary, we wanted to find a community a little further out. My dad was the postmaster in Holly Springs before he retired. I always thoroughly enjoyed coming to visit him at the post office and going across the street to get a hot dog.
After living here a number of years, plus being a commercial realtor, the one thing that I am most thankful for is the opportunity for local entrepreneurs to open a business in their town and be extremely successful. This requires a growing population of customers as well as opportunities for business locations. In my opinion, the town has done an excellent job in growing the town in a smart way, which provides these opportunities. Having these local businesses provides more reasons as to why Holly Springs citizens can find what they need in town! Holly Springs will continue to provide more and more opportunities for entrepreneurs to be successful!
Town Historian Barb Koblich
My family moved here in 1993 from western New York. At that time, the children were bused into either Apex or Fuquay-Varina as the old elementary school, now the W.E. Hunt Center, no longer served as a public school. There were no parks and recreation programs, no public library, no cultural arts center, no drug or grocery stores and no pizza shops. A BBQ place and Bud’s Pick Up were the only eating establishments. The population was approximately 1,000 people. The traffic signal at Main Street and Holly Springs Road was set on “blinking” as there really wasn’t much traffic. Life was slow, simple and typically Southern, just as you read about in books.
What drew us to our new home were the clotheslines hanging in backyards. The farmers out in the fields on tractors. The BBQ fundraisers at the volunteer fire station and Masonic Lodge. Stately antebellum homes and simple farmhouses. The open spaces and trees.
Over the past 30 years, we have watched as that quaint, small town evolved. Is it better; am I thankful? It’s different, that I can say for sure. I am thankful for the leadership and wisdom of past town councils for the guidance that led the vision that is our community today. I am grateful that children have amazing parks in which to play and modern schools to attend. As thankful as we were to eat at Lancaster’s BBQ and to get a flaky biscuit from Miss Hattie at Bud’s Pick Up, I must admit it is nice to have a multitude of dining choices.
Holly Springs is very different than it was 30 years ago when we moved here, and, without a doubt, extremely different for the original residents with generational longevity. I would venture to say that most everyone is thankful for at least one addition to our town, be it the hospital, sports complex, schools, parks, restaurants, retail, coffee and ice cream shops to name a few.
I am thankful that I was blessed to have known both Holly Springs, past and present. I am also thankful to have the memories of the people that lived here and loved it as much as I do.
LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS Program Manager
Bob Shimmel
I have been a resident of Holly Springs for 12 years. During this time, my family and I have found lifelong connections and fulfilling and measurable ways to give back to this place that we now call home.
I have watched our town grow and develop and am thankful for our town management and its leadership and all the organizations/programs that have contributed to our unique culture.
I first found “my people” in the “service above self” culture of the Holly Springs Rotary Club. Because of the Rotary Club, I can be especially thankful to have led LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS (LHS) since its inception in 2018. The Rotary Club was the chartering organization. More than 130 LHS graduates have contributed to the town’s economic development and caring culture.
The LHS program focuses on supporting our community’s under-resourced (lacking finances and/or skills) entrepreneurs. Since 2018, our leadership team has grown from an original five-member group to today’s high-functioning 14-member group, and over 60% of them are LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS graduates. To date, graduates have opened 13 local retail/office locations. Approximately 90% of our total graduates are still operating their for-profit or nonprofit businesses. When I see them supporting their families and fulfilling their purpose while providing quality goods and services for my fellow citizens, my heart fills with pride and gratitude.
Holly Springs is a very special place, as evidenced by the dedication of our past and current leadership team; our many volunteers, like pre-class speakers and the mentors who share their expertise; and our financial supporters, including the Town of Holly Springs.
Between the Holly Springs Rotary Club and LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS, I am a busy guy who has found his people and his community and many, many things to be thankful for.
Holly Springs Town Manager
Randy Harrington
Holly Springs is a community with tremendous momentum and, more specifically, positive momentum. I am amazed every day by the fact that our community has grown from 908 people in 1990 to roughly 52,000 today. During this period, our local economy has thrived with new businesses and business expansions, quality neighborhoods and strong schools have been built, local amenities have expanded, and the Town continues to work hard to retain the small-town character and charm that makes this place so special.
The best communities are rooted in love for one’s community. I believe this sentiment runs deep in Holly Springs. Every mayor and council I have worked with has loved our community and has been committed to forging the best path forward for our continued, future success. The Town staff love this community. They are dedicated to serving our residents in the provision of quality municipal services. In the latest Citizen Satisfaction Survey, our residents indicated overall extremely high satisfaction levels with their town government and quality of life — residents love living here!
Every day I am thankful for the privilege to work with an amazing team of local government professionals and serve a community that cares deeply about each other, where we have come from, and where we are going.
