Veteran news anchor and reporter for WXII 12, Cameron Kent is no stranger to storytelling. He’s written screenplays for NBC, HBO, Lifetime and the American Film Institute, as well as two crime/thriller/suspense novels. But on this, the debut of his third novel, The Road to Devotion, Cameron has taken a leap: into historical fiction and his feminine side. “They always say write what you know, and writing about two women during the Civil War is nothing I know anything about. It was a radical departure but I just felt like it was the best way to tell this story.” And the story is this: two women, Sarah, a landowner, and Jacquerie, a runaway slave from Louisiana, develop an abiding friendship and cause Sarah to challenge a lifetime of spoon-fed ethics. “This book has been different because everything [else] I’ve ever written has been to entertain, and I wanted to say something, I wanted to express something about my world view.”

What you like about reading skirt!?: “I have a copy of skirt! in my car right now. It’s been good to read and get a woman’s perspective on the world.”

There was a time when most people wouldn’t venture into the doldrums of downtown. But John Bryan and his band, The Bell Brothers, weren’t most people. They started practicing in what is now The Wherehouse when downtown looked like a ghost town. Now an incubator for art, business and fun, The Wherehouse also houses Krankies Coffee. “We bought the business on a handshake and named it while walking up the street to get our business license,” he says. It’s the way John and his business partners, Dave Franklin and Mitchell Brit, have done a lot of business in Winston, and it’s a transaction that seems to not just work, but also succeed, as evidenced by their newest venture, Single Brothers, a down-home bar with an up-scale vibe, on Trade Street. “You can get directly involved in changing your life here,” he says of the city. “If a few more things go right, I think we’ll be in for a Renaissance.”

What do you like most about wearing a skirt?: “Skirts are great for ballroom dancing.”

What do you like most about reading skirt!?: “skirt!’s a quality publication, through and through.”

Standing on the edge of the lake, robed in traditional African attire, Brock and Matt look something like modern-day disciples – pretty much because they are. In 2005, Matt (right) and his crew from zao water, a humanitarian organization providing safe drinking water and hygiene training in developing nations, made their first of many trips to Africa. The project started several years earlier when Matt was talking to God in Tanzania. “A little boy came over and said ‘give me water.’ And I said ok. I said yes without having a clue what to do.” Two years later, Matt met Brock, VP of Le Bleu bottled water in Advance, and within a year a partnership emerged. zao now purchases water from Le Bleu to resell and run their organization. In the last four years they’ve dug about 65 wells and springs serving approximately 45,000 people every day. “We’re aiming large,” says Matt. “We want to eliminate waterborne disease.” For more, visit winston-salem.skirt.com.

What do you like about reading skirt!?: “It’s very creative and out-of-the-box, even the size.” – Matt

What do you like about wearing a skirt?: “‘Man, I feel like a woman! Duh, duh, duh na na nuh na.’” – Brock

What do you like best about reading skirt!?: "Hearing about all the stories of everyday people doing extraordinary things."

What’s your favorite thing about wearing a skirt?: "Finally getting to show off my shaved legs."

Extra Web Content:

Clark Whittington can probably retrofit a cigarette machine in his sleep. Since the first Art-o-mat appeared at Penny Universitie Café (now Mary’s of Course!) in 1997, the inventor of this pint-sized art dispenser has refurbished over 85 machines, and sent them not only around the country, but around the world. “I really try to scare people away from viewing Art-o-mat as a business or ‘my company,’” he says. “It’s more an art installation collaboration.” And collaboration it most certainly is. The machines collectively house over 400 artists from a dozen countries. “The artists’ guidelines are pretty liberal,” he says. “They just can’t use magnets…or peanuts.” For those interested in hosting a machine, one of Clark’s main requirements is that it is “a place with a sense of community that will encourage local artists. We’re not just selling art, we’re selling an experience.”


What do you like most about reading skirt!?: “The design, illustration and vertical format makes for an inviting publication.”
 
What do you like most about wearing a skirt?: “Skirts are affordable. I got mine for a ‘sarong.’”

You know you have a great idea when it spreads by word of mouth. That's what happened with Metabolic Effect. The group exercise program combining resistance and cardiovascular training was started in 2004 by holistic physicians, Jade and Keoni. The program now has over 150 trainers and classes around the country. For the two brothers, exercise is medicine. And with ME, you get your daily dose in 30 minutes flat. "The novel concept behind ME is that it's rest based," says Jade. Go ahead, take a breather - ME will still have your metabolism burning calories hours, even days, after the workout. "It works because it really trains you like an athlete," says Keoni. On-the-go types and travelers don't fret. You can keep up with the workouts posted on the website, metaboliceffect.com. "We wanted to provide a truly mobile fitness solution," they said. Well guys, it looks like you have.

What do you like about reading skirt!?: "It's nice to get a more feminine take on the world."

What do you like about wearing a skirt?: "It's sure easy to work out in."

John Cahoon may claim to be a procrastinator, but he sure gets things done. The co-owner of Finnigan's Wake opened the Scots/Irish pub two years ago with business partner Phillip "Opie" Kirby. As a youngster, John spent a year traveling Scotland. Pointing proudly to his soles, he says, "I wore these boots hiking around Scotland and when we built the restaurant." When he's not tapping a cold one in the pub, John's mostly likely sketching. He describes his art as pseudo-realistic and compares his style to an urban Andrew Wyeth. You can also add philanthropy to John's to-do list. Finnigan's hosts an annual fundraiser for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Last year, the community's bravest and boldest came to be shorn and raised $25,000 for children's cancer research. "98% of funds we raise go directly to research," he says. "And because of local involvement, Brenner's Children's Hospital receives a percentage of that funding."

What do you like most about wearing a kilt?: I kinda like the draft.

What do you like most about reading skirt!?: It's a good way to get to know people in the community.

Most women wouldn't dare raise their skirt in public. But for Mother Ginger, it's all part of the job. The giant gingerbread house makes her debut during the second act of The Nutcracker ballet. As she sways her 7x14 foot frame onto Sugar Plum Fairy court, she opens her skirt to reveal eight dancing ginger children. This December, Mama G is in her 26^th performance at the StevensCenter. "I always look forward to this time of year. It's such a holiday tradition for my family." When she's not performing, her favorite holiday pastime is baking. "Gingerbread, of course!," she says. The role of Mama G is traditionally performed by a man. This year, it's Ryan Hill, assistant dean and general manager ofthe UNCSA School of Dance. An alumnus of UNCSA in the School of Drama, Ryan returns to his alma mater after five years New York City working on several Broadway productions, including RENT.

What do you like most about reading skirt!?: "I just love the name - it reminds me of The Nutcracker every time I read it."

What do you like most about wearing your performance skirt?: "It's surprisingly comfortable, even with my eight children tucked inside."

If making a living at something you love is a pleasure few know, then cinematographer Jeff Stepp is one of the lucky ones. Growing up, Jeff was always fascinated with cameras. “At first, I was like everyone else: I wanted to direct,” he says. “But I found that I’m a visual storyteller. I like shaping and manipulating light, working with shadows, helping tell the story without words or dialogue.” After graduating in 2002 from UNCSA, Jeff worked for several reality television shows before going back to his first love, indie films. “It comes down to what type of stories you want to tell and working with the director to tell that story from a visual standpoint – and it’s about making our leading ladies look good,” he says jokingly. All kidding aside, Jeff takes his passion seriously. “I’m a perfectionist. Filmmakers are perfectionists. That’s why I’m in this art.”

What do you like most about wearing a [film] skirt? “It feels good to be immersed in my art.”

What do you like most about reading skirt!? “The insight it provides into the hearts, minds, and souls of women.” 

Trey Kalny is the Director of Community Relations for the Winston-Salem Warthogs and the idea-man behind, Drag in Drag: four male staff members dragging Ernie Shore Field in full female regalia to raise funds for Special Olympics. “It wouldn’t work without the office enthusiasm and the [staff’s] willingness to embarrass themselves for the sake of entertainment and a good cause,” he says. He also uses his love of literature to impact Wally’s Reading Program, growing school participation from 66 to 80 in the last year.