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Good News Friday: A NC bookstore holds a ‘silent book club.’ What’s that mean?

By Maddie Policastro

July 18, 2025

Cardinal & Pine’s Good News Friday round up of good news in NC checks out a big blood drive, a hands-on camping experience for kids, and an unusual book club experience. 

Take a load off and tune in for this week’s round-up of good news!

From New Bern to Chapel Hill, communities are coming together for events like a blood drive and a silent book club. In Huntersville, a group of campers is gaining practical experience in the field of construction.

Before we jump in, be sure to check out our archive of even more positivity with previous additions of “Good News Friday.”

READ MORE: 7 most notorious true crime cases in North Carolina history

‘Bear the Gift’ in New Bern

Many in this NC town bared their arms this week for a good cause!

New Bern hosted its annual blood drive this Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In partnership with the American Red Cross, the “Bear the Gift” event aimed to reach a goal of 250 donations. 

All participating donors received a special Red Cross T-shirt at the event, yet anyone who donates blood between July 15 and 31 will receive a Fandango movie ticket.

Camp construction

This summer, some kids have traded in toys and playgrounds for power tools. Camp TRF Build, hosted by the Rosendin Foundation in Huntersville, is a free day camp for 6th-8th graders. 

The campers gain hands-on experience in construction through projects like creating lamps, roofing, and building doghouses. Those who complete the weeklong camp are invited to return for more advanced projects as they continue to learn about construction.

According to an interview with Fox8, Troy Vandine, the workforce development trainer for the Rosendin Foundation, said the camp not only gives students practical skills but also shows their parents that there are alternative paths to make a good living that don’t require college.

 

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Shhhh! Chapel Hill’s silent book club

Are you looking for a quiet, cozy place to get some reading done?

Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill is hosting a silent book club – a gathering of avid readers without the formality of a typical book club. Anyone is welcome to come prepared with their own books and grab a comfy seat somewhere in the bookstore to curl up and read. Once quiet time has finished, it’s time to talk books and let your fellow readers in on what you’ve been reading.

The event is open to all this Sunday from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., with drinks available for purchase at the store.

 

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Author

  • Maddie Policastro

    Maddie Policastro is a summer intern for Cardinal & Pine and a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying journalism and political science. They have also worked for The Daily Tar Heel, Carolina Connection and North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC -- covering politics and other NC news.

CATEGORIES: LOCAL NEWS
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