July Director’s Message
Dear Friends of the Eno,
In the Fehrman household, summer is a time for exploration and adventure. In that vein, this month I am excited to share more about two recent events, both hosted by ERA partners, that helped us reconnect with the Eno and come together as a team. The first was a staff paddle on May 27th with our friends at Frog Hollow Outdoors. Believe it or not, our paddle was canceled three separate times in 2025 due to rain (remember rain?). Well, the fourth time was a charm thanks largely to the persistence of ERA’s Director of Education and Engagement Hillary Harrison and the amiable expertise of Frog Hollow founder Banks Dixon.
After a brief safety overview with Banks, the ERA staff launched our personal kayaks just upstream from Eno River Brewing. I had never spent time on this stretch of the river, and I have to say that it was beautiful with many deep pools and plenty of shade. The group paddled upstream past Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area up to Dimmock’s Mill Road before turning around. I have hiked the Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail many times, but to be on the water and to witness this amazing landscape from a kayak gave me a new appreciation for this special place. The icing on the cake for me was catching a bluegill on the paddle back with my ultralight rod (released of course). Special thanks to Banks for making this delightful excursion possible.
The team ended our adventure with a beverage on the patio at Eno River Brewing. There we met with co-owner Spencer Wellborn and head brewer Alex Leonard. I am happy to announce that Eno River Brewing is releasing a special beer to help us celebrate ERA’s 60th anniversary concert in the fall, and the ERA team was full of ideas that we shared with the Eno River Brewing team. Members of the ERA staff and Board, along with Hillsborough Mayor Pro Tem Meaghun Darab, met at the brewery on the morning of June 16th to help brew the beer, the details of which will be revealed at a later date.
ERA Staff discussing the brewing process with Alex Leonard of Eno River Brewing by Eve Salzwedel
Alex Leonard of Eno River Brewing pouring barley into a mash tun by Eve Salzwedel
ERA Executive Director Ryan Fehrman peeling lemons by Eve Salzwedel
Allow me to say that brewing is real work, and that we can’t wait to sample the fruit of our labor closer to the big day. We expect the brew to be on tap at the brewery with a portion of sales going to ERA so be on the lookout for an announcement soon. Thank you to Spencer, Alex, and the whole Eno River Brewing team for supporting our work.
I hope that your summer is in full swing and that it includes some time for adventures on the Eno. Thank you for supporting the Eno River Association and our partners. I hope to see you down by the river soon!
In Partnership,
