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First Issue Hits the Stands
Bobbi Matchar and Gita Schonfeld publish the first Carolina Parent magazine as a resource for parents in Durham, N.C. The magazine is published six times a year as a folded, tabloid-size newspaper in all black ink. The debut issue is 16 pages with a print run of 10,000. Spot color is added later in 1988. -
First Camp Section Included
The first camp section is included in the April/May 1991 issue of Carolina Parent. This becomes an annual section in the magazine. -
First Four-Color Issue Printed
The first four-color issue of Carolina Parent is printed, the June/July 1992 Father's Day issue. Previously only spot color had been used. -
Sold to The News & Observer
Co-founders Bobbi Matchar and Gita Schonfeld begin negotiations with The News & Observer Publishing Company in the fall of 1992 to sell Carolina Parent to The McClatchy Company subsidiary. Carolina Parent staff moves into The News & Observer building in April 1993. -
Family Phone Book Debuts
Carolina Parent publishes its first annual resource guide for parents, the Family Phone Book. The premiere issue has 444 listings of family-oriented businesses and organizations in the Triangle. This annual guide later moves to a summer publication date. -
Annual Baby Guide Is Born
The first annual Baby Guide is published with 74 listings of organizations that help expecting and new parents in the Triangle area of North Carolina. This annual resource is later changed to a January publication. -
First Website Launched
Carolina Parent has its initial online presence in 1996 with a basic website that is static. It does not include a calendar of family events or directories of Triangle-area resources and businesses for parents. (Woman Pointing At Laptop by Petr Kratochvil) -
First Camp Fair Event
Carolina Parent holds its first Camp Fair on a Sunday in February at Cary Towne Center Mall. Approximately 30 exhibitors share information about camps to help Triangle-area parents find programs for their children. (image from MorgueFile, http://mrg.bz/0lZEWf) -
Carolina Parent Changes Owners
Mark Ethridge, owner of Charlotte Parent Inc., purchases Carolina Parent from The News and Observer Publishing Company and forms Carolna Parenting Inc. -
First Family-Friendly 40 Companies Awards
Carolina Parenting recognizes 40 companies in North Carolina that help parents balance work and family life. This becomes an annual recognition program with companies highlighted in the September issues. Events are added later, with the first one in the Triangle in 2002. -
Nameplate Changes
Carolina Parent changes its nameplate and staples the magazine starting with the February 2000 camp issue. -
Website Moves to New Platform
The website is moved to a different publishing platform in January 2002, adding an online calendar feature and directories of resources. -
First Glossy Cover
The July 2002 pregnancy issue is printed with the first glossy cover for Carolina Parent. -
First Cover Kids Contest
Carolina Parent holds its first Cover Kids Contest. Parents submit photos of their children. A professional photographer shoots photos of semi-finalists with one child selected to appear on the cover. -
Website Redesign Adds Features
The website is redesigned and relaunched January 2007. This new site allows for more flexibility in posting information. -
Publishes First Digital Newsletter
Carolina Parent develops and e-mails its first digital newsletter, or e-newsletter, to subscribers. -
Online Mom & Baby Fair Debuts
Carolina Parent hosts an online area where organizations, businesses and health-care providers can provide digital "booths" with information about their services for expectant and new parents. These listings may include a description, images, maps, coupons, links and other information about the organization. (Child With Laptop by Alan Toniolo de Carvalho) -
Facebook and Twitter Added
Carolina Parent creates a Facebook page and Twitter stream to start building a social media presence with a steady growth of fans and followers. -
Expands Company Recognition
Carolina Parenting increases the number of organizations recognized to 50 after seeing an increase in the number of companies nominated and the quality of family-friendly benefits and programs offered. Shortly after the decision, the economy begins a downturn, but a quality pool of nominees supports the increase in N.C. Family-Friendly 50 awards. -
Wins Top Award of Excellence
Carolina Parent wins the gold award for General Excellence in its circulation category from the Parenting Publications of America. This award recognizes design and editorial excellence. -
Publisher Changes
Longtime Carolina Parent employee Liz Holt retires after 12 years as publisher. Brenda Larson (pictured) takes the helm as Carolina Parent's new publisher. -
Introduces New Nameplate
A new, more modern nameplate is introduced. This new logo is designed for a soon-to-debut new website. -
New Website Increases Usability
A new website design and content management system is launched. Functionality improves for Carolina Parent staff and users or visitors. The new site wins a design award from the Parenting Publications of America. -
Stand-Alone Education Guide Debuts
A new annual guide is published that covers education options and resources in the Triangle from preschool to high school. The Education Guide includes directories as well as articles for parents about education issues. The 60-page publication later wins a silver award for general excellence in the Parenting Publications of America Editorial and Design Competition. -
New Guide for Special Needs
Special Edition debuts in fall 2011 as an annual guide for Triangle-area families with children who have special needs. It features a resource section of organizations that help a wide range of needs, including physical, mental and emotional disabilities; sensory impairments; learning differences; developmental delays; and chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Parents share their stories, and other articles address a range of topics. It later wins a gold award for overall writing.
