The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce held its Women's Executive Series Breakfast earlier this month at the Franklin Hotel in Chapel Hill. The gathering provided an opportunity for women of different industries across the community to come together in a supportive and relaxed atmosphere to meet other like minded individuals.

The morning began with informal mingling and breakfast before the official program started. Terry Hamlet of S.H. Basnight & Sons welcomed everyone to the event and presided over the program.

Hamlet recognized the sponsors for the event and representatives from the top three sponsoring organizations also offered words of welcome.

Pam Herndon of State Farm Insurance brought with her several 50 Million Pound Challenge starter kits for those wanting to keep up with their health goals and stay in shape.

While the breakfast served by the hotel featured traditional Southern favorites, the morning did have a slight Asian cuisine influence. Fortune cookies were displayed at all of the tables and one lucky person opened her cookie to find she had won $100 off the price of the chamber's trip to China next year.

Still keeping with the theme of fun, the next item on the agenda was a meet-and-greet scavenger hunt. From identifying a person that has been to more than two continents, to finding someone who enjoys horror movies, the activity gently prodded all the women to get to know each other.

Jaycee Greenbelt, who works for a nonprofit organization had a chance to meet Vicky Hayes during the activity. Likewise Crystal Fisher, who works for Community Home Trust, introduced herself to Diana Minta, chairwoman of the chamber's membership committee.

The keynote speaker for the breakfast was Etta Pisano, a professor of radiology and biomedical engineering at UNC Chapel Hill. A research physician who has received several accolades, Pisano was named one of America's best breast cancer doctors by Redbook magazine in 2001.

Pisano began her remarks by sharing her professional journey of how she arrived at UNC. She talked about her family and shared tips for achieving the kind of success she has accomplished.

Pisano said that the secret to her success was no secret. She developed a great support network of people to help her along the way and she was not afraid to ask for that help. Following the keynote presentation, Pisano answered questions from the audience.

Katy Munger book signing

Later Wednesday evening I was off to The Regulator Bookshop for the book signing by Durham's own, Katy Munger. Munger's name is likely familiar not just because of her literary accomplishments but because of her work in the community.

Munger shared excerpts from her two newest mysteries. The first was "Desolate Angel," which Munger penned under the name Chaz McGee. The book chronicles Kevin Fahey as he tries to come to terms and make amends for all the things he did wrong and took for granted while he was alive.

The second book, "Bad Moon on the Rise" is the newest title in her Casey Jones series. Munger shared an excerpt from the book set in a church in Durham during the reading. The audience burst out in laughter several times during the reading and many of them seemed to be quite familiar with the Casey Jones character.

Aside from being set in Durham, the novel also features the names of real people from the area. Risa Foster, who is the president of Durham Democratic Women, and Chuck Grubb, a former Durham City Council member, both appear in the book. Well, at least their names appear in the book, though Munger has completely fictionalized their characters.

Bill Phillips and Marty Belin came out to the reading for different reasons. Phillips said he knows Munger as a friend and added that the funny personality that the audience witnessed reading the books is who Munger really is.

Belin, on the other hand, had read almost all of Munger's books, adding that it's wonderful to read a story about Durham.

Interested in seeing Munger for a reading? She will have another book signing Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Quail Ridge Bookstore in Raleigh.

Angela Ray is an actress, author and motivational speaker. For comments or tips on future events, e-mail her at Angela@mahoganydime.com.