When John and Stacey Burkert graduated Duke’s Fuqua School of Business in 2000, they decided to stay in Durham and set down southern roots. The Midwesterners had grown rather fond of southern food and weather, often playing tennis and golf, “and we had gotten to know and love Durham through our weekly volunteering with Meals on Wheels.” 

Then in 2003, they were drawn to Hope Valley. “For John, it was the golf course, and for me, the beauty. I still love the trees, wildlife, birds, the beauty of the golf course. I also love the people. It’s like a small town in the middle of a larger city. People here take care of one another and have deep and lasting friendships. It’s home.” 

Their children were born and raised here, all three graduating from Durham Academy. Macy (22) just graduated UNC—Chapel Hill in Communications (2024). “She is going into event planning- she’s a natural. She began planning events at 5-years-old! Macy has worked events for my florist business and is often my right-hand gal.” This past year, Macy worked as a Product Ambassador for Anheuser-Busch. 

Reed (20) is a junior at Elon University studying chemistry. He recently interned in a Molecular Genetics lab at Duke University. “Reed is a nationally lauded Ultimate Frisbee player and has played on nationally ranked teams in both high school and college.” Fleming (18) graduated Durham Academy in May (2024). “She is a perennially decorated varsity athlete, earning more varsity letters than any other female athlete in her classlettering in Volleyball, Basketball, and Lacrosse.” In August, Fleming started at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida to study exercise physiology and plans to enter the medical field. 

“We have so many fun memories here in Hope Valley, and every season holds reminders: 

• AUTUMN —collecting wild persimmons, Halloween, remarkably beautiful sunsets

• WINTER —(annual?!) sledding, holiday cookie swap, we started the neighborhood luminary tradition in 2011 

• SPRING — flowers everywhere, the Memory Garden flower and bulb planting

• SUMMER —Summer swim team at HVCC, having lemonade stands, fishing in the Hodges’ pond; 

Year-round, the country club has been central to our enjoyment of Hope Valley, playing tennis, golf, and pickleball as a family and meeting up with friends. It is a ‘country club’ but feels more like a vital neighborhood hub, especially as it supports our enjoyment of all things outdoors.” 

Stacey is a full-service wedding and event florist working from her home studio, Figtree Designs. “It is named for a favorite quote from Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar: I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig-tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked… The quote goes on to insinuate that if we do not choose a fig (path), we will eventually lose them all. Raising my family in this neighborhood is the path I have chosen. Now that they have launched from the nest, I will continue to grow the business I love.” Stacey is a long-time member and past President of the Hope Valley Garden Club. 

For 10+ years she served as Chair of the Beautification Committee, tasked with planning, planting, and maintaining the Memory Garden at Dover/Surrey. She has served on the Boards of Keep Durham Beautiful and the Triangle Land Conservancy.