Old-fashioned flowers in the Southern Appalachians. Rabbit Fever: The rise and fall of the Chatham County rabbit. Mountain Escape: The North Carolina town you'll never want to leave.
PHOTO ESSAY
The North Carolina Arboretum by Sarah Perry
Photography by Emily Chaplin, Chris Council, Arthur Joura, and Matt Rose
A century ago, America’s premier landscape architect designed the state’s first arboretum. Today, on top of a mountain in Asheville, we have our own nature conservatory where every plant is fixed with a purpose – just like what he wanted.
- Web Exclusive: Click here to download “5 Perfect Picture Spots” to take with you as you visit the North Carolina Arboretum.
FEATURES
The Civil War: Baptism by Blood by Philip Gerard
Photography by Matt Hulsman and Millie Holloman
Just 90 days after he passes his board exam, without any supervision, Dr. Thomas Fanning Wood performs perhaps the most difficult act in medicine.
Volume 2, Part Four
Old-Fashioned Flowers in the Southern Appalachians
The Little Garden by Leah Hughes
Photography by Stacey Van-Berkel
One woman in Blowing Rock fills her yard with plants, her life with people, and every moment with what matters most.
The Peony Cure by Jason Smith
Photography by Emily Chaplin, Chris Council, and Stacey Van-Berkel
It’s only one flower, and it blooms only for three weeks. But when a couple in Clyde sorely needed something to carry them into their next stage of life, the peony became their saving grace.
Nuts, Bolts, Washers, and Roses by Michael Graff
Photography by Emily Chaplin and Chris Council
In Black Mountain, one garden grows however it wants to grow. The man who cares for that garden does the same. And there’s no stopping him now.
The Dahlia King by Michael Graff
Photography by Emily Chaplin
With all the flowers in the world, you’d think Alan Hetzel would want to try something else. But this Black Mountain man takes one love of one plant and spreads it around.
DEPARTMENTS
Welcome
Flowers in the Sky by Elizabeth Hudson
Photography by Whitebox Weddings
Our State Quiz
Carolina Courses by Alan Hodge
Photography by Travis Dove
For nearly 120 years, golfers have honed their games in North Carolina and helped drive the state’s economy.
Humor
Just a Little Love by Daniel Wallace
Illustration by Daniel Wallace
Carolina Culture
Music
The Space to Improvise by Scott Huler
Photography by Lissa Gotwals
Music gave Rodney Marsh direction. Long after he first discovered his talent, he created a place to help others feel at ease when they perform – ease he never felt when he was on stage.
- Web Exclusive: Come along on a visit to Marsh Woodwinds Upstairs in Raleigh in an Our State exclusive video. Click here to watch.
Artist
Memory Painter by Parke Puterbaugh
Photography by Lissa Gotwals
Ronald Ragland relies on scenes from his childhood in Oxford to inspire his art.
Bookstore
Finally Settled by Jennifer Allen
Photography by Leslie Koehn
Everything seemed to work against Gwenyfar Rohler from settling into her bookstore. But after a few hiccups, she found her home on Front Street in Wilmington.
Art Gallery
Colorshow Gallery by Carson Blackwelder
Photography by Amanda Clay
Betsy Browne has no problem filling her shelves with art. Here, the artists come to her.
Book Review
- Southern Appalachian Celebration: In Praise of Ancient Mountains, Old-Growth Forests & Wilderness by James Valentine with text by Chris Bolgiano
Tar Heel Town
Highlands by Jeremy Markovich
Photography by Matt Rose
One of the most upscale towns in the North Carolina mountains, it still welcomes anyone who can bring just a little good conversation.
Tar Heel History
Rabbit Fever by Caron Myers
Photography courtesy of N.C. Archive
At the turn of the 20th century, rabbits in Chatham County were so popular and succulent, they made their way to menus in New England and added thousands to local revenue. Are they making a comeback?
- Web Exclusive: Enjoy this modern day recipe for rabbit, presented by Chef Jimmy Reale, executive chef at The Carolina Inn’s Crossroads Restaurant.
Good Food
Restaurant
Simple Standby by Jennifer Calhoun
Photography by Joey & Jessica Seawell
Out back, thoroughbred horses race for the trophy. Down the road, famous golfers shoot for the green. But inside the Pinehurst Track Restaurant, the only goal is comfort.
Recipes
Fellowship Feeds Faith by Jeffrey Turner
Photography by Matt Hulsman
A group of women gather at a church in Huntersville to preserve 250 years of history.
Recipes
Same Soil, New Niche by Molly Harrison
Photography by Khristopher & Carla Williams
Backed by a 200-year-old family-farming legacy, a couple in Sampson County isn’t afraid to experiment.
Beets by Leah Hughes
Illustrations by Joseph Edwards
In early spring, North Carolina farmers plant a root crop that prospers all year long.
Roadside Flowers by Josh Shaffer
Photography by Joey & Jessica Seawell
The Department of Transportation’s Wildflower Program brings back-road scenery to North Carolina’s busiest highways.
Dates & Events
5 Things Every North Carolinian Should Do This Month
The Message of Easter by Bethany Bradsher
Photography by istockphoto.com/mckucova
Every spring, one eastern North Carolina church stages a show to glorify God.
Attend the free Dogwood Festival in Fayetteville, hit the trail with hikes sponsored by Buncombe County’s Swannanoa Valley Museum, celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math at the N.C. Science Festival, or wine and dine for a good cause at the Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend.
Tar Heel Image
Annual Promise by Sharon Beam Lassiter of Lexington
Even the toughest plants, those that tolerate full sun and dry soil, look delicate and graceful when they show their colors.
