The Perfect North Carolina Christmas. Clyde Edgerton releases his 10th novel. Thirty-seven ways to celebrate the season and twenty pages of Biltmore at Christmas.

PHOTO ESSAY

Biltmore at Christmastime

Photography by Stacey Haines
At Christmas, walk through and look and appreciate Biltmore’s beauty.

FEATURES

The Civil War: The Women’s War by Philip Gerard

Photography by Samantha Trull
With millions of young men lost in – or lost to – battle and economic calamity a relentless opponent, women are forced into new roles: farmers, mill workers, entrepreneurs, even rioters. Daily realities of survival, fear, danger, and desperation are just some of a war’s challenges that transcend class and social status.
Volume 1, Part Eight.

The Quintessential North Carolina Christmas

We have a Christmas tree farm and a poinsettia grower, a stage for ballet and a stage for movie classics, an ornament maker and a china collector. And, of course, we have a place to worship with good people. In these seven stories, we’ll show you the perfect holiday, the North Carolina way.

• Web Exclusive: Tell us about your quintessential North Carolina Christmas. Is there a particular ornament that is first on the tree? Do you gather at Grandma’s for a Christmas Eve feast? What’s on the menu for Christmas dinner? Share your story of Christmas in North Carolina, and we’ll post them on our website. Click here to submit.

Choice Cuts by Chip Womack

Photography by Sara Brennan-Harrell
Holiday and family traditions carry the season at a choose-your-own Christmas tree farm near Boone.

Partial to Red by Leah Hughes

Photography by Joey and Jessica Seawell
The Mitchell family in King makes a living growing plants. Every Christmas, they pour their hearts into thousands of poinsettias, each plant representing a little piece of their story.

Big-Screen Classics by Jeri Rowe

Photography by Joey and Jessica Seawell
Annual Christmas movies in Greensboro refresh spirits, rekindle warm memories, and remind us of what makes a wonderful life.

A Promising First Act by Josh Shaffer

Photography by Lissa Gotwals
Every family has its Christmas traditions, some more heartfelt than others. But for one Raleigh dad and his son, a night at The Nutcracker ballet gives them a few hours f culture and a lifetime of memories.

Dynva’s Dishes by Lori K. Tate

Photography by Stacey Haines
Dynva Edens shares her fine china collection with friends, while her love of beautiful things expands into a growing legacy.

Beaufort’s Angel Maker by Jason Frye

Photography by Travis Dove
Edith Lockhart’s crocheted creations usher her through hard times and help he see beauty in life’s imperfections.

Worship in Warsaw by Vicky Eckenrode

Photography by Travis Dove
The pastor of a 120-member church in tiny Warsaw pores over the small details to make the community’s annual service something very big indeed.

DEPARTMENTS

Welcome

Christmastime Magic by Elizabeth Hudson

Photography by Whitebox Wedding

Our State Quiz

Homegrown Holiday by Alan Hodge

Photography by Bill Russ
The Christmas tradition of trimming the tree often means more to North Carolinians because we claim these seasonal centerpieces as our own.

Humor

Let There be Lights

Written and illustrated by Daniel Wallace

Carolina Culture

Literary Harmony by Parke Puterbaugh

Photography by Travis Dove
With the release of his 10th novel, Wilmington writer Clyde Edgerton shows us that everything in life has a rhythm.

• Web Exclusive Video: View video clips from Clyde Edgerton’s recent performance and reading of The Night Train at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville.

Waterside Weaver by Molly Harrison

Photography by Chris Hannant
Beth Burns rarely leaves Roanoke Island, but if she does, she wraps herself in one of her scarves – a constant reminder of the place she calls home.

Sharing the Spirit by Elizabeth Lilly

Photography by Robin Sink
At a Catholic church in Charlotte, a group of generous folks makes sure everyone has a place at the Christmas table.

Southern Recollections by Hannah Mitchell

An exhibit highlighting ritual and rhythm in the work of a Harlem Renaissance child comes home to Charlotte.

Book Reviews

• The Night Train by Clyde Edgerton
• The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry
• Under the Skin by Vicki Lane

Tar Heel Town

Edenton by Michael Graff

Photography by Travis Dove
The South’s Prettiest Small Town reveals character through its women.

Tar Heel History

Receding Image by Jimmy Tomlin

Bayard Wootten was a gifted, innovative pioneer as a female photographer in her home state. So why have we largely forgotten her?

Good Food

Bakery with a Soul by Jeri Rowe

Photography by Lissa Gotwals
Claudia Kemmet-Cooper created more than a culinary cliche when she started Guglhupf Bakery in Durham – she established a place full of personality.

Lumbee Living by Michael Graff

Photography and foodstyling by Matt Hulsman
Recipe testing and food styling by Wendy Perry
A new cookbook crystallizes a culture through its food.

Recipes

• Mama’s Christmas Cornbread Dressing
• Shirley’s Fresh Baked Ham
• Fried Turnips
• Squash Pie
• Boss Strong’s Collard Sandwich
• John Chapman
• Cinnamon Syrup

Turkey Tradition by Taylor Rankin

Photography by Beatrice Yaxley
One family in Princeton produces poultry fine enough to send to the White House. But they take the most pride in serving the community and respecting the land.

Holiday Cheers by Debbie Moose

Photography by Lissa Gotwals
At a bar in Raleigh, drinks for the season feel like old friends.

Carolina Gardening

Deep Green Thinkers by Josh Shaffer

Photography by Lissa Gotwals
A North Carolina State University researcher and his team tinker, experiment, and travel he world to ensure the health of the state’s Fraser fir harvest.

Dates & Events

Reliving the Freedom Dream by Brandon Sneed

Photography by Zach Frailey
In New Bern, the Jonkonnu Christmas celebration communicates a timeless language of hope.

5 Things Every North Carolinian Should Do This Month by Taylor Rankin

Trim the Tree in Raleigh, Holiday Concert in West Jefferson, Warm up with Wine at Cypress Bend Vineyards in Wagram, visit Castle Street in Wilmington, and a Fireside Sale at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.

Tar Heel Image

Classic Carolina by Shannon Lee of Spruce Pine

Nature’s simple scene in Spruce Pine makes for one of the prettiest displays all season.