Dear friends,
Yesterday marked the arrival of spring, and with it, for most subscribers, the arrival of the April issue of Our State, one of our favorites of the year, heralding the return of color to our landscape, a season of joy.
When we assigned and photographed this issue a year ago, and prepared it for print many months ago, none of us could have foreseen where we’d be today.
As all of us at Our State monitor the near-hourly news of the shuttering of businesses, attractions, and restaurants, and the cancellation of nearly all events — a necessity right now, but heartbreaking for North Carolina nonetheless — we are also holding tight to a promise: This magazine has always been a source of inspiration, of beauty, of celebration, of comfort, and of connection. And we don’t intend to turn away from that, especially not now, not when we need those things most.
This magazine was started in 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, and it survived. We’ve withstood World War II, a polio epidemic, and catastrophic hurricanes, never missing an issue being printed and mailed to subscribers. We will do everything we can to ensure that legacy holds true.
We are currently wrapping up our May issue, to be printed in a few days so that you’ll receive your magazine as scheduled in mid-April. We have so many great stories planned for the coming months — our May issue is devoted to the joys of hiking in North Carolina, from Hot Springs to Nags Head. It’s beautiful and uplifting, and while we know this is not the best time to encourage travel, our roads can and will open up again. When that happens, we’ll be ready.
In the meantime, we’re watching as Main Street Books in Davidson hosts a virtual story time; as Third Day Market in Jefferson holds a take-what-you-need community pantry; as countless restaurants and bars create take-out options for delivery and curbside service.
We’ll all get through this. And when we do, we’ll have so much to look forward to.
Stay safe and be well,
Elizabeth Hudson
Editor in Chief
In Gorges State Park and other remote areas of our state, swinging suspension bridges — practically woven into the woods around them — transport hikers over rivers, across creeks, and into the past.
North Carolina’s state symbols make up a one-of-a-kind collection that tells our story. They include our native plants, the art we create, the crops we grow, and so much more.
He was smitten with the flavors of her Zimbabwean cooking. She was intrigued by his rural North Carolina upbringing. Together, they created a life in Durham — and a namesake restaurant that was the first of its kind in the entire country.
Calling all North Carolinians! Cast your vote in our monthly match-up.
