Drew Perry

Perry teaches writing at Elon University. His first novel, This Is Just Exactly Like You, was a finalist for the Flaherty-Dunnan prize from the Center for Fiction, a Best-of-the-Year pick from The Atlanta Journal Constitution and a SIBA Okra pick. His second, Kids These Days, was an Amazon Best-of-the-Month pick and was named to Kirkus Reviews 'Winter's Best Bets' and 'Books So Funny You're Guaranteed to Laugh' lists. You can purchase a collection of "Adventures with Toad & Wee" at ourstatestore.com.

Columns

A Love Note to North Carolina:
Let It Sleet

An ode to the magic — and music — of snow’s icy cousin.

Eats

McDowell Local Dishes Up a Foothills Feast

In McDowell County, there’s a cardinal rule of eating local: Food should always be fun.

Features

An Atomic Tradition in Brevard

A quirky exhibit dedicated to an even quirkier collection brings laughter to the holidays.

Columns

All Good Things …
“Young at Heart” Comes to an End

After five years and countless journeys around North Carolina, The Toad, The Wee, and their parents look ahead to new adventures.

Columns

All Aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Toot toot! When the steam whistle sounds and the railcars start click-clacking down the tracks, a different side of the Great Smoky Mountains comes into view.

Columns

Costume Drama

In the Piedmont, where fall temperatures are fickle right through the end of October, deciding what to wear on Halloween is both a trick and a treat.

Young at Heart

Just Keep Paddling

For a kid, growing up means testing the waters, kayaking out a little farther. For a parent, it means watching from the dock and trying, at least, to play it cool.

Columns

Beach Magic on the Carolina Coast

Salt water, seafood dinners, and nighttime walks along sparkling sand: When families return to cherished spots along the coast, memories grow with each passing summer.

Home & Garden

A Veggie Patch Stakeout: A Gardener’s Fight to Preserve His Tomatoes

When a rat wreaks havoc in the veggie patch, eliminating the pest takes an unexpected toll on a sharpshooting gardener.