The January 2025 Issue

Far away from the summer buzz, Corolla quietens into a sleepy, seaside village during the winter. Here, on this strip of sand, visitors find themselves immersed in the northernmost reaches of our state’s coast, where the coldest season is a chance to celebrate solitude.

In winter, when the weather is just right, water turns ethereally symphonic — if you stop to listen.

Memories of spuds are firmly rooted in one chef’s mind, just like the Watauga County potatoes she once unearthed.

A historic Rose Bowl pitted Duke University against Oregon State in Durham. Then, in the dark days of World War II, those same football players — and a legendary coach — joined forces to fight for freedom.

One writer’s curiosity called him to explore. The perspective he gained drew him back to his familiar eastern North Carolina home.

The poignant voices of gospel music seem to rise from the soil of eastern North Carolina. The genre’s lineage is as rooted to the land as the crops growing in its fields.

When one stream flows into another, the two chart a new course for the future — together.

A mother and son find what they’re seeking — adventure, sights, and time to wander — as they ride the rails.

Mark our words: Whether they nod to North Carolina or were penned by its residents, these notable, quotable passages remind us of the power of speech inspired by our state.

Simple is best, especially when it comes to a classic baked potato. Inspired by the fireside potatoes Sheri Castle would roast with her grandparents, these russets have a crackly, salted skin and pillowy interior.

When the weather outside is frightful, one chef serves loved ones dishes so delightful.

Loaded with hearty vegetables, this creamy chicken stew is our antidote to the coldest of winter nights.

Sweet and salty flavors unite in these chewy blondies that are studded with crunchy cornflake crumbs and pockets of mini marshmallows.

At an elevation of more than 5,000 feet, Fred’s General Mercantile is among the country’s highest such stores. And for generations of Beech Mountain locals and visitors, it’s where they go to get everything they need.

When a fresh snow blankets the state, thrill seekers grab their sleds (and tubes and toboggans) to slip and slide.

With a little help from the instructors at Appalachian Ski Mountain — and the confidence of youth — the journey from bunny hill to black diamond is short and sweet.

For a group of like-minded crafters, knitting is a lot like life: When the going gets tangled, they know they can always count on their friends.

This mountain county produces some of the cleanest water in the United States. In January, people gather to celebrate the local resource and to enjoy the beauty of winter in the Smokies.

Neighbors in a Johnston County community saw their beloved rail town fading and got to work. Together, they’ve shown what’s possible with a can-do attitude and the power of positivity.