The May 2023 Issue

This town in the Sandhills calls to the greats. Writers, athletes, chefs, and creatives of all kinds come to this part of Moore County, where, among the longleaf pines, inspiration awaits.

In an old house, the basement is an unfinished story in more ways than one. Among the odds and ends, countless new projects begin to take shape.

On his family’s homestead in Clay County, an artist transforms molten glass into whimsical sculptures that hold dancing rainbows.

After more than two centuries, the green shutters and cream exterior of the Cupola House once again reflect the home’s original colors.

In her new cookbook-memoir, Barbara McKay shares the ups and downs of being a home chef turned TV personality in Mecklenburg County.

Lake Toxaway’s train depot has turned into a cozy space where diners learn about the area’s history over approachable and refined dishes.

This sweet cherry soda, invented in Salisbury, has been a cherished Tar Heel treasure for more than 100 years.

’Cue is our state’s signature sustenance, but with two distinct styles — eastern and Lexington — that’s typically where our agreement ends. Luckily, no matter which side of this delicious rivalry you fall on, barbecue is a food that brings people together.

John Hall’s ancestors played an integral role in the development of Catawba County. He carries on their legacy with a sense of humble pride.

When refrigeration arrived in the home kitchen, it brought delicious possibilities to the dinner table. With warmer days ahead, we’ve revived these treats from the old days.

On June 15, 1940, a tiny turtle named Leopold lived up to his royal name by winning first place in Mount Airy’s Turtle Derby. The prize? Twenty dollars.

One of our state’s most common fishes has a rare talent. In the fresh, clear waterways of the mountains and Piedmont, bluehead chubs build nests for their young, stone by tiny stone.

Through their P-51 Mustang, known as Swamp Fox, father-and-son pilots Robert and RT Dickson honor the memory of a World War II fighter pilot who — like so many service members — flew under the radar.

Members of garden clubs across the state know that the secret to a beautiful backyard is hard work, patience, and a passion for plants.

Dip your toe into the Eno River, marvel at Hickory Nut Falls, and stroll alongside Singletary Lake on these easy-going trails.

Local NC Cooperative Extension experts preserve cherished recipes and introduce kids to the thrill of summer camp — and that’s just a taste of what they provide to their communities.

An NC Cooperative Extension agent and several optimistic farmers are helping bring back a crop that was thought to be extinct.

There is no shortage of barbecue experts in our state, but only one hosts the NC State BBQ Camp.

The director of JC Raulston Arboretum is North Carolina’s Indiana Jones of plants. He travels to some of the world’s most remote locations, braving treacherous landscapes and dangerous beasts in search of rare species to bring back to his shrine of flora.

Thanks to researchers with NC State Extension, North Carolinians can now enjoy beer made with local hops, ushering in a new era for the farm-to-glass movement.

In August 2021, Tropical Storm Fred devastated a farming community in Haywood County. NC Cooperative Extension responded with resources tailored to its residents’ needs.

In Lenoir County, one woman has made it her life’s work to rescue the region’s rich food traditions from obscurity — including some of her own family’s recipes.

At a 4-H camp in Rockingham County, children from all walks of life learn how to live together on the land, build teamwork skills, take on leadership roles, and forge lifelong friendships.

Bright perennials beautify a busy urban gathering place. Leafy vegetables provide sustenance for underserved communities. In Durham County, Master Gardener volunteers are taking their expertise to the streets.

In the mountains of western North Carolina, Cherokee foodways have endured for centuries, an integral part of the tribe’s identity. NC Cooperative Extension works to ensure that those traditions are not lost.

Don’t know whether a creepy-crawly is a friend or foe? Or what’s ailing your azaleas? Matt Bertone and his team probably have the answers.