The November 2024 Issue

No matter how you pronounce them, North Carolina’s hyperlocal pecans yield a flavor, texture, and backstories you’ll rarely find beyond state lines.

Near the Dorothea Dix Hospital, a trio of stone houses were a refuge to the staff after long, stressful days. Now, the structures are providing a new kind of healing.

In Transylvania County, a former schoolteacher put her passion for bringing together generations of women into a lifestyle store that has become a Main Street staple.

A pair of sisters created a line of wallpapers and fabrics whose names bring back memories of the North Carolina streets where they once lived.

An architect in the Triangle designed peaceful places and gathering spaces. His stone spiral reminds us to connect with the natural world — and each other.

In the off-season, empty beaches along our coastline hold a new wonder: Brunswick County waters stir up floral-embellished fossils from the ocean floor and deliver them to the shore.

Come November, folks gather in Harnett County to learn about a crop and a way of life that shaped this land and the people who toiled over it.

Through her engaging storytelling, a Watauga County writer has shined a spotlight on many of the world’s natural wonders. In her latest book, she illuminates nature’s unsung hero: the dark.

The Rosebriar eases holiday stress with scratch-made side dishes and breakfast trays — an idea inspired by the owner’s mother, whose cooking was a treasured gift of the season.

A spare batch of cookies led to a tasty tradition at a family-owned feed store in Chatham County.

A mother and daughter turned their piece of Stokes County into an orchard of heritage apples, using some of their crop to make a versatile syrup.

There’s more than one holiday with a list that must be checked twice. A chef reflects on the kitchen chaos of her childhood Thanksgivings and memories made from leftovers and forgotten plans.

Plan for 1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person — it may seem like a lot, but the leftovers will be worth it.

Let the oven do the work for you: As the rice bakes, it absorbs the savory consommé and emerges as a ready-to-go side dish that requires minimal clean up.

Imagine the buttery, savory flavors you love in garlic bread and combine them with a crock of creamy mashed potatoes to create this comforting dish that feels like a hug.

We all know it’s after the main meal when the Thanksgiving dishes really shine. Whether you layer your sandwich while watching the final quarter or in front of the open refrigerator door at 11 p.m., we won’t judge.

Along the Scuppernong River, a school of fine craft teaches creatives of all levels that it’s never too late to pursue the arts.

Discover renowned artists’ handicrafts, flavor-packed bites, and expansive wilds during a delightful detour in Tyrrell County.

North Carolina produces more sweet potatoes than any other state in the country, giving us cause to celebrate at our farms, around our tables, and in our communities.

Called to compete in the neighborhood chili contest, a father-and-son team rise to the occasion.

You don’t have to grill. You could broil the peppers and make do with, say, pulled rotisserie chicken. But if you do grill the night before, you are committing to something epic. You are also getting a smokiness that will otherwise be hard to replicate.

A family’s love of fabric proves resilient in the face of time and the elements.

Just prior to the Great Depression, a Gaston County textile mill introduced a special khaki weave that served our armed forces with distinction for five decades.

A High Country restaurant has made a name for itself by tapping into the wild side of fine dining. Inside the stone walls of The Gamekeeper, an avowed outdoorsman finds a connection to flavors past.

From an Academy Award-winning movie to one of the most beloved romantic scenes on the big screen, many filmmakers have looked to North Carolina’s beauty and homegrown talent to bring their stories to life.

Amid the urgency of World War II, an Army training camp sprang up from fields north of Raleigh. Five years later, the camp was no longer needed, but the existing infrastructure attracted new residents. Today, evidence of that brief but impressive history remains part of Butner’s very foundation.

Centuries after the New River drew early settlers to its banks, it inspired the U.S. Marine Corps to choose Jacksonville as the site of Camp Lejeune.

After holding posts all over the map, military members and their families bring multicultural palates to North Carolina, seeking the flavors of former homes and past travels. In the Jacksonville area, local restaurants satisfy the demand for global cuisine around Camp Lejeune. Join us as we make a few delicious stops along the International Food Trail.

Being raised in the shadow of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base provided one writer an emotional lens through which to view the world.

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point built an unshakable bond between two eastern North Carolina towns: Newport and Havelock.

Fort Liberty’s local impact extends beyond the paratroopers and planes overhead. In this Cumberland County city’s historic downtown, veterans are leading a rejuvenation.

An Elizabeth City-raised writer reflects on the relationship that the local Coast Guard base has long shared with its community.

Named the “Defense Capital of the State,” this New Hanover county destination earned the distinction of American WWII Heritage City thanks, in part, to the work of a veteran who was inspired by the Port City’s conflict response.

Whether you choose a single craft brew or a flight to find your favorite, here’s where to raise a glass to past and present military members.

From sparkling traminette to full-bodied red blends, sip and savor these veteran-made wines at vineyards around our state.

Sip hand-crafted beverages while honoring past and present military members at these veteran-owned coffee shops and roasters.

Sixteen years ago, two close friends in Statesville — soldiers who’d been wounded in the Iraq War — set out on a journey to help themselves by helping others. Today, their nonprofit Purple Heart Homes has resulted in thousands of grateful families across the country.

In Jacksonville, the Onslow Veterans Pow Wow connects Native American service members to their heritage — and honors veterans from all backgrounds.

For the more than 720,000 veterans who call our state home, North Carolina’s deep military tradition is a lived point of pride. Our former and current service members — and the communities that support them — are beacons of bravery and possibility.

Our state’s landscapes and natural features have distinguished it as a magnet over the decades for training service members. From the first World War to the present day, each base plays a critical role within the nation’s military.