The October 2019 Issue

When a couple from out of state ventured off the highway in search of a peaceful place to stop, they discovered musicians and makers, outdoor adventures, farm-to-table fare, and friendly neighbors.

The sheep that graze on this solar farm in Montgomery County play an essential role when it comes to producing clean energy, clean food, and a clean farm.

Raise a glass at this Paris-inspired bookstore and Champagne bar, where old-world European style meets old-school Southern hospitality.

At a furniture store in Johnston County, every customer — whether they buy a sofa or a screwdriver — is part of a family tradition more than a century in the making.

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.

With the first hints of fall cooling the air, we headed straight for a warm kitchen, taking inspiration from one of the coziest comfort foods.

After more than 40 years, the hub that brought mill workers and civic leaders together over meat loaf and mashed potatoes is still the heart of Hillsborough.

Long before big-city chefs began crossing croissants with doughnuts, a family bakery in southeastern North Carolina quietly perfected a regional icon.

The elegantly rustic bark shingles that give this mountain town its character are as fashionable today as they were more than a century ago when a famous architect introduced them.

Merchants and their regulars in this Burke County town have banded together like family, uplifting and reinventing a community rich in nature, compassion, and creativity.

In a shop outside of Morganton, a modern blacksmith and his wife turn elemental materials — metal and wood — into elegant works that can be found all over town, and beyond.

For 125 years, the North Carolina School for the Deaf has drawn generations of students from all over the state, evolving with the times. Now, as NCSD prepares to enter a new phase, it’s clear what the historic campus has always been for its community: a second home.

Three years after a devastating fall from the side of a mountain in the rocky wilderness of Linville Gorge, an avid hiker returned to the scene to find acceptance and renewal.

Joey Henson found that the best way to protect this wild and vital landscape is to conquer it.

A retired biology professor at Appalachian State University studies the new species, the rare species, and the really old species that grow on Linville Gorge cliffs.

The winding, scenic route through Linville may not be a long drive — it’s only about 20 miles — but it becomes a journey when you stop to shop, eat, and see the sights.

In an old trading post and gristmill near Grandfather Mountain, an artist has created a community of locals and tourists who come together over pulled pork and fried pickles, High Country cocktails, and traditional Appalachian art and music.

Legend has it that beneath Lake James rests the lost mountain utopia of Fonta Flora, a diverse community that farmed fertile land and lived in harmony. Getting to the truth behind the lore involves following family history, old maps, and really good beer.

On a curvy road in the shadow of Shortoff Mountain, a farm-to-pint brewery embraces the legend of Fonta Flora and its long-lost agrarian community.

When it comes to mountain vistas, nothing compares to the magnificence of Linville Gorge. From gentle strolls to near-vertical climbs, there’s a path for everyone who wants to enjoy some of the state’s most stunning scenery.

Here, “eating local” isn’t a trend — Appalachian cooks have always made the most of the flavors that grow around them. Today, mountain chefs continue that hearty, homegrown legacy.

A staple crop of Watauga County for generations, the glorious green cabbage remains a savory symbol of old mountain ways and comforting suppers. Plus, it might just cure what ails you.

Three universities, dozens of movers and shakers, one singular vision: Research Triangle Park charts a new course for North Carolina, proving that a simple idea can become a grand reality.

With every journey into the cypress and Spanish moss, the Ramblin’ Man falls deeper under the spell of swamps. Where some may fear darkness and decay, he finds beauty and life.

From pumpkin festivals to autumn celebrations, your curated monthly guide to events across North Carolina.

On October 2, 1961, the USS North Carolina hit Fergus’ Ark seafood restaurant while docking in Wilmington.