In Selma, Clayton, Benson, and Smithfield, creative restaurateurs are using craft cocktails and coffees to turn neighborhood bars and cafés into thoughtful community spots.
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3 Family Farms for You-Pick Strawberries in Johnston County
When the berries ripen to their ruby-red hue, it’s hard to resist buying them by the bushel. Here’s where to find you-pick fields — plus farm-fresh produce, family-friendly entertainment, and more — in Benson, Princeton, Newton Grove, and beyond.
Back for Seconds
Don’t be shy: At these North Carolina buffets and family-style restaurants, filling up your plate two or three times is expected and encouraged.
Sweet & Sensitive at JP’s Pastry
This baker has a secret: a wheat allergy. For those with similar restrictions, his gluten-free bakery in Benson offers hope and happiness.
I-95 Road Trip: 17 Can’t-Miss Stops
Travelers use I-95 to get to their destinations quickly. But scattered between Roanoke Rapids and Lumberton are plenty of reasons to take a break from the interstate.
I-95 Road Trip: The Science of Smoke at The Redneck BBQ Lab
The mad scientists of Johnston County have won hearts and awards with their smoked pork, chicken, and beef brisket. And the experiments continue: At The Redneck BBQ Lab in Benson, they’re always cooking up something new.
History in a Handbag
In neglected barns and abandoned pickup trucks in eastern North Carolina, a seamstress finds old, forgotten stories — in the form of vintage fabrics — that she makes new again.
The ’Shine That Saved the Family Farm
Jeremy Norris is keeping his farm afloat by using an old family recipe to turn his corn into (legal) liquor.
