Hidden in the woods, McGaha Chapel helped bridge a community’s divisions more than 150 years ago. At Christmastime, folks still come together here to lift their hopeful voices in holiday song.
December 2019
The 1950s: The Squire of Haw River
How a dairy farmer from Alamance County ascended the political ladder to become governor, then senator — never forgetting his rural roots along the way.
This Shelby Coffee House Is Home to Full Cups and Full Hearts
A coffee shop in Cleveland County satisfies cravings for caffeine, conversation, and good company.
Starboards of Wonder at the Crystal Coast Christmas Flotilla
In early December, seafaring sorts deck the, well, decks with lights and holly, parading their sailboats, yachts, and skiffs along the coast from Morehead City to Beaufort.
Quiz: Santa’s Shopping List
When the folks at the North Pole need a little help, they head to North Carolina Christmas shops and craft fairs for toys, trimmings, and lots of holiday spirit.
A Clean Start: Soapmaking in Hickory
A near-fatal accident led Katye Fredieu to soapmaking to care for her wounds and her community.
From Elizabeth Hudson: Miracle on Fayetteville Street
Our editor in chief receives an unexpected Christmas gift — one rooted in a family legacy that continues to live on.
A Holiday Poem for the Ages
Seventy years ago, Elinor Hawkins’s professor asked her to choose a book she’d collect for the rest of her life. She picked “The Night Before Christmas.” Today, she has more than 1,000 copies.
A Vintage Recipe: Ambrosia
Ambrosia was such a treat that many families reserved a cut-glass or crystal bowl solely for displaying and serving it.
