March in North Carolina is a fickle thing, but a writer in Greensboro takes advantage of the first warm days to scrub his porch and roll out the red carpet for spring.
Confessions of a Pack Rat
In the sandy shells, worn ticket stubs, and chipped mugs he can’t seem to part with, a sentimental saver finds a map to memories and meaning.
Waiting in the Rafters
Our State’s managing editor and her husband discover an attic room filled with pottery, hidden treasures that had been waiting overhead for decades.
Breathing Room in Stoneville
At a Rockingham County retreat center, stillness opens the door for clarity and renewal.
Tending the Quiet Corners of the Coast
In hidden cemeteries from Buxton to Avon, Dawn Taylor cleans and restores weathered gravestones, ensuring that the lives they mark are not lost to the wind or the water.
A River Made New
After decades of pollution brought an Onslow County waterway to the brink, citizens, scientists, and Jacksonville city leaders worked together to restore their river.
Charlie’s Soaps: A Laundry Legend
What began as a fix for gummed-up textile machines has grown into a family-run company with a devoted following, still made in the same quiet corner of Rockingham County.
Signs of Care
The names on Adopt-A-Highway placards belong to neighbors who show up, suit up, and help keep North Carolina beautiful.
6 Small-Batch Soapmakers
From Canton to the Outer Banks, these artisans use local ingredients — from Ocracoke figs to Foothills moonshine — and foolproof family recipes to make every scrub, soak, and lather feel like home.
