Features

Game On!

Over the first weekend of March 2025, Linda Pelnik and Sue Dohm visited New York City. The longtime friends, along with more than 25,000 other people, were in Manhattan to attend Toy Fair 2025 — the largest toy show in the Western Hemisphere and the industry’s most iconic event. There, thousands of toys and games... Read More

Find Your Next Favorite Trail with Wander

Everyone should have a favorite place to walk, hike, or bike. For some of us, that’s the Neuse River Trail at sunrise. For others, it’s an easy loop where the kids can burn off energy and you get to grab coffee. For Vimal Vyas, the Downtown Cary Park tops the list for “just the different... Read More

Pay it Forward: United Arts Wake County

Lee Pike was spending her birthday at work, listening to students read poetry at the High School Spoken Word Contest, an event organized by United Arts Wake County, where she is vice president of development. She planned to duck out early to celebrate her special day, but instead, she sat transfixed, brought to tears by... Read More

Small Business Spotlight: TrenLend

It was 2022, and NC State sophomores and friends Emmy Weiland and Amelia Zahn were frustrated. They frequently needed new dresses for sorority events, but like many college students, they were both on a budget and couldn’t afford to buy a new outfit for every occasion. Looking around for ideas, they noticed many of their... Read More
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Now + Next

Out & About in Wake County: March/April 2026

Art in Bloom March 18–22 North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh ncartmuseum.org/artinbloom Floral designers create show-stopping displays interpreting works in the museum’s collection. This year’s theme, Written in the Stars, adds inspiration from the signs of the zodiac. Make a reservation at the NCMA Café to make a feast for all the senses.... Read More

What’s Blooming at the JC Raulston Arboretum

Volunteer photographer Don Chernoff has pointed his lens at the beautiful blooms of the JC Raulston Arboretum, and he was kind enough to share his work with us! "For many years I was very into photographing wildlife and even published a book of wildlife in the Washington DC area called Wild Washington," he says. "When... Read More
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Food + Dining

Recipes from Readers: Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake

An absolute family favorite! The hardest part is peeling and chopping the apples. 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar ¾ cup white sugar 4 teaspoons cinnamon, divided ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground ginger ¾ cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder... Read More

Celebrated Spirits: Alpine Highball

“Braulio earns all the cool points in our book,” says Zachary Stephens, director of operations at Crawford Hospitality. An Amaro produced in the Alps, he notes, “It’s aged for 2+ years in large Slovenian oak barrels and boasts flavors of caramelized herbs, juniper, wormwood, and pine resin.” While the spirit is “wildly flavorful” on its... Read More
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Life + Style

Haute Holidays

It’s time to embrace outfits that sparkle and shine. Whether you’re headed to a cozy gathering or a glamorous party, the right ensemble can elevate your festive spirit. This year, explore bold sweaters, shimmering metallics, playful patterns, and thoughtful embellishments that reflect your unique style. Layer for warmth and flair, and don’t forget statement accessories... Read More

Erica Chats: How the World Celebrates

Cherished traditions add a sprinkle of magic and a dash of nostalgia to the season. We establish rituals year after year that bring joy, laugher, and sometimes chaos. But what makes them so important? For one, they offer comfort and a sense of stability and familiarity. The emotional lift they provide is like caffeine for... Read More
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Home + Garden

Garden Adventurer: Voodoo Gardening

In the dying light of an early spring day last year, I was giving stubborn weeds in my garden their long-overdue last rites with a sling blade when something out of the corner of my eye froze me in my tracks. There, below a vitex tree with bare limbs that reached out like bony fingers,... Read More

Garden Adventurer: Better Witches

When winter has area gardens in its chilled grip, it is tough to imagine the glory that will be the coming spring. So why not summon a witch to help cheat the consuming cold and create comforting thoughts that, yes, a new, balmy growing season is on the way? That’s right, I said a witch.... Read More
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travel

Mountain Air

Vibrant towns, mountain landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and outdoor exploration — you can find it all in the North Carolina High Country. Destinations such as Asheville, Boone, and Blowing Rock often headline a visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains, but there’s a quieter alternative overflowing with small-town charm that deserves a place in the spotlight. The... Read More

Escape to Edenton

“Edenton’s waking up,” says Inner Banks Inn proprietor Susan Martin Cyr about the scenic town tucked into the Albemarle Sound and surrounded by water on three sides in the state’s northeastern region. While it has long been considered a historical gem, Edenton has also been what Susan “would call a sleeper.” But now, she says,... Read More
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