photograph by Geoff Wood A stone’s throw from the Greek Revival capitol building in downtown Raleigh stands the oldest maker of pool tables in the state. Met-Tech, founded in 1943, specializes in custom pool tables made from oak, Siberian birch,…
by Tony Avent illustration by Ippy Patterson I’ll always remember the day I spotted my first edgeworthia, tucked beside the narrow, dark, windy path that used to lead past the old lath house at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum. There it…
by Charles Upchurch photographs by Juli Leonard Don’t look now, but Raleigh is sneaking up on Asheville for the title of craft beer capital of North Carolina. That calls for a cold pint of Hell Yes Ma’am. Hell Yes Ma’am…
by Todd Cohen Abdul Rasheed founded and runs the North Car- olina Community Development Initiative, based in Raleigh. He was raised without his father or mother, and he lost his 20-year-old son to gun violence. But hardship has never stopped…
by Ann Brooke Raynal photographs by Juli Leonard You might know Lyman Kiser. You might know him if you’ve ever been to Roanoke Park in Raleigh’s Five Points neighborhood on a Saturday and heard the giddy shrieks of children as…
photographs by Chad Sattler We live in one of America’s healthiest cities. Rankings from Women’s Health magazine and others say so, and it’s plain to see: greenways, parks and programs are everywhere to lure us up and out. It’s not…
with Billy Warden and Greg Behr Before the Panthers and Canes, the giants of North Carolina sports were the spandex-wearing, smack-talking, head-cracking heroes and villains of professional wrestling…make that rasslin’. Yeah, there were the basketball and football aces of the…
by Lewis Beale photographs by Scott Sharpe Five in the afternoon, and the request line at WSHA-FM, Shaw University’s eclectic radio station, is starting to light up. Sharon Berry-Vivian is already one hour into her weekly “Funk Friday” show, 88.9…
by Jesma Reynolds photograph by Geoff Wood Founder and owner of personal healthcare provider More Than Nurses in Raleigh, Lekita Essa considers her clients an “extension of her family.” Her busy schedule involves visiting them at home and in the…
by Amber Nimocks photographs by Lissa Gotwals The first time you hear Joyce Watkins King laugh, it takes you by surprise. King is a petite woman with a trim waist and pretty smile. But her laugh is the size of…
by Andrea Weigl photographs by Missy McLamb Many families cannot get along. One sibling doesn’t talk to another; the daughters-in-law can’t be in the same room; someone has never forgiven another for a slight long ago. Tension crackles, and…
photographs by Robert Willett When Walter decided to explore the theme of leadership this month, we knew we had an unusual opportunity. What other city is home to four small independent colleges and universities led by four remarkable women? Dianne…
by Mary E. Miller Jim Hunt is moving. It’s a word that describes what he’s doing, how he operates, why he’s successful, and what he has accomplished for North Carolina and its people. At 75, the four-term governor and one-man…