Celebrating our roots
by Cokie Roberts Despite the muzak in the malls, I’m dreaming of a green Christmas, just just like the ones I used to know. Until I had children of my own, every year my family trekked from Washington, D.C. to…
Monthly Archives: November 2014
Ira David Wood III: 40 years as Scrooge
by Andrew Kenney photographs by Nick Pironio Ira David Wood III is just “David” in real life. But you might also know him by another name: Scrooge. Wood has been stomping and huffing and finding redemption for 40 Novembers and…
May peas be with you
by Dean McCord It all started at Crook’s Corner. My obsession with rice and peas, tomatoes and cheese, bacon and onions, and, of course, a topping of scallions. Mmmmm. Hoppin’ John. It’s quite simple really, a rustic assembly of everyday…
Modern family Christmas
by Felicia Gressette photographs by Lissa Gotwals Four generations are gathered this bright morning at Jason and Lauren Smith’s home near Hymettus Woods for a Smith family ritual – an informal Christmas brunch. Like the family itself, the celebration has evolved over…
The 13 trees of Christmas
by Liza Roberts photographs by Carla and Kristopher Williams Christmas time at Donna and Kirk Preiss’s house is a fairy tale – an enchanting story with 1,500 characters. Each is an ornament on one of the Preiss’s 13 Christmas trees,…
Raleigh Boychoir
by Elizabeth Lincicome On a rainy Saturday morning in October, more than 30 boys have gathered to rehearse choral music in an unassuming brick house off of Ridge Road. Today they sing The First Noel, which they will perform at…
My father’s world
by Tracie Fellers Raleigh was my father’s hometown and his territory. And though I’m rarely there these days, it beckons me with memories and markers of his life’s journey. On Fayetteville Street downtown, there’s the law practice that still includes…
Happy Birthday
by Kevin Barrett, cocktail director at Foundation photographs by Juli Leonard It’s my favorite time of year. I love Christmas. I love New Year’s Day. I love my Sparkling Snow scented Yankee Candle. And I love a chance to make one of…
A really Raleigh Christmas
by CC Parker It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. My sister recently forwarded a sign posted on Pinterest: “The Cycle of life: You Believe in Santa; You are Santa; You look like Santa.” If you fall into the…
When Natalie Wood came to town
Brainstorm, one of many major movies shot in North Carolina, was Natalie Wood’s last. Scenes of the science fiction film were shot in Raleigh and around the Triangle, in places like Oakwood, Hayes Barton, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, the…
Starring North Carolina
In August 2012, North Carolina Museum of History curator and film buff Katie Edwards had an idea. She knew that major movies and TV shows are often filmed in the Tar Heel State. “We’d all heard about Bull Durham, The…
Shop local
by Ernest Dollar This season, as you’re making your list and checking it twice, our area retailers would be grateful if you remember to “shop local.” That didn’t used to be a matter of choice. Local was the only option, and…
Just do it
Kel Landis III wrote his new book about getting things done in about six months, but the ideas behind it have “been cooking for 10 years.” The co-founder of Plexus Capital, former CEO of RBC Centura, and Raleigh community leader…
