When Albert Einstein famously said that “imagination is more important than knowledge,” he did more than make daydreamers feel better about themselves. He zeroed in on the source of innovation, adventure, and progress. At Walter, we often remark on the…
by Todd Cohen photographs by Carla Williams Amy Jo Edwards was experiencing a crisis. Seated beside her husband at Rex Cancer Center in 2013 as he received his 20th round of chemotherapy in two years for colon cancer, Edwards was…
by Sarah Barr Photographer Christer Berg slid three photographs on to a conference table at Carolina Ballet’s studio on Atlantic Avenue and waited to see if he had passed his own test. Robert Weiss, the ballet’s founding artistic director, studied…
text and photo by Juli Leonard I don’t know if it is because my Oakwood neighbor Sophie is a grinner – yes, really, she does what is called “submissive grinning” in dog terms – or because of her tender rescue…
by Karen Lewis Taylor Even as the summer heat bakes our fair Southern city, we know that somewhere nearby, in any of a dozen deliciously cool ice rinks, hockey-loving residents of all ages are strapping on helmets and pads, tightening…
by Anna Long photographs by Catherine Nguyen Even a 214-year-old house can be full of new surprises. Intriguing new details of the history of Haywood Hall – the oldest house in Raleigh that still stands on its original foundation –…
by Todd Cohen photograph by Robert Willett “Doing the right thing isn’t always safe,” says Joe Schmidt, 43, founder of Audacity Factory, a Raleigh nonprofit that applies business-world techniques to “world-changing” ideas in order to address underserved areas of humanitarian need. Launched…
by Tony Avent illustration by Ippy Patterson At some time in most gardeners’ lives, they become enchanted with violets. Some with well-behaving violets, and others with the less-stellar members of the clan. I, for one, have always had a tenuous…
text and photo by Scott Huler Do you ever get the desire, now and again, to sneak off, to slip away somewhere clandestine? Don’t you want to go down a back alley? An alley: an atmospheric cave of brick and…
by Jessie Ammons At this point in August, the pool is old news. Why not enjoy the last days of summer alfresco at the North Carolina Museum of Art instead? The Museum Park has a handful of must-see new outdoor works…
photograph by Tim Lytvinenko “I couldn’t really live without music. You just make time for it.” – Wade Smith, criminal defense lawyer Wade Smith knew he loved music when he co-founded Raleigh’s oldest string band 50-odd years ago, but he never…
by Jodi Barnes I want to write a love poem but we have Wallace Stevens’ Final Soliloquy. If I had a more fitting way to say I love you how would that change the shawl we’ve made, our lucky…
by Todd Cohen photographs by Juli Leonard For people with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities, the simple tasks that are second nature to most can be a struggle. At a special program in Raleigh, horses help people with disabilities to develop balance,…
by Settle Monroe Her smile grows slowly, almost creeping its way to fullness as she remembers her life many years ago. She leans across the table, as if to let me in on a secret, recounting the days of juggling…