Most mothers want to get a manicure or go shopping for their birthday. Not mine! She enjoys those outings, too, but my city-dwelling mom has always had a love of the countryside and farming. On this outing she even confessed to me that she wished in college she had studied to become a county extension … Continue reading Stanly County Ag Tour
North Carolina
Christmas Traditions
By Joanna Grey Talbot Tradition: "the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice." Every culture has its traditions, each unique and special, and are one of the things that define that culture. Although the nature of tradition is that it stays the same … Continue reading Christmas Traditions
Southern Christmas Show
By Joanna Grey Talbot There are so many wonderful Christmas traditions around the world from the European Christmas Markets to Advent to the many varieties of Santa Claus. Yet for me, one of the most magical will always be the Southern Christmas Show. Held every year at The Park Expo and Conference Center in Charlotte, … Continue reading Southern Christmas Show
First Anniversary Travels
By Joanna Grey Talbot Hard to believe it has already come and gone but my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary last weekend. It has been a year filled with ups and downs, a move to North Carolina, and so many adventures! To celebrate we escaped to our favorite place - the mountains. Although … Continue reading First Anniversary Travels
Morganton, North Carolina
By Joanna Grey Talbot My favorite benefit to being a freelance writer is that anytime my husband has to work out of town I can easily go with him. It always means I have to go exploring by myself while he works but it gives me time to go at my own pace and pick … Continue reading Morganton, North Carolina
North Carolina State Fair
By Joanna Grey Talbot The State Fair - Whether it evokes images of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1945 musical, State Fair, that took place in Iowa or of 4-H competitions and deep-fried food, going to the state fair is an experience. The one hosted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture at the Raleigh fairgrounds is no … Continue reading North Carolina State Fair
An Unplanned Adventure
By Joanna Grey Talbot Best laid plans of mice and men, eh? Yesterday, I set off on my weekly adventure to check out places new to me in an old town. I had hours planned out but it wasn't to be. My first stop was the NC Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis. It was … Continue reading An Unplanned Adventure
Dr. Selma Burke
By Joanna Grey Talbot My visit to Mooresville, North Carolina, last weekend was filled with visits to great local businesses and a stroll down a beautiful Main Street. Yet, what stood out to me the most was a piece of the town's history, which is also a piece of our country's national history. Towards one … Continue reading Dr. Selma Burke
Narrows Dam
By Joanna Grey Talbot One of the things on my bucket list is to tour a dam and last weekend I had that opportunity. The Badin Volunteer Fire Department was celebrating their 100th anniversary and one of the many things offered throughout the day-long festival was tours of the Narrows Dam on the Yadkin River. … Continue reading Narrows Dam
Concord, North Carolina
Traveling to places new to me and meeting people will never get old. Having conversations with complete strangers who obviously love their community is quickly becoming one of my favorite parts about writing this blog. This week I traveled to the town of Concord. Founded in 1796 as the county seat of the newly formed Cabarrus … Continue reading Concord, North Carolina
New Stories From Old Towns 