From fresh fruit cobblers and cakes to cold, picnic-ready salads, readers relished the summer season with these top recipes. ourstate.com/our-state-reci…

Situated on the banks of the Scuppernong River, this Tyrrell County town surprises and delights with its independent businesses, vibrant arts scene, and friendly community. — With Harbor Towns Cruises ourstate.com/a-walking-guid…

At Cheeni in Durham, Chef Preeti Waas’s menu is a resplendent representation of her upbringing in India. Click below to read more about this acclaimed chef. ourstate.com/cheeni-durham-…

Check out our guide to September events happening across the state — from a gourd-filled arts and crafts festival in Raleigh to a mountain heritage celebration in Sparta — in our Carolina Calendar. ourstate.com/carolina-calen…

From stellar surf to amazing attractions marking pivotal points in history, there’s lots to love about these beaches and towns. Here are a local’s top tips for visiting them like they’re home. — With The Outer Banks ourstate.com/love-the-outer…

Did you know that 78 of North Carolina’s 100 counties are deemed rural? Click the link below to read writer Todd Brantley’s celebration of these special places. ourstate.com/for-love-of-th…

Don’t miss editor in chief Elizabeth Hudson on the news as she shares stories in our September issue — from North Carolina’s four national forests to our rural roots. Tune in to Fox 8 WGHP tomorrow around 9:15 a.m. and WRAL this Thursday around 9:10 a.m. to catch the details.

Labor Day stirs memories of first jobs and inspires end-of-summer celebrations. ourstate.com/working-for-th…

Click the link below to read about how a father and son in Watauga County are continuing a 150-year-old cattle-raising legacy at their family farm in Vilas. ourstate.com/shipley-beef

Roasted sweet potatoes with rosemary honey vinaigrette make a great side dish. ourstate.com/roasted-sweet-…

Away from big-city bustle, noise, and commotion, this Yancey County town offers an oasis to reconnect with peaceful mountain living. — With Explore Burnsville ourstate.com/5-outdoor-acti…

Click below to read about how an old schoolhouse in Jarvisburg has been lovingly restored to tell the history of Black education in Currituck County. ourstate.com/historic-jarvi…

A marriage of two beloved Southern foods, pimento cheese cornbread is everything you never knew you wanted. ourstate.com/pimento-cheese…

In this month’s Our State Book Club Podcast, we sat down with Michael Parker to talk about how he started writing for a living — and how Lee Smith encouraged him along the way. To listen to or watch the full episode, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Youtube.

Enter to win a two-night stay, a vineyard tour, and dining experiences in the North Carolina foothills. — With YadkinValleyNC ourstate.com/escape-to-the-…

Click below to read about how, in 1932, North Carolinians decided to stop complaining about gas prices and take action: All they needed to do was remove the engines from their cars and hitch up their mules. ourstate.com/hidden-history…

If you can’t get enough chocolate, a drizzle of royal icing is a simple, easy complement to this dense, rich cake. ourstate.com/chocolate-crea…

Get a taste of what Chef Lynn Wells is cooking in the pages of the September issue by tuning in to WFMY around 9 a.m. on Friday, September 6. ourstate.com/4-birthday-wor…

Steeped in 400 years of history, Hertford offers plenty of ways to dive into the past while enjoying modern eateries, shops, and more in this riverside town. — With Harbor Towns Cruises ourstate.com/a-walking-guid…

More than 70 years ago Andy Griffith got his big break in show business thanks to football — but not as a player, or even as a fan. ourstate.com/andy-on-footba…