Weddings are big events bringing together members of two families to celebrate their union into one bigger family. There’s usually a ceremony, probably some drama, good food, maybe a little drink, and stacks of gifts. We’ve pulled together several thoughtful gifts that are perfect for any couple requesting your presence at their nuptials.

If you’re a child of the ‘80s, you might remember “Workin’ for a Livin’,” a song by Huey Lewis and the News that paid tribute to the work-a-day folks that keep our lives moving forward. The same sentiment can be applied to the work of land trusts – they are workin’ for OUR livin’.

Today is Arbor Day, and we’re celebrating the beauty and symbolism trees lend to our world. Take a look at this tree-themed trivia from across our region. We hope the facts will inspire you to hug a tree or, especially, plant one in honor of all that trees do for us and our environment! 

Recycling is a comprehensive process. Many of us are familiar with the basic “3 R’s” that describe it: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse.

The good news is that our recycling trend has improved in the United States over the past several decades. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans recycled less than 10 percent of their household waste in 1980. In its most recent data from 2018, the EPA found that we now recycle slightly more than 32% of it.

The virtuous cycle is a series of events that tends toward equilibrium. It reinforces itself through a feedback loop to grow, expand, and increase its effectiveness. As it relates to recycling, we must be willing to buy recycled goods to create demand for recycled items, which makes the manufacturing of recycled goods desirable. 

If you’ve never been to Roanoke, Virginia, you wouldn’t realize just how much a railroad defines the city. Series of rail lines consolidate and cut through the northern edge of downtown. They span east and west across the mountain valley where Roanoke lies. The same rail that built the city into the place it is today will carry those stories along the track into its future and, at the same time, bring new stories along the way. 

A key to a mysterious quest lies within the Greenville Mast General Store. It’s a treasure map of sorts. Only the treasure is likely not what you’d expect. Instead of gold, jewels, or ancient artifacts, on this journey, everyone is searching for mice. 

For 19 years now, Mast Store has matched each pound of bulk candy purchased during its Be a Sweetheart event with a $1 donation to our food security partners. A dollar purchases 3, 5, 7, even 10 hearty meals for someone experiencing food insecurity. This Valentine's Day, show your love on many levels - to your sweetheart and to the local community. 

We’ve all said the phrase, “If these walls could talk, what stories they would tell.” That could be said about many places and perhaps the walls themselves – think about Russia’s famous Amber Room if it’s ever found. Much closer to home, we started wondering about the iconic centerpiece of the Front Room at the Original Mast General Store. Just what is the story of the pot-bellied stove?

Twenty-five years ago, on January 9, 1997, the Candy Barrel officially became a part of the Mast General Store. This is the backstory of how it happened. 

The holidays are here with all of their pomp and circumstance, parties and decorations, traditions and food. Many of the celebrations around the holidays have their roots in ancient Christian beliefs and pagan festivals. But there are some that are, well, accidental.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season are upon us. As we bundle up to ward off the sting of the winter winds, we realize how truly fortunate we are to have a warm coat and hat. Some of our neighbors aren’t quite as lucky. This year is the 17th anniversary of our Share the Warmth Coat Campaign sponsored by Columbia Sportswear.

Famously hot Columbia is just right for fall color enjoyment. The steamy temperatures of summer are a distant memory and snowflakes are nowhere to be found on the itinerary. While the fall colors may not be as readily evident, there are beautiful places to get fully immersed in autumn’s glory.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … and it’s the most hectic time of the year, too. Gifts to buy, boxes to wrap, meals to cook, rooms to decorate, cards to write – the list could go on and on. Outside the general lists are the special occasions and events not to miss. We’ve collected several of them in one spot to make it easier to add them to your calendars.

Intricate stars twinkle from cottage doorways, behind the opaque attic windows of bakeries and blacksmith shops, under the arched ceiling of a covered wooden footbridge, and amidst the remnants of crimson and gold foliage lining cobblestone sidewalks. Today, Moravian stars are found throughout Winston-Salem and are welcome harbingers of the holiday season.

Beautiful fall colors in the mountains make it a season of magic, especially in Roanoke. Known as the Magic City in the late 1800s because of its incredible growth linked to the railroad, the city is still the star of the Blue Ridge with outdoor adventure around every turn along with dining and entertainment opportunities to fill every itinerary.

They say that Halloween is the spookiest time of the year. Legend warns it’s when the veil between our world and the afterworld is thin and spirits can easily pass from one side to another. We don’t know about that, but we do know it’s one of the “funnest” times of the year. Check out these family-friendly events in our local communities.