Issues

November 2026

Preserving Heritage

We typically feature a winner of our Carolina’s Finest reader choice awards on our November covers, and although all of our winners are cover-worthy, another topic came up this month that we couldn’t pass up. November is National Native American Heritage Month, and in honoring that we’re sharing a story about a program passing Lumbee culture to a new generation. Also, North Carolina has a new museum! Learn about the Carolina Museum of the Marine on page 26 — and thank the former service men and women in your life this Veterans Day.

—Scott Gates, editor

Carolina’s Finest Award Winners 2026

An Education in Native American Culture

Robeson County schools merge education and Lumbee traditions

Carolina Kitchen

Crustless Supreme Meatball Pizza Skillet Melt

This one is for our high-protein, low-carb friends … and everybody! Sure to be a crowd pleaser, throw several batches together and freeze for holiday company to maximize mingling and minimize food prep.

Not Your Mama’s Pear Salad

My mama didn’t like to cook, but she could open a can and “Menia’s pear salad” always showed up on church reunion tables each fall. We’ve taken a truly vintage Southern classic from childhoods and ramped up the protein for a holiday or anytime side dish.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Check the box on serving a traditional sweet potato casserole this Thanksgiving with the benefits of having it dairy- and refined-sugar free! You won’t even miss the marshmallow topping with this smooth and creamy, lightly sweetened purée topped with crunchy cinnamon pecans!