Issues

October 2026

Blazing Trails

I love a good hike, especially this time of year when canopy colors are starting to pop and trails are lined with fresh fallen leaves. But a good trail is easy to take for granted; in the quiet stillness of the woods, it’s easy to forget the hard work that goes into building and maintaining it. In this issue, you’ll learn about one of several educational programs focused on the “outdoor economy,” creating spaces for people to enjoy North Carolina’s great outdoors. Also, some burning questions we seek to answer in this issue include when leaf season will peak, as well as where to go for the best food at the NC State Fair.

—Scott Gates, editor

Carolina Kitchen

Salty Spiced Maple Dirty Root Beer

Toast the arrival of fall with a mug of this fun, lightly spiced dirty soda. Root beer is our favorite but other dark drinks are tasty, too.

Crispy Baby Blooming Onion Bites

Missing your fairday blooming onion? These crisp pearl onions bring the same fun flavor with none of the fuss. Fry up a big batch (they go quick!) especially during fall football watch gatherings.

Butternut Squash Spice Cake

Don’t let the squash in this cake frighten you off. It’s a pumpkin relative, and by the time you pile on the sugar and spice and crown with your fluffy topping, it just tastes like autumn!

Carolina Living

Carolina Living

Bring Home the Fall Festival

Start an autumn tradition every generation will enjoy

Carolina Living

Fall without the Haul

Simple ways to celebrate the season without buying it all

Carolina Living

The Stories Behind Halloween Traditions

How folklore and centuries of changing customs helped shape Oct. 31

Your Power

Your Power

Science of the Season

The data behind NC’s peak fall color

Your Power

Four Steps to Stay Secure Online

Stay safer from evolving AI-powered cyber threats with four simple cybersecurity habits

Your Power

Parton’s Literacy Program Lives on in NC

Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy lives on through the Imagination Library in North Carolina

More from this issue

Up Front

Building Bridges Through Cooperation

Principle 6 shows how cooperation among cooperatives makes communities stronger

Energy Sense

Seal Ductwork for Savings

Reduce waste and improve indoor air quality

Carolina Adventures

Spirits Abound Across North Carolina

Ghost tours share local history with a spooky twist

Carolina Snapshots

Candy Crazy

Tip Of The Month

Beware of Phantom Power

Your electronics may be using more energy than you think

Where in Carolina Country is This?

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