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Community Events
Check out the local events happening near Raleigh. Click on the event titles below to see more information about each event.
Ironweed: The resilient perennial transforming North Carolina landscapes
We all want resilient plants for our landscape. Frankly we want something that is cost effective. A plant which fulfills that description and expectation is “Ironweed” (Vernonia noveboracensis). This seems to be the most common variety grown in North Carolina. Anne Clapp used to say: “A weed is a plant you don’t want in your yard,” but you definitely will want Ironweed! It is a popular and hardy herbaceous perennial that you’ll find in a lot of landscapes in North Carolina. Herbaceous means it does not have a woody stem and dies back to the ground after it flowers. By the way, “Ironweed” was named for the English botanist William Vernon who traveled extensively in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s.
Fursday: Meet Ziggy from Second Chance Pet Adoptions!
Ziggy is a 3-year-old poodle mix with a big heart and plenty of pep! He’s the best of both worlds—happy to go for walks and burn off his energy, then just as content to curl up on the couch, the bed, or even the floor for a cozy nap. While he may give a few…
Hometown Hero of the Week: Michael Hill, October 8th, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero for 10/8/25 is Michael Hill, Veteran, Retired Sheriff’s Deputy, Current Firefighter. Mike was nominated by Laura Hill, who says, “Mike has dedicated his entire life to serving others. His 21 years with the USMC as a Corpsman, then served the Durham Co Sheriff’s Office for 19 years and has been a…
Ironweed: The resilient perennial transforming North Carolina landscapes
We all want resilient plants for our landscape. Frankly we want something that is cost effective. A plant which fulfills that description and expectation is “Ironweed” (Vernonia noveboracensis). This seems to be the most common variety grown in North Carolina. Anne Clapp used to say: “A weed is a plant you don’t want in your yard,” but you definitely will want Ironweed! It is a popular and hardy herbaceous perennial that you’ll find in a lot of landscapes in North Carolina. Herbaceous means it does not have a woody stem and dies back to the ground after it flowers. By the way, “Ironweed” was named for the English botanist William Vernon who traveled extensively in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s.
Fursday: Meet Ziggy from Second Chance Pet Adoptions!
Ziggy is a 3-year-old poodle mix with a big heart and plenty of pep! He’s the best of both worlds—happy to go for walks and burn off his energy, then just as content to curl up on the couch, the bed, or even the floor for a cozy nap. While he may give a few…
Hometown Hero of the Week: Michael Hill, October 8th, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero for 10/8/25 is Michael Hill, Veteran, Retired Sheriff’s Deputy, Current Firefighter. Mike was nominated by Laura Hill, who says, “Mike has dedicated his entire life to serving others. His 21 years with the USMC as a Corpsman, then served the Durham Co Sheriff’s Office for 19 years and has been a…
