Our QDR Hometown Hero of the Week is Brad Summerlin, Sergeant for the Rocky Mount Police Department. Brad was nominated by his wife Paige Summerlin, who says, “Sergeant Summerlin works as the SRO supervisor. He has been involved in multiple areas of the police department since starting his career and has tons of training and…… Continue Reading
Our QDR Gold Star Teacher of the Month for August is Ariana Catherine Bond, high school math teacher for Granville County Early College. Ms. Bond was nominated by Kenzie Hollowell, who says, “Any student that has had Ms. Bond will tell you she is one of the best teachers that we have ever had. Ms. Bond…… Continue Reading
Oh, hi! I’m a very sweet and loving, gentle boy. I love to make new friends and charm them into giving me lots of pets. My hobbies include chasing toys, learning new things–I’m super smart–and being a perfect couch companion! I’m still healing from an injury, so I’ll benefit from TLC and some canine fitness…… Continue Reading
I have grown to love lantana. I never really had anything against it. It’s just the fact I haven’t had a lot of sun areas in my landscape and lantana can take up a fair amount of room if it is happy. Most of North Carolina is hot throughout the summer and we certainly have drought periods. Lantana is made to order for these conditions. Lantana is in the verbena family and is sometimes called “shrub verbena.” It comes in various sizes from 1 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide according to my friends at the Cooperative Extension Service. It loves full sun, moist, but well-drained soil to fully perform. Lantana grows particularly well in the piedmont and thrives on the coastal plain and coast of North Carolina. It is even salt tolerant.… Continue Reading
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the Week is Jason Stone, School Resource Officer at Apex Friendship High School. Jason was nominated by Baxter Walker, who says, “Jason Stone is a School Resource Officer at Apex Friendship High School. Officer Stone had been a police officer with the Town of Apex for 26 years and a…… Continue Reading
We have enjoyed growing the very colorful Crocosmia-“montbretia” or “Coppertips”- a summer-blooming flower that reminds me of a miniature gladiola. Crocosmia grows from corms which are sort of like bulbs that store nutrients. Crocus, Dalias, Anemones, and Gladiolus do too. We have had them in our landscape for decades. This flower grew abundantly in Sweet Melissa’s grandparents’ landscape in Pittsboro and she transplanted a few bulbs to our yard. The few are now many. Melissa’s paternal grandparents, Marvin and Myrtle Reeves were special people. Everyone who knew them said so. That makes our crop of Crocosmia extra special.… Continue Reading
Meet Rocky Balboa – a gentle giant with a heart of gold and a name that packs a punch! This 2-year-old Great Pyrenees/German Shepherd mix is the perfect blend of calm and playful. With his laid-back nature and occasional goofy zoomies, Rocky is just as happy lounging on the couch as he is exploring the…… Continue Reading
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the Week is Johnnie Byrd, recently retired Senior Sergeant with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Johnnie has been with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years and counting. He was a senior sergeant before retiring in 2024, while shortly after going back part time. He continues to serve…… Continue Reading
Let’s be honest, it’s not going to be a Giggle, it’s going to be a belly laugh load of fun having this young lady in your life! Giggles is a shepherd come husky mix who is quite small under her gorgeous coat, weighing about 30 lbs now on the lean side. Giggles may not have…… Continue Reading
Black-eyed Susan may be native to North Carolina, but its golden blooms have found their way around the world—even to the hills of Norway, where I recently spotted them thriving among the snow-capped peaks. Hardy, cheerful, and largely unbothered by pests, this adaptable member of the sunflower family brightens up gardens from summer through fall. It’s beloved not just by gardeners, but by pollinators like bees and butterflies—and come autumn, even finches stop by for a snack. Whether you’re planting in clay or sand, sun or part shade, Black-eyed Susan earns its place with easy care and sunny disposition.… Continue Reading