Taylor Time with Abby Leigh
Swifties! It’s Taylor Time! Abby Leigh is counting down to The Life of a Showgirl by going through every single era from Debut to The Tortured Poets Department. Here’s the thing, she needs your help to make the ultimate Taylor playlist. Pick your favorite song from each album below, and she may just give you…… Continue Reading
Fursday: Meet Taffy from Second Chance!
Looking for a pint-sized pup with big energy and an even bigger heart? Say hello to Taffy! This tiny small-breed boy is all about fun, play, and tail wags — and trust us, his tail moves so fast it’s basically a blur! Taffy lives for playtime and will happily chase the tiniest tennis balls you’ve…… Continue Reading
Hometown Hero of the Week: Justin Alderman, August 13th, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the Week is Justin Alderman, firefighter with the Wake Forest Fire Department. Justin grew up around the fire station in Wake Forest. He got on the department at the age of 14 and with permission from his high school principal, Justin started his Firefighter certification, and also his EMT training. On…… Continue Reading
Salvia: A colorful, hardy favorite for Carolina gardens
Everyone should have some type of salvia in their landscape. Sage advice, I must say, if you like puns that is! Salvia also is known for its medicinal qualities for oral health, digestion problems and cognitive issues. I for one have never considered eating salvia. Sage is, of course, considered a culinary herb, so I suppose I have eaten some over the years. There are over a thousand salvia species and just as many cultivars and hybrids. Just like several plants I have in my yard, salvia is part of the mint family. Most salvia flowers don’t have fragrance, however their foliage does. Salvia is also a pollinator favorite.… Continue Reading
Fursday: Meet Catcher from APS of Durham!
Hiii!! I’m a super happy, wiggly, and energetic girl who loves playing ball and with any other toys you give me! I’m a big sniffer, and full warning, my zoomies are legendary. I’d love to find a home with an active family who will take me on lots of walks and adventures. Come meet me…… Continue Reading
Hometown Hero of the Week: Brad Summerlin, August 6th, 2025
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
Gold Star Teacher of the Month: August 2025 – Ariana Catherine Bond
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
Fursday: Meet Gino from APS of Durham!
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
Lantana: The sun-loving, pollinator-friendly powerhouse
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
Hometown Hero of the Week: Jason Stone, July 30th, 2025
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