Fursday: Meet Giggles from Saving Grace!
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: A Cheerful Bloom From North Carolina to Norway
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
Hometown Hero of the Week: Steven Spivey, July 16th, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the Week is Steven Spivey, Master Trooper with Highway Patrol for over 21 years. Steven has been a master trooper with the North Carolina highway patrol for 21 years. He currently serves on the MIXSAP unit which is highly trained to investigate wrecks involving big trucks on our highways. Steven is a father…… Continue Reading
Fursday: Meet Jesse from APS of Durham!
Hello! My name’s Jesse and I’m just a kid! I’m young, that is! I’m a friendly, playful, enthusiastic, and active guy who loves to keep busy! I love toys and playtime, gentle affection, and of course people! I’m an active guy and would love lots of exercise–especially chasing a ball! I can even bring back…… Continue Reading
Hometown Hero of the Week: Julie Smith, July 9th, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the Week is Julie Smith, serving the community as an RN for over 40 years in Mount Olive! Julie was nominated by her daughter Brittany, who says, “My mom has been a dedicated RN of a nursing home for many years. She is not only a dedicated nurse, but she…… Continue Reading
Gold Star Teacher of the Month: July 2025 – Elizabeth Brush
Our QDR Gold Star Teacher of the Month for July is Elizabeth Brush, 1st grade teacher at Lafayette Year Round Elementary. Elizabeth was nominated by Shannon Grice, who says, “When my son finished kindergarten, I requested a 1st grade teacher that could help him achieve his reading goals, as he was not completely on grade-level at…… Continue Reading
Fursday: Meet Kentucky from APS of Durham!
Ball! Ball! Ball is life! I’m a super fun, playful, active young guy who is all about the chase! I loooove me a tennis ball; I’ll prance around to show it off and wriggle around on my back with joy. I won’t say no to a soft toy to take to bed, either. I’m sweet…… Continue Reading
Hometown Hero of the Week: Joel Wharton, July 2nd, 2025
Our QDR Hometown Hero of the Week is Joel Wharton, Lieutenant for the Smithfield Fire Department. Joel was nominated by Caren, who says, “He truly puts his everything in to the department and community. He is kind, hardworking, and always goes above and beyond. Along with that, he helped me raise four boys, now men who…… Continue Reading
Serviceberry: A little-known native tree that birds (and gardeners) love
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Many years ago, my family and I were visiting relatives in Ohio in early April. On the way back home it snowed, although it did not stick to the roads. It stopped snowing as we were coming down Fancy Gap mountain on the Virginia-North Carolina border, just north of Mount Airy. I have vivid memories of a tree with white blooms that caught my eye. It was a Serviceberry (Amelanchier) which is in the rose family. It is also called Shadbush, Shadblow, Juneberry, and Sugarplum. Native to all three regions of North Carolina and I had never seen one, so I read up on it and asked my “WPTF Weekend Gardener” co-host Anne Clapp about this interesting tree.… Continue Reading
Fursday: Meet Mitzi from Second Chance!
Meet Mitzi, a loving and lively one-year-old female tuxedo cat with a flair for affection and a whole lot of personality! This sweet, talkative girl lives for pets — she’s always on the move, nudging her head or butt toward your hand to make sure she gets all the love she can. A true lap…… Continue Reading