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 had a great life before Saving Grace but she sure is whooping it up now! Giggles came to us with some clear trauma to her back end which makes her run more like a hop of sorts, but does not slow her down a bit. She is the life of every doggo party, has a ton of friends and is the most abled dog around. Giggles may have a unique stride, but she is all about living life to her fullest and she would fit into most any home as long as they’re up for fun, games and love. Start chuckling now…because you’re winning to lottery with this one!
*Weekend Host feedback: “Giggles enjoyed playing with my 2 50lb dogs and did well walking in a pack. She rides well in the car. She does OK in the crate but preferred to be with us. She likes Kongs and tough chew bones and is figuring out basic commands”.
Black-Eyed Susan: A Cheerful Bloom From North Carolina to Norway
MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener
Melissa and I just returned from a trip to Norway where we traveled as far north as Myrdal, which is 3,000 feet above sea level and about 350 miles south of the Arctic Circle. It was like a North Carolina winter with leaves on all the trees and some snow on the higher peaks. You wouldn’t think that central and eastern North Carolina would share some of the same plants, but we certainly do. Consider Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). While Black-eyed Susan is native to the Tarheel State, it is definitely not native to Norway. Introduced long ago to many European countries including Norway, we saw Black-eyed Susan growing in most of the areas we visited. We have been growing this adaptable flower for decades in our landscape. Many Norwegians obviously have too.
I have read that Blackeyed Susan got its name from a popular ballad written in the 1700’s that originated in England called “Sweet William’s Farewell to Black-eyed Susan” and composed by a man named John Gay. The information comes, of all places, from a website called “poison.org”! The song tells the story of a woman named Susan who had dark eyes and boarded a ship to say goodbye to her sailor lover Sweet William. The dark center of the blossom is often thought to resemble an eye. Ironically, the Blackeyed Susan was named for a Swedish family- Rudbeck.
Black-eyed Susan is an annual or biennial or perennial in North Carolina that normally blooms from June through September in our landscape. It sometimes depends on how many hungry rabbits attack our crop. Part of the aster family, it is of course kin to the sunflower. Prefers sun but can deal with part shade conditions and seems to like moist, yet well-drained soil. Fortunately for us, it will grow in clay or sand. You know how it goes around here with our soil and drought conditions. Black-eyed Susan will tolerate drought conditions. Now, they do look better with some regular watering; but, most plants and people do too. Another positive when considering the Black-eyed Susan is that it doesn’t really have any insect pests or disease problems according to the folks at the extension service. You’ll be happy to know Rudbeckia self-seeds and will spread by underground rhizomes that are left indentured by the bunnies. You can plant Rudbeckia in spring and fall.
There are a few varieties of Black-Eyed Susan from which to choose: Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan), R. fulgida (Orange Coneflower), R tripods (Brown-eyed Susan) and R. maxima (giant Coneflower). I saw some of those at the ever eclectic Cary Downtown Park. NC State University recognizes many cultivars including: “Tiger Eye Gold”, “Sonora”, “Indian Summer”, “Autumn Colors” and “Cherry Brandy” among others. Most cultivars usually range in size from 3 to 4 feet tall. There are some dwarf varieties that only reach about a foot which is good for gardeners with limited space.
If you want a flower for your pollinator garden, then Rudbeckia will do the trick. You will find that bees and butterflies will come to your garden in droves. In the fall you are likely to find a finch or two hanging on to a spent bloom looking for seeds.
As I have said many times, I don’t use a lot of store-bought fertilizer unless it is a sponsor’s product of course. Luckily, Black-eyed Susan doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer during the season.
Many plants respond to deadheading and Rudbeckia is no different. Keep an eye on your plants and you will find they respond to this process that will encourage more blooms.
An interesting fact is that Native Americans found medicinal uses for the black-eyed susan. By the way, it is also the official flower of Appalachian State University.
I think it is probably unanimous, “Weekend Gardener” listeners give a big ole wink to Black-eyed Susan and I do too!
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 of 3 and is an avid hunter. Steven loves to take our youth hunting and get them involved with the outdoors. Steven coaches travel 10u girls’ softball. Steven has been coaching girls’ softball for 8 years. Steven serves on the Western Harnett Recreation Department’s athletic board. Steven is a member of Broadway United Methodist Church. Steven always goes above and beyond whether it be with his family, his community or his church family.
Thank you, Steven for your service! As a token of our appreciation, we’re sending you a $50 gift card to Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q to thank you for all you do.
Want to nominate a Hometown Hero?
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 the ball pretty well. Adopt me today before someone else scoops me up!
Kids: 6+, Worried by novel objects
Dogs: Friendly sniffing, ok with smaller dogs
Jesse’s online profile: https://www.apsofdurham.org/dogs/jesse-3/
Photo credits go to Ashley Sherrow of Assorted Poppies Photo and our wonderful volunteers
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 loves to be one! It doesn’t matter if there is a hurricane, tornado, or snow on the ground. She always shows up for her patients no matter what. She has worked through it all whether it be short staffed, filling in for someone on her day off, Covid regulations, etc. She always makes sure her patients know how important they are to her. She’s gives them presents on special occasions and celebrates them. She makes their home a fun place to be. She has even given gifts to a co-worker that she knew was having a bad day before. That is just the woman she is. She is kindhearted and so giving. She is the true definition of what a nurse should be. She always gives back to her community too. She has fed the hungry and clothed the homeless. When she isn’t working, she is a dedicated mother and grandmother. It doesn’t matter how tired she is after work. She still shows up for her grandkid’s games, recitals, and plays. If any of us ever need her for anything she is always there with a smile on her face. We love her so much so thank you QDR for celebrating her!”
Thank you, Julie for your service! As a token of our appreciation, we’re sending you a $50 gift card to Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q to thank you for all you do.
Want to nominate a Hometown Hero?
Christmas in July at Waverly Place
Christmas comes early at QDR with Christmas in July on Saturday, July 19th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Waverly Place in Cary. Bring the kids to see Tropical Santa, live music from the Island Time Band, a snow machine, and spin the QDR prize wheel. You can unwrap a gift like chrome books, smart speakers, gift cards from Farmside Kitchen, Hand and Stone, Two Roosters, Color Me Mine, Mod Pizza, or VIP tickets to meet Brothers Osborne at our Acoustic Christmas for the Kids on Wednesday, December 10th at The Clayton Center. You can also get a jump start on your Christmas shopping with a pop-up market, featuring local artisans, crafters, and makers, offering everything from handmade jewelry, unique home goods, art, clothing, and more!
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 the time. Mrs. Brush was recommended, and the principal obliged. She has been a game changer for my son. Week to week, I notice improvement, and when he struggles, she gives me specific instructions and ideas on how to help him practice. She offered tutoring on her own time, an hour before the school day starts, which is just one example of her going above and beyond to help her students succeed!”
Elizabeth received a commemorative plaque from Creative Images in Cary, $100 from Crabtree to shop at Auntie Anne’s, and an additional $100 to shop anywhere at Crabtree, a community staple for more than 50 years!
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 and curious- a great guy to bring on a nature walk with the fam. I’m all about having fun with my people, exploring, snuggling, and prancing through life. Visit me today!
Kids: 6+, can be jumpy
Dogs: Nervous and vocal on leash, some sniffing, quick to bound away.
Kentucky’s Online Profile: https://www.apsofdurham.org/dogs/kentucky/
Photo credits go to Assorted Poppies Photos and our wonderful volunteers.
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 have all proven to be great humans! (One also is in law enforcement.) He is a hands-on and involved Papa to our three grandchildren as well. He is deserving of this recognition and in knowing that he is loved and appreciated by his wife and family.”
Thank you, Joel for your service! As a token of our appreciation, we’re sending you a $50 gift card to Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q to thank you for all you do.
Want to nominate a Hometown Hero?
Serviceberry: A little-known native tree that birds (and gardeners) love
By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener
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 Anne Clapp about this interesting tree.
The Serviceberry in North Carolina prefers full sun to partial shade to deal with our growing conditions. We have acid soil in North Carolina so this tree is happy here. The Serviceberry is fairly drought tolerant. You are wise, however, to water well during the first year until the root system matures.
The standard Serviceberry will grow to a height of 15 to 25 feet tall.
When planting your serviceberry in the spring or fall, be sure to dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough for the top of the root ball to just peek over the top of the ground surface. You may choose to place something like Permatill or other type of aggregate material at the bottom of the hole, add some water and fill in dirt, compost, or organic matter of some kind. Add two to three inches of hardwood mulch. Keep in mind the evaporation rates are much higher in the spring.
Fertilize your serviceberry lightly with a slow-release fertilizer. The extension service often recommends something in the realm of a 12-6-6. Root protection can be achieved with the use of hardwood mulch or pine straw. This will also provide nutrients.
All birders will like the Serviceberry since it produces berries that birds love and can be used by humans in the form of jelly. I must say I have never eaten a serviceberry or jelly made from the berries. The white flowers will service all kinds of pollinators well.
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has a recipe to share:
- 3.5 cups of serviceberry juice.
- 2 tbsp lemon juice.
- 6 tbsp pectin (Ball RealFruit Classic Pectin is a suggested brand).
- 5 cups granulated sugar
Prepare the serviceberry juice: You can extract juice by crushing the berries, adding a cup of water, bringing it to a boil, simmering for 10 minutes, and straining through a jelly bag or several layers of cheesecloth.
Combine and dissolve: Pour the serviceberry juice and lemon juice into a large stainless steel pan. Add the pectin and stir until dissolved.
Boil and add sugar: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the sugar and return to a rolling boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute until the sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat and skim: Remove the pan from the heat and skim off any foam from the top.
Fill jars and process: Pour the hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving ¼ inch of headspace. Heat-process the jars in a boiling water bath canner for 15 minutes.
There are a few varieties and cultivars that will work well in North Carolina. “Allegheny Serviceberry” is a native species found in western North Carolina. The Downy Serviceberry is also native and the folks at NC State say that you normally find the “Amelanchier aborea” in woodland areas of the states. “Robin Hill” has pink buds that eventually fade. “Autumn Brilliance” is known for its really good fall color. “Princess Diana” is also a popular variety and is much like “Autumn Brilliance.” “Cumulus” is an upright variety. “Dwarf Serviceberry” is smaller than the standard varieties and will save you some space.
The scientists at NC State University say Serviceberry insect pests include leafminers, spider mites, aphids, peach borer and scale. Diseases can include powdery mildew, cedar apple rust, fire blight and a few others. I’m not sure if I have enticed you to search for serviceberry. But it is after all a native tree with an interesting history which saw European settlers waiting for the blooms to appear as a sign of thawing ground and a time for burial services. I rarely see them in local nurseries, so you will have to ask if they can order one.