Over the last century, more than 100,000 miles of railway tracks have closed. Many of these forgotten rail lines are enjoying a new life as rail trails. Old rail lines are ideal for recreational trails. These already-cleared paths are wide, flat and continuous for miles — running through cities, historic districts and rural areas. The trails are perfect for biking, hiking, walking, running or horseback riding, and — when paved — are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. These trails are great f

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage on earth after water. Tea drinking is a ritual steeped in the history, culture, and religions of those those who produce and revere it. Tea is also a sensual delight and has been used to ward off the chills, fatigue, and other common ills of everyday life since it was first brewed in China over 4,700 years ago.

My sons ages 7, 4, and almost 2, derive great satisfaction from chucking rocks into water. On a recent visit to the Ararat River Greenway in Mount Airy, they and their father skipped, plopped and kerplunked many a smooth stone from the rocky banks into the river. They also enjoyed everything else the greenway offered. The Ararat River runs along the eastern boundary of Mount Airy, flows past Pilot Mountain and empties into the Yadkin River. Until recently, erosion from the Ararat sent 15 millio

The local apple harvest heralds the coming of fall, and many orchards allow you to experience the harvest firsthand by picking your own. You'll also find local farmers markets are overflowing this time of year.  But before heading to the orchard, get the kids ready for apple fun with these great books. They'll also love helping make these delicious apple treats after the harvest. "Apples" (By Gail Gibbons, Ages 5+) Gibbons' straightforward descriptions introduce young children to the history,

We all want to be good stewards of the Earth, and with landfills across the country overflowing, reducing the amount of trash we make has never been more important. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food scraps and yard waste make up 20 percent to 30 percent of what we throw away. Composting is a fun and easy way turn this type of trash into something useful for our gardens and landscape beds. And through composting, children get a hands-on experience in recycling from start to f

Our most powerful teaching moments as parents come from what our children see us do and what we do as families. Volunteering with children teaches empathy, gratitude and action orientation and allows busy parents to be involved in their communities while spending time with their children. But finding a place to volunteer with children can be challenging. Here's a directory of local resources and organizations to help your search for volunteer opportunities with kids. Volunteer Match N

Anna pushed herself back beside the grandfather clock in the front hallway until she felt the coolness of the stone wall against her back. Two of the older servant boys ran past her, carrying large planks they had harvested from the floor of an upstairs bedroom. They headed toward the front door, closely followed by Mayta, the head servant who was shouting directions. “Make way child. Out of the way,” Mayta yelled to Anna. ”You’re about to be run down by all these preparations. Go on into the k

Going away to summer camp for the first time is a rite of passage for your child and you. Getting ready for this adventure together means having real conversations about what to expect. Start the camp conversation with your child before choosing a camp. Talk to him about what type of camp experience he wants and is ready for. Katie Johnson, executive director for the Southeast field office of the American Camp Association, suggests asking children what camp activities they most look forward to,

My youngest son wants to be Superman; truly, madly, deeply wants to be Superman. As the youngest of three boys this desire is purely adaptive. And as my third son, he gets free reign and much encouragement to play-act these superhero fantasies. Want to use your heat vision to sear your brothers’ lego-hoarding hands? OK. I get it. Want to use your super strength to smash Mongul (a.k.a., the broccoli on your plate) to bits. Fine. Want to use your super breath to blow away the car that just cut mo

"Why on earth would you put your brother's dirty shoe in your mouth?" I asked my 4-year-old son. "I want to feel it with the inside of my mouth," he explained. My son is a sensation seeker. He loves tight bear hugs, anything wet and messy, Texas Pete on his eggs, and the louder the music, the better. Most of the time, he is a delight. These sensory preferences become a problem, however, when he hugs his friends at school too tight or refuses to put his clothing on in the morning, because he wo

The Triad area offers families all they need for a happy and healthy life day to day, but when your family needs something out of the ordinary routine, try one of these unique destinations.

Going away to summer camp for the first time is a rite of passage for your child and for you. Getting ready for this adventure together means having real conversations about what to expect. Start the camp conversation with your child before choosing a camp. Talk to your child about what type of camp experience he or she wants and is ready for. Katie Johnson, executive director for the Southeast Field Office of the American Camp Association, suggests asking children what camp activities they mo

Pumpkins are an iconic symbol of Halloween and often play the starring role in fall-themed books for children. A member of the winter squash family, pumpkins have a natural sweetness that children love. What better way for parents and children to celebrate the season than by sharing books that feature pumpkins? Among the bounty of pumpkin books available, these three seasonal favorites are a likely hit with children from preschool to elementary. Each book celebrates a culinary use of pumpkins a

When choosing a preschool, most parents consider factors such as location, cost and schedule. Though these logistical factors are important, a school’s educational approach more directly affects the day-to-day experience of children at the school. The school’s philosophy determines what learning goals are emphasized, the way teachers interact with children, and what materials and toys are used in the classroom. Preschools may use one or a combination of the following major approaches to ear

The West End was designed by Jacob Lott Ludlow in 1890 as a resort and residential community. Ludlow emulated Frederick Law Olmstead’s philosophy of letting naturally occurring features guide landscape design. The resulting curvilinear streets, terraced lawns, and park areas distinguish the neighborhood to this day. The houses on the tour date from 1904 to 1928 and include Colonial Revival, Neoclassical Revival, and Craftsman styles which represent three of the four major architectural styles in the West End. The only style not represented on the tour this year is the Queen Anne Victorian popular in the late 1800s when the West End began. Many of these houses still stand throughout the neighborhood.

Going away to summer camp for the first time is a rite of passage for your child and for you. Getting ready for this adventure together means having real conversations about what to expect. 1. Camp Choices Start the camp conversation with your child before choosing a camp. Talk to your child about what type of camp experience he or she wants and is ready for. Katie Johnson, executive director for the Southeast Field Office of the American Camp Association, suggests asking children what

Ashe County Cheese Company in West Jefferson makes a lot of cheese, 30,000 to 35,000 pounds a week. And its products can be found all around the southeast and as far west as Texas. Of the 40 cheese makers in North Carolina, Ashe County Cheese is the state’s largest by far and one of the few who make cheese from cow’s milk, according to the state department of agriculture. Most of the others are farmsteads that use their own goats’ milk.