Celebrate Black History in North Carolina

February is recognized nationally as Black History Month, and while we have many celebrations across our state this month, we also celebrate black history throughout the year.

The Museum of the Cape Fear in Fayetteville is presenting "Red, White, Blue & Black: The Service of Black Americans during the Civil War," on Feb. 23. This program will focus on black Americans and their contributions to the military during the Civil War. Led by Dr. Charles Anderson of Central Texas College, this event is also free of charge.

Sunday, Feb. 19, the Raleigh’s North Carolina Museum of Art will offer a program that analyzes and discusses the African art world: "Looking at African Art in the 21st Century." The speaker will be Dr. Rebecca Martin Nagy, director of the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida and former curator of African Art at NCMA. Another free event, this program will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Throughout the year, visitors can celebrate Black History and North Carolina’s role in the Civil Rights movement by visiting the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro. A tribute to the four individuals who began the sit-in movement in 1960 in Greensboro, you can explore fourteen signature exhibits and a rotating art exhibit year round. Additionally, many historical sites throughout the state offer tours: Somerset Place in Creswell and Historic Stagville near Durham were both once plantations now open to visitors. We would love for you to share your experiences with us in the comments section below.

Sample Our Wines This Winter

There is no better way to relax this season than over a glass of wine shared with friends. Here in North Carolina, our wine-producing roots run deep, and we have more than 100 wineries across the state for you to enjoy.

In addition to fantastic wine, many wineries are offering special events and festivals this time of year. Check out Jazzy Fridays at Cypress Bend Vineyards, happening twice each month, or if you’re a sports fan, try Weathervane Winery’s annual Super Bowl Party in Lexington. Experience six wineries in one place at the Yadkin Winter Reds Event 2012 happening through February or indulge yourself at the Wilmington Wine & Chocolate Festival. For a more complete listing of upcoming wine events, visit our calendar.

With these events and regular tastings at the wineries, there is plenty to do this winter to stay warm and experience something new. Double check the wineries’ winter hours before heading out, and if you have a favorite wine or story to tell, please share it with us in the comments section below.

Get Outside this Winter

Our mountains are home to slopes and ski resorts to help keep you active this season cure the onset of cabin fever. Take your pick from traditional downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding terrain parks, ice skating, snow tubing, snowshoeing or ziplining over snow-covered peaks. We have it all here.

Beech Mountain Resort’s claim to fame is that at 5,506 feet, it is the highest ski and snowboard destination in the Eastern United States. We aren’t new to the snow sports world: Cataloochee Ski Area is our oldest ski and snowboard resort having opened in 1962, and Appalachian Ski Mountain is celebrating its 50th year this season. If snow tubing is your favorite activity, Hawksnest is home to the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast.

You can check out our park and resort listing and our updates for the 2011-12 season. Many resorts have upgraded their snow guns to keep the slopes ready-covered in snow, added runs for skiing and snowboarding and expanded their terrain. This is the season to make this trip.

Plan your next visit today for anytime through mid-March, and the conditions should be just right for winter fun. Share your adventure with us in the comment section below. We would love to hear your stories!

Vote for Raleigh in Southern Living’s Tastiest Towns Contest

During the month of January, Southern Living is hosting a contest to determine the South’s Tastiest Town. Our very own Raleigh has been chosen to compete against the likes of Birmingham, Louisville, Houston, Decatur, Charleston, Lafayette, New Orleans, Charlottesville and Baltimore.

Needless to say, Raleigh wants your vote, and here is why. Known for its farm to fork mentality, most Raleigh restaurants boast scrumptious dishes made from local ingredients. Two well known local ingredient options include the Southern American cuisine at 18 Seaboard and the tapas restaurant, Humble Pie. If pizza is more your style, try out Lilly’s at Five Points.

Also home to seven breweries, Raleigh has a great beer scene. from the Big Boss Brewing Company to Boylan Bridge Brewpub and the Roth Brewing Company, there is a draught for you.

The voting ends on Jan. 31, and the winner will be announced in the April edition of Southern Living. Click on over to cast your vote once a day for one of our own, and best of luck to Raleigh and its delectable food scene!

Find Last Minute Gifts

With Christmas Day just around the corner, there is undoubtedly some gift shopping that remains to be done. To help you find what you’re looking for, we have an exceptional number of shopping opportunities here in North Carolina – from Southpoint in Durham, Southpark in Charlotte to the recently opened Tanger Outlet Center in Mebane near Burlington and the Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway in Blowing Rock. However, in addition to this impressive list, we have plenty of local artists and artisans who create one-of-a-kind gifts anyone would be delighted to receive.

Spruce Pine is a small town in the northwestern mountains that is known as the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree. The town took this name from the award-winning seasonal classic about the courage and power of family, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree.

Using the same theme, the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree Store opened in November 2005 and has since filled orders from former First Lady Laura Bush and well known retailers such as A Southern Season and Mast General Store.

Last minute orders for gifts ranging from handmade wooden cutting boards to glass blown ornaments can be placed online or via phone, (866) 485-8733. The store is open year round for all of your gift and craft needs.

If you have a favorite local shop or artisan, please tell us about it in the comments section. We would love to hear about it!

Traditional Holiday Recipes to Share

Since it’s the holiday season, we thought we would share a few recipes. These recipes are for two North Carolina traditions: mulled wine and Moravian cookies.

Mulled Wine

What you’ll need:

• 2 bottles dry red wine
• 4 ounces port or brandy
• 12 whole cloves
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 large orange, zested

In about 25 minutes, this will make ten servings. For the full recipe, see here.

Moravian Spice Cookies

What you’ll need:

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon finely ground white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg yolk

After two hours, you’ll have about five dozen cookies to enjoy and share. For the full recipe, see here.

If you aren’t up for making your own, we have you covered.

Established in 1975, Duplin Winery is our oldest winery and the largest winery in the South. It is located in Rose Hill and is a muscadine winery. This time of year the winery offers both a Christmas wine and hot spiced wine. The recipe for the famous Moravian spicy ginger-molasses cookies is more than 200 years old and originates in Winston-Salem. These cookies are available at Old Salem and online.

If you have other holiday traditions or favorite recipes, please share them with us in the comments section. Happy Holidays!