September brings those last sweet days of summer and the beginnings of autumn with the first hints of color in fall leaves and a respite from the heat.

This month we take a fast road trip north to Mount Airy aka Mayberry in Surry County, but not too fast, as we meet the Mayberry Deputy, actor David Browning, who is always quick to write a citation. We will also tour Mount Airy, home to the Andy Griffith Museum and Mayberry Days, an annual festival held Sept. 22-25 this year that celebrates the nostalgia of “The Andy Griffith Show.” Photographer Mollie Tobias even took a brief break from behind the camera to pose with me by one of the classic Ford Galaxy squad cars that give tours of the town. I hope you will enjoy the trip as much as we did and all the Southern hospitality Mount Airy has to offer.

Our next stop on our wine tour takes us to Maxton and Robeson County to Locklear Vineyard and Winery, the first wholly owned Native American winery, where heritage is as fruitful as the harvest.

Two other North Carolina gems well worth a visit we take you to this month are the John Blue House in Laurinburg and Duke Gardens. The intricate beauties of each exemplify all our great state has to offer. However, if the travels are too much, perhaps a trip to the library is in order where the world is at your fingertips. Given Memorial Library, in the heart of the Village of Pinehurst, is rich with history and the ultimate in sharing of resources.

Friendship epitomizes sharing at its best, and we will introduce you to  ladies who have made a lifetime of supporting and caring, because, after all, that is what friends are for. Finding support in this economy of downsizing is also a heavy task, so we will meet a few who are in the midst of new career paths after layoffs.

Farming has always been a job for a dedicated few, and we spend some time with one of these unsung heroes on his chicken farm in Vass.

We also take a look at some of the misconceptions of the aging process and some important updates on Medicare and the SHIIP program.

And last but not least, the 2nd Annual Moore County Caregiver Awards are still taking nominations until Sept. 9. I encourage all to nominate those caregivers, paid or volunteer, who make a difference in the lives of others. Nomination forms are available at www.OutreachNC.com.

And after much suggestion, I have added a weekly Editor’s Notebook to our web site, where you might get an sneak peek at upcoming stories. Until next month…

—Carrie Frye