Doren Tripp

Angela and Richard Searcy As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, it feels fitting to turn the binoculars around—to zoom in from the broad story of a nation to the people and places that make up its heart. In North Wilkesboro, few stories embody that spirit more than those found within the walls of Wilkes County Hardware and in the lives of Richard and Angela Searcy. Wilkes County Hardware has been woven into the fabric of this community for generations. The stories held...

After years of dedicated service to the Wilkes County Public Library, Suzanne Manners is preparing to retire, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond bookshelves and buildings. When reflecting on her time in Wilkes County, Suzanne points to Leadership Wilkes through the Wilkes County Chamber of Commerce as one of the experiences that helped shape her understanding of the community she would come to love. Through the program, she was able to see different parts of the county, hear...

Mick Zulpo photographed inside his newest business venture, Wisdom Brewing, in Downtown North Wilkesboro. As we move past the first part of the year, many small businesses begin to feel a familiar strain. The slower pace of early spring, the unpredictability, and the challenge of simply pushing through. It’s a reality that every entrepreneur faces at some point, and it’s exactly why we wanted to hear from Mick Zulpo. Mick Zulpo is the owner, alongside his wife Aynsley Zulpo, of The Block,...