Cicadas emit one of the most distinct sounds of the animal kingdomof the insect group, anyway. Thesong of the cicadais a reverberating noise that’s hard to describe and even harder to re-create. Cicada calls are hard to miss. Credit: Aluma Images/Getty Images It’s just not summer without the hum of cicadas in the background on Southern evenings. There’s a lot to learn about these small but mighty noisemakers. What Are Cicadas?...

Its a promise Melvin has kept for the nearly four years since his brothers death. I usually get down to Myrtle Beach every year to play in Hootie and the Blowfishs charity golf event. Its called Monday after the Masters. Credit:NBC / Contributor/Getty Images So thats what we did. Its great that we can throw a party and play some golf and raise some money, Melvin said. He continued, But its also about keeping the conversation going....

Is it pee-can, puh-kahn, or something else entirely? Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Hold on to your hats, folks. This is one divisive pronunciation. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox How do you saypecan? It’s an eternal question, much like “Do you putsugar in your cornbread?” or “Where is over yonder?” Credit:Getty Images Pecans aren’t just part of our favorite pies. They’re part of the Southern landscape and the fabric of Southern agriculture....

They grow in abundant batches, but like their space! Getty Images Every gardener has likely had a fail of some sort whengrowing tomatoes. These abundant growingvegetables (or fruit? Credit:Getty Images But, if you properly plant your tomatoes far enough apart, you should be good to go! Here’s your complete guide fortomato plant spacingyou can enjoy a bountiful harvest without the headache. What’s the difference? Well, determinate tomatoes reach a mature size and stop growing/producing their fruit....

Were WNC Mountain strong, she says of the group and its attitude and outlook after Helene. We push on and do what we have to do. We find a way. Credit:North Carolina Christmas Tree Association / Matt Powell Productions Its ingrained in our heritage. Jennifer Greene Were WNC Mountain strong. We push on and do what we have to do. We find a way. Its ingrained in our heritage. They have good branch structure with pliable yet strong branches that can support the weight of heavy ornaments....

Meet the woman on a mission to change America’s mind about room-temperature butter. After all, it’s a dairy product and the label says, “Keep refrigerated.” Plus, it’s refrigerated in cases in the store. Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Here’s what she found. Where Do People Store Butter? Mertzel’s room-temperature finding piqued her interest. When she found out a close friendkept hers on the counter(because her mother did, of course!...

You’ve got a short window to soften your cream cheese safely. Cream cheese is a delicious addition to recipeswho doesnt love afudgy brownieor a savorysausage ballmade better with cream cheese? But when it comes to kitchen safety, its important to know the limits on cream cheese temperature. 8 Ounce Block of Cream Cheese.Credit:Diana Rattray Just how long can cream cheese sit out? Chelsea Edwardsis a registered dietician and the owner ofHuntsville Nutrition Collectivein Huntsville, Alabama....

Or do they belong in the fridge? This raises the question: Is it unsafe to let eggs sit out at room temperature? Or is the American tendency torefrigerate eggsjust a force of habit? Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox What about eggs purchased straight from the farm instead of from a store? Meet The Experts Should Eggs Be Refrigerated? Yes, store-bought eggs should be refrigerated. Why Should Store-Bought Eggs Be Refrigerated?...

Not as long as you think. Either way, the dilemma becomes how to store them. You don’t want thechocolateto melt, but you also don’t want it to sweat in the fridge. Credit: Micah A. Leal How Long Do Chocolate-Covered Strawberries Last? In short, not very long. Chocolate-covered strawberries are best enjoyed the day they are made or received. Credit: Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn Stored at room temperature, they’ll only last about one day....

Prevent sad, soggy cucumbers with these best ways to store cucumbers. Like fresh tomatoes and corn, cucumbers are synonymous with summer in the South. For this reason, it’s easy to buy them in bulk. Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox So how long do cucumbers last in the fridge, and what’s the best way to store them? Kelly Smith Trimbleis aneditor, writer, and gardenerliving in Knoxville, Tennessee. What Are Cucumbers?...

They’ll last longer than store-bought eggs. Chelsea Edwardsis a registered dietitian and the owner ofHuntsville Nutrition Collectivein Huntsville, Alabama. Do Farm-Fresh Eggs Need To Be Refrigerated? Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Coxe How Long Do Farm-Fresh Eggs Last In The Refrigerator? In the refrigerator, they’ll last longer than store-bought eggs. Farm-fresh eggs last in the refrigerator for three months. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox If washed, fresh eggs should be refrigerated for up to two months....

If you properly store your onions, their shelf life is quite impressive. Fewer trips to the store and potential savings at checkout? It’s a no-brainer. Credit: Getty Images But how long do onions last in ideal conditions? And is buying in bulk a good idea if you’re not cooking with onions several times a week? How Long Do Onions Last? Credit:Caitlin Bensel There isn’t a quick answer to “How long do onions last?...

Hint: It might not be as long as you think. Enjoying aglass of winewith company, but the bottle isn’t empty at the end of the night? Unfortunately, once youuncork the bottle, most wines will only last a few days. Credit:Caitlin Bensel My rule of thumb for still wines is no more than 48 hours, he says. For sparkling wine, I think no more than 24 hours with a champagne style stopper, says Chabot....