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In cities and towns grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, first responders have had the hard task of prioritizing emergency calls. But, thanks to a group of benevolent South Georgia veterans, first responders in and around the city of Columbus have been able to focus on the most urgent cases. The Community Warriors, a group of veterans who volunteer throughout the community, are giving back to first responders by helping to answer some of the less dire calls....

This neighborhood got a shock when Jimmy Buffett turned up on a few doorsteps to say hi. The undisputed king of Margaritaville has purchased a home in the first of several planned “55 and better” communities, Latitude Margaritaville Daytona. Promoting a fun, active lifestyle for Boomers who want to “grow older, not up,” Latitude Margaritaville represents the collaboration between Margaritaville Holdings and developer Minto Communities. The Daytona property is located off I-95, across from two Rees Jones-Arthur Hills golf courses at LPGA International and is also convenient to Daytona Beach International Airport, Daytona International Speedway, and abundant restaurants and entertainment....

Since the pandemic forced us to spend more time at home, many of us have started rethinking how our living spaces function. Before, with never-ending busy schedules, we probably treated our homes more as storage units or places to sleep after a long day. Now, home has taken on a whole new meaning, and we’re looking to our living spaces as cozy spots to relax and retreat. Enter the old-fashioned but oh-so-comfortable chaise....

Has there ever—in the history of blooms, berries, and botany as a whole—been a more autumnal planting than pyracantha? This shrub is a gorgeous evergreen plant with deep orange berries that always remind us of fall. Never heard of pyracantha? How about its common name, firethorn? It’s a name the shrub comes by honestly, as it produces fiery-hued berries and thin thorns as sharp as needles. About Pyracantha The shrub flowers in late spring and summer, and the clusters of berries follow....

Although we sadly learned that this is the last season of ‘Fixer Upper’, season five continues to be the perfect finale for the couple who have stolen our hearts (and given us an undeniable love for shiplap). On the latest episode, Chip and Joanna Gaines used their charming skills to renovate a home for a mom who relocated to Waco to be closer to her sons. While Chip and Jo were giving their client Patti Baker a tour of her beautifully renovated cottage, I couldn’t help but notice another small detail: Joanna’s shoes....

Growing up, we’re taught about the Golden Rule, waiting your turn, and other important etiquette guidelines. As we age, it’s useful to have a refresher on some of these key common courtesy rules and to remind ourselves why everyday courtesies are so important in our daily lives. “The goal is to be kind, gracious, effective communicators,” explains Avery Johnson, founder of The Southern Academy of Etiquette. “Common courtesy is a powerful start to building better relationships, effective communication, and simply spreading kindness....

‘Tis the season of weekend trips, and we want to make a good impression on our hosts. We know to offer to cook, to send a thank you note, and to never arrive empty handed, but what about the lesser-known rules of house guest etiquette? Always prepare ahead of time to avoid any awkward dilemmas. If you act from a place of thoughtfulness and consideration for your kind hosts, the rest will follow....

When it comes to windowsill herb gardens, we love the classics. Peppermint, rosemary, and basil always make an appearance, but we’re also constantly on the lookout for novel herbs to add a bit of pizzazz to our mini gardens. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites here. Above all, these herbs are beautifully fragrant and have vibrant foliage—always a winning combination, and one you’ll be happy to see greeting you in your window every morning....

The holiday season might look a little bit different at Biltmore this year, but the coronavirus pandemic isn’t stopping the Asheville landmark from celebrating its 125th Christmas in style. Though Christmas at Biltmore officially kicks off with a virtual tree raising on November 4, this year, America’s largest home is helping proactive elves get a jump-start on their shopping with an all-new Christmas pop-up shop. The Christmas at Biltmore Pop-Up Shop is the first of its kind at Biltmore....

Experts at Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina need help identifying “weird things” that washed up on the beach recently, leaving them “stumped.” “Okay everybody, we need some help identifying these objects. Our turtle patrol found them on the ocean-side beach recently adjacent to a log covered in goose-neck barnacles. So far, we’re stumped as to what they might be,” the national park wrote on Facebook alongside two photos of the mystery creatures....

According to Feeding America, hunger impacts 42 million people in the U.S., including the 13 million children who may experience food insecurity in 2021. But, luckily for us, the kind-hearted folks who operate Chick-fil-A restaurants have stepped up to help feed those in need. That’s right, the folks who quench our cravings for a Spicy Deluxe sandwich or the most snackable chicken nuggets, are also leading the way to help address hunger in America....

Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of vegetables, there’s just something about a green bean casserole that’s impossible to resist. Its ooey-gooey goodness of a creamy sauce enveloping tender green beans paired with a crunchy and flavorful topping is the pinnacle of many holiday dinners—although there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t indulge on this any ol’ Tuesday night, too. In order to ensure you’re meeting everyone’s expectations of a scrumptious side dish, double check that you aren’t inadvertently making any of these most common green bean casserole mistakes before your next gathering....

It’s a rule here in the South. Following a heavy rain on Sunday, on Monday your yard becomes a death zone dotted with little, red-clay volcanoes—fire-ant mounds teeming with satanic assassins just itching to sting you and any other animal they can find. I truly believe this is why Karen Carpenter sang, “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.” Unchecked, Fire Ants Can Wreak Havoc on All of Us The pustule-causing stings are more than an annoyance....

I remember when one of my “fence neighbors” asked for some gardening advice. “We just took out a tree in the front yard,” she said. “What would be a good replacement that wouldn’t get too big?” The answer, I thought, was a slam-dunk. “I’d plant a crepe myrtle,” I earnestly responded. “A crepe myrtle?” she replied incredulously. “Why would I want to plant such a messy tree? I hate crepe myrtles!...

While few can argue the appeal of Joanna Gaines’s all-neutral farmhouse style, there’s nothing quite like the nostalgic comfort of Nana’s floral couch. Thanks to grandmillennials, a term used for mid-20 to late-30 somethings with an affinity for antiques combined with a desire for self-expression, chintz-like floral patterns are back and dare we say, better than ever? These printed pieces are made contemporary with fresh color palettes, overscaled patterns, and clean-lined shapes....

Recipes: Cranberry-Nectarine Salad Honey Cinnamon Vinaigrette Ham-and-Field Pea Salad Sugar Snap Snow Pea Salad Broccoli Salad With Lemon Pepper-Blue Cheese Dressing Tasting Notes Pennies a serving, toasted ramen noodles add a nutty crunch to salads and slaws.When fresh field peas are unavailable, frozen peas are our first choice for salads. Their texture is firmer and less starchy than canned, which are usually reconstituted from dried peas.After testing several similar recipes for broccoli salad, we noticed a big difference in flavor when the florets were cut into smaller pieces, which allows the dressing to evenly coat the ingredients rather than pool at the bottom of the bowl....

For those who celebrate, Christmas is hoped to be a time of joy and spending memorable moments with friends and family. Often, those memories are made while doing festive holiday activities together, such as decorating the Christmas tree or baking a new holiday treat. While Christmas cookies are the favorite December project for many, there’s another baking tradition that some families like to incorporate into their holiday plans, and it’s perhaps the most celebratory dessert there is: birthday cake....

Here’s the funny thing about cleaning your showerhead. You know you should clean it. You know you should clean it regularly. You know it can be a hotbed for muck and grime and mineral deposits that clog the jets and reduce its spraying power. You are very much aware of these simple facts of life. And yet, just like putting off cleaning your oven again and again and again, you somehow manage to avoid doing so until it’s so gross there’s no alternative but to knock it off your to-do list....

While the idea of decorating your Christmas tree may bring feelings of merriment and excitement, the actual task can be pretty daunting and can feel a bit overwhelming. From picking your Christmas tree, whether it be real or artificial, flocked or not flocked, all the way to topping the tree with your favorite adornment, every step of the process is equally important. To make this process a little less daunting and a little more dashing, we have put together a complete step-by-step guide on how to decorate your Christmas tree....

Joanna Teplin and Clea Shearer have been busy. In addition to working on the second season of their hit Netflix show, the organization gurus behind The Home Edit launched an exclusive collection with Walmart in January. Just yesterday, Teplin and Shearer sold their brand to Reese Witherspoon’s media company Hello Sunshine, while today saw the release of their very own special edition magazine, The Home Edit: Feel-Good Organizing (published by Dotdash Meredith, Southern Living’s parent company)....