Trailblazing Gaston County

The Guardian of Lost Hollow

Host John Searby interviews Charlotte artist and illustrator Brett Blumenthal about collaborating on “The Guardian of Lost Hollow,” a children’s book inspired by the Adventure Trail’s secret-room dragon at Daniel Stowe Conservancy. The book launches Memorial Day weekend at the garden's Butterfly Festival, with preorders and related merchandise online.

Grape Varieties and Wine Making

Hosts Jason Bonham and Dylan Wrubel welcome horticulture team members Lindsey Bargar and Allyssa Boerngen to discuss grapes and wine. They cover viticulture basics, China’s grape production, wine vs table grapes, fermentation and barrel effects, wine tasting techniques, and grape domestication.

Allergy Tips for Outdoor Lovers

Host John Searby welcomes Dr. Roopen Patel of Carolina Asthma and Allergy Center to discuss enjoying Daniel Stowe Conservancy despite spring allergies. Dr. Patel explains common Charlotte pollens, avoidance steps, OTC medicines, and when to seek professional testing.

Trailblazing Gaston County

Host John Searby interviews Ashton Lamb of the Carolina Thread Trail about the 1,600‑mile regional trail plan and how it’s built through partnerships, grants, and technical support. They highlight trail benefits, including transportation, health, and economic returns. The focus is Gaston County’s Matthews Belk South Fork River Corridor: a 23‑mile segment toward a 60‑mile route from Lake Wylie to Hickory, with paddling access, towns, and parks. They review progress, gaps, Spencer Mountain, connections through McAdenville and Cramerton, and the Daniel Stowe Conservancy connector, plus ways to support, visit, donate, and celebrate National Trails Day.

Milkweed, Monarchs, and More

Hosts Jason Bonham and Dylan Wrubel are joined by Janet Manuel and Cassy Hallman from Daniel Stowe Conservancy to discuss Trailhead’s tastings and then spotlight milkweed (Asclepias): its latex, toxins, specialized pollination, flowers, and silky seed pods, plus historical uses like WWII life-jacket stuffing. They explain milkweed’s role as a keystone host plant for monarchs and highlight Carolina-native species and conservation through Stowe’s new regional seed bank and nursery. They warn against tropical milkweed because it spreads OE parasite and disrupts monarch migration.