Health & Fitness
Wed, November 12, 2025
Tue, November 11, 2025
A Pie Fit for a Holiday Feast: A Deep-Dive into One of the Post & Courier's Most Heartwarming Food Stories
//health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. st-courier-s-most-heartwarming-food-stories.html
Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 16:04 GMT by Post and Courier- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
A Pie Fit for a Holiday Feast: A Deep‑Dive into One of the Post & Courier’s Most Heartwarming Food Stories
The Post & Courier’s feature “A Pie Fit for a Holiday Feast,” published on December 1, 2024, turns a simple recipe into a celebration of community, tradition, and the art of pie‑making. The piece opens with a crisp, nostalgic snapshot of a bustling kitchen in the heart of Wilmington’s historic Kingstree neighborhood. A wide‑eyed little girl, cheeks dusted with flour, watches as her mother, seasoned baker Marla “Marm” Henderson, slides a golden, steaming pie into the oven. The moment is framed not just as a kitchen anecdote but as a microcosm of the town’s holiday spirit.
1. The Pie That’s Stealing the Spotlight
At the center of the article is Henderson’s “Holiday Harvest Pie”, a hybrid of classic apple pie, buttery pecan filling, and a touch of bourbon that gives it a warm, adult twist. Marla explains that the idea came from a 1980s family recipe she discovered in her grandmother’s old spice cabinet— “It’s all about blending the familiar with something that surprises the palate,” she says. The article goes into detail about the pie’s crust: a flaky, double‑layered dough that Marla claims is “a secret that has been passed down through generations.” She also highlights the unique step of “pre‑baking the crust lightly” to prevent sogginess, a technique she learned from a local pastry chef featured in a 2023 culinary blog.
Marla’s creation has become a staple at the annual Kingstree Holiday Feast, an event organized by the Kingstree Historical Society to bring together families for a day of food, music, and community service. The article notes that this year’s pie will be showcased on the main stage, judged by a panel of local chefs and food critics.
2. A Look Into the Making Process
The article includes a step‑by‑step photo essay that follows Marla’s preparation from slicing apples to caramelizing pecans. Alongside the visuals, the piece cites a video link (embedded in the article) that takes viewers behind the scenes of Marla’s kitchen. The video (over 5 minutes long) offers tips on achieving the perfect crust texture and demonstrates Marla’s “double‑layering” technique.
In the video, Marla explains the importance of using fresh, locally sourced ingredients: apples from the nearby Rowan Orchard, pecans from the North Carolina Pecan Society, and bourbon from the Wilmington Distillery. She stresses that local sourcing “reinforces the community’s sense of belonging and supports small businesses.” The video’s comments section contains enthusiastic responses from viewers who mention that they’ll try the recipe next holiday season.
3. Community Voices and Cultural Context
To broaden the narrative beyond a single baker, the article weaves in quotes from the Kingstree Historical Society’s board chair, Dr. Eliza Martinez. Dr. Martinez emphasizes that pies are “more than desserts; they’re a way of preserving memories.” She mentions that the society’s holiday feast has been a tradition since 1967, with pies being the highlight of the event.
The piece also references an archival photograph of a 1950s Kingstree kitchen, linking to an online gallery hosted by the North Carolina State Library. The gallery (accessible via a URL in the article) showcases images of holiday pies from different eras, illustrating how the recipes have evolved over the decades.
4. The Broader Recipe Landscape
While Marla’s pie is the feature’s protagonist, the article includes a comparative analysis of other holiday pies that have become popular in the region. These include a “Classic Pumpkin Spice Pie” from a neighboring bakery, and a “Chocolate Ganache Apple Pie” featured in a 2022 culinary magazine. Each recipe is briefly summarized, and the article includes hyperlinks to the full recipes on the Post & Courier’s recipe hub, allowing readers to experiment with their own variations.
For readers who want to dive deeper into the science of pie-making, the article links to a North Carolina Department of Agriculture guide on safe pie storage and refrigeration. This guide, available in PDF format, offers practical advice on extending a pie’s shelf life—especially important for holiday celebrations where pies are often prepared days in advance.
5. Local Events and Next Steps
The final section of the article outlines upcoming Kingstree holiday events, such as a pie‑tasting festival scheduled for December 9. A link to the event’s registration page (hosted on the Kingstree Historical Society’s website) invites readers to sign up for the festival, which includes a live demonstration of Marla’s pie technique. The article also promotes a community “Bake‑and‑Share” initiative, encouraging residents to submit their own holiday pies for a communal potluck.
In addition, the article provides a link to a donation page for the local food bank, tying the holiday feast to a broader philanthropic effort. The donation page offers a quick, secure way to contribute and ensures that the holiday spirit extends beyond the kitchen.
6. Takeaway: A Tradition in Every Slice
“ A Pie Fit for a Holiday Feast” is more than a culinary profile—it’s a cultural touchstone. By blending personal history, community tradition, and culinary artistry, the Post & Courier has crafted a narrative that invites readers to not only taste a pie but to feel the warmth of a town coming together for the holidays. The article’s rich use of multimedia—photos, videos, and hyperlinks—ensures that readers can explore every facet of the pie’s journey from farm to table. Whether you’re a seasoned baker, a holiday enthusiast, or simply someone looking to add a little sweetness to your festive season, this piece offers a flavorful, heart‑warming experience that will linger long after the last slice.
Read the Full Post and Courier Article at:
[ https://www.postandcourier.com/kingstree/a-pie-fit-for-a-holiday-feast/article_5164f581-6aa5-4046-9652-b0c31d90b936.html ]