Can you work in “sandy terrain, extreme sun, heat, humidity, wind, and buggy environments”? And do you like horses? If so, the National Park Service in North Carolina would like to hear from you. The service is looking for volunteers to join the Pony Patrol, a new program designed to help protect the nearly one hundred wild horses that make the Outer Banks their home. Patrol members will walk the islands and teach visitors how to appropriately interact with the herd, including staying at least fifty feet from the animals and not attempting to feed them. Run in partnership with the Cape Lookout National Seashore, the Rachel Carson Reserve, and the Foundation for Shackleford Horses, the Pony Patrol will kick off next year, and applications are available online now through January 10. 

If you’re among the millions of travelers passing through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this holiday season, give yourself the gift of visiting One Flew South. So much more than just another airport restaurant and bar, the now 11-year-old Atlanta institution has brought a true taste of Southern hospitality to Concourse E while introducing the pleasures of pork belly, duck sliders, and Pappy Van Winkle to travelers far and wide. The place was a hit from the moment it opened, but getting it off the ground wasn’t without its challenges (all the kitchen knives, for example, had to be chained to workstations, per airport rules). In a G&G exclusive, the chefs and bartenders who were there early on, including Todd Richards, Duane Nutter, Jerry Slater, and Tiffanie Barriere, recall what it took to make One Flew South such a welcome respite inside the world’s busiest airport. Read the oral history here.

You may know John Isner as the young U.S. tennis player who won the longest match in history (11 hours, 5 minutes) at the 2010 Wimbledon Championships. Nearly a decade later, the North Carolina-born athlete is still one of the top players in the sport, but with a wife and two young children in the mix, Isner is also focused on his family. We recently caught up with the Isners at their home in Dallas to hear about their favorite holiday traditions, old and new, and see a line of seasonal looks from Polo Ralph Lauren, available at Dillard’s. Read and see more here.

When it comes to fishing, tarpon inspire an obsession that’s hard to match. That zeal is on full display in Tarpon, a new book from Yeti. Its pages showcase a collection of writing (from Thomas McGuane to Diana Rudolph) and photography (Andy Anderson, David Mangum) that captures the essence of the fish itself along with the singular desire of the men and women who chase them. 

I’m a bit of a blade junkie, so when I heard that the acclaimed wildlife sculptor—and South Carolinian—Grainger McKoy had recently unveiled a pocketknife, I had to have a look. I was not let down. The Hand-Cut Knife is a showstopper that sports McKoy’s iconic feathered design and a blade that hides entirely when folded. Consider it art with an edge. 

We recently asked, “What’s at the top of your holiday wish list this year?” Some of your responses:

To gather my family around me, cook for everyone, and surprise everybody with new recipes. After the meal, sit together and talk about the past and everyone’s dreams for the future. —Anna

That we can root for our Georgia Southern University Eagles as they play in one of our favorite Southern city bowl venues—New Orleans, Mobile, or Montgomery. —Paul F.

My hope for all three of my children and their families is to be able to come home for Christmas. I recently bought a new house and am looking forward to continuing family traditions. —Dianne P.

This has been a very tough year in our family. Peace, togetherness, and good health in the new year are all I want. —Niki B.

Spending Christmas with my son, who is in the United States Army ❤️🇺🇸 —Pat B.

Top of my list is a pair of rugged slippers with a camp/cabin vibe that I can wear indoors and outside for that last afternoon dog walk. I’m scoping out the Merrell Hut Moc (in men’s colors) and the Sorel Tremblant Moccasins. —Maria R.

To have a healthy holiday, free of stress, with my daughter and me somewhere tropical just chillin’. —Pamela J.

Happiness and peace for my two children, who just lost their dad. —Denise S.

Filling my son’s Christmas wish list—and keeping my fingers crossed he doesn’t throw in a last-second audible. —Brad

What I asked for is absolutely free: a whole month sans social media of any kind. —Morgan J.

The Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, has celebrated the region’s citrus crop since 1947, with events this year that include contests for orange eating and creative peeling.

Washington, Virginia’s Little Washington Winery invites guests to go Around the World in 80 Minutes with a class that offers a sampling of wines from some of the world’s most revered regions as well as lesser-known gems.

The Ocean-Reef-Beach Festival brings live music, art, a chowder cook-off, and marine education to Satellite Beach, Florida, to raise money for coastline conservation efforts. 

Some two million sparkling bulbs and more than sixty displays light up Zilker Park during the Austin Trail of Lights, complete with food trucks and nightly performances.