So far, it’s shaping up to be a banner season for loggerhead sea turtle nests on Southeastern shores. Beginning in May and throughout the summer, adult females make their way onto beaches to lay their eggs, depositing upward of a hundred at a time before crawling back to the ocean. Sixty days later, the hatchlings will break from their shells and make their own journey to the water. Researchers are reporting that nest numbers this year are on track to break records since they began widely monitoring them decades ago, evidence that conservation measures are now paying dividends. But the threatened turtles still face plenty of dangers. Read more about what the experts are saying about the surge—and tips to help keep sea turtles safe if you’re heading to the beach this summer.

Recently my friend brought over a bucket of fried chicken…well, sorta. The creation of Cynthia Wong of Life Raft Treats in Charleston, South Carolina, these “drumsticks” are not what they appear. Wong, a pastry chef and six-time James Beard Award semifinalist, makes these delights with a combination of crushed corn flakes, waffle ice cream, and even a cookie “bone” covered in caramelized white chocolate. The bad news—you can only pick up a bucket in Charleston.

I’m always on the hunt for fishing attire that’s functional, stylish, and offers sun protection. Lately, I’ve been loving the Bamboo Lightweight Hoody from Free Fly Apparel. The shirt is quick-drying, breathable, extremely soft, and has an extended sleeve with a thumb hole, and on a sizzling summer day, you’d be surprised how effective a hood is for keeping the sun at bay.

I’ve been a huge fan of the Avett Brothers since we put them on the cover of G&G in 2011, and I was excited to hear they’ll be releasing a new album in October. But recently I’ve been listening to Take It from Me by Jim Avett, the father of brothers Scott and Seth and a passionate musician in his own right. You’ll love his version of the Avett classic “Signs,” a song he actually wrote. While the record is not available digitally, you can order a CD here. In a note to me, Jim said, “If you don’t like the album, give it to someone you hate.” I’m keeping mine.

G&G invites readers to our annual Louisiana Sporting Weekend, three days of unrivaled fishing and duck hunting at Grosse Savanne Lodge near Lake Charles. Hook massive redfish and hunt the opening weekend of teal season in this sportsman’s paradise. Get details and tickets here.

We recently asked, “What’s the AC temperature in your house, and who sets it?” A few of your responses:

The Great Thermostat Compromise was signed our first year of marriage: 74 during the day, 70 at night. —Savannah T.

72-75-72-75-72-75 ... me-she-me-she-me-she. —Dale S.

We’re fortunate to have a zoned system. I set the upstairs at 76. My beloved sets the downstairs either on “hang beef” or “county morgue.” —K. Scott K.

It seems to vacillate on a 30-minute basis, depending on who’s passing by the thermostat. —Kaye L.

73. It’s just me and the dog, and he’s too short to reach the controls. —Kathleen M.

It depends. If we have Nashville Hot Chicken for dinner, we put it on 65 degrees. —Ron

Husband’s answer: The thermostat is set on “cold enough to kill hogs,” and my wife sets it.  Truth: Our thermostat is set on 72, and, yes, I set it. —Gwen H.

Hot Honey Menopause Momma (that’s me) desperately needs it at 68 to combat those sweaty nights. Arctic, penny-pinchin’ gramps, who can’t stand the breeze from the ceiling fan, wants it at 75. So it usually ends up somewhere around 72 when the battle dust settles. —Cassandra S.

Believe it or not, I’ve never had AC. An old trick is to fill our bathtubs and sinks up with cold running water to absorb the humidity in the air. A new trick is to turn on a few Dyson standing blade-less fans. Cuts the temp down by quite a lot. —Bradford B.

The temp is never the same. He wants it 78 year round; I want it 75. I adjust it after he goes to bed and back up when he’s not looking. —Sherry B.

I have no idea what the AC settings are in my house. Two rules: 1) I’m not allowed to touch the thermostat, and 2) I must have a permission slip before picking paint colors at the paint store. —Tommy R.

This is clearly (and literally) a hot-button issue.
Read many more responses here.

The Asheville Percussion Festival explores rhythms from around the world, including a series of workshops and a Saturday evening Masters Concert featuring collaborative performances from musicians in a range of traditions.

Owensboro, Kentucky, welcomes some two-dozen bluegrass artists to the 16th annual ROMP Festival. Catch the Del McCoury Band, Ricky Skaggs, Trampled by Turtles, Patty Loveless, and more.

Get a hands-on lesson in the art of preservation (pickling and canning, that is) at Pickle Academy, a two-hour course at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans.

Sing along at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall, which celebrates the “social power of music” through workshops and concerts, including a tribute to Pete Seeger.

If you know a Southern artisan, let her or him know the deadline to enter the tenth annual Made in the South Awards is Monday, July 1. Winners and runners-up in six categories—food, drink, style, home, outdoors, and crafts—will appear in Garden & Gun, and the overall winner gets $10,000.