The May issue of Salisbury the Magazine, a publication of the Salisbury Post, has reached subscribers and been distributed to locations throughout Rowan County.

It also is available at the Post offices, 131 W. Innes St.

The May cover story, written by contributing writer Kris Mueller with photos by Jon C. Lakey, tells the many facets of Rowan-Salisbury Schools’ career and technical education curriculum.

Mueller takes you into the CTE students’ world of microbiology, masonry, robotics, woodworking, FFA, horticulture and other life skills they are exploring daily.

The May edition also reveals the passion behind the knife-making craftsmanship of Rowan County’s David Askew, who seems well on his way to becoming a master bladesmith.

Liz Moomey spends time with Shane Pierce, an abstract artist who finds walls to be among his favorite canvases and spray paint his favorite medium. As Moomey likes to note: Spray it, don’t say it.

Lakey and contributing writer Elizabeth Cook take readers into the interesting North Main Street address of Sue McHugh — a home that reflects McHugh’s talents as an artist and musician and her nurturing spirit for the community.

Deirdre Parker Smith brings us the story of Gene Krueger, a star of sorts on TripAdvisor thanks to his numerous and reliable reviews on the travel site. Krueger and his willing accomplice, wife Kathleen Dunn, describe the great foods (and lodging) they have experienced on their many travels.

Writer Emily Ford provides an update on what is now the 10-year-old MURDOCK study at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis. Thousands of  residents from Rowan, Cabarrus and surrounding counties continue to participate in the landmark study.

Claudene Gale gives readers a peek at her vintage lunchbox collection that has grown to more than 260 boxes. It will make you long for the days of elementary school cafeterias and Thermoses full of chocolate milk.

For Mother’s Day, guest columnist Kathy Chaffin writes about two women who meant the world to her — her own mother, Faye, and her newsroom friend and mother, the late Rose Post.

Catawba College Professor Michael Bitzer contributed this edition’s Through the Lens photo, and Phyllis Steimel provided the artwork for Salisbury’s the Place.

Look for your friends and neighbors in Scene photos from the Kiwanis Pancake Festival, a special Habitat for Humanity house dedication, “Pedal Thru the Past,” the Meals on Wheels barbecue luncheon, the Brady Author’s Symposium reception and Rowan Helping Ministries’ volunteer banquet.

As always, Smith provides reading recommendations in Bookish, which includes a look at Kristy Woodson Harvey’s latest.

Salisbury the Magazine publishes nine times a year. To advertise or subscribe, visit the Post, call 704-797-POST or go to www.SalisburyThe Magazine.com.

— Mark Wineka