Above: A new fave–Wawa iced caramel coffee–and an old fave–Stuckey’s Pecan Log Roll.

I’ve spent a lot of time recently reconnecting with one of the Virginia highways of my youth, U.S. Route 29, which stretches from Washington, D.C., to Danville in southern Virginia. Heading southwest from Fairfax, once I’ve exited Interstate 66 in Gainesville, I relax a little. Then when the Blue Ridge Mountains come into view, my heart tells me I’m heading home to winding roads and farmland, a place I haven’t lived for over 30 years.

The drive south to help care for a family member affords me a great excuse to stop in convenience stores that dot the way. So far, I’ve hit Wi-Not Stop, where I found the perfect Bible word search book for my mother; Wawa, where I tried the iced caramel coffee for the first time and was surprised that I prefer it to Starbucks (and the price is right, too); Royal Farms for fried chicken, of course; and Jiffy Mart, where I was thrilled to find Stuckey’s Pecan Log Rolls, another nod to the road trips of my youth.

Driving those country roads has given me time for reflection, too, which is a wonderful practice as the year draws to a close.”

Driving those country roads has given me time for reflection, too, which is a wonderful practice as the year draws to a close. Likewise, this issue of NACS Magazine is packed with features that invite you to consider the future.

Our cover story, “Clearing the Smoke,” delves into trends in other tobacco products as some tobacco companies contemplate a smokeless future, and consumers are increasingly becoming poly-users of nicotine, alternating between combustible cigarettes, snuff and nicotine pouches.

Anyone currently raising Generation Alpha? Writer Pat Pape interviewed Mark McCrindle, the Australian social researcher who coined the term, and he shared his insights about this diverse and digital generation that already has more than $350 million in spending power.

One of the stories I best love in this issue is Sarah Hamaker’s profile of the Wills Group, which operates Dash In c-stores and Splash In car washes in the mid-Atlantic region. This company has giving back ingrained in its purpose, and it loves on its communities in ways both big and small.

That’s my wish for you as we head into 2023. May you find peace, love and joy in your homes and communities.

Have a wonderful holiday season!