Outdoor drama is 'thriving'

One of North Carolina's great cultural treasures is "The Lost Colony." The outdoor drama -- the nation's oldest -- is celebrating 70 years this year. Audiences continue to flock to the show on Roanoke Island despite "bugs, summer heat and high-priced gas," according to the Charlotte Observer.

"The story is about 120 English men, women and children who tried to start a colony on the Outer Banks in 1587. The colony's disappearance remains one of history's great mysteries," says the paper.

"The two-act play -- set in England and Roanoke Island -- distilled the story of their struggles into a blend of music, song, dance and poetic dialogue. ..."

The article states that in 2006 there were 180 outdoor plays in 40 U.S. states, with North Carolina leading the way with 11, the most of any state.

"From the Appalachian tale 'Horn in the West' in Boone to Raleigh's 'The Amistad Saga: Reflections,' which dramatizes a slave ship mutiny in 1839, the plays cover wide historical ground. [Note: We recently lost Fred Cranford, a dear family friend and author of one of the longest-running outdoor plays in the state, "From This Day Forward."]

" 'The Lost Colony' came first. Written in 1937 by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green, the play 'holds up the ideals of American democracy,' said Laurence Avery, a UNC Chapel Hill English professor. ...

"Green, who died in 1981, grew up on a Harnett County cotton farm. He taught philosophy and drama at UNC. He expected the show to run for one season. But it drew national attention. President Franklin Roosevelt saw the production. So did his wife, Eleanor, who became a champion. New York Times drama critic Brooks Atkinson gave it a glowing review. ..."

Go ahead, light up!

I've never been a smoker, but I've also mostly been of the opinion that smoking is one's perrogative -- just so long as it doesn't affect me.

I've also been someone who tends to value personal rights.

However, I was all for a proposed statewide ban on smoking in public places. Unfortunately, the vote in the N.C. House of Representatives failed on Wednesday as, the Charlotte Observer wrote, "tobacco territory Democrats sided with Republicans who called the measure an infringement on the rights of business owners."

"We gave it our best shot," Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson, the bill's sponsor and lung cancer survivor, told the paper.

On the surface, I can live with the ban failing. But what is alarming is this part from the article: "House members voted 61-55 against the measure. More than a dozen Democrats from counties where tobacco is grown or manufactured opposed the ban.'

So, basically, the state is endorsing something that has no social value whatsoever, and is putting economic strength ahead of the health of the citizenry. I thought this kind of stuff only happened in movies (see "Blood Diamond").

"It's not about personal freedoms. It's not about business property rights," Holliman told the Observer. "This is a health issue bill. Cancer has probably impacted every family here in one way or another."

And it looks like it may just impact many more, thank you very much.

Schoolkids, scientists croaking about state amphibian

From the News & Observer:

"The bullfrog's resonant croak echoes across North Carolina ponds all summer.

"Now its admirers are raising their voices at the General Assembly, asking lawmakers to make the king of frogs the state amphibian. A fourth-grade class at Pines Elementary in Plymouth wants the bullfrog to join the long list of officially sanctioned symbols, which range from the sweet potato to the Eastern box turtle to milk.

"But the state Herpetological Society has jumped in, suggesting other amphibians would be a better symbol. They consider the bullfrog a tad common -- especially for a state that boasts some of the nation's most diverse amphibian populations.

"Caught between schoolchildren and scientists, lawmakers must once again navigate the treacherous currents of symbolic politics. The bill has passed the House and is pending in a Senate committee. ..."

North Carolina has some great state symbols. Some of them make perfect sense (state bird: Cardinal; carnivorous plant: Venus flytrap; stone: Emerald; dance(s): the shag, clogging; flower: Dogwood; mammal: Eastern Gray Squirrel).

Some of them are head-scratchers (beverage: milk -- not Cheerwine or Pepsi?; insect: honey bee -- not mosquito?).

Others you have to assume got in as a rider (state boat: Shad boat?; saltwater fish: Channel bass?; Tartan: Carolina Tartan?).

Still, these are the things I had to learn as a fourth- and eighth-grader. And I'm glad I did.

Are there some symbols that should become state symbols?

DNA may prove Spanish heritage

We've discussed before the majestic wild horses along North Carolina's coast. For years there have been theories on how they came to be. The most popular (and most plausible) is that they came ashore after a Spanish ship sank hundreds of years ago.

Now, further DNA test may prove that that is the case.

"An equine genetics specialist from Texas is collecting genetic material -- 60 strands of hair from horses in the herds on Shackleford Banks and around Corolla -- to analyze where these postcard-perfect icons of North Carolina originated," says the News & Observer.

"He expects the research will reinforce studies he conducted on the horses in the 1990s that indicated they have Spanish blood -- possibly descending from a lineage of horses brought by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Blood tests found a link, but they may not be as definitive as the DNA testing he is now conducting.

" 'I think we're looking at something historically significant,' said Gus Cothran, a professor at Texas A&M University. ..."

There's more to it than just solidifying the horses' heritage. According the article, having a "Colonial" pedigree may make the horses (which can outgrow their habitats) more "attractive to horse owners eager to adopt exotic breeds."

"Herds around Corolla and on Shackleford Banks remain the largest surviving groups of so-called Banker horses -- the unbridled breed smaller than the average horse that have long captivated Outer Banks visitors. Legends held that the animals descend from Spanish mounts brought to North American in the 1500s. And English ships that came later may also have carried Spanish horses.

"After inspections of the Corolla and Shackleford horses, the Horse of the Americas registry ruled this winter that, while not purebred, both herds are rare descendants of Colonial Spanish equines.

"Not only do they have the distinctive trots and canters common in the Spanish lines, they also have certain physical characteristics. Horse bones found north of Corolla show spinal columns with fused vertebrae -- a feature typical of the Spanish horses. Also, their hooves are large for their body size -- another Spanish trait."

'Dirty Dancing' still resonates with Lake Lure

The setting for the movie was supposed to be the Catskills in New York. But 20 years later, fans of the movie "Dirty Dancing" continue to flock (make a pilgrimage?) to the actual spot(s) where the movie was filmed: the beautiful area around Lake Lure, N.C.

Yours truly wrote a couple of years ago for a trade publication about Lake Lure: there "are still fans of the movies [including "Last of the Mohicans"] that associate the setting with the films. And while those fans may be disappointed to find out that the employee cabins from 'Dirty Dancing' are nowhere to be found, they will not go away completely disappointed for Lake Lure remains an appealing, beautiful setting."

To whit: "Nearly every day, someone makes a pilgrimage to the old boys camp here where much of the movie 'Dirty Dancing' was filmed," writes the Asheville Citizen-Times.

" 'They say they just want to see the site,' said John Cloud, who is developing the property into a luxury residential community. 'I’m just stunned. It takes work on their part to find out (the locations) where the movie was shot.'"

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Lionsgate will screen a 20th anniversary edition of the movie that includes interviews with the people who made the film and why it’s made such an impact on American pop culture. The film will be shown only those two days and only in 300 theaters nationwide.

Sometimes called “the ‘Star Wars’ for girls,” the romantic movie is more popular than the two lead actors it made stars out of — Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

Grey played innocent 17-year-old Frances “Baby” Houseman, who in the summer of 1963 vacations with her parents in the Catskills. She meets Johnny Castle (played by Swayze), the hotel dance instructor, and is mesmerized by him, as well as his dance style. She soon becomes his pupil in dance and falls in love.

Quick hits: Nice rest stops and more on elk in W.N.C.

Carry me out of old Virginia
"Say what you will about North Carolina's underfunded and deteriorating highway system, we still have great rest stops," writes an editorial in the Wilmington Star-News.

"A trip to the Shenandoah Valley will remind you of the difference between North Carolina's and those of the beautiful commonwealth to the north.

"Along I-64, a sign for an upcoming rest stop warns of 'temporary toilets.' Along I-95, a quaintly colonial rest stop looks as if hasn't been freshened up since it was used by the Army of North Virginia. ..."

Program that moves bears temporarily helps elk herd in Smokies
"An elk herd in western North Carolina has grown since the first animals were released into the wild in 2001 and 2002," writes the Associated Press.

"Now there are 75 elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and wildlife experts say there needs to be 100 before the herd can be self-sustaining.

"The herd has grown recently because more elk newborns survive due to a program that moves bears out of the nursery areas. By the time the bears return the elk calves have grown enough so they can stay with the safety of the herd. ..."

Quick hits: Sandburg, smoking and (a hit to) sippers

Carl Sandburg's Flat Rock home listed as one of '10 Great Places'
"Take the fork in the road and see the landscapes that inspired some of America's best-loved poets," writes USA Today online. "April is National Poetry Month, a good time to visit the homes of some of the nation's most renowned poets. J. D. McClatchy, poet, editor of the Yale Review and author of American Writers at Home, shares his recommendations with Kathy Baruffi for USA Today."

One those homes is Carl Sandburg's home in Flat Rock, N.C. (pictured).

" 'The son of Swedish immigrants, Sandburg (1878-1967) was born in Illinois and made his name with poems about Chicago (Hog Butcher of the World). He won the Pulitzer Prize twice, was friendly with presidents and movie stars, but he never forgot his humble beginnings,' McClatchy says. Hence, his somewhat baronial estate, 30 miles from Asheville, N.C., may seem out of character to some visitors. A herd of goats is a reminder of the dairy farm his wife once ran here. ..."

Weakened statewide smoking ban passes House committee -- again"A ban on smoking across North Carolina, bounced back from the House floor in a dispute over business owners' rights, again won the support of a House committee Tuesday in a weakened form that put much of the onus for restrictions on local governments," writes WRAL.com.

"The modified bill would still ban smoking statewide in restaurants, hotels and state government office buildings. However, it would specifically exclude restaurant-bars that are age-restricted and smoking-designated hotel rooms.

"Local governments would have the authority to override those exceptions and to bar or restrict smoking in public places, workplaces, local government buildings, public transportation and schools. ..."

Frost turns grapes and vintners blue
"Peaches and apples weren't the only crops hurt by the Easter weekend freeze," writes the Charlotte Observer.

"Across North Carolina's young wine industry, grape growers and wine makers are assessing damage to their fields -- and waiting to see how bad it gets when warm temperatures return and vines begin to grow again.

"Agriculture agents in grape-growing counties, particularly around the Yadkin Valley, report heavy losses in white-wine grapes such as chardonnay, pinot gris, viognier and riesling. Those vines break into buds early, and warm temperatures before the freeze pushed them as much as two weeks ahead.

"Red-wine grapes, particularly cabernet sauvignon, are hardier and break bud later, so they sustained less damage. ..."

Positive press for Pickler, Covington

None of this year's finalists on "American Idol" show an "affinity" for singing country music, which is a shame, according to USA Today.

"Four finalists — Gracin, Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood and last season's Kellie Pickler and Bucky Covington — have made the trek to Nashville. All have met with some measure of success, providing a few bright spots for a genre that has seen sluggish sales so far this year," the paper writes.

Pickler and Covington are, of course, from North Carolina -- joining a long line of Carolinians to do well on the show, including Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry. They all, by the way, have done quite well for themselves.

"Pickler's Small Town Girl, released in October, could become the second-best-selling album from Season 5, behind Chris Daughtry's Daughtry," says USA Today. "Covington's self-titled debut, featuring his single A Different World, arrives today."

Update: OK, I blew it. How did I forget Fantasia!

Tweetsie gets a reprieve

We've discussed the evaporation of "Americana" before. The good news is that at least one vestige will remain -- at least through 2010: Tweetsie Railroad.

"A landmark Wild West theme park nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina will remain open through 2010, despite skyrocketing land prices that threatened to shutter its doors," writes the Associated Press.

"The Tweetsie Railroad theme park was up against a 2007 deadline to renew land leases or close, but owners negotiated deals so the family-run park could operate for at least a few more years at its current location in Blowing Rock. The park will celebrate its 50th season of entertaining families when it opens May 4. ...

"The park has identified and secured a site in neighboring Wilkes County for possible relocation if additional long-term agreements on the current leases don't work out. ...

"About 250,000 visitors are expected at the park this year. ...

"The park also has historical roots in the mountains. Tweetsie No. 12, one of two steam engines used on the excursion railroad, is the last surviving engine from the 50-mile, narrow-gauge Eastern Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad that ran through the mountains from Boone to Johnson City, Tenn., beginning in the late 19th century.

"Locals named the train the 'Tweetsie,' after the shrill steam whistles that echoed through the hills."

Personally, I'm pleased to read this. I've got a 4-month old; I've always looked forward to taking my kid(s) to Tweetsie. Now, I may just get that chance.

Drivers will be seeing red -- again

For the first time in a quarter-century, most North Carolina cars will sport a new license plate. Unfortunately, the change is not that drastic, though it's anything but subtle.



The plates will look pretty much the same as they have since 1982, save for red numerals and letters instead of blue. (Apparently the blue ones were fading. Yeah; 25 years will do that.)



" The 1980s lettering of 'North Carolina,' the Wright brothers' plane and faint sea grass will remain as the background," wrote the News & Observer.

"Any change is a big change for a state with the same license plate since 1982. North Carolina has had the same standard plate for longer than any other state except Delaware, which uses a 1962 design.

" 'It does go back,' said Marge Howell, spokeswoman for N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles in Raleigh.


"In North Carolina, some drivers have had the same plate on their cars for more than 20 years, Howell said. ...

"Though many states use plate designs to present new, memorable snapshots of their states, North Carolina's change is purely a pragmatic one to ensure the old plates are taken out of circulation, Howell said. ..."

For those of us old enough to remember, these plates sound (and look) oddly familiar. Above is a WRAL image of the new ones; below is one for sale on eBay from the early 1980s.

Way to go out on a limb, North Carolina!

Wilmington to boast first 'urban' scenic byway in the state

When one thinks of scenic byways, the images of winding country roads, mountain views or battlefields come to mind. But Wilmington now has the state's first "urban" scenic byway.

The Cape Fear Historic Byway "zigzags right through the downtown Wilmington area, making it the first 'urban' byway in the state," writes the Wilmington Star-News.

The N.C. Department of Transportation initiated the program in 1990 to highlight routes with unique historical, cultural or scenic appeal and raise awareness for their preservation.

The Cape Fear Historic Byway was adopted by state transportation officials last week, just in time for this year's N.C. Azalea Festival. It allows local transportation planners to apply for grants for improvements along the route, such as benches, public restrooms and other amenities.

Starting on North Third Street near the Isabel Holmes Bridge, the byway includes about 7 miles of streets in the downtown Wilmington area. By mid-summer, signs will be put up to guide visitors around it.

'You wanna get off the island? Yeah, it'll take about a day'

If a hurricane is heading to North Carolina's Outer Banks, and you want to get off, you may, uh, want to leave yesterday.

"The time it takes to clear tourists off the Outer Banks in the face of a hurricane is getting longer and longer, according to a study by the state Department of Transportation," writes the Associated Press.

"Currently, it is estimated to take 21 hours to evacuate the barrier islands if traffic is headed on U.S. Highway 64 west to Columbia and 30 hour on U.S. 158 into Currituck County.

"By 2030, the study estimated the evacuation times - from the minute the first car leaves until the last one exits - would increase to 31 hours via Columbia in Tyrell County and 46 hours on U.S. 158. ...

"On a July 4 weekend, more than 200,000 visitors can be on the Outer Banks and traffic backs up without an evacuation order."

Barbecue battle hits the legislature

This one has been discussed ad nauseum, so I'll just link to this article and leave it at that. (After all, we all know eastern 'cue is the best! Ahem. Sorry. Couldn't control myself.)

"There is food, and then there is 'cue. One sustains life, the other is more important, at least according to Tar Heels.

"So, imagine the angst caused by a bill to name the Lexington Barbecue Festival the official state food festival," wrote the Greensboro News & Record.

Quick hits: Elk return to Western N.C., last call for Ghost Town

Elk return to Cataloochee
"Down in this valley, nestled among 6,000-foot mountain peaks along the eastern end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, wildlife lovers are witnessing sights unseen for 150 years," writes the Hendersonville Times-News. ...

"Once nothing more than an entry in the history books, elk have returned to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They're not the eastern elk, driven into extinction by overhunting and habitat loss in the 1800s, leaving behind no trace other than namesakes -- Banner Elk, Elk Park. ..."

Ghost Town's last leg
"Today is the last day of auditions for Ghost Town in the Sky, the mountaintop Western theme park scheduled to reopen this summer," wrote the Asheville Citizen-Times on April 1.

"Park officials are auditioning country, gospel and blues musicians today beginning at 1 p.m. in the Welcome Center on Soco Road (the A-frame building in the parking lot). ..."

Plan to save a million acres in N.C. 'falling short'

Not good.

"Rising land values have shoved North Carolina well off track with its drive to set aside 1 million acres for preservation by 2009," says the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"Spending on measures that include buying property, development rights and easements have brought in less than half that amount since work started in 1999.

"Advocates say that’s not likely to change — even with the recent $24 million private and public deal that made Chimney Rock North Carolina’s newest state park. ...

"The lag in the N.C. Million Acre Initiative comes at a time when the South is losing more private land to development than any other region. In North Carolina, the rate of development in 2005 was twice that of conservation efforts. ..."

Old Salem tabbed as a top 10 place to find your farming roots

Old Salem (in Winston-Salem) has been named as one of the top 10 "places to dig up old dirt on farming" and to "see where our food comes from" by USA Today's Travel section.

The selections were compiled by Judith Sheridan, secretary/treasurer of the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums (alhfam.org), a volunteer organization that promotes agricultural tourism and living history.

Regarding Old Salem, Sheridan says that "folks often come here for the four museums — a toy museum, decorative arts museum, children's museum and the Town of Salem, a historic Moravian community. But this place has always been famous for its gardens." USA Today says that "You'll see fruit and vegetables growing in the many different gardens as well as wheat, flax and cotton. 888-653-7253; oldsalem.org ."

Quick hits: Lottery down, Bele Chere downsizing

State's lottery revenues down
"One year after the North Carolina Education Lottery launched, revenue is 26 percent below projections," says WRAL.com.

"The state began selling its first scratch-off tickets a year ago Friday. To date, the lottery has brought in $885 million, less than three-quarters of the $1.2 billion state lawmakers expected in the lottery's first year.

"Lottery officials continue to adjust the available games to try to bring in more revenue. A $5 NASCAR-themed game that was unveiled Tuesday offers a top prize of $100,000 and gives players a chance to win NASCAR-licensed merchandise or a trip to a NASCAR race. ..."

Bele Chere scales down
"The Southeast’s largest free street festival soon could be not so large or so regional," writes the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"This year’s Bele Chere, which will run July 27-29, will likely have a smaller budget and will use more local artists, food and music.

"The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to act on recommendations from the Bele Chere board of directors that include using a greater percentage of bands from Western North Carolina, making vending booths cheaper for local artists and starting a local microbrewery booth. ..."

'Just beginning' for Daughtry

Chris Daughtry, who grew up "picking potatoes and corn" on a North Carolina "spread with chickens, goats, ducks and hunting dogs," has done pretty well for himself since not winning American Idol.

"Since placing fourth in the Fox juggernaut last year, Chris Daughtry has strengthened into the fifth season's gold medalist. Make that platinum," wrote USA Today. "Daughtry, the fastest-selling rock debut since SoundScan began tabulating sales in 1991, has sold 1.9 million copies in 16 weeks, and first single It's Not Over is a top 10 smash on multiple formats with sales of 871,500 downloads to date. His ballad Home replaces Daniel Powter's Bad Day as this season's exit anthem, sure to goose sales through May.

"This post-Idol course, less a career path than his fantasy stairway to heaven, 'has far exceeded anything I ever expected,' Daughtry, 27, says. ..."

Read the rest of the article here.

All-North Carolina team

You wanted the best. You got the best. The all-North Carolina team.

First, a few notes.

I picked teams that could play together -- a point guard, a shooting guard, two forwards and a center -- not just the five best players, followed by the next five.

Field goal percentage is often a misleading statistic because it includes 3-point percentage. I remove 3-pointers from the equation and use 2-point percentage. See the Stephen Curry entry.

This is a down season for the North Carolina teams, mostly because it's a down season for Duke, N.C. State and Wake Forest. Another reason is the talent in the state is young. Of the 10 players selected, three are freshmen and two are sophomores. There is only one senior.

First team

Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, forward, sophomore
18.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 53.8 2-point percentage

Hansbrough is a fine player, but that's not the whole story:

1. Hansbrough was a 21-year-old sophomore this season (born: Nov. 3, 1985). So he was two years older than many of the players in his class and the same age as some juniors and seniors. That's one reason why he was one of the best freshman of all time last season -- he was 20 years old.

There are a couple explanations for this. The first is his birthday is in November, and the cut-off date in many school systems is in October. The second, according to my source, is he went from a public school to a private one in first grade and repeated that grade.

2. Hansbrough was not a unanimous all-ACC first-team selection, no matter what the ACC office tells you. Patrick Stevens of The Washington Times knows better.

Kyle Hines, UNC-Greensboro, forward, junior
20.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 56.0 2-point percentage

Southern Conference player of the year.

Brandan Wright, North Carolina, center, freshman
14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 65.2 2-point percentage

Stephen Curry, Davidson, shooting guard, freshman
21.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 40.8 3-point percentage

Stephen (pronounced Stef-un) wasn't offered a scholarship by any ACC school. Virginia Tech, where he wanted to go, offered him a chance to walk on. That's it. Pat Forde of ESPN.com tells the whole story.

Curry shot 53.5 percent from 2-point range, 40.8 percent from 3-point range and 85.5 percent from the free throw line for a total shooting percentage of 179.8.

For a frame of reference, J.J. Redick shot 175.7 as a freshman, 181.8 as a sophomore, 175.6 as a junior and 180.5 as a senior.

Jason Richards, Davidson, point guard, junior
13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 3.1 turnovers

Richards is second in the nation in assists, first among players in the NCAA tournament.

Second team

Arizona Reid, High Point, forward, junior
21.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 52.8 2-point percentage

Great name, great game.

Ben McCauley, N.C. State, forward, sophomore
14.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 59.5 2-point percentage

McCauley edges out Brandon Costner of State, Josh McRoberts of Duke, Vladimir Kuljanin of UNC-Wilmington and Jeremy Clayton of Appalachian State.

Kyle Visser, Wake Forest, center, senior
17.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 58.8 2-point percentage

Visser really improved. He had not averaged more than 5.0 points a game before this season.

Ty Lawson, North Carolina, point guard, freshman
10.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.1 turnovers

DeMarcus Nelson, Duke, shooting guard, junior
14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 53.5 2-point percentage

Ayden's festival to be the 'official' collards festival

There are several festivals in North Carolina honoring collard greens, but it looks like Ayden's might become the "official" one.

"North Carolina already has three official state festivals: the Hertford County Watermelon Festival, the Fair Bluff Watermelon Festival and Folkmoot USA in Waynesville as the official international festival," says the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"The N.C. Apple Festival in Hendersonville could make a similar move [as Ayden]. The festival occurs every Labor Day weekend and is now in its 61st year. But no one knows whether it’s recognized as an official festival." It should be noted that "[n]ot all festivals are rushing toward state recognition.

"The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will probably not seek official state designation for its Ramp It Up Festival, which starts March 31 to coincide with the start of the trout season, said Phil Werz, festival spokesman."

The article talks about the economic impact of festivals in the state. Asheville's Bele Chere brought in about $12 million and 167,000 people to the mountains in 2005. The N.C. Apple Festival impacts Henderson County with more than $25 million.

"Ayden Collard Festival organizers said they hoped visitors would do more than just visit the town, which is a suburb of Greenville, N.C.

" 'We’re hoping if we get people coming from all over the place, maybe they’ll want to live here,' said Joe Echel, the festival’s vendor committee chairman. 'It’s a nice place for people to live and start a business.' ..."

Musical to honor Moses Cone

The Blowing Rock Stage Company will present in June "The Denim King," a musical tribue to Moses Cone, the textile magnate who built his mansion in Blowing Rock. (The house, shown on a cloudy day, is pictured.)

The play is presented and commissioned by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. It was written by Dr. Janet Barton Speer, based on the book, "A Mansion in the Mountains" by Philip Noblitt.

Kenneth Kay is directing the play, and the music and lyrics are by Jonathan Thomas Oaks.

For more information, go here.

State-Carolina ACC final draws huge TV ratings

If house- and yardwork around the Triangle appeared neglected on Sunday, there's a valid reason why: the ACC Tournament championship game.

The tournament final between N.C. State and North Carolina drew mammoth ratings in the Raleigh area. According to WRAZ researcher Gerald Belton, the the average quarter-hour ratings during the game Sunday afternoon were 22.0 with a 45 share, which represents 221,000 households.

"That's a huge number for this market, on par with what a highly anticipated Duke-Carolina basketball game would draw," said the Raleigh News & Observer.

"The peak time for viewing was between 2:45 p.m. and 3 p.m., with a 32.1 rating with a 58 share, or 323,000 households."

RPI in North Carolina

The final rankings, with each team's overall record against Division I opponents and its record against Division I opponents from North Carolina:

Only three teams from North Carolina made the NCAA tournament. I'm not sure if that's a record low, at least since the tournament expanded to 64 teams, but I bet it's close.

2. North Carolina (28-6, 8-1), ACC champions
vs. Eastern Kentucky, Thursday at 9:40 p.m.
15. Duke (22-10, 4-3), at-large berth
vs. Virginia Commonwealth, Thursday at 7:20 p.m.
48. Davidson (27-4, 7-2), Southern Conference champions
vs. Maryland, Thursday at 12:20 p.m.

59. Appalachian State (22-7, 7-3)
89. N.C. State (18-14, 8-3)

State beat three NCAA tournament teams in the ACC tournament before it lost to North Carolina in the championship game. The Wolfpack entered the top 100 in the RPI and made the NIT. It plays at Drexel on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Feel free to discuss the Wolfpack's run in the comments, since there hasn't been a post about it yet.

Who knows how State would have done, if it had Engin Atsur for the whole season, or if Cedric Simmons or Andrew Brackman wouldn't have left the program? But this team's effort was always admirable.

I couldn't be happier that Sidney Lowe is the coach of my alma mater. I should write an entire post to explain exactly why. But Lowe's coaching (and his red sport jacket) received some positive reviews over the weekend. Patrick Stevens of The Washington Times and Pat Forde of ESPN.com hit the highlights.

121. Wake Forest (15-16, 5-5)
146. UNC Charlotte (14-16, 1-1)
185. High Point (18-10, 4-1)

208. UNC Greensboro (16-14, 6-7)
246. Western Carolina (9-20, 3-9)
249. UNC Asheville (8-19, 0-5)
262. UNC Wilmington (7-22, 1-3)
264. Gardner-Webb (8-21, 2-6)
270. North Carolina A&T (13-17, 0-0)
273. Campbell (12-17, 2-2)
299. Elon (5-23, 3-8)

304. Winston-Salem State (2-24, 0-1)
312. East Carolina (3-24, 1-3)

Coming soon: the all-North Carolina team

Miami's Haith knows what we're talking about

Miami Hurricanes men's basketball coach Frank Haith, a native North Carolinian, could definitely relate to our discussion about childhood ACC tourney memories.

"This is the greatest tournament in the country, the crowd, the fans," Haith told the Wilmington Star-News. "Obviously growing up in North Carolina, Friday afternoons in high school, when the TVs are turned on and the teachers aren't teaching but we're watching the ACC tournament, obviously it's very special."

Pavilion rides find new home

We've discussed previously that the demise of Myrtle Beach's Pavilion is not necessarily N.C.-related; however, it's important to realize that so many North Carolinians have fond memories of the now-defunct slice of Americana.

That's why it's a big deal that the Pavilion's rides have found a new home, according to The Sun News.

"Some rides from the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park will find a new home at Broadway at the Beach, Burroughs & Chapin announced today," said the paper.

"The new mini-park, to be called the Pavilion Nostalgia Park, is slated to open sometime this summer, be open year-round and feature the following rides from the former Myrtle Beach landmark: the historic carousel and German organ; the Pirate Ship; the Wave Swinger; Caterpillar; arcade and midway games; and a number of kiddie rides. A retail store and special historical section also are planned."

Unusual or 'offbeat' hotels

It may not have the quirkiness of the Ice Hotel or posh tented camps, but I've always been curious about the Fire Mountain Bed & Breakfast in Highlands, N.C. After all, you have the option of spending a night or two in a tree house, for crying out loud.

Unfortunately, Fire Mountain's accomodations don't rank among Sherman Travel's Top 10 Offbeat Hotels -- but it's got to be close.

Writes Shermans about its top 10: "There's a hotel out there to satisfy most every curiosity—whether you're into marine life, wildlife, or Eskimo life ... [s]o say goodbye to so-so lodging and catch your zzz's in one of our favorite offbeat hotels. ..."

A tree house sounds cool to me.

Are there other unique accomodations in North Carolina aside from Fire Mountain's tree houses?

Ocracoke: Second-best beach for shells

North Carolina's Ocracoke Island has been named the second-best beach for shells, by Coastal Living magazine.

No. 1 on the top 10 list is Florida's Sanibel Island.

"The rare Scotch bonnet, state shell of North Carolina, sometimes turns up [on Ocracoke's beach]," writes the magaziine. "Even during the frenetic summer season, few tourists venture outside Ocracoke Village at the south end of this 16-mile-long Outer Banks island. In winter, when restless weather stirs up all sorts of treasures from the deep, only the gulls are likely to share the northern beaches. Stephen 'Dr. Beach' Leatherman ranked Ocracoke third on his 2006 'top beaches' list. ..."

Behind Ocracoke are beaches in Bandon, Ore.; Galveston, Texas; Tunnels Beach, Kauai, Hawaii; Flag Ponds Nature Park, Lusby, Md.; Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga.; Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas; Great Peconic Bay, Long Island, N.Y.; and Stinson Beach, Calif.

It's that time of year again

As a native North Carolinian, few things elicit the excitement of the ACC basketball tournament. And even though this year's tournament is in a foreign land (Tampa, Florida), some 700 miles from where it should be (Greensboro or, at the very least, Charlotte or Atlanta), there's still some excitement for the tournament in this 32-year-old body that hasn't been present to a tournament in about 6 years.

And, believe it or not, I have the North Carolina public school system to thank for that excitement.

After all, "ACC Tournament Week" in elementary and middle school was almost like an in-school vacation. I can remember teachers pretty much making up lesson plans based around the tournament. Specifically, math teachers would have students calculate just how far it is between, say, College Park and Tallahassee. Or history teachers would have students research the Morrill Act (which paved the way for Land Grant colleges), or how the different schools were founded. And so on and so on.

The whole week was topped off when TVs were wheeled into the classrooms to watch the Friday morning and afternoon session of games from the tournament. And, of course, schoolchildren wore their favorite teams colors. Of course, being that we were in North Carolina in the 1980s and early 1990s, the classrooms were pretty much split between red and light blue. (There was no such thing as Duke fans back in those days. And I remember just one Wake Forest fan, K.C. Gold. I always respected that about him.)

For those of you who grew up in North Carolina, do you have similar memories? And for those that did not, was there a similar level of excitement for "the tournament" in your state?

RPI in North Carolina

This week's college basketball rankings, with each team's overall record (through Sunday) and its record against the other Division I teams in North Carolina:

The overall records have been changed to each team's record against only Division I opponents, because that's how RPI is determined.

Davidson won the Southern Conference tournament and passed Appalachian State and UNC Greensboro fell out of the top 200.

3. North Carolina (25-6, 7-1)
14. Duke (22-9, 4-2)
50. Davidson (27-4, 7-2)
61. Appalachian State (22-7, 7-3)

114. N.C. State (15-14, 7-2)
124. Wake Forest (14-15, 5-5)
139. UNC Charlotte (14-15, 1-1)
185. High Point (18-10, 4-1)

208. UNC Greensboro (16-14, 6-7)
248. Western Carolina (9-20, 3-9)
251. UNC Asheville (8-19, 0-5)
262. UNC Wilmington (7-22, 1-3)
268. Gardner-Webb (8-21, 2-6)
272. Campbell (12-17, 2-2)
279. North Carolina A&T (12-16, 0-0)
300. Elon (5-23, 3-8)

303. Winston-Salem State (2-24, 0-1)
316. East Carolina (3-23, 1-3)

Next week: final rankings and the all-North Carolina team.

Quick hits: N.C. primary update & luring the Final Four

Bill seeks earlier N.C. primaries
"By the time North Carolinians vote in next year's presidential primary, the races in each party will have long been determined," writes the Charlotte Observer.

"That's why some state legislators want to move the 2008 primaries, now scheduled for May, to Feb. 5. That's the date at least 20 other states are considering as an option for their primaries, a de facto national primary day that likely would decide the nominees.

"Candidates usually only stop in North Carolina to refuel their checkbooks on their way to early primary states, such as South Carolina. Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, for example, visits Charlotte for a fundraiser on Friday. Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York comes April 2.

"On Thursday, a state Senate committee is expected to start debate on a bill to move up the N.C. presidential primaries.

" '(Candidates) come here to raise money,' said state Sen. Andrew Brock, R-Davie, who introduced the bill. 'We can wave to them as they go down the street to the fundraiser, and we can wave to them again as they go to the plane to Iowa and New Hampshire.' ..."

Greensboro seeks 2012 Final Four
"The reviews are in, and by all accounts, Greensboro knows how to throw a basketball party," writes the News & Record.

"The ACC Women's Tournament final Sunday between North Carolina and N.C. State was sold out for the fifth straight year in Greensboro. And for the eighth straight year, the tournament set an attendance record with 69,159 fans showing up.

"But the party's only getting started. Many of those fans will be back in three weeks when the NCAA women's regional tournament rolls into town. And both the ACC and NCAA women will be back at the Greensboro Coliseum next year.

"So now that Greensboro has proven its love for women's basketball, the question is: What's next?

"The short answer: Nothing, for now.

"But city officials are hoping to parlay all this basketball madness into something bigger: the women's Final Four in 2012. ..."

Quick hits: I've got some good news, and some bad news ...

Some items found while scanning the web today ...

Seafood festival wins regional award
"The North Carolina Seafood Festival [pictured] held annually in Morehead City has been recognized for the designs that covered posters and T-shirts during its 20th anniversary," according to a news release.

"The North Carolina/South Carolina Association of Festivals and Events awarded the Seafood Festival first place in T-shirt design and second place in poster design for last year's event.

" 'We are truly grateful to receive these coveted awards and many thanks to our poster and T-shirt artist, Anna B. Cordes,' said Seafood Festival Executive Director Stephanie McIntyre. ..."

N.C. tops nation in farm losses
"North Carolina may soon have to decide between progress and loss of a way of life," according to the Dunn Daily Record.

"For the past two years, the state has won a title it may not want to keep - Tops in Farm Loss. North Carolina lost 1,000 farms in 2005, tying Florida and Tennessee for first place in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2004 it wasn't even a tie; with a loss of 3,000 farms, North Carolina lost hands down.

"Director of Public Affairs for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Conservation Services Brian Long said the title is one the state would like to lose, and soon.

" 'North Carolina had 54,000 farms in 2002 and at the end of 2005 we were down to 48,000,' he said. 'That is a 6,000 farm loss over a period of just six years and we've got to take steps now to stop it. It's been one of Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler's main priorities in recent years.' ..."

RPI in North Carolina

This week's college basketball rankings, with each team's overall record (through Tuesday) and its record against the other Division I teams in North Carolina:

3. North Carolina (24-5, 6-1)
9. Duke (22-7, 4-1)
56. Appalachian State (24-6, 6-3)
62. Davidson (26-4, 7-2)

116. N.C. State (14-13, 6-2)
122. Wake Forest (13-14, 5-4)
131. UNC Charlotte (13-14, 1-1)
169. High Point (22-9, 4-1)
196. UNC Greensboro (15-12, 6-6)

251. Western Carolina (10-19, 2-8)
261. UNC Wilmington (7-21, 1-3)
265. Gardner-Webb (9-20, 2-6)
269. UNC Asheville (12-18, 0-5)
281. Campbell (13-16, 2-2)
285. Elon (7-22, 3-7)
298. North Carolina A&T (14-15, 0-0)

303. Winston-Salem State (5-23, 0-1)
312. East Carolina (6-21, 1-3)


CHARLOTTE (AP) -- High Point forward Arizona Reid was named the Big South player of the year Monday.

Reid, a junior, was second in the league in scoring at 21.6 points a game and led the conference with 9.6 rebounds in helping the Panthers to their first 20-win season since the school moved to Division I eight years ago.

Krispy Kreme to unveil all-wheat doughnut

The Associated Press is reporting that Krispy Kreme will soon unveil a doughnut that is made of whole weat.

The doughnut will have just 180 calories, caramel flavoring and will be covered with its original glaze.

"The Krispy Kreme Whole Wheat Glazed doughnut delivers the delicious taste that our customers have come to expect from us," Stan Parker, the company's senior vice president of marketing, told the AP.

"Krispy Kreme sales started slipping three years ago as the company expanded its operations during the height of the low-carbohydrate diet craze," says the news service. "Executives also had to sort out an accounting mess, with the company's board concluding that two former executives were trying to "manage earnings" to meet Wall Street expectations."

Food tourism in N.C.

This article on CNN.com's Travel page about "food tourism" got me thinking: Would you travel far distances to try out or enjoy different foods in North Carolina? If so, what would they be?

"Nationwide, an increasing number of vacationers are basing their travel around food and wine — and a study released Wednesday says that 27 million Americans have made culinary activities a part of their travels within the last three years," says CNN.

" 'It's something that really took off in the past five years or so,' said Cathy Keefe, the manager of media relations for the Travel Industry Association of America, which helped pay for the study along with Gourmet magazine and other organizations. ..."

Personally, there are some places that are known for food and worth the drive. The obvious ones are barbecue in Goldsboro, Wilson or Kinston; seafood in Morehead City; Moravian cookies in Old Salem; wine in Asheville.

But some are not so obvious: A Pepsi in the soda's birthplace, New Bern; Ashe County cheese in West Jefferson.

I'm sure there are more out there. What are your choices?

Update: A smoking ban in tobacco country?

We've discussed this quite a bit in the past (both here and at the Raleigh Philosophical Society site), but the push for a statewide smoking ban in North Carolina is on.

"A bill filed in the state Legislature on Tuesday would ban smoking in public places such as bars, restaurants and workplaces across North Carolina," says WRAL.com.

Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson County, the House majority leader who is sponsoring the bill, says "it's no secret that second-hand smoke causes cancer and that the legislation's goal is to protect the citizens of North Carolina."

WRAL says the bill would prohibit smoking indoors with very few exceptions, for example bars that sell mostly alcohol and very little food.

"Why should we be subjected to the recycled filth of someone else's self-inflicted bad habit?" Roger Thompson, a supporter of the bill, told the news channel.

Good point.

RPI in North Carolina

This week's college basketball rankings, with each team's overall record (through Monday) and its record against the other Division I teams in North Carolina:

2. North Carolina (23-4, 5-1), vs. N.C. State on Wednesday
10. Duke (20-7, 4-1)
55. Appalachian State (22-6, 4-3)
59. Davidson (24-4, 7-2)

116. N.C. State (14-11, 6-1)
117. Wake Forest (13-13, 5-4)
136. UNC Charlotte (12-13, 1-1)
168. High Point (20-8, 4-1)

214. UNC Greensboro (15-12, 6-6)
237. Western Carolina (10-18, 2-7)
257. Gardner-Webb (9-19, 2-5)
263. UNC Wilmington (6-20, 1-3)
284. Elon (6-21, 2-6)
289. UNC Asheville (9-18, 0-5)
290. Campbell (11-16, 1-2)

304. Winston-Salem State (5-22, 0-1)
309. North Carolina A&T (12-15, 0-0)
314. East Carolina (5-20, 1-3)

Quick hits: BET and bridges

Charlotte named best city in America for black families by BET.com
"Charlotte was named the best city in the U.S. for black families in a new research project announced by BET.com," writes the Charlotte Observer.

"BET.com is an affiliate of Black Entertainment Television. The project studied 22 cities across the U.S. and ranked them based on criteria such as economics, education and crime.

"According to the Web site, Charlotte stood out because it has a 'burgeoning black middle class,' low cost of living, high homeownership rates among blacks, low black poverty rate, proximity to quality colleges and universities, thriving nightlife among other areas. ..."

Old-timey bridges to be replaced
"A one-lane truss bridge that has carried traffic since before World War II and is a landmark in this community in Buncombe County’s southeastern corner is destined for the scrap heap," writes the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"The state Board of Transportation recently awarded a contract for the replacement of what is usually called just the old iron bridge that carries Morgan Hill Road across the Broad River near N.C. 9, almost five miles north of Bat Cave.

" 'I’m sad to see it go,' said Erin Gore, who lives nearby. 'The steel part of it is really neat.'

"The NCDOT did a study in 2001 that said the bridge — and a smaller truss bridge about half a mile away on Lower Sand Branch Road — should be torn down. The bridges are expensive to maintain and are becoming more unsafe as they age, a DOT engineer said at the time. ..."

Outer Banks among top 10 romantic places

Coastal Living has compiled a list of top 10 romantic places to which escape. (Note: The magazine's list -- found on CNN.com's Travel page -- was published just in time for Valentine's Day.)

Making the top 10 are North Carolina's Outer Banks at No. 10.

"The Outer Banks offers the most elementally 'out there' experience of any bridge-accessible U.S. destination," writes CL's Steve Millburg. "Standing on a thin ribbon of sand, with the mainland out of sight over the western horizon and burly Atlantic Ocean waves thundering in from the east, you truly feel untethered from your everyday world." And it is "easy to sneak away and find your own private stretch of beach, with vivid stars overhead, moonlight-silvered surf at your feet, the sea breeze tousling your hair, and magic ready to happen ..."

Coastal Living's Top 10 Romantic Escapes
1. Naples, Florida
2. New York, New York
3. Barbados
4. Sausalito, California
5. Niagara Falls, Ontario
6. Fairhope, Alabama
7. Cannon Beach, Oregon
8. St. Michaels, Maryland
9. La Jolla, California
10. Outer Banks, North Carolina

Quick hits: Patriots, primaries, poets, postal honors and Pikeville chocolate

Greene statue planned for Greensboro bicentennial
"One of the city's leading givers has a new gift in store: a downtown statue of Greensboro's namesake," according to the Greensboro News & Record.

"The Joseph M. Bryan Foundation will provide a larger-than-life statue of Revolutionary War Gen. Nathanael Greene as part of the city's bicentennial celebration next year.

" 'I've been saying for 20 years that we need a statue of General Greene downtown,' said Jim Melvin, president of the foundation. ..."

Senator wants N.C. among early primaries
"North Carolina is a national leader in banking and boasts a large military presence, among other attributes, so why shouldn't the state be among the first to help choose candidates for president?

"N.C. Sen. Andrew Brock doesn't see why not," according to the Salisbury Post. "He introduced a bill in the General Assembly on Wednesday that would move the state's presidential primaries from May to the first Tuesday in February.

" 'We would be the largest state with a presidential primary that early and we would instantly become a major player' on the national stage, Brock said Wednesday. ...

"Brock said moving North Carolina's primaries near those in South Carolina, which plans a Democratic primary Jan. 29 and a Republican primary Feb. 2, will make the Carolinas, and their combined 23 electoral votes, a force with which candidates will have to reckon. ..."

Shuler introduces bill to expand Sandbeurg property
"The Carl Sandburg historic site in Flat Rock is closer to a proposed expansion that would protect its view from encroaching suburban growth, add more parking and add a visitor's center," according to the Hendersonville Times-News.

"Western North Carolina freshman U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler introduced a House bill Thursday to allow the site to expand its borders by 115 acres. The bill is Shuler's, a Democrat from Waynesville, first piece of legislation as a lawmaker.

"The bill has bipartisan support in both chambers. It's the companion to a bill introduced last week by Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

"The famous poet's home (shown) and 264-acre site is about three miles from Hendersonville in Flat Rock, two growing communities popular with retirees. Officials want to expand by 115 acres to protect the site's scenic views from development, something Shuler's predecessor, eight-term Rep. Charles Taylor, blocked. ..."

Jazz great puts her stamp on Elizabeth City
"It was a day of firsts in Elizabeth City on Thursday," according to the Daily Advance.

"For the first time, U.S. postal officials unveiled a commemorative stamp in Elizabeth City, at the K.E. White Center. The event itself was organized by the city's first black postmaster, Kesha L. Holifield. And the portrait on the new stamp everyone came to see was that of Ella Fitzgerald, the 'first lady of song.' ...

"Holifield, who took over as postmaster in June, said one reason she wanted to celebrate the new stamp here is that Fitzgerald was born nearby — in Newport News, Va. Another reason was Holifield's desire to raise the profile of the post office in the community. ..."

Pikeville Chocolate Festival coming up
"The town of Pikeville will be holding a chocolate festival, 'Life is Sweet,' on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Charles B. Aycock High School to raise money for the Relay for Life," according to the Goldsboro News-Argus.

"For a $5 admission, people can enjoy all of the sweet treats, which include any cookies, cakes or pies, entered for the festival.

"Others can bring in their own entries free of charge. Organizers ask that anyone bringing in an entry bring in two identical treats to the event. One will be savored by the judges and the other will be sold during a silent auction later in the day. ..."

Ed Teach and the slave trade

An article in the Jacksonville Daily News mentions that the Queen Anne's Revenge, the boat of Edward Teach (North Carolina's most famous pirate "Blackbeard"), was formerly used in the colonial slave trade to the New World from Africa.

"In a display case at the N.C. Maritime Museum," the article says, "beside a model of the Queen Anne's Revenge, sits a detached cross section of the replica representing the half deck. ...

"It is not the most notorious part of the ship's history - most people associate the QAR with the infamous pirate Blackbeard and his blockade on Charleston Harbor.

"Yet the QAR holds just as many links to African-American history as it does to pre-revolutionary piracy.

"For some years prior to its capture by pirates in November 1717, the QAR was the Concorde, a French slave ship that traveled the seas back-and-forth from Europe to Africa to the Caribbean."

What is intriguing is that history tells us that five of the QAR's nine crew members who survived at Ocracoke were black. (Blackbeard didn't make it out of the battle alive.)

"Researchers do not know if Blackbeard kept these five aboard from the Concorde or if they came from another slave ship captured by the pirates just prior to the battle, Moore said.

"What researchers do know is that the QAR is not the only pirate ship with ties to the colonial slave trade."

RPI in N.C.

This week's rankings (with last week's ranking and each school's most important basketball-playing alumnus):

2. North Carolina (2, Michael Jordan)
17. Duke (8, Christian Laettner)
60. Appalachian State (45, Belus Smawley)
61. Davidson (71, Dick Snyder)
122. N.C. State (106, David Thompson)
129. Wake Forest (124, Tim Duncan)
136. UNC Charlotte (144, Cedric Maxwell)

----------

176. High Point (189, Gene Littles)
216. UNC Greensboro (193, none)
234. Western Carolina (242, Kevin Martin)
260. UNC Wilmington (239, Matt Fish)
262. Gardner-Webb (273, Artis Gilmore)
285. UNC Asheville (282, none)
294. Campbell (295, George Lehmann)
295. Elon (270, Jesse Branson)
300. North Carolina A&T (278, Al Attles)
309. East Carolina (312, Blue Edwards)
313. Winston-Salem State (292, Earl Monroe)

RPI in N.C.

The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) has been used by the NCAA since 1981 to supplement theselection of at-large teams and the seeding of allteams for the NCAA basketball tournament.

Here are how the teams in North Carolina rank in the RPI rankings through Sunday:

2. North Carolina
8. Duke
45. Appalachian State
71. Davidson
106. N.C. State
124. Wake Forest
144. UNC Charlotte

There are 336 Division I teams, so these teams are in the bottom half of the sport:

189. High Point
193. UNC Greensboro
239. UNC Wilmington
242. Western Carolina
270. Elon
273. Gardner-Webb
278. North Carolina A&T
282. UNC Asheville
292. Winston-Salem State (first season in Division I)
295. Campbell
312. East Carolina

N.C. on two wheels listed as a travel bargain by MSN Travel

MSN's Travel webpage has an article listing 10 "Bargain Destinations" across the world. One of the selections is "North Carolina on two wheels."

"A statewide bicycle ride is a terrific way to get to know a place up close and personal, at speeds of 15 mph or less," says the article, which also lists Buenos Aires, Nicaragua, Telluride and others among the "bargain" spots. "Several states sponsor organized rides across their length; one of the best is Cycle North Carolina (www.ncsports.org/nccyclemain.php), which has traversed the Tar Heel state since 1999. The route varies slightly from year to year, but usually starts in the mountains near Asheville and stops in communities in the Blue Ridge and the Piedmont before ending at the Atlantic Ocean. Expect to cycle about 400 miles over seven days; shorter options are also possible."

For $200, you can enjoy mechanical support, showers and entertainment at campgrounds each night, as well as "baggage transportation and food and drinks at the rest stops.

"Most riders camp in their own tents, but hotel rooms are also available for those willing to pay for the privilege. After a long day’s biking, a comfortable bed may be the best bargain of all."

This is North Carolina, right?

A festival celebrating barbecue -- yes, BARBECUE -- is in peril. In North Carolina.

"The Greater Hickory Smoke Barbeque festival won’t be held this May," says the Hickory Daily Record. "The host organization, Hickory’s Southwest Business Association, dissolved. That left the event without sufficient support. ...

"The inaugural festival, held at the Catawba Furniture Mall parking lot in 2004, drew about 17,000 people. Successive festivals held at L.P. Frans Stadium, home of the Hickory Crawdads minor league baseball team, had lower attendance."

All right, Hickory folks: there's got to be a way to continue a barbecue festival, for crying out loud. Don't let us down.

Report: Chimney Rock to be 'heart' of new state park

According to this article in the Charlotte Observer, Chimney Rock Park will be the "centerpiece" of one of North Carolina's state parks.

"The state will pay about $24 million for 996 acres so unique, with sheer cliffs and 400-foot waterfall, that Sotheby's put a $55 million price tag on it," said the article.

"The private park overlooking Lake Lure will become the keystone amid 2,800 nearby acres, which arc around Hickory Nut Gorge, that the state owns or may acquire. Hickory Nut Gorge State Park will open in 2008.

"State officials envision a public park that's little different from the trails, nature center and elevator to the Chimney top that draw 250,000 tourists a year. Lucius Morse bought the first 64 acres of the private park, 90 miles west of Charlotte, in 1902.

"The announcement relieved local residents. The wind-whipped view from the rock now includes vacation homes on surrounding peaks and a new road being carved into the mountain just across the gorge.

"'I go out every morning, I open my deck doors and I see Chimney Rock every day,' said Margie Burns, a gift shop owner who had worried that development would engulf the park. 'I definitely would not like to see a lot of houses.' ..."

Neither do we, Margie.

State buys Chimney Rock park

It's official: the State of North Carolina now owns Chimney Rock Park.

According to a news brief from the Asheville Citizen-Times, the state has bought the park for $24 million, and Gov. Mike Easley will announce the purchase in a news conference today.

"A private donation helped boost the price the state was willing to pay, said Charlie Peek, spokesman for the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation" said the paper.

"The state parks system had long been in negotiations with the owners of the 1,000-acre property in Rutherford County."

Officials with the property originally wanted $55 million, but the "anonymous donation of $2.35 million allowed the state to go above its appraisal price, Peek said."

In somewhat related news, the Associated Press is reporting that tourism was up at North Carolina's mountain parks last year.

Tourism increased in western North Carolina's national parks last year, despite high gas prices that hovered around $3 a gallon.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw its largest increase in tourism in five years and the Blue Ridge Parkway reported a 6 percent increase in visitors.

The Smokies reported a 2 percent increase in the number of visitors in 2006, to 9.4 million people, according to numbers released Friday. Visitation to the park peaked in 2000 with 10 million visitors a year.

Tourism attractions in surrounding communities and the region's proximity to metropolitan areas kept numbers high, officials said.

The mountain economies near the parks thrive on visitors, who spend $652 million a year at local hotels and restaurants in communities that border the parks.

Salisbury-based Cheerwine to take on the Super Bowl

Uh-oh, Kevin Brewer: Your secret may no longer be safe.

It appears that Salisbury-based Cheerwine is getting into the Super Bowl commercial biz -- sort of.

According to the Salisbury Post, the soft drink company and North Carolina icon "will launch a new advertising platform during the Super Bowl with a 30-second commercial in the Charlotte and Greensboro television markets.

"The ad represents a sneak preview of an advertising campaign that will debut in April, featuring a zany, investigative Cheer-watch News Team dedicated to 'Protecting Your Right to Drink Cheerwine.' ..."

Once the ads go national, expect the rest of the country to know what KBrew does -- Cheerwine is the bomb.

(By going to the Post's article, you can actually view the commercial.)

Update: N.C. Democrats apologize for 1898 race riot

From the Wilmington Star-News:

"White supremacists used violence and intimidation to chase away black leaders.

"The N.C. Democratic Party issued a formal apology Saturday for its role in the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot, the only documented government overthrow in this country, in which dozens of blacks were massacred.

"At that time, white supremacists used violence and intimidation to chase black leaders and white allies from office and the community.

"The Democratic Party's executive committee, made up of more than 700 leaders and activists from all 100 counties, drafted a resolution outlining the apology which acknowledges the party 'engineered and executed a statewide white supremacy campaign in order to win the 1900 elections that was vicious, polarizing and defamatory toward African-Americans and that encouraged racial violence.' ..."

RIP, NASCAR's 'nice guy'

I'm admittedly not much of a NASCAR guy, but I'm also not so naive to ignore its impact on the South and especially North Carolina. So when something as big as the loss of a NASCAR icon and personality happens, it behooves me to mention it.

Benny Parson ("BP") passed away on Tuesday from complications of lung cancer. He was 65 and leaves a legacy of one of the most colorful people in the sport. You can't doubt the impact he had on it; the sport's popularity is worldwide now, and he can be thanked for contributing to that.

"... Parsons was known around the industry as BP or The Professor," says the Hickory Daily Record. "He signed his blog on www.bennyparsons.com as BP. Parsons also was known during his racing years as the taxicab driver. Before his racing career began, Parsons moved to Detroit to live with his family. His father owned a taxi company, and Parsons sometimes drove one of the cabs. It was through this work that Parsons was introduced into the racing business. He moved back to North Carolina to pursue his dream.

" 'It will really seem strange not to have Benny around because you heard him day-in and day-out,' [Morgan] Shepherd said. 'We’ve lost one of our great competitors and broadcasters.'"

Rest in peace, BP.

'The Old Homes of Beaufort'

I may have missed just why this was published today in the Raleigh News & Observer, but it doesn't really matter. Beaufort is one of the great old, small towns in North Carolina, so I'm not gonna pass up a chance to promote it.

According to this, Carol Bessent Hayman is the Poet Laureate of Beaufort and Carteret County. This is her poem, "The Old Homes of Beaufort."

Old houses with high peaked roofs,
balconied porches, banistered stairs and fences
seem alive
as if they are the enduring defenses
of this town with the sea at its door,
the wind in its face
and a past filled with mystery and magic.

They sit quietly confident,
white or blue or gray
in blocks laid out by ghosts.
One can imagine children who played,
lovers who wandered
beneath century-old oaks on neat green lawns.
At night, they wear mantles of clouds and moonlight.
By day, staid and proper,
they take sunlight or rain with equal grace.

Each has a personality,
individual, unique.
The strong lines and gentle curves
of their sturdy posts and tall slender columns
send messages:
We are heritage.
We survive.

Quick hits: Wild horses, an overdue apology and more on tolls

Wild horse fund may cause confusion
"Members of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund say a similar agency being created across the state line in Virginia may end up generating more confusion than advocacy for the Outer Banks herd," according to the Elizabeth City Daily Advance.

"A bill introduced by Delegate Terrie Suit, R-Virginia Beach, in the Virginia House of Delegates would award state funding to aid a nonprofit group called the Wild Spanish Mustangs Fund.

"According to Suit's office, the nonprofit's funding would pay the medical fees as well as the costs of corralling Corolla horses that stray across the state line into Virginia. The funding would also pay for repairs to any fences that needed mending to keep the horses confined to North Carolina.

"Karen McCalpin, director of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund in Currituck, said she was taken aback when she heard about Suit's legislation. The Wild Spanish Mustangs Fund apparently made no contact with the Wild Horse Fund, which has been given stewardship over the herd, prior to seeking the legislation in Virginia. ..."

Wilmington race riot apology might come
"The history published last year on the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot is causing action in other parts of the state - including a likely apology from the N.C. Democratic Party and a call from the NAACP for the state legislature to act," according to the Wilmington Star-News.

"On Saturday, the party's executive committee will consider a resolution that would apologize for the organization's part in the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot, which saw a white supremacist movement use violence and intimidation to drive black leaders and white allies from office and the community.

"State Chairman Jerry Meek said the apology, which would likely come in a formal resolution of the party's 700-member executive committee, was inspired by the history released last year by a commission created by the General Assembly to study the event.

" 'I thought it was a good idea,' Meek said of writing a draft resolution of apology. 'I think moving forward often requires a sober reflection on the past.' ..."

Turnpike Authority considers toll roads
"The North Carolina Turnpike Authority board will meet at the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday to discuss several projects across the state, including possible toll roads," according to News 14 Carolina.

"In order for motorists to drive on free roads, the state has to come up with $60 billion. Officials say tolls could help pay for about 50 to 60 percent of that cost and could help speed up the process of building new roads.

"Some say playing the waiting game until funds are available to build free roads, traffic congestion in the fastest growing areas could turn into a nightmare. ..."

Asheville on Frommer's 'hot' list of travel spots for 2007

What does Asheville, North Carolina have in common with Tokyo, Zurich and Portland (both Oregon and Maine)? It's one of Frommer's dozen "standout" destinations for 2007 travelers.

Joining A-ville and the others on the list are Krakow, Poland; Minneapolis; Panama; Ethiopia; Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands; Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada; and Glen Canyon, Utah.

"The travel guide folks at Frommer's have realized what savvy North Carolinians already know. They've included Asheville in their list of a dozen places not to be missed in 2007," writes the News & Observer.

"It's the gateway to the North Carolina mountains and many, many destinations beyond. But there's much more to this fabulous city."

Click here for some great tips for visiting Asheville. Of course, no trip to Asheville is complete without visits to the Grove Park Inn (above) or the Biltmore Estate (right).

Update: Another cold front on the way for the mountains

Sure, it's been close to 70 degrees in the Triangle lately, but some good news may be on the way for the North Carolina mountains -- where cold weather means active ski slopes.

"Forecasters issued a heavy snow warning Tuesday for the high mountains of North Carolina as a storm moved in from Tennessee," according to the Associated Press.

" 'The area of snow is just moving through east Tennessee and will be approaching the border counties in the next hour and a half,' National Weather service meteorologist Blair Holloway said about 9 a.m.'The heaviest accumulations are expected to be above 3,000 to 3,500 feet' with lesser amounts in valleys, Holloway said.

Holloway added that snow wouldn't begin to accumulate until afternoon and 2 to 5 inches could fall along the mountainous Tennessee-North Carolina border.

Slopes welcome cold, snow

After some unseasonably warm days (some might say "Spring-like"), the North Carolina ski slopes are finally getting what they need: cold weather and snow.

"The warm spell that came over the last two weeks wasn't very kind," Kristin Hull, a customer service agent at Hawksnest ski resort in Seven Devils near Banner Elk, told the Associated Press. "It really looks like our luck is changing. It should be getting pretty crazy around here."

The National Weather Service reported one to three inches of snowfall around Banner Elk on Tuesday night. The resorts said there was even more up on the mountains.

And it could just be the start of "good" (read: ski) weather. According to the AP, forecasts call for daytime temperatures around 45 to 50 degrees for the rest of the week, with nighttime lows near-freezing levels. There's another chance of snow and rain in the area on Sunday.

"People want to get pumped up," Eric Huston, manager of Alpine Ski Center in Charlotte, told the AP. "The cold, Christmas, has snapped everyone's fingers to say, 'It's time. Let's go.'"

Here's to the Old North State ... in 2007!

Well, 2006 is coming to a close, and the Society wishes you all a healthy, productive and enjoyable 2007. And here's just a little "ditty" (also known as the State Toast) to remind us that we've been fortunate enough to spend 2006 in such a wonderful state.

Here's to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and strong grow great,
Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State!

Here's to the land of the cotton bloom white,
Where the scuppernong perfumes the breeze at night,
Where the soft southern moss and jessamine mate,
'Neath the murmuring pines of the Old North State!

Here's to the land where the galax grows,
Where the rhododendron's rosette glows,
Where soars Mount Mitchell's summit great,
In the "Land of the Sky," the Old North State!

Here's to the land where maidens are fair,
Where friends are true and cold hearts rare,
The near land, the dear land, whatever fate,
The blest land, the best land, the Old North State!

Make good use of those Christmas trees

Discarded and forgotten Christmas trees can have better afterlives than just curbside decorations while awaiting the trash man.

According to the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, trees can have a myriad of uses after that most important one of filling your home with joy. Among them:

-Turn your tree into mulch
-Use it for landscaping. "Officials with the N.C. Division of Forest Resources recommend throwing leaves over the tree to provide cover for birds and small mammals," says the Hendersonville News. "You also can prop the tree in the yard and hang suet or other birdfeeders from the branches. Remember to remove tinsel, plastic and anything else that is not recyclable."
-Turn your tree into a beach erosiong protector
-And offer your tree to a farm pond owner. "By sinking and anchoring a Christmas tree in a pond, it makes habitat and nesting ground for fish," says the paper.

Take that, 'Joizy'

"We're No. 10! We're No. 10! We're No. 10!"

According to the U.S. Census Board, North Carolina is now the 10th most populated state in the Union, passing New Jersey to vault into the top 10.

According to the News & Observer, last year, "North Carolina grew by 184,000 people, roughly the size of Winston-Salem."

"Everybody in my neighborhood is from somewhere else," former New Jersey resident Mary Johnson, now of Wake Forest, told the paper.

Of course, between 1994 and 2003, some 32,000 folks from New Jersey have moved to N.C., thus helping the population boom.

The Census burea expects North Carolina to pass Georgia, Michigan and Ohio by 2030 in population rankings with nearly 12.3 million people.

The Charlotte Observer does a better job with analysis on this subject, including a section on "Why They're Moving."

The reasons?
-Retirement. "In the 1990s, many retirees who moved to the Carolinas started in the Northeast, moved to Florida and then came halfway back -- to the Carolinas, earning the nickname 'halfbacks,' said the paper. "While that's still a factor in recent growth, many of the newer retirees never made it to the Sunshine State."

-Growth breeds growth. "Recent arrivals are coming here to join friends or relatives who moved here in earlier waves."

-And, finall, the economy. "Research Triangle Park near Raleigh-Durham and the financial sector in Charlotte drive job growth. New companies continue to start up in the Carolinas because of their location halfway along the Eastern Seaboard."

Gift ideas for those 'outdoorsy' types

Today's the first day of winter, and the Asheville Citizen-Times has an article on gift ideas for those people who take advantage of North Carolina's High Country outdoor amenities.

"When it comes to fashion on the ski slopes this winter, it’s more about what you hear than what you see.

"Don’t worry, your Burton snowboarding pants and Columbia ski jacket from last season won’t get you laughed off the slopes.

"But if you’re trying to get a leg up on the winter fashion scene or find a last-minute gift for the snow sports aficionado in your life, tune in to high-tech snow sports gear.

" 'It’s all about the audio,' said Craig Friedrich, owner of Ski Country Sports in Asheville."

Having access to your iPod is important, the article notes.

"There are a lot of items that can make your time on the slopes more enjoyable — from rubber-soled ski boots to snowboard-accessible backpacks. ..."

Also noted in the article are walking accessories from WalkEZ called Revolutions, "which clip to the bottom of ski boots. They also come with a lock.

" 'It allows for a more natural gait,' Friedrich said. ..."

Click here for more innovative ideas.

T'is the season for Old North State-related gifts

Ok, Ok, I know: Hannukah has already begun, and Christmas is just days away. But if you're still in need of gift ideas, look no further than our own state.

North Carolina magazine tauts some great N.C.-related items that would make nice gifts this holiday season.

Among them are a few things the Society has noted in the not-too-distant past, such as Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier and Hugh Morton, North Carolina Photographer.

Also noted are:

-Blueprint of a Lady: Sketches of Billie Holliday by Durham's Nnenna Freelong
-Fudge from the Orchard at Altapass
-Aunt Ruby's Peanuts
-a 100-stem bouquet of lavender from Sunshine Lavender Farm
-A Carolina Hurricanes "sweater"
-An ultimate flyer sled by Raleigh's Great Outdoor Provision Co.
-and much more.

Click here (and then go to page 48) for the rest of the holiday ideas.

Schools get creative when teaching non-English-speaking students

Michael Abernethy with the Kinston Free Press has written a fantastic piece on how teachers statewide are dealing with a growing non-English-speaking population. The article focuses on teachers who appear to be just fine with the challenges.

"Like many teachers, Ramon Jones has adapted to teaching students who speak multiple languages," says the article.

"The La Grange Elementary second-grade teacher routinely uses hands-on activities and pictures to help students with vocabulary and concepts. He also pairs native English speakers and students who speak English as a Second Language (ESL) together for class work, play and other activities.

" 'Teaching ESL students isn’t a huge challenge. Sure, it’s something: It’s a barrier if they don’t know any English,' Jones said. 'But I’m up to the challenge.'

"State and federal law requires public schools to educate all students, regardless of language barriers. In recent years, No Child Left Behind has placed significant importance on educating students identified through testing as Limited English Proficient (LEP) by measuring schools on LEP students’ performance on state tests.

"This year, North Carolina added 14,000 LEP students, bringing the state total to 97,000 students. Most of that growth can be attributed to the growing Hispanic population. Between 1990 and 2004, 57 percent of public schools’ enrollment growth came from Hispanics. ..."

Read on for the rest of this fascinating piece.

N.C.'s Yellow Poplars: The Redwoods of the East

Typically, each fall, I have the chance to venture to the western part of our state for work. It gives me a great opportunity to see the mountains in their autumnal glory.

Not this year. So, alas, I must rekindle memories of trips past.

One trip, several years ago, led me to Robbinsville, and to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, named for the "Trees" poet. (You know the one: "I think that I shall never see/A poem lovely as a tree...")

Within the Joyce Kilmer forest are Yellow Poplars that rise up to 115 feet, making them the largest trees east of the Mississippi and the third largest trees in the United States (behind the Redwoods and Sequoias).

Natural Adventures in the Mountains of Western North Carolina by Mary Ellen Hammond and Jim Parham is a book that every North Carolinian should own. It it, it features a chapter on Joyce Kilmer forest.

"A two-mile loop trail winds its way through a virgin forest where trees reach over 20 feet in circumference," says the book. "If you have enough people, see how many it takes to link hands and stretch around the largest of the trees. You'll be amazed as you find yourself dwarfed by one after another of these monsters."

Although, "monster" is probably not the right choice of word. These trees are magnificently beautiful giants.

Quick hits: Chimney Rock and the State of the Military

Still negotiating on Chimney Rock
"At this point in the game, the cards are played close to the vest," said the Asheville Citizen-Times.

" 'The negotiations are still going on — and they’re very active,' said Charlie Peek, spokesman for the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, which is negotiating with the owners of Chimney Rock Park to buy the 1,000-acre property in Rutherford County.

"Chimney Rock Park Co. President Todd Morse declined to comment on negotiations but did say he has set no deadline for the state.

" 'Our desire is to keep this moving forward and take the time to make sure we’re satisfied with the decision,' said Morse, whose family has owned the park for a century. The public has access to about 550 acres of Chimney Rock Park, including the 315-foot-high chimney, a 404-foot-high waterfall and miles of hiking trails. ..."

New group is ready to fight for more military contracts
"North Carolina, which touts itself as the most military friendly state in the nation, is going after more military bucks," says the New Bern Sun-Journal.

"The state, which puts more boots on the ground than all but two other states as a result of its military bases, isn’t willing to settle for being 38th in the nation when it comes to military contracts. So Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Monday announced the formation of the N.C. Military Foundation, a group made up of high-ranking military retirees and business executives whose goal is to grow the state’s military economy.

" 'Thirty-eighth is simply not acceptable,' Perdue said.

"North Carolina ranks No. 38 in terms of military contracts as a percentage of the state’s economy, said Tim Crowley, Perdue’s spokesman. In actual military contract dollars spent, North Carolina ranks 25th, he said. ..."

Effort aimed at saving the reefs

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries wants your leftover oyster shells.

Seriously.

"Shuck them, add a spritz of lemon juice or hot sauce if desired and slurp them up, but don't forget to recycle what's left," writes the Greenville Daily Reflector. "That's the message to local oyster lovers from the state Division of Marine Fisheries, which is pushing an oyster shell recycling program."

The program began in 2003 and continues to grow. More than 10,000 bushels have been collected so far this year, and those involved with the program hope increased public awareness will increase that number. ...

To encourage people and restaurants to drop off their shells, a tax credit of $1 for every bushel of shells will go to those who recycle.

The article goes on to give terrific information about how to get involved.

New tax credit: Starting this year, a $1 tax credit will be offered for every bushel of shells dropped off for recycling at the county's transfer station.

If you are planning a large oyster roast: Contact Sabrina Varnam at (252) 726-7021, 1-800-682-2632 or Sabrina.varnam@ncmail.net to arrange for a trailer to collect the shells.

Help wanted: Volunteers are needed to maintain collection sites and pick up shells. Contact Varnam for more information.