The last week of September is a wonderful time to visit Mount Airy, the town that inspired Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show. Mount Airy more than doubles in size as fans from far and wide come “home” to Mayberry. This year’s Mayberry Days celebration takes place Sept. 23-29 and…

September 2, 2022 Head to Morganton this autumn for a unique way to view fall foliage. Once again, the Burke County Tourism Development Authority offers fall color tours aboard the Ridgeline Trolley. The tours begin in downtown Morganton and showcase spectacular fall color by traveling into the Blue Ridge Mountains…

The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville is the latest North Carolina region to receive federal recognition of its vineyards and wineries. This past July, Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County became an American Viticultural Area, or AVA. Only regions that have distinctive soil, climate and elevation earn this…

The Granville experience is an alternative. An alternative to what you have. A yin, to the everyday yang. Yet this alternative is not far away, but in your own back yard – steps away. It is not a location, but a place. A place where you can gather, relax, inhale/exhale,…

Not far from the Piedmont of North Carolina is the foothills town of Elkin, which sits on the Yadkin River. Elkin’s location provides easy access to the Yadkin River Trail, an officially designed state blueway trail encompassing nearly 130 miles of the river. The river consists mostly of gently flowing…

One of the most user-friendly trail systems in the state is taking shape along the banks of Lake James in Western North Carolina. The Fonta Flora State Trail is under development by Burke County and will eventually encircle the picturesque lake located about 90 miles northwest of downtown Charlotte. About…

This August, amateur and professional photographers can visit Grandfather Mountain’s classroom in the clouds to hear presentations from top photojournalists and improve their skills. The annual Grandfather Mountain Camera Clinic returns Aug. 17-18, also allowing participants the rare opportunity to photograph the park outside of regular business hours, while providing…

The Valdese LPDA – host of the Western Regional Bocce Tournament on August 10 – puts the finishing touches on its “old” new sign at 301 Laurel St SE in Valdese. Le Phare des Alpes (LPDA) was founded in 1909 by the Waldensian settlers as a mutual insurance cooperative.  It…

Join Morganton in celebrating 38 years of the Morganton Festival!  The free festival features free music all day plus national country acts, Kid Zone fun with rides and games, and food for all ages, plus over a mile and a half of arts & craft vendors from all over the…

Tobacco Wood Brewing Company I have been watching Tobacco Wood Brewing Company for nearly a year now. Not from a distance, but from my favorite perch in the taproom. The one directly in front of the big screen showing the what is on the 15 taps, all the beers are made…