In 1931, a High Point salesman turned a simple child’s toy into the Fli-Back paddle ball, a worldwide sensation that entertained millions of kids — and helped create North Carolina’s very own Paddle Ball King.
An Honorable Khaki
Just prior to the Great Depression, a Gaston County textile mill introduced a special khaki weave that served our armed forces with distinction for five decades.
Carefree Cruising
For some drivers, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the portal to our state’s soaring peaks and offers the sights and routes that remind them of home.
North Carolina’s Blue Ribbon
The Blue Ridge Parkway stands out among America’s national parks: Unfurling across six Appalachian mountain chains, it connects dozens of rural communities and binds together generations of families through shared memories.
Appalachian Spring
The story behind Andrews Geyser is deep, complex, and as irrepressible as the man-made fountain itself. It goes back to the 1870s, when the railroad finally climbed the Blue Ridge Escarpment near Old Fort. The tragic cost of that achievement is still being uncovered today.
The Magic of Mountain Monarchs
Every September, Gorges State Park celebrates the monarch butterfly — and the awe and wonder of its annual migration — with a festival fit for a king.
How to Make a Seed Bomb for Your Garden
Creating habitat for migrating monarchs can be a blast. Make this easy mixture to support wildflower growth in your yard and draw in pollinators.
Hitch a Ride on the Hoover Cart
Saddled with high prices brought on by the Great Depression, enterprising North Carolinians came up with a unique way of getting around that became an international fad.
Winston-Salem’s Ambassador of the Arts
A 91-year-old woman has been a passionate supporter, volunteer, and patron of the arts since she was a child. Along the way, she’s captured the heart of an entire community.
