The past can be traced deep beneath Spruce Pine’s surrounding mountains — and it also can be mined.
Our Ava
Ava Gardner lit the world on fire with her breathtaking beauty and fiery spirit. She was raised as a farmer’s daughter near Smithfield. She transformed herself into a Hollywood starlet, a crooner’s wife, and a legacy. The world will never forget her. And we will never stop remembering — she was ours.
Duck
Explore this beautiful Outer Banks beach town, whose name is inspired by that bird of a different feather.
Exploring Statesville
For the highway traveler with stiff muscles and an empty belly, this town is a perfect stop.
Easy as Pie (or a Piece of Cake?)
Nancie McDermott — a North Carolina author who wrote the book(s) on Southern cakes and pies — weighs in on the benefits of making a mess in the kitchen.
The Big Freeze
For about 10 days in 1917 and 1918, the waters from the Great Dismal Swamp to the Outer Banks iced over, trapping humans, animals, and boats. Eastern NC lay paralyzed, waiting for the thaw.
The Dogs of War
After they complete their military service, K9 veterans find respect, admiration, and plenty of snuggle time from adoptive families.
Friday Frame of Mind
Bowlers say they’re after perfection: the elusive 300 game. But what brings them back to the alley week after week isn’t bragging rights; it’s friends, family, and the satisfaction that comes from watching that 10th pin fall.
