A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Many of the stories found in the magazine come to life in exclusive videos produced for Our State. These videos, found online at ourstate.com, add to the experience of reading

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Many of the stories found in the magazine come to life in exclusive videos produced for Our State. These videos, found online at ourstate.com, add to the experience of reading

Readers’ Choice: 2013 Video of the Year

Many of the stories found in the magazine come to life in exclusive videos produced for Our State. These videos, found online at ourstate.com, add to the experience of reading an Our State story by capturing the personalities, sights, and sounds of our quintessential North Carolina stories.

Click to view the videos and vote for your favorite at the bottom of the page.

You can also vote for your favorite cover, story, video, recipe, and photo essay of the year. We’ll post the collection of winners to ourstate.com and our Facebook page at the end of December.

Purple Heart Ceremony at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church


Wounded veterans share a common bond. Watch scenes from a Purple Heart ceremony at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. Read more about the Purple Heart Ceremony in the November 2013 issue of Our State.

BJ Leiderman Plays NPR’s “Science Friday” Theme Song


NPR’s jingle writer BJ Leiderman plays an improvised version of his newly written theme song for NPR’s “Science Friday.” Read more about the musician in Our State’s September 2013 issue.

Cape Fear Lighthouse Lens: Bringing Home The Light


The 1903 Cape Fear Lighthouse was demolished in 1958. Now meet the people who are rebuilding its lost Fresnel lens. Read more about N.C. lighthouses in Our State’s May 2013 issue.

The Happy Valley Pals


The Happy Valley Pals of Raleigh, NC perform the little-known genre of traditional Piedmont music. Read more about them in the May 2013 issue of Our State.

Jim Avett Sings Impromptu


Jim Avett plays a song for reporter Michael Kruse. Read more about the Avett Brothers and their family in Our State’s January 2013 issue.

The Mule Rider


Bernie Harberts rode Woody, his 20 year old mule, across North Carolina, and then all the way to California. He shared with us what he learned on his journey across the state, and what kept him going through rough conditions. Read more about Bernie Harbers in the March 2013 issue of Our State.

Hillsborough BBQ Company


Spend a day with the folks at Hillsborough BBQ Company and see what makes them different. Read more about Hillsborough BBQ Company in Our State’s March 2013 issue.

What the Locals Know: Morehead City


The mayor, a historian, and the local newspaper’s publisher in Morehead City share what every visitor should do while in town. Find out more about Morehead City in the April 2013 issue.

The Restorative Power of the River


On the banks of the New River, Rev. Dr. Rick Bennett, the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Elkin, N.C., describes the river as a sanctuary for familial and spiritual connection. Read Bennett’s contribution to the December 2013 issue here.

How to Survive Winter Backpacking


Winter backpacking takes some preparation and planning. Learn from John Pugh, an expert guide at Great Outdoor Provision Company, about 6 essentials you can’t forget on your next winter hike. Read more about winter camping in Our State’s February 2013 issue.

This story was published on Dec 04, 2013

Our State Staff

Since 1933, Our State has shared stories about North Carolina with readers both in state and around the world. We celebrate the people and places that make this state great. From the mountains to the coast, we feature North Carolina travel, history, food, and beautiful scenic photography.