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Life In the Carolina’s Podcast — Arts
Life In the Carolina’s Podcast

Welcome to the Life in the Carolinas Podcast. Our show features a blending of stories that are primarily based on the syndicated TV show, Carl White’s Life in the Carolinas and newspaper columns written by Carl White.

Like Carl often says, “It’s never a bad time for a good story!”

The podcast is hosted by Carl and features specials guests as they share the stories behind the stories. All too often we simply do not have enough time to share everything we would like during broadcast. This podcast will allow us the opportunity to share more information and allow our viewers and readers a chance to get to know our guests more intimately.

The Carolinas offer some of the finest people, landscapes, and opportunities to explore.

We have traveled to the high elevations for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games which are considered to be among the best in the nation.

We discovered the beauty of the brackish Waccamaw River and learned about the massive live oaks that predate the founding of America.

In Gold Hill, NC we made a connection with the past and learned about the early days of gold mining in America.

We were more than intrigued with a visit to the historic Wilcox Hotel in Aiken, SC and the stories of the Roosevelt Suite. Are the stories true? It’s fun to think about the possibilities.

Did you know Edgefield, SC was the home of ten South Carolina Governors and that the world-renowned Jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie was from Cheraw, SC?

What about those mysterious Brown Mountain Lights in the North Carolina Mountains? They have kept people guessing for hundreds of years. Do you know what they are?

The stories are abundant and only limited by how many tomorrows we have for their telling.

Join us as we share our stories, traditions, charm, and southern hospitality.

Latest Episodes:

The Trail Man R.G. Absher Nov 13, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, our guest is R.G. Absher, Executive Director of the Yadkin River Greenway. R.G. “retired” from his career as Assistant Park Ranger at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, where he managed the creation of over 35 miles of sustainable and erosion-proof trails for recreational use. A hearty team of engineers and volunteers pulled this project together, and the model they set up has now been replicated in regions across the country.

R.G. is striving to spotlight the Yadkin Valley, which is known as the gateway to the high country, so that locals and visitors alike will recognize the “crown jewel of natural resources” that exists right here in Wilkes County. The Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor includes Wilkes, Surry, Yadkin, and Caldwell counties and is home to outdoor adventure opportunities, rich history, significant agritourism, and the Yadkin Valley Greenway, which hopes to bring together the community to appreciate nature and strengthen the bonds between one another. In addition to the Yadkin Valley Greenway, the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail runs straight through Wilkes county and commemorates the route used during the Revolutionary War during the Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. R.G. encourages listeners to take advantage of the cultural and recreational resources in your area to connect to your heritage and truly experience the richness of life in your area.

Connect with the Yadkin River Greenway:

https://www.facebook.com/YadkinRiverGreenway/

Over the Mountain Victory Trail

https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/destinations/overmountain-victory-national-historic-trail/

Mountain To Sea Trail

https://mountainstoseatrail.org/

A Voice from the Pamlico Sound Oct 31, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, we are joined by Steve Nelson, Owner of The Inn on Pamlico Sound boutique hotel. Steve grew up in New Jersey and had a prominent career in Manhattan for many years, but it was not until the first time he vacationed on Hatteras Island that he finally felt that he was at home. Before leaving the island from that first vacation, he had purchased a beach house and knew that he would be spending a lot of time “at home.” Within 2 years of that first trip to Hatteras, Steve was living in that beach house full-time and telecommuting to work whenever necessary, but he knew that he and his family needed a change of pace.

His epiphany came on a late-night drive home from the airport when he realized that the homey but classy boutique hotels that he frequented during his work travels across North America and Europe would be a perfect fit for the Hatteras community. He was committed to steering clear of the clientele that the current inns and bed-and-breakfasts in the area attracted, and he knew that creating a unique boutique hotel experience could boost tourism to the island and provide full-time jobs with benefits for dozens of locals.

In 2004, Steve opened The Inn on Pamlico Sound as a test with just 5 rooms, and the next year, all 12 rooms were available, and the Inn was up and running. With a lot of support from the community, especially 2 veteran innkeepers, Steve and his team created the boutique hotel experience that had been dreaming of. To this day, they do not invest in any paid advertising, but rely solely on organic marketing: online reviews, media publicity, and word of mouth. The staff at the Inn are extremely loyal and have grown to be a family community, much like the larger community on the island that they are a part of.

One of the things that makes Hatteras Island unique is the generational culture: the native residents typically stay on the island for life, and some of them go back 7 or 8 generations of living on the island. This means that the residents of this small community essentially all do life together, just like their parents, their grandparents, and so on did. Their roots are very deep, and though they are accepting of outsiders, it is common for the native residents to remain distant in their relationships with non-natives for several years because they are committed to having lifelong friendships. Steve experienced this dynamic as he integrated into the community, and he has a higher appreciation and understanding of the culture, which strengthens his commitment to investing in the next generation of Hatteras Island residents.

For more information:

Life In The Carolinas TV segment on Pamlico Sound

https://youtu.be/Umpe3fpQFtU

http://innonpamlicosound.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Innonpamlicosound/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g48993-d80404-Reviews-The_Inn_on_Pamlico_Sound-Buxton_Hatteras_Island_Outer_Banks_North_Carolina.html

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/3449967/inn-at-pamlico-sound/

https://www.pinterest.com/innpamlicosound/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-inn-on-pamlico-sound-buxton

Outlander North Carolina Oct 24, 2018

Show notes

Our guest on this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast is Beth Pittman, author and curator of the website and Facebook group “Outlander North Carolina.” Outlander is a series of 8 (soon to be 9) books that begins in Scotland in the 1940s but takes a dramatic turn when the main character travels back in time to America in the year 1743. The books have since become a television series, currently in its 4thseason, as well as a theatrical production. Beth has found herself enamored with the narrative, the historical elements, and the characters and she knows that she is not alone.

Fans of the books are flocking to North Carolina historic sites such as Tryon Palace, Wilmington, Alamance Battleground, Edenton, Fort Defiance, and Western North Carolina, and Beth and others in the know believe that Outlander-related tourism will only increase as the North Carolina portions of the show begin to air. What sets the Outlanderseries apart from other historical fiction/fantasy is the thoroughly-researched and accurate historical aspects included by the author. In fact, Beth’s own interest in North Carolina’s history has been incited as her interest in Outlander has increased.

In September 2018, Beth organized and hosted A Fraser Homecoming weekend at Leatherwood, which was attended by people from 20 different states and featured speakers, musicians, reenactors, educators, and naturalists specializing in 18thcentury America and North Carolina specifically. She was pleasantly surprised by the popularity of the event and has already set the date for next year’s Homecoming: October 3-6, 2019.

Connect with Beth:

https://outlandernorthcarolina.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/outlandernorthcarolina/

https://www.instagram.com/outlandernorthcarolina/

Story Time with Ken and Allen Oct 15, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, Carl is joined by his good friends Ken Welborn, Publisher of The Record newspaper in North Wilkesboro, and Allen Langley of Shelby, NC. Carl and Ken met years ago at the filming of a Christmas special at the Balsam Mountain Inn; Carl and Allen met around the time of the opening of the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby; Ken and Allen met each other at a Rotary Club Convention in Boone in 2001, and both continue to be involved in Rotary business to this day.

Ken is a masterful storyteller, both verbally and through his column in The Record newspaper, and many of his stories pay tribute to his delightful childhood and his loving parents. His goal with The Record is to make everyone feel welcome and to put a smile on their face when they come to visit the office. He believes in connecting with people who are making an impact on the community and shining a spotlight on them either during their lives or after they have passed, by writing heartfelt obituaries for them. He tells the story of Ike’s Chicken, the key to which is simply patience, and encourages listeners to email him for the recipe.

Allen has been blessed to visit 43 countries doing the work of the Rotary club, sharing the blessings that he has received from God, including his gift of gab. He and Ken both live by the Rotary motto of “service above self”, recognizing that this is the heart of it all. We all have something to give back to improve the lives of others, either time, talent, or treasure, and this is just the way you can choose to walk through life. They inspire listeners to do what they love and always keep the right perspective, which can get you through the hard times and give you the strength to allow your life to be used for the good of yourself and those around you.

The Scruggs Center Segment (This is when I met Allen Langley) https://youtu.be/bC39g7gLVrE An Old Fashion Christmas at Balsam Mountain Inn (The Christmas Show that Ken attended) https://youtu.be/Hx7LIKAYVko The Collectors Special (Ken joins Carl for a collectors adventure) https://youtu.be/KCBOmFs5YuI Foot Hills Merry Go Round Festival ( Carl visits with Allen at the Merry Go Round Festival in Shelby NC) https://youtu.be/N1miDPtFY3A

Wilkes County Hall of Fame Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, our guests are Chris Skabo (Director of Athletics and Healthful Living, Wilkes County Schools), Mark Byrd (Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools), Dennis Huggins (Director of Development for Wilkes County Schools), and Marty Hemric (Wilkes County Hall of Fame President). They joined us to talk about the Wilkes County Hall of Fame, which they all played an integral part in creating in 2012.

The Wilkes County Hall of Fame’s goal is to recognize the human capital of Wilkes County and remind the citizens of the stories and excellence of the individuals’ lives, inspiring students to pursue their goals by being encouraged by the accomplishments of those before them. In the past 6 years, 48 individuals have been inducted into the Wilkes County Hall of Fame in 4 categories: Leadership, Enterprise, Athletics/Sports, Performing and Cultural Arts. The inductees go through a nomination process and then are assessed by the Hall of Fame Board members before being chosen out of the dozens of applications received every year. Those involved with the Wilkes County Hall of Fame have found that an extraordinary number of the inductees have maintained connections in the area, which could be attributed to the entrepreneurial spirit, drive, and inspiration that were instilled in them in their formative years by living in the cohesive community of Wilkes County. Another commonality between the inductees is their focus on doing good for the sole purpose of doing good, not for the recognition or to receive any benefits from it.

In addition to recognizing these individuals for their contributions to society, the Wilkes County Hall of Fame foundation manages a grant program for Wilkes County teachers and athletics personnel to improve the student experience and further push them to achieve greatness. In fact, on November 5th of this year, they will be holding the Youth Leadership Forum breakfast to inform student leaders about the accomplishments of the Wilkes County Hall of Fame inductees and provide them with the firepower to inspire their peers at school as well.

For more information:

https://wilkescountyhalloffame.org/

https://www.facebook.com/wilkescountyhalloffame

North Carolina Herb Association Sep 26, 2018

Show notes

Our guest on this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast is Camille F. Edwards, Executive Director of the North Carolina Herb Association. The Association provides networking and promotion opportunities to growers and manufacturers of North Carolina’s herbs as well as workshops and classes to the general public and those interested in becoming involved with the industry. The herb and botanical industry in North Carolina averages $2 billion per year and includes common herbs such as lavender, ginseng, echinacea, lemon balm, golden sill, ginger root, mushrooms, black cohosh, and medical marijuana or hemp.

Camille has been working with the Department of Agritourism to get plans in place for future farm promotions and tours. She has also found that as soy, corn, and tobacco are being increasingly produced in other countries, the NC farmers who have been producing these crops are interested in transitioning their fields to herb growing, providing the opportunity for the industry to grow even more in the coming years. An additional opportunity that Camille has pinpointed is the harvesting of woodland medicinals, which grow in the undergrowth of forests that are often used for lumber. Woodland medicinals are difficult to grow in an artificial environment, so it is imperative to intentionally give them time and space to grow naturally and be harvested before the lumber is harvested in the area. One challenge that Camille has observed in her work is that many farmers want to keep to themselves, but she knows that they would benefit from being involved in a community of like-minded herb growers once they decide to sign on.

You may not be aware that North Carolina is well-known for its herbal schools and the herbalists that conduct business in the state, and there is likely a local herb association in your area that would be a good resource for questions specific to your locale. Herbalists are a great resource if you are wondering if certain herbal supplements will interact with any prescription medications you are taking or if you are unsure how herbs are best used. During the last weekend of July every year, the NC Herb Association hosts the Wild Herb Weekend, so be sure to check that out next year!

Connect with the NC Herb Association:

http://www.ncherbassociation.org/

info@ncherbassociation.org

https://www.facebook.com/ncherbassociation/

Vivian Hopkins and Gold Hill Sep 17, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, we are joined by Vivian Hopkins, a proud resident of and ambassador for the town of Gold Hill, North Carolina. Located in eastern Rowan county, Gold Hill was the site of the first gold discovery in North Carolina, in 1824. From that time until the Civil War, 98% of the gold in circulation in the US was from North Carolina, 30-40% of which was from Gold Hill. The town saw an influx in immigrants from Cornwall, England, where the primary trade was tin mining, and these English workers were very familiar with the similar process of mining gold. The gold mining industry was ahead of its time in terms of industrialization, as evidenced by the agreements to share workers between their mines based on supply. Tourists and locals are still able to catch a glimpse of the gold mining era by visiting the North Carolina Gold Trail, which traverses through Mint Hill, Gold Hill, Charlotte, and Rutherfordton, and by attending the annual North Carolina Gold Festival located in Old Fort.

Gold Hill’s picturesque downtown is home to a dozen restored shops and is known as the hub of the North Carolina Bluegrass Association, which hosts bluegrass “jams” every Friday night at the Montgomery store in town. On the mysterious side of things, Gold Hill is home to decades of ghost stories, which visitors can hear about during the two annual walking ghost tours. So it is safe to say that this old mining town is still very much full of life!

For more information about Gold Hill:

http://historicgoldhill.com/

https://www.facebook.com/VisitGoldHillNC/

Link to Life In The Carolinas Broadcast show featuring Gold Hill NC

https://youtu.be/iyJHNyYLfOA

LITC website:

www.Lifeinthecarolinas.com

Carl White

Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com

Dale Isom and The 1915 Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, our guest is Dale Isom, an engineer by trade who has recently entered the hospitality industry and is doing a lot for the northwestern North Carolina community. Dale and his wife own several hotel properties in the area and across the state, and they have come to understand the importance of making their guests feel secure and welcome in the community. About 5 years ago, Dale and the Kruger Brothers came up with the idea to brand Wilkes county as “The Heart of American Folk Music”, which has created the tradition of year-round concerts in local establishments as well as the Carolina in the Fall annual event, highlighting the talented musicians of the area and the genre of American Folk.

Additionally, Dale has revitalized the old post office and federal courthouse in downtown Wilkesboro and created The 1915 event space that is also the home of the Blue Ridge Artisan Center. These artisans and those who will be involved in the Artisan Café opening this fall showcase the culture of Wilkes and the surrounding counties, celebrating the community and what makes it unique. Dale’s efforts have jump-started the rejuvenation of downtown Wilkesboro, supported by local merchants, private investments, and local government funding. These investments will continue to impact the community and the celebration of its culture for many years to come.

Connect with Dale:

https://the1915.org/

https://carolinainthefall.org/

https://blueridgeartisancenter.org/

http://heartoffolk.com/

Life in the Carolinas Site:

www.Lifeinthecarolinas.com

Link to LITC broadcast segment on Carolina In the Fall

https://youtu.be/AqM_RG262Ss

The Tom Dooley Story Aug 31, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, our guests are Charlotte and Bill Barnes of Matthews and Jen Krenzel of Denmark. Despite their very different cultural backgrounds, Charlotte and Jen both became familiar with Tom Dooley’s (more accurately: Dula’s) story after hearing the Kingston Trio song in the 1950s on the topic. They both became more than merely interested in Tom’s story and did their own research to find out the truth.

Charlotte and Bill were operating their video production business outside of Charlotte when they heard that a Tom Dooley museum was opening in the mountains, which they promptly visited. There, they met Edith Carter who put them in touch with descendants of those involved in Tom’s story as well as others who had done significant research on Tom. Over the past 30 years, Charlotte has acquired so much content through these interviews and by visiting the archives of local libraries that in 2016 she published “The Tom Dooley Files” book containing every detail that she had found in an attempt to uncover the truth. She is currently working on a novel from the point of view of the New York reporter who came down to cover the trial.

Jen became enamored with Tom’s story after a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway many years ago, where he saw the plaque about Tom Dooley, who he had always assumed was fictitious. In 2004, Jen and his wife visited the Tom Dooley museum and met Edith, and in 2016, Jen purchased Charlotte’s book. Additionally, he read records from the census, the trial, Iredell County’s archives, and genealogies to try to find out the truth.

Tom Dooley’s story continues to be one that captivates the generations, those near and far.

For more information:

The Tom Dooley Files Book: http://www.thetomdooleyfiles.com/

The Tom Dooley Outdoor Drama (Play) http://www.bleumoonproductions.com/

Life In The Carolinas TV show Link for Tom Dooley Segment with Charlotte Barns: https://youtu.be/-5-KbySh03k

LITC Website www.lifeinthecarolinas.com

Contact Carl:

Carl White – Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com

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