Hello Wednesday.
April 24 2024
Ever wondered how North Carolina got its nickname “The Tar Heel State”? Its origins are not totally certain, but have clear ties to the longleaf pine, a species so revered by NC that it’s in the state’s official toast and has its own award: the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
This 1951 image shows Biltmore Estate’s forester Dr. Carl Schenck + colleague Vivian Caine examining longleaf pine. | Image courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections
Throughout the 1800s, longleaf pine trees fueled NC’s economy with tar, pitch, rosin + turpentine, which were used by the naval industry to waterproof + protect wooden ships. Our longleaf pines were so plentiful that at one point, North Carolina had the largest naval industry in the country.
So what’s that got to do with Tar Heels? At the start of the Civil War in 1865, North Carolina was producing nearly 100% of turpentine in the United States. Sticky, tacky + messy, tar and its related products were hard to shake once you came into contact with it, and workers who distilled turpentine inevitably got it on themselves, including on their feet. It was not uncommon for the nickname to be used as an insult to imply that folks working it were uneducated and low class.
A popular legend also suggests that the name comes from Civil War battles, where “the soldiers of North Carolina stuck to their bloody work as if they had tar on their heels.” Interestingly, some historians also credit this as the time folks started to reclaim the term and use it as an expression of state pride.
While it lacks the glamour of more straightforward nicknames like “The Garden State” and “The Peach State,” we love how the name sticks, because it pays homage to what makes North Carolina so great: the people.
Use the buttons below to share this story with all the NC natives, transplants + history buffs in your life.
Today
- DJ Logic with Electro Lust | Wed., Sept. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr. | $15+ | Members of Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Empire Strikes Brass, and The Fritz create electro Latin funk sounds as an opener for the renowned American turntablist. 🎸
- Blues Dance Party with Mr Jimmy and Patrick Lockett | Wed., Sept. 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Weaver House, 56 N. Main St., Weaverville | Free | Shake your groove thing to live blues tunes. 💃
- Smoky Mountains in Fall | Wed., Sept. 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 2 Town Square Blvd. #150 | $38+ | Create your own autumnal masterpiece. 🎨
Thursday
- Jade Doskow: Photographer of Lost Utopias | Thurs., Sept. 16 | 7-8 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Sq. | $15 | Explore architectural works from past world’s fairs. 📷
- Bridesmaids | Thurs., Sept. 16-Sun., Sept. 19 | Various times | Asheville Pizza & Brewing, 685 Merrimon Ave. | $5 | Bring proof of vaccination to this comedic cult favorite. 🎥
Friday
- Ward Davis | Fri., Sept. 17 | 9 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $25 | A country singer + songwriter whose songs have been recorded by legends like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. 🎤
Saturday
- ASAP Farm Tours | Sat., Sept. 18-Sun., Sept. 19 | Multiple locations | $35 | See how food is grown and raised through guided tours, demos, hands-on activities, tastings + more. 🌽
- Art in Autumn | Sat., Sept. 18 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Main St., Weaverville | Free | The 14th annual Art in Autumn Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival returns to downtown Weaverville, ft. 100+ artists and craftspeople, plus live music, with booths lining Main Street. Ⓟ
- An outstanding tasting experience at VICARIO | Sat., Sept. 18 | 12-5 p.m. | 800 Old Jones Rd., Greer | $15 | This microdistillery and farm produces gin and 15 award-winning liqueurs, ft. farm-grown herbs + fruits for an intriguing and delightful garden-to-glass experience. Reservations are needed Tues.-Thurs.; walk-ins welcome Fri.-Sat. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
This is a very difficult but important topic, and may be troubling for some readers.
The Greenlaw Foundation is raising funds through individual and community donations to help support struggling veterans | Photo provided by The Greenlaw Foundation
22 veterans die by suicide every day. The rate of active duty suicides has increased over the last 5 years, and veteran-focused organizations are seeing decreased funding as a result of the pandemic.
That’s why SC-based 501C3 nonprofit The Greenlaw Foundation is raising funds through individual + community donations to help support struggling veterans, specifically focusing on preventing veteran suicide and homelessness.
Donations are tax deductible — and will change the lives of veterans in need. Ⓟ
Weather
- 80º | Cloudy | 17% chance of rain
Coming Soon
- New eats are coming to South Asheville. Restaurant B More Eatery is slated to open in the coming weeks at Dalton's Distillery (251 Biltmore Ave.) and will offer a rotating menu of locally sourced dishes, including fried green tomato BLTs and peach flatbread. Follow them on Instagram for announcement details. 🥪
Community
- BearWise, a network of wildlife officials + researchers working to help humans and bears live together, is offering a new virtual program. On Tues., Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. NC Assistant Black Bear Biologist Ashley Hobbs will teach how to prevent and handle interactions. Email by Thurs., Sept. 23 to register. 🐻
Today Is
- Today is the first day of Yom Kippur (also known as the Day of Atonement) — the holiest day of the year in Judaism. The Jewish holiday is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service. Shabbat candle lighting is at 7:18 p.m., 18 minutes before sunset. May you have an easy fast. 🕯️
Cause
- Wanna enjoy Haywood Street's Welcome Table's most popular meals + support its mission? Register for the inaugural At Home With Miss Mary's Meatloaf fundraiser on Wed., Nov. 3. Meal packages — which include sides + dessert from partner chefs at Cúrate, Rhubarb, or 12 Bones restaurants — are available in servings for 1, 6, or 12. 🍲
Ranked
- We locals know Asheville is the best, and the folks at US News & World Report agree: our mountain city came in at the No. 1 spot on its Best Fall Vacations list. We earned high marks for our unparalleled views of fall foliage, craft beer, and outdoor fun. ✨
Regional
- Hendersonville-based nonprofit Safelight has purchased a building in downtown Hendersonville (317 N. Washington St.) to hold space for its Child Advocacy Center, Family Justice Center, and Counseling Center Programs. Safelight provides support to survivors of interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. 🏢 (WLOS)
State
- Gov. Roy Cooper has designated September as Deaf Awareness Month. Designed to raise awareness issues affecting folks who are deaf, officials say it’s especially important given how the pandemic’s masks have impacted communication with the Deaf community. (WLOS)
- Ever wondered how wages in Buncombe compare to NC’s other 99 counties? Check out this interactive map of the state’s average salaries. Broken down by counties and using data provided by ZipRecruiter and the NC Department of Commerce, it offers insights on how industry + area intersect. (Fox 8)
Active
Coronavirus
- As of Tuesday afternoon, 159,623 people (up 883 from Friday) in Buncombe County are fully vaccinated for a total of 61% of the population. There have been 721 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days (up 35 from Friday), and 365 total deaths. Book a vaccine appointment here, and see more Buncombe County-specific info here.
Job
- Aeroflow Healthcare is hiring, offering perks like company-matched 401k plans, expanded parental benefits, an on-site gym and fitness classes, and more. See openings + apply. Ⓟ
- WSM Craft is hiring an Artisan Shop Carpenter to help build cabinetry and millwork for their custom homes. They’re seeking a detail-oriented, self-motivated individual who loves an autonomous, creative environment to work in tandem with the shop manager. Apply online or send resume to info@wsmcraft.com. Ⓟ
TheBuy
- Every day feels like Sunday with these joggers from Vuori. The Sunday Performance Joggers are premier in fit, function, and soft stretch — designed to keep you moving with less bulk around your ankles. Get 20% off your first purchase. Ⓟ
Wanna hit some local trails and do some good? You’re in luck, because there are still spots available for the “Hike for Habitat” series that runs Sept. 15-18.
This array of in-person guided hikes will be led by famed AT hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis to locations including the Art Loeb Trail, Mount Mitchell, the Smokies, and the Appalachian Trail. Proceeds from the hikes will go towards Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program. See the hike options here, and happy trails to you.
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