Hello Thursday.
March 28 2024
Since North Carolina became a state in 1789, it’s cranked out some pretty noteworthy items. Some, like livermush, are regionally known and loved, but others — like Krispy Kreme + the barcode — enjoy national acclaim.
Let’s explore the timeline of NC’s most iconic products, shall we?
Cheerwine inventor Lewis D. Peeler pictured with a Cheerwine route truck. I Photo via Carolina Country.com
Vicks VapoRub
- This menthol-based topical ointment — commonly used to treat coughs and relieve muscle aches + pain — was created by a pharmacist in Selma, NC in 1890.
Pepsi-Cola
- Arguably NC’s most famous product, Pepsi-Cola — originally named "Brad's Drink" after inventor Caleb Bradham — was created in New Bern in 1893 as a way to help with digestion + energy. Today, it’s the biggest rival of Coca-Cola, the world’s most popular soft drink.
Lance Crackers
- Ever enjoyed the simple tastiness of a peanut butter cracker? Give props to Charlotte food broker Philip Lance, who came up with the treats in 1913 after obtaining + roasting 500 pounds of raw peanuts.
Nothing compares to a classic glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut. I Photo by AVLtoday
Cheerwine
- This cherry-flavored soda was born in the basement of Salisbury entrepreneur Lewis D. Peeler in 1917. Its name is derived from “cheer” (for pleasure) and “wine” (for its deep red hue). A thoroughly modern way to enjoy it? A bourbon-Cheerwine slushie from Buxton Chicken Palace. And you can always hit the road for the annual Cheerwine Festival held in downtown Salisbury each May.
Mount Olive Pickles
- Yeah, they’re a pretty big dill. Launched in 1926, these purveyors of pickled goodness are not only the largest privately held pickle company in the country, they’ve even been included in the NC Chamber’s Coolest Things Made in NC awards.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
- Folks have been chowing down on Krispy Kreme’s fluffy, yeast-based doughnuts since Vernon Rudolph concocted them for his small, Old Salem-based coffeeshop in 1937. They’re so beloved, there’s even an annual Krispy Kreme Challenge in Raleigh that challenges runners to eat 12 donuts over the course of 5 miles and 1 hour.
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Today
- NOH8 Beer Release Party | Wed., Oct. 13 | 5:30 p.m. | Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd. | Free | The proceeds of this new brew will support The Campaign for Southern Equality. 🍻
Thursday
- Fall LEAF Festival | Thurs., Oct. 14-Sun., Oct. 17 | Various times | 377 Lake Eden Rd. | $50+ | Headliners for this bi-annual arts and culture celebration include Las Cafeteras, HuDost, Ethno Camp USA, Tito Puente JR, Sierra Hull, CimaFunk, and Beny Esguerra. 🎤
- Shuggie Otis & Freedom Flight: A Talk by Bill Kopp with André Cholmondeley | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 8-10 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O Henry Ave. | $15 | Listen to the psychedelic soul, funk, blues, and jazz fusion artist discuss his work.
- UNC Asheville’s TheatreUNCA Presents Everyone | Thurs., Oct. 14-Sun., Oct. 17 | 4 p.m. | Reynolds Green, 1 University Hts. | Free with registration | This outdoor performance explores death, isolation, resentment, forgiveness, and rebirth.
- ForestHer Workshop | Thurs., Oct. 14 | 1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn about the history + function of prescribed fire in NC’s forest ecosystems. 🔥
Friday
- Parker Millsap w/ Molly Parden | Fri., Oct. 15 | 7 p.m. | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway St. | $22 | Bring along your proof of vaccination to this folk music-filled night. 🎶
- Bill & the Belles | Fri., Oct. 15 | 8 p.m. | Weinhaus, 86 Patton Ave. | $10 | Bring proof of vaccination to see this Tennessee-based band perform their new record, Happy Again.
- Antique and Collectible Book Sale | Fri., Oct. 15-Sat., Oct 16 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St. | Free | Proceeds from this annual sale support programming for the library. 📚
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.
NC College Application Week begins Monday | Photo provided by UNC Asheville
North Carolina College Application Week is Oct. 18-22, and UNC Asheville is taking part with free college applications for in-state students, including transfer students. ✍️
Here are 3 tips for a stellar app from UNC Asheville Vice Chancellor of Admission + Financial Aid Kortni R. Campbell:
- Be yourself, not who you think a college wants you to be.
- Take your time with your application.
- Share your experiences outside of school. Club president? Musician? Scholar-athlete? They want to know. Ⓟ
Weather
- 79º | Partly cloudy | 13% chance of rain
Open
- Gallivant Coffee (126 Elkwood Ave. #103, Woodfin) is now open for business. The shop offers plant-based coffee drinks made with house-roasted beans and scratch made baked goods + granolas. Check them out Wed.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sat. and Sun., 8:30-1:30 p.m. ☕ (Mountain Xpress)
Festival
- Today at 3 p.m., Faith in Arts Institute kicks off a multi-day festival that will run through Sun., Oct. 16. The event celebrates the work of artists + creatives who draw on spiritual or religious practices, and will include workshops, lectures, performances, and beyond. See the lineup.
Cause
- Nonprofit MANNA FoodBank hopes to collect hundreds of turkeys this year and asks the community to help in the following ways: 1) donate a frozen turkey, ham, or other holiday entrée at its Volunteer Center (627 Swannanoa River Rd.) or 2) donate via its virtual food drive. 🦃
Featured
- Locals stay jazzed about Chai Pani, and that’s something we have in common with the folks at the New York Times, who included the Indian street food eatery in its list of America’s Favorite Restaurants. The chaat, kale pakoras + okra fries got rave reviews. Congrats to Meherwan + team. 👏
Drink
- Catawba Valley Brewing Co. has been purchased by portfolio company Made By The Water LLC, also known as the owners + operators of Florida-based Oyster City Brewing Company. Officials say the goal is to have each bizzes brand — Catawba, Palmetto, Twisp + Oyster City — available across the southeast. 🍺 (Morganton News Herald)
Try This
- Learn the why, how + when of saving seeds with a seed saving workshop, taking place today from 4-5 p.m. at Pearson Community Garden (408 Pearson Dr.). The workshop will focus on medicinal seed varieties, but the strategy works for a a wide range of vegetables and flowers. 🌱
Trending
- Missed the 2021 Parade of Homes Asheville’s opening weekend? Fret not: check it out in-person Oct. 16-17, as well as virtually. Now in its 40th year, the parade features 36 newly constructed area homes — all of which can be toured virtually year-round— and 15 that can be seen in-person. 🏡
Ranked
- Asheville landed in the No. 19 spot of Livability’s 100 Best Places to Live in America. What makes us so special? Our city received high marks for its natural beauty, employment opportunities, craft beer + restaurants, and vibrant arts scene.
Job
- Riveter is hiring a Social Media Coordinator with a strong background in marketing and communications, a talent for creating engaging content, and an understanding consumer of behavior. See details and apply. Ⓟ
DYK
- Area gas prices are at a 7-year high, according to GasBuddy. The average price in the 828 is roughly $3.10 per gallon — 15 cents lower than the current national average of $3.25 per gallon. Experts say demand is up, but oil production is lower than it was pre-pandemic.⛽ (WLOS)
Learn
- Ever wonder what baseball players do in their downtime? Well, Edwin Diaz and Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets have been learning new languages with Babbel, the No. 1 language learning app. Sign up for Babbel and get an exclusive deal (60% off). 🌎 Ⓟ
Biz
- Have you ever sold something on Etsy, eBay, or Facebook and found yourself craving the thrill of the sale? If yes, then consider yourself an e-commerce merchant. Ecwid (the secret behind successful e-commerce all across the world) can help turn this hobby into a full-fledged business. Learn more. Ⓟ
A trio of Asheville food trucks — Bun Intended, Root Down, and Asheville Taco Truck — recently teamed up against British celebrity chef + veteran Robert Irvine for an episode of his show on the Food Network, "Dinner: Impossible."
The show — which was filmed this past summer — aired on TV last night, but you can catch the entire episode today at 8:15pm at Rabbit Rabbit (74 Coxe Ave.). Who will be victorious? We don’t know yet, but we’re betting on (and rooting for) our local 4-wheeled food purveyors.
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Thanks to all who wrote in and shared their sightings of this fall's monarch butterfly migration. We've heard of sightings as recent as today in spots like Sam's Knob and the Five Points neighborhood.
Also, reader Astrid H. shared a presentation that they created about monarch butterfly conservation. Check it out here.
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