Renee Gannon

6 days ago | carolinacountry.com | Renee Gannon

Nestled within the Nantahala Forest in the southwestern corner of the state, Franklin provides adventures in the surrounding mountains as well as in town, with its locally focused women’s history trail, museums, restaurants and shops, and it’s bookended by two breweries: Lazy Hiker Brewing and Currahee Brewing. As you cross over the Little Tennessee River into downtown Franklin, you’ll notice a sculpture in the center of Women’s History Park.

1 month ago | carolinacountry.com | Renee Gannon

Born out of necessity during the Great Depression, ground steak sandwiches cemented a foothold in the northwestern Piedmont area of North Carolina as families and local diners across the Yadkin Valley kept it as a staple meal for almost 100 years. Travis Frye knows firsthand the power of ground steak. As tourism coordinator for the town of Dobson and Surry County Tourism Development Authority, and a native to the area, he remembers his great-grandmother Vera Love preparing it.

Jan 15, 2025 | carolinacountry.com | Renee Gannon

Coastal communities celebrate Mardi Gras with all the pageantry By Renee C. Gannon The purple, gold and green flow throughout Beaufort, Gloucester and Oak Island each year in celebration of Mardi Gras. These local events feature parades, carnivals, Cajun food and of course, music. Mardi Gras — March 4 this year — is held just before the start of Lent, a period of fasting preceding Easter.

Oct 15, 2024 | carolinacountry.com | Renee Gannon

As the holiday season ramps up across North Carolina this month, a train seat transports young and old through the magic of the lights, sounds and festivities. The following are just a few found across the state, please check your local areas for more holiday events.

Sep 13, 2024 | carolinacountry.com | Renee Gannon

Courtesy of Johnston county CVB. Photo courtesy of Johnston county CVB "Although no one believes me, I have always been a country girl and still have a country girl's values," Ava Gardner (1922–1990) wrote in her autobiography, “Ava: My Story.” “Because I was promoted as a sort of a siren and played all those sexy broads, people made the mistake of thinking I was like that off the screen.