Carolina Country

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.

1 month ago | carolinacountry.com | Rue Reynold

As spring awakens in North Carolina, so does the excitement for strawberry season. Towns across the state come together to celebrate this beloved fruit, including the Strawberry Jammin’ festival in Sanford. Taking place May 10, 2025, this lively festival is a feast for the senses, packed with local flavors, live music and a community-driven atmosphere that makes it a must-visit event.

2 months ago | carolinacountry.com | L.A. Jackson

Regular sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a common, easy-to-grow annual herb that I usually tuck away in a tiny corner of my herb patch. I do like this basil, but skimping on its space leaves more room for other basils with way more different twists in flavor, fragrance and looks. Here are three of my current favorites.

2 months ago | carolinacountry.com | Scott Gates |Tammy Piland

When Jacqueline Long first heard about her electric cooperative’s energy efficiency rebate program, it was through a friend who had mentioned it years ago. She had initially looked into it but never followed through. When the same friend brought it up again, she decided to give it another chance. She’s glad she did. In the early months of 2024, Jacqueline and her husband, Joe (pictured), had energy-efficiency upgrades completed on their home through Roanoke Coopertive’s Upgrade to $ave program.