The Hounds of Summer

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The Hounds of Summer

Warm summer days in the South are not uncommon and the Dog Days of Summer take things to another level. For the most part, we don’t mind sweat because we know it’s good for us. Sweat is an equalizer for all people…somewhat that is. I recall a conversation with Ginny Biddle in Conway SC. We were talking about the hot weather and the sweat of summer. She reminded me that horses sweat, men perspire and women glisten.  This expression seems to have originated from the Victorian era. I listened as she explained and later I did a bit of research because I know that sometimes etiquette suggest we say things in a politer way, and often, there is good reason.

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Cars Cars and More Cars

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Cars Cars and More Cars

Vintage and classic cars have a way of making folks feel good. I’m sure if you are a driver you can recall a moment that when you were driving down the road and spotted a well-maintained, older car cruising in the other lane. At that very moment, you smile and have one of those happy feelings. Maybe it’s nostalgia or just wonderment of something that appears so unique and special.

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A Country Doctor and Tea Pots

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A Country Doctor and Tea Pots

With as much as I had learned on the first tour, I was surprised at how much I gained on the day of our production. The new discoveries were to the delight of my producers as they feel if I discover things on camera for the first time, it is more exciting and natural. We were all pleased with the production and how the segment turned out when it aired some months later.

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Ten Governors, violence and wild turkeys

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Ten Governors, violence and wild turkeys

Another significant thing that got my attention was a mural which boasts 10 South Carolina governors, starting with Andrew Pickens, who served as governor from 1816-1818, up to Gov. Strom Thurmond. Thurmond was elected in 1946 and then went on to serve the U.S. Senate for a total of 47 years five months and eight days, which currently ranks him the third longest serving member of the Senate.

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Coffee, trees and cheese

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Coffee, trees and cheese

When you walk around town it’s easy to see that the people of West Jefferson have embraced their creative selves. There are several beautiful murals around town, and the Ashe County Arts Council does a fine job of promoting the many talented artists in the region with an active program schedule.

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A Late Drive, An Innkeeper and A Lighthouse

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A Late Drive, An Innkeeper and A Lighthouse

Imagine driving late at night across expansive bridges, knowing that you are crossing a great body of water, but you can’t see it, and then you are driving on a sand blown road. Curiosity gets the best of you, so you stop and roll down your window. It sounds like you are completely flanked by water...

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An Invitation to Dinner and a Few Secrets

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An Invitation to Dinner and a Few Secrets

It was at Duke that Priess caught the eye of the Central Intelligence Agency, and not long afterwards he found himself working for the CIA in Washington D.C. It was there that he began his journey that would eventually put him in the position of working on the top-secret document known as the PDB, the “President's Daily Brief,” or simply referred to as “the Book” by those in national security.

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Southern Peaches and A Life Less Boring

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Southern Peaches and A Life Less Boring

Gaffney is also home to the 135 foot Peachoid water tower. If you have ever traveled I-85 and gone past Gaffney you have seen it. It was built in 1981, and it holds one million gallons of water.   The Peachoid was the center of the popular Netflix show House of Cards, Season 1, Episode 3. The fate of the Peachoid was in question, but it survived and we all learned a valuable lesson about texting and driving.

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Bagpipes, Tree Tossing and Traditions

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Bagpipes, Tree Tossing and Traditions

In my visits to the Highland Games over the years, I have met many people of interest and learned much about the origins of many of the things that we do in the Carolinas. I've met great story tellers, musicians, shepherds and athletes who enjoy the caber toss, which is the sport of tossing a tapered pole made from a large tree...

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