Tar Heel lessons HHP/Erik Perel
For students and teachers
Getting To Know... Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Born: Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. on October 10, 1974 Known for: NASCAR driver of the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet Accomplishments: Before becoming one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, Dale Jr. worked at his dad’s car dealership as a mechanic. He attended college with the goal of obtaining his degree in automotives, until the day he bought a street car. At the age of 17, Dale Jr. began his racing career in the street stock division at Concord Speedway in Concord. After racing competitively for several years, he moved up to race in NASCAR’s late model stock division. In 1998, he started racing in the NASCAR Busch Series, winning the championship title two years in a row. After his second Busch crown in 1999, Dale Jr. moved to the NASCAR Nextel Cup as driver of the No.8 Budweiser Chevrolet. Dale Jr. won the Daytona 500 in 2004—where his famous dad, Dale Earnhardt Sr., died in a crash in February 2001—and has been named the sport’s most popular driver. He also became a best-selling author with his book, “Driver #8,” in 2002. Dale Jr. continues his career with the NASCAR Nextel Cup division. When Dale is not racing, he enjoys spending time at his home in Mooresville. His hobbies include collecting street cars and race cars, listening to music, computer gaming and relaxing with his friends.
Do You
Know… the state flower is the Dogwood tree?
The General Assembly of 1941 designated it as such. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) grows bright red fruit that is poisonous to humans but provides food to birds and other wildlife. Its blossoms, which appear in March and April and continue into summer, are usually white although shades of pink are found, too.
Dogwood Festival This Month Fayetteville, proclaimed “The City of Dogwoods,” is holding its annual Dogwood Festival Friday through Sunday, April 28–30. The festival includes sporting events, street dancing, crafts, face painting, food, concerts and more. Call (910) 323-1934 or visit www.fayettevilledogwoodfestival.com
Field Trip Fun A LOT OF LO COMOTI VES N.C. Transportation Museum
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classroom
Chuckle Teacher: If I had seven oranges in one hand and eight oranges in the other, what would I have? Student: Big hands!
The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer is located on what was once Southern Railway Company’s largest steam locomotive repair facility. Begun in 1896 at a point halfway between Washington and Atlanta, the large site contains an authentic train depot, antique automobiles, and a 37stall roundhouse with 25 locomotives and other interesting exhibits. The museum offers seasonal train rides, guided tours, educational programs, and special events throughout the year such as “Rail Days” and “Day Out With Thomas.” Call (704) 636-2889.
For more about the North Carolina Transporation Museum, visit www.nctrans.org For dogwoods, www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/ factsheet/trees-new/cornus_florida.html For more on Dale Earnhardt Jr., www.dalejr.com