Six Products Born in the Tarheel State

BY MEGAN TAYLOR

North Carolina is known for many things. Celebrities, politicians, athletes, historic landmarks, well-known attractions, and more have made our state famous. Other additions to the list are the different food and drink products that originated in North Carolina. Many people are familiar with these products, but not their history. Let’s take a quick look at some of the famous products that are made in North Carolina.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Right here in Winston-Salem, Krispy Kreme was founded by Vernon Rudolph in 1937. He rented a building in Old Salem and with a yeast-raised recipe from a New Orleans chef, created the original doughnuts that we now know today. Rudolph started selling the doughnuts to local grocery stores for 25 cents a dozen and the rest is history. Krispy Kreme doughnuts come in many different flavors, but (in my opinion) there is nothing better than a warm original glazed doughnut melting in your mouth. And don’t worry—Krispy Kreme has locations throughout the world if you ever get a hankering when outside of North Carolina.

Texas Pete Hot Sauce

Another Winston-Salem native creation is Texas Pete. Contrary to the popular notion that the hot sauce originated in Texas, the Garner family, which consisted of father Samuel, “Mother Jane,” and brothers Thad, Ralph, and Harold, launched their famous hot sauce in Winston-Salem by making it on their family’s stove.

Since the 1940s, Texas Pete hot sauce has grown to include buffalo-wing sauce, chili sauce, pepper sauce, seafood cocktail sauce, and honey mustard sauce.

Cheerwine

Started in L.D. Peeler’s grocery store in Salisbury during World War I, Cheerwine celebrated the 100th anniversary of its creation in 2017. This cherry-flavored soda’s recipe has been passed down throughout the Peeler family and the drink can be found in the Southern states and California. Cheerwine and its history are so famous in the state that a whole festival is dedicated to the drink. Each year, the Cheerwine Festival is held in downtown Salisbury. Attendees can enjoy Carolina pulled pork, covered in a Cheerwine barbecue sauce, merchandise, music, and more.

Mt. Olive Pickles

Named after its location, the Mt. Olive Pickle Company was founded in 1926 in Mount Olive, North Carolina, and quickly became the largest privately-owned pickle company in the states. Today, Mt. Olive Pickles come in multiple varieties and are available in major grocery stores. The company’s efforts span more than just making pickles. The Mt. Olive Pickle Company supports the University of Mount Olive and created the Mt. Olive Pickle Company Foundation in 1994. Just like Cheerwine, Mt. Olive Pickles have their own celebration: a New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop in Mount Olive, in which a 3.5-foot lighted pickle is dropped from the Mount Olive Volunteer Fire Department truck.

Pepsi-Cola

One of the oldest products made in NC comes from 1898 in New Bern. Pharmacist Caleb Bradham developed a fountain drink, Pepsi-Cola, to help with digestion and increase a person’s energy. He began to offer this drink to patrons in his drugstore’s soda fountain. Only a few years later, in 1902, Bradham took his creation and turned it into a business. Fun fact: the soft drink’s name wasn’t always Pepsi. It started out as Brad’s Drink. Then, in 1898, it became Pepsi-Cola, and was changed again in 1961 when the drink became just Pepsi.

Lance Crackers

Peanut butter, cheese, and vanilla crème—the list goes on and on with the types available in Lance Crackers. In 1913, Philip Lance took 500 pounds of Virginia peanuts, roasted, and sold them. After the success of his peanut business took off, Lance started making peanut butter. To help people experience the full taste of the peanut butter, Lance’s wife and daughters put the food on two crackers, placed them together, and created the peanut butter sandwich. This led to the founding of the famous Lance Crackers.

There is always a special place in a North Carolinian’s heart for products made in our home state. The next time you go to the grocery store, a restaurant, or another place, and get one of these creations, you can now say you know the product’s history and true connection to the Tarheel state.

Nine Rules of

Friendship BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Hair in pigtails, big brown eyes looking sad, a child of five sits in her booster seat asking why Jillian, a classmate, doesn’t like her. Moms are fantastic at listening, allowing a child to verbalize her worries. Sometimes, their words come slowly between moments of silence; other times, the words come rushing out. The dialogue, whether the child is five or fifteen, remains constant. Relationships take an ability to listen, reflect, communicate, and understand that not all friends play by the same rules.

RULE #1: Never Regret Friendships

“Why do we always have to play your game?” A young child will inevitably meet a friend and, in time, question the relationship. Reflection arrives, and a desire to create a list of expectations in being and having this friend. Of course, each value will be challenged. Faith comes into play when values are tested. Confrontations sometimes teach and strengthen relationships. There is always something to learn; it is a gift of clarity! Never regret meeting a person, even if the friendship was short-lived and ended poorly. With hope, two people can learn a vital lesson.

RULE #2: Choose to be Loyal

“Did you really say that about me?” Don’t expect loyalty if you cannot provide honesty. A reputation for integrity and dependability is a quality that most will expect and deliver in return. It comes with the blessing of better health and a feeling of happiness. By avoiding gossip, negative commentary, or complaining about a friend publicly, you can ensure the benefits—a large number of loyal friends.

RULE #3: Actively Listen

“Did you hear anything I just said? I’m going to stop telling you things.” The social skills learned as a teenager through the early 20s influence the quality of one’s life. Every aspect— relationships, one’s support network, career, and extra-curricular activities—relies on the skill of actively listening. Most people focus more on speaking than listening. When he or she processes dialogue, the good listener learns essential information and how to respond. Looking directly at the speaker without distractions is one effective strategy!

RULE #4: Privacy and Sharing

“Promise me! You won’t tell anyone!” A confidential sharing of information is an honored form of trust. Sometimes, it comes with a condition. A clear reminder about what is appropriate to share and affirmed in the privacy of your friendship. In the verbal response, “I promise,” you verify the secret. Never make a promise if it comes at the cost of a friend’s safety or health.

RULE #5: Offer Advice Gently!

“Why did you say that?” Thinking before speaking leads to challenging consequences and sometimes shatters friendship. Even in the heat of a moment, take a deep breath, or return after a day to use gentle words. Confronting an argument can remove barriers and fears, while allowing room to strengthen connections. It’s even okay to start with, “I’m going to say this as gently as I can….”

RULE #6 Fight for Friendship

“I realize I haven’t been there for you. Please forgive me!” Never think it is too late to apologize for a past action or word. Holding tightly to the past leads to a deep sense of regret! Admitting words of forgiveness is the first step to find peace within ourselves.

RULE #7: Play Together

“Meet you on the monkey bars after lunch today?” or, “Let’s plan on a one-day road trip!” Remember the days of childhood! The excitement was seeing the playground equipment and the opportunity to meet new friends. The experience offered spontaneity, laughter, and unstructured play. In a world of schedules, take time to plan similar occasions for recreation and fun!

RULE #8: Offer Help

“I need help!” How many people can you count on to be there if needed? The banner of “loyal,” “actively listening,” and “kindness” includes “support.” Friendship is not about convenience. It requires an effort to be there when a buddy needs help.

RULE #9: Promote Close and Distant Friendships

“We’ll always be friends!” Good friends never “leave!” They may move to a different county or relocate across the country, but the relationship can continue with open communication. Even when friends move to another school, a good friend requires more than just a few minutes to spare. Act intentionally to use every source of communication to maintain correspondence, such as face-time, texting, e-mail, handwritten letters, and scheduling visits! Every effort promotes your relationship!

A TIP FOR PARENTS

Wait as long as possible to buy your child a cell phone. Sharing yours offers a means to monitor text messages while guiding and interpreting dialogue!

Why You Need a SOLO VACATION and FIVE of the Best US Cities for Travel on Your Own BY KAREN COOPER

I love my family…oh, how I LOVE them! But after a year of forced family togetherness, I can think of nothing better than getting away by myself. This is nothing new for me. I have a history of loving a little “me” time away, whether it be for a business trip or a trip for rest and rejuvenation. Seeing new places on your own terms is an empowering, exciting experience. It allows you the chance to take your time and linger in your favorite places with no one else’s schedule to worry about! For starters, the good old USA has so much to offer and these five US cities are great for female solo traveling! Start here at home and if you feel like it…you may end up solo traveling your way around the world.

New York, NY Being alone in a city as densely populated as New York might seem lonely, but I’m here to tell you it feels amazing! Get yourself in a New York state of mind while checking out some of the best museums and restaurants in the country. You may also want to visit a Broadway show, the Metropolitan Opera, or the NYC Ballet. Foodies will love New York. You can go in any culinary direction you choose and never fear going to a restaurant or bar to dine solo! Everyone’s doing it. Enjoy the fast-paced lifestyle, melting-pot culture, and renowned landmarks everywhere you look. If you need a little space, take a break in sprawling Central Park, which spans over a square mile of the city.

Portland, OR A beautiful city, filled with hipsters, a relaxed vibe, lots of green space, and a great music scene. Another great town for foodies! Take the streetcar to downtown Portland and have your pick of one of many great restaurants in the Pearl District. Get in some nature time while hiking through Forest Park or among the thousands of flowers in the International Rose Test Garden. Later on, you can find great music at local favorite Mississippi Studios or have a drink at one of the city’s many bars. Get a bird’s eye view of Portland on the Portland Aerial Tram…a great experience for any solo traveler.

Washington, DC If you love American history, Washington, DC, is the place to go. In my experience, museums and galleries are perfect for solo travel, and you can take your time exploring so many choices that may interest you here. Many of the city’s museums are free and can fill up an entire day of exploring. Visiting DC solo will offer you the chance to discover the city at your own pace. In the evening, you might like to take in a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts or enjoy a play at historic Ford’s Theater, where President Lincoln was shot. Interested in shopping and eating? Make sure to visit Dupont Circle and Georgetown.

Austin, TX Austin is a yearround dream destination. The weather is almost always warm and sunny, and there are always fun activities to involve yourself in. Solo travelers will find Austin’s spirit infectious. The city has a creative vibe with a thriving music scene. Nightlife is abundant. During daylight hours, take stand-up paddleboard tours of Lady Bird Lake and check out one of the restaurants downtown for some of the best Tex-Mex food you’ll ever find.

Charleston, SC A quaint Southern city, Charleston is full of history and hospitality. Charleston is continually voted the number one travel destination in the United States, and you will see why. It offers brightly painted homes, cobblestone streets, and palm trees all right by the water. Most of the popular downtown restaurants have outdoor seating, where you can order a cocktail and try the most amazing food in town. So chat up the friendly bartender and forget about being solo. Enjoy the inviting Charleston ambiance. The beach is also just a short drive away, if it’s sand and surf you’re craving.