The Best Version of Wagon Wheel.

Thanks Coach for making such an amazing version of Wagon Wheel!

YouTube - Wagon Wheel

Lenoir and Google featured on NPR...

This was an excellent series that gives and idea of what is going on in western North Carolina...
A must listen

Two million manufacturing jobs have disappeared in the recession. Lenoir, N.C., was once known as the "Furniture Capitol of the South." But a handful of former furniture factory workers are trying to retrain for high-tech careers with the new company in town: Google.
Series Link here

Respect in North Carolina

Respect

The Southern drawl in language is generally charming to most outsiders. In most cases, mutual respect is expected and southern hospitality is a staple of the area. This is expressed in a number of ways: holding doors open for strangers, not honking a car horn unless necessary, and keeping one's voice down when in a crowded room.

As is common in other parts of the South, North Carolinians typically take offense at being stereotyped as "hicks" or "rednecks". While some rural residents might apply such labels to themselves as a matter of humor, it is not expected that outsiders will follow suit (this is similar to the double-standard common in American race relations, where a word may be taken as a complement or a slur depending upon the social status of the speaker). It is very strongly advised that visitors treat the locals with the same respect that you'd afford to any other group of people, and not attempt to make a joke out of age-old class discrimination.

Hickory on WikiTravel

Driving in Hickory is quite easy, although the remaining one-way streets and eclectic street naming conventions can be somewhat bewildering. If you get lost, just ask a local and say you're from out of town. They'll refrain from an age-old Hickory tradition of giving directions based on where things "used to be". Please remember, though, to always be polite when talking to locals under any circumstance. For instance, if you just barge in to somebody and ask how to get to the interstate, for example, your reception will be decidedly less-than-friendly and you won't get your answer, either. The phrases "excuse me", "please", and "thank you" go a long way.


Given Hickory's German heritage and heavy Lutheran influences, it's no surprise that beer is easy to find and fun to ingest among friends in Hickory.

Stay Safe:
Stay away from South Center Street. Everywhere else is relatively safe. Avoid the intersection of Highway 70 and Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard at rush hour.

Charlotte's Tea

If you are not from the American South, be aware that sweet iced tea is the predominant non-carbonated drink. When ordering tea, you will need to be specific if you want un-sweet tea, otherwise it will be sweetened. Diabetics should take particular note of the distinction, as a glass of sweet tea is roughly as sugary as a glass of soft drink.