Meet Rocky, our sweet 4-year-old Staffie mix with a heart of gold! Rocky is a little sad living without people of his own. He is a special pup and it does not take long to see what a big heart he has. Poor Rocky has had an inconsistent home for his first 4 years of his life. His first owners rehomed him (reason unknown) and now he is with us as a stray – no contact information was provided on his microchip. Luckily we were able to connect with the original owner and learned that he does not do well with small animals/cats, but does do well with children and other dogs.
A volunteer took him home for a day to be a work-from-home buddy. Rocky has a kind and gentle soul and the best way to describe him is he’s a respectful gentleman. During the work day he didn’t make a peep, actually he didn’t wake up either! He enjoyed his nap on the dog bed and didn’t pay attention to the dog toys or even the dogs on the other side of the door. He also wasn’t forcing to be pet, but of course took any attention when it was given to him. He truly is such a mellow and calm dog and would work well with so many different types of people. During playgroups, Rocky was a laid-back gentleman. He had slow, appropriate greetings. And although he was respectful at all times, he never seemed to allow himself to fully enjoy interacting with others. He was content to explore the yard in another dog’s presence.
Rocky reminds us all that good manners are timeless. He sits quietly while you put on his collar and walks beautifully by your side. Rocky has mastered the art of sitting for treats and takes them oh-so-politely. If you’re looking for a loyal friend who will fill your life with love and calm companionship, Rocky is ready to be your new best buddy! Come meet him and see how he can steal your heart!
Although he is heartworm positive, it is treatable and not contagious. Friends of Wake County Animal Center has provided a $400 sponsorship to help cover the cost of treatment.
If you’re interested in learning more about him, please reach out to our volunteer matchmakers at [email protected] with the subject line “Rocky 253390”
Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s Busiest Domestic Flights
Data for domestic flights from RDU are from April 2023 – March 2024
10. Newark, New Jersey (263,600)
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263,600 passengers took the flight from RDU to Newark with the top carriers being Delta and United. On average, there are 15 flights a week traveling from RDU to Newark.
9. Boston, Massachusetts (268,920)
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The 1 hour and 27 minutes flight from RDU to Boston carried 268,920 passengers. The top carriers for the flight were Delta, Frontier, and JetBlue. Flights from RDU to Boston are operated 40 times a week, 6 flights a day on average.
8. Chicago-O’Hare, Illinois (289,450)
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RDU to Chicago had 289,450 passengers with American Airlines, Frontier, and United as the top carriers. The flight time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
7. New York, LaGuardia (291,790)
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291,790 passengers traveled from RDU to LaGuardia between April 2023 and March 2024. The top carriers are American Airlines, Delta, and Frontier with a flight time of approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes.
6. Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (309,150)
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The flight from RDU to Dallas Fort Worth carried 309,150 passengers with American Airlines and Frontier as the top carrier. The flight time lasts around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
5. New York, JFK International (310,470)
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RDU to JFK International flew 310,470 passengers from April 2023 to March 2024. The flight lasted approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and the top carriers were American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue.
4. Denver, Colorado (313,970)
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The flight from RDU to Denver takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes and carries 313,970 passengers. The top carriers are Frontier, Southwest, and United Airlines. This is the longest of the top domestic flights at 1,436 miles.
3. Orlando, Florida (405,150)
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Orlando, a popular tourist destination, had 405,150 passengers from April 2023 to March 2024. The top carriers include Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest. The flight from RDU to Orlando takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
2. Charlotte, North Carolina (496,120)
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Charlotte, a popular flight connection, is the second busiest route from RDU with 496,120 passengers. The top carrier is American Airlines and the flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. This is the shortest of the top destinations at 129 miles.
1. Atlanta, Georgia (702,900)
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The most popular domestic destination out of RDU is Atlanta, Georgia with 702,900 passengers. The top carriers include Delta, Frontier, and Southwest. A flight from RDU to Atlanta, GA takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Set in the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina, One Tree Hill was filmed in several locations, including near the battleship USS North Carolina and the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus. The series premiered to 2.5 million viewers, quickly growing to 3.3 million by its second week. Notably, One Tree Hill was one of only three shows to increase its viewership in the second episode of the 2003-2004 season.
Dirty Dancing (Lake Lure, NC)
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Dirty Dancing, the 1987 American romantic drama, was primarily filmed in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Additionally, scenes were shot in Mountain Lake, Virginia, with meticulous editing to create the illusion of a single location. In Lake Lure, filming took place at Camp Chimney Rock, a former Boy Scout camp.
Outer Banks (Wilmington, NC)
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Outer Banks is set and filmed in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Although co-creator Jones Pae initially envisioned Wilmington as a filming location, Netflix chose not to due to House Bill 2 legislation. Wilmington didn’t appear in the series until the fourth season in 2023. Additionally, the show filmed in Charleston, South Carolina, and Morocco. Outer Banks the TV show is one of the more popular North Carolina productions.
A Walk To Remember (Wilmington, NC)
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A Walk To Remember, filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, took over 39 days during the summer of 2001. Because of this, the production utilized sets shared with Dawson’s Creek, including the school, hospital, and Landon’s home.
The Hunger Games (Western North Carolina)
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Filming for The Hunger Games primarily took place in North Carolina in 2012. Because of North Carolina law, Lionsgate acquired $8 million in tax breaks for filming in North Carolina. DuPont State Forest in North Carolina became the scene for District 12. Charlotte, Asheville, and Shelby were amongst other locations where filming took place in North Carolina.
Eastbound & Down (Shelby and Wilmington, NC)
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Eastbound & Down takes place in Shelby, North Carolina, but filming occurred in Wilmington (NC), Myrtle Beach (SC), and Puerto Rico. The show premiered on February 15th, 2009, and concluded on November 17th, 2013.
Forrest Gump (Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina)
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Filming for Forrest Gump mainly took place in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The 1994 film was an adaptation of the 1986 novel by Winston Groom. North Carolina filming locations included Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain, and the Biltmore Estate.
Talladega Nights (Charlotte, NC)
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Talladega Nights is set in both North Carolina and Alabama and except for one week of shooting, all filming occurred in North Carolina in 2006. Talladega Nights is one of the most notable North Carolina productions with most of the filming occurring in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area. Filming locations include the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rockingham Speedway, and Concord, North Carolina.
Bull Durham (Durham, NC)
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Bull Durham is based around the Durham Bulls baseball team and Durham, North Carolina. The 1988 film is based on the experiences of minor-league baseball from the viewpoint of writer/director Ron Shelton. Filming for Bull Durham took place in Durham Athletic Park and various other locations around Durham.
The annual North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheater is an ideal holiday activity for the whole family. Running from November 16th through January 12th, the festival features all-new displays with hundreds of parts and thousands of lights. In addition to the dazzling lanterns, the event includes a rich history, tasty food, performances, and numerous retail vendors.
Raleigh
SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS FAIR
December 7th
Raleigh
The Scandinavian Christmas Fair, also known as Julmarknad, will be held at the State Fair Grounds on December 7th. This authentic celebration showcases traditions from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. Attendees can find traditional food, dancing, and vendors. Additionally, tickets are available online or in person, making it a wonderful yearly tradition for the entire family.
RALEIGH CHRISTMAS PARADE
November 23rd
Raleigh
The 2024 Raleigh Christmas Parade will take place on November 23rd at 9:30 am and stands as the largest parade between Atlanta and Washington DC. As the parade makes its way down the 1.4-mile route, there is something for everyone. Over its 2-hour duration, attendees can enjoy local marching bands, various organizations, balloons, dancers, and floats. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Raleigh Christmas Parade!
THE NUTCRACKER
Dec. 12th to Dec. 24th
Raleigh
The Nutcracker, presented by Carolina Ballet, takes place in downtown Raleigh. The shows run from December 12th to the 24th and are the most-attended Carolina Ballet production ever. Held at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, the production features fresh choreography, vibrant sets, and stunning costumes.
THE RINK
November to January
Raleigh
THE RINK, a natural ice skating rink in the heart of downtown Raleigh, will operate from November to January. This year, visitors can enjoy a snack bar, games, and lounging stations. The event will take place at Red Hat Amphitheater. In addition, tickets start at $15 for skaters and $6 for non-skaters.
Greater North Carolina
POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
Nov. 7th to Dec. 31st
Bryson City
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad presents the Polar Express train ride. The ride lasts 1 ½ hours and guests will enjoy beautiful scenery, hot cocoa, and treats while experiencing the story. The train finishes up at the North Pole where children can meet Santa Claus and be presented their silver bell. The experience finishes back at Bryson City Depot and tickets range from $29 to $63.
CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE
Nov. 2nd to Jan. 5th
Asheville
Christmas at Biltmore will run from November 2nd to January 5th. Tickets, which range from $110 to $420 per person depending on the package, offer various experiences. Visitors can tour the grounds during the daytime or evening; thus, they will encounter stunning decorations, enjoy complimentary wine tastings, and participate in candle-lit tours.
Mike’s Farm
November 23rd
Beaulaville
Christmas festivities at Mike’s Farm begin on November 14th and run until December 23rd. During this period, activities include the Festival of Lights Hayride, Wilmington Celebration Choir, Supper with Santa, Christmas Show, and more. For further details, including all dates and times for individual events as well as ticket information, visit their website.
WINTERFEST AT CAROWINDS
Nov. 15th to Dec. 31st
Charlotte
Winterfest at Carowinds runs from November 15th through December 31st. During this festive period, activities include Christmas lights, ice skating, live entertainment, and holiday food. With something for all ages, the event also offers free admission for children two years old and under. For tickets and additional information, visit their website.
Chris Paul is an NBA point guard from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Before being drafted in 2005, Paul spent two years playing basketball at Wake Forest University. He was selected fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets, who are now known as the Charlotte Hornets, during their temporary relocation to New Orleans. While he has played for seven teams, currently the San Antonio Spurs, none of them were in his home state of North Carolina.
Richard Petty (Level Cross)
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Richard Petty, a North Carolina stock car racer, was born in Level Cross. He has a large number of achievements under his belt including his large number of NASCAR. Petty shares the record for the most NASCAR Cup Series Championships with Dale Earnhardt, a fellow North Carolinian, and Jimmie Johnson. His last race was in 1992, the Hooters 500, and he has earned his nickname “The King.”
Julius Peppers (Wilson)
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Julius Peppers is a Defensive end Linebacker from Wilson, North Carolina. He spent three years playing for the University of North Carolina before being drafted 2nd overall in 2002. Peppers played for the Carolina Panthers until 2009, returning to Carolina again in 2017 for one final season. After 16 years of professional football, Peppers retired after the 2018 season.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. (Kannapolis)
Photo Credit: David Taylor/Allsport
Dale Earnhardt Sr. was a professional stock car driver born in Kannapolis, North Carolina. His first race was in Charlotte at the 1975 World 600 and his last was the Daytona 500 in 2001. Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in an accident at the 2001 Daytona 500 due to a three-car crash at only 49 years old. His son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., takes after his father and carries along his legacy as one of the most popular professional athletes from North Carolina.
Carl Eller (Winston-Salem)
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Carl Eller, a Winston-Salem native, is a former Defensive end who played in the NFL for 15 years. He played nearly all of his career (1964-1978) with the Minnesota Vikings, eventually retiring with the Seattle Seahawks after less than a year. After retiring from football, Eller went back to school and obtained a degree in Human Services. Both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame honor him.
Bobby Bell (Shelby)
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Bobby Bell is a former American football linebacker from Shelby, North Carolina. “He played his entire career with the Minnesota Vikings, who drafted him in 1963. After retiring in 1974, Bell secured his place in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. He settled in Kansas City, Missouri, and opened Bobby Bell’s Bar-b-que.
Enos Slaughter (Durham)
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Enos Slaughter, also known as “Country,” was born in Roxboro, North Carolina. Slaughter was an MLB right fielder for 21 years, retiring in 1959. In his 21 years of professional baseball, Slaughter played for five teams before retiring in Durham, North Carolina. He coached Duke baseball from 1971 to 1977 and helped with other local organizations.
Raymond Floyd (Fort Bragg)
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Professional golfer, Raymond Floyd, was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His father, a soldier in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, and Floyd started his gold career at the enlisted men’s course. He attended UNC Chapel Hill for one semester before starting his professional golfing career. He has won many notable tournaments including the Masters (1976), PGA (1969 and 1982), and the U.S. Open (1986). He officially retired in 2010 after nearly 50 years of playing and is notable for North Carolina professional athletes.
James Worthy (Gastonia)
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James Worth is a retired professional basketball player born and raised in Gastonia, North Carolina. He lived in North Carolina until the 1982 draft when the Lakers selected him 1st overall out of college. His playing career lasted 12 years in which he received many awards and honors with the Los Angeles Lakers. Both his UNC Chapel Hill jersey (52) and Los Angeles Lakers jersey (42) numbers have been retired.
First on our list of North Carolina state parks Is Umstead State Park. Located in Wake County, William B. Umstead State Park has everything you need for a weekend away with the family. The grounds include camping, activities, trails, and facilities. Trails range from a 0.4-mile loop called Inspiration Trail to the Sycamore Trail, a 7.2-mile loop. Spanning a large 5,599 acres, there is plenty to do at Umstead State Park.
9. Morrow Mountain State Park (5,702)
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Morrow Mountain State Park in Stanly County spans 5,702 acres. At Morrow Mountain, there are hiking trails, bridle trails, boat rentals, museums, Kron House, and boat rentals. You can “glamp” in a vacation cabin or connect with nature in the tent sites while enjoying beautiful scenery and fun activities.
8. Pettigrew State Park (5,951)
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Pettigrew State Park spans a large 5,951 acres across Terrell and Washington Counties. 75 miles northeast of Greenville, you can find a rich habitat and fun activities. There are five trails, ranging from 1.3 miles one way to 4.2 miles one way.
7. Gorges State Park (7,709)
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Gorges State Park is located in Transylvania County, where North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia meet. 56 miles of hiking, 17 miles of biking, and 12 miles of hiking span across 7,709 acres. Not the hiking kind? No worries! There is fishing, picnicking, and camping on site.
6. Chimney Rock State Park (8,014)
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25 miles southwest of Asheville in Rutherford County, you can find Chimney Rock State Park. The 8,014 acres feature hiking, fishing, rock climbing, restaurants, an amphitheater, and more. You can take a hike (or an elevator) to the top of the 315-foot freestanding rock spire. While there is no camping on site, camping can be found at Lake James State Park.
5. Hanging Rock State Park (9,011)
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In Stokes County, 30 miles north of Winston Salem, you’ll find 9,011 acres of Hanging Rock State Park. There is everything from hiking and rock climbing to swimming and lounging at the lake. There are a whopping 31 trails ranging from 0.1 miles to 7.4 miles (one way).
4. Lumber River State Park (13,695)
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Lumber River State Park runs 13,695 acres across Scotland, Hoke, Robeson, and Columbus counties. 60 miles south of Fayetteville, a 115-mile river means possibilities are endless. There is a boat ramp and opportunities to paddle and fish. There are two accesses located in Princess Ann and Chalk Banks.
3. Stone Mountain State Park (14,353)
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Stone Mountain State Park is the perfect getaway for rock climbers and hikers alike. There are 10 miles for horseback riding, 20 miles for hiking, and fishing, and plenty of room for rock climbing. There is camping on-site, both tent sites and RV sites. Stone Mountain State Park is 14,353 acres across Alleghany and Wilkes County. Stone Mountain is known for its 600-foot granite dome and beautiful waterfalls.
2. Dismal Swamp State Park (14,432)
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Dismal Swamp State Park has 14,432 acres of abundant plant and wildlife. Located in Camden County, you can find 21.5 miles of hiking trails and 21.5 miles of biking trails. There are no camping spots at the State Park but sites can be found at Merchants Millpond State Park.
1. South Mountain State Park (20,949)
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The Largest of North Carolina’s state parks is South Mountains State Park. South Mountains State Park features beautiful scenery, waterfalls, and trails. Elevations reach up to 3,000 feet with nearly 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and bikers. Located 55 miles east of Asheville in Burke County, South Mountains State Park boasts a whopping 20,949 acres.
In 1893, Pharmacist Caleb Bradgam began experimenting with soft drink concoctions for his friends and patrons to sample. One of Caleb’s beverages was “Brad’s Drink” which was eventually renamed to Pepsi-Cola in 1898. In 1902, he applied for a trademark and formed the Pepsi-Cola company. As of 2024, Pepsi has a net worth of $226.74 billion and is one of the most well-known of the NC chains.
Krispy Kreme (Winston Salem, NC)
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During the Great Depression in 1937, Owner Vernon Rudolph founded Krispy Kreme, another one of the most famous chains. Rudolph bought a year-raised recipe from a New Orleans chef, rented a building, and began selling to local grocery stores. That year, Vernon opened his store in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem is where his favorite cigarette company, Camel Cigarettes, is headquartered. The first international location was in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. As of 2024, there are now 1,400 locations and it operates in the United States, Canada, and over 36 other countries across the world and is one of the most popular North Carolina food and beverages.
Cheerwine (Salisbury, NC)
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In 1917, Lewis D. Peeler founded “the oldest continuing soft drink company still operated by the same family,” in Salisbury, North Carolina. Cheerwine officially became a registered trademark in 1926. Cheerwine began partnering with NASCAR, Krispy Kreme, and Old Carolina Barbeque, getting the name out to the public.
Hardee’s (Greenville, NC)
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Wilber Hardee, the founder of Hardee’s, began with his namesake restaurant in Greenville in 1960. A year later, Wilber expanded, opening a location in Rocky Mount as the first company store. At the end of the 1960’s, the corporation had expanded to almost 200 restaurants with its first international location being in West Germany.
Mt. Olive Pickle Company (Mount Olive, NC)
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In 1926, Shikrey Baddour founded the largest independent pickle company in the United States. It started in the mid-1920s when Baddour, a Lebanese immigrant, wanted to find a way to use wasted cucumber crops. This idea did not go as planned, leaving Baddour with no buyers, but by 1926 he began coming up with a new plan. The Mt. Olive Pickle Company became formally established when Baddour connected with the Mount Olive business people, led by Headley Morris Cox.
Texas Pete (Winston-Salem, NC)
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Don’t let the name fool you… Winston-Salem is the birthplace of Texas Pete. In 1929, Sam Garner, the operator of the Dixie Pig barbecue stand, introduced Texas Pete. After customers began asking for a spicier sauce, his son, Thad Garner, developed the hot sauce we know today. The original name “Mexican Joe,” was shut down by his father, saying the name should be American.
Biscuitville (Graham, NC)
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The idea of Biscuitville came to Maurice Jennings in 1966 with the first official Biscuitville opening in Danville, VA in 1975. The original concept was a Pizza restaurant named Pizzaville in Burlington in 1967. Maurice wanted a way to have the business work for morning hours so he started offering made-from-scratch biscuits, a Jennings family recipe. Eventually, the biscuits began selling more than the pizzas. As of April 2024, there are over 82 Biscuitville locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Bojangles (Charlotte, NC)
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Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas of Charlotte, North Carolina developed the concept of Bojangles in 1977. Bojangles became popular after being the only restaurant to remain open during Hurricane Hugo. The chain has restaurants in 17 US states, Honduras, Grand Caymen Island, Jamaica, Mexico, and China. Ot’s home state of North Carolina has the largest number of chains with 353 restaurants.
Cook Out (Greensboro, NC)
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Cookout was founded in 1989 in Greensboro, North Carolina by Morris Reaves. He remains the owner of Cook Out with his son, Jeremy Reaves, serving as the CEO. As of November 2022, there are 326 locations across ten states, primarily in the Southeast. Bojangles is the most recent of the food and beverages but has risen to popularity across the state.
Bright Leaf Hot Dogs (Smithfield, NC)
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Originally the Carolina Packing Company, Bright Leaf Hot Dogs was founded in Smithfield, North Carolina by John A. Jones Senior. Bright Leaf Hot Dogs is a family-owned business that was founded in 1939. The name “Bright Leaf” is a nod to North Carolina’s agriculture and tobacco industries.
