Sometimes this happens: I have a newsletter pretty much written and ready to go, and someone says to me: Hey, you really oughta talk to one more person! They might change what you think about this whole story! And I go from having my finger hovering over the publish button to … waiting. That’s what happened this week with not one but two stories, so we’re gonna try something a little different. I’m gonna host a Reddit-style Ask Me Anything here on this newsletter. If you have a question for me about anything, join the discussion below, and I’ll reply in the comments. This can be about anything at all, not just North Carolina stuff. Fire away!
Young NC expats sometimes ask me for advice about moving back to NC so that they can “make a difference in their home state”. They all want to move to Durham. I tell them that’s the last place to move to if you want to make a difference because so many other young people beat them to it. I recommend Rocky Mount, Burlington, Morganton, and Waynesville. Where would you recommend?
I love to read up on linguistics (channeling my inner English major). Last night I was re-reading a Wikipedia page and it’s reference pages about Appalachian English—growing up in Wilkes and Watauga counties, I certainly recognized my hometown dialect and many words with which I grew up.
So, Jeremy—in your travels around the state, what regional-specific words caught your ear and where?
If someone only had time for a day trip to check out one part of the MST you covered in Away Message, what were your favorite parts to explore in Western / Central / Eastern NC?
I am struggling writing a book on old stories about my family I witness or heard about , putting them into a book! I need help putting this together ! I am about half way through ! Can you lead me in the right direction ! It would make a heck of a book and movie in my opinion! Thanks
We're heading off to Topsail for our (50th annual) family beach trip. Ever thought about writing about Operation Bumblebee and the origins of the sleepy island?
Young NC expats sometimes ask me for advice about moving back to NC so that they can “make a difference in their home state”. They all want to move to Durham. I tell them that’s the last place to move to if you want to make a difference because so many other young people beat them to it. I recommend Rocky Mount, Burlington, Morganton, and Waynesville. Where would you recommend?
You should write piece on Lake Mattamuskeet in Hyde County - it’s beautiful and wild out there… lots of stories from locals that go back generations.
On a separate note, do you have any plans for another story/follow up on Rodanthe?
You have to live in one of NC's main military towns, Fayetteville (Army), Jacksonville (Marines) or Goldsboro (Air Force). Which one, and why?
Have you seen “the legs” in Henderson?
Not sure if my question made it.... Underated weekend trips in NC?
What’s your Waffle House order
Seems to me that any trip down the NC Rabbit Hole should include exploring Black Mountain College.
I love to read up on linguistics (channeling my inner English major). Last night I was re-reading a Wikipedia page and it’s reference pages about Appalachian English—growing up in Wilkes and Watauga counties, I certainly recognized my hometown dialect and many words with which I grew up.
So, Jeremy—in your travels around the state, what regional-specific words caught your ear and where?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_English
Would you rather live in Tick Bite or Bat Cave?
Do you attend church on Sunday? If so which church/denomination do you attend?
Have you considered doing a story on some of the secret squirrel places in NC? some ideas to start with.
…..Johnston County Airport (you could get people to talk)
….Harvey Point (won’t likely get people to talk, which should get your blood flowing as a journalist)
Aberdeen, NC SERE School (they have been trained, by definition, not to talk).
….Pinehurst Area (as it relates to Robin Sage…people will talk)
….if they’re truly secret squirrel, I don’t know about them, but they’re out there.
Did you make it to Z on your A-Z album relisten a few years back?
Did you go down the Rabbit Hole asking the loyal to ask you anything?
Most underated weekend spot in NC?
Best hole in the wall for : burgers, tacos, breakfast?
What is the official pronunciation of North Carolinian? Is it ‘leen-ian’ or ‘lin-ian’? This is hotly contested in our household! Thanks!
What are your top 5 luxury resorts/hotels in NC, ranked?
How does one get to write for OUR STATE magazine? Do they accept freelance writers?
Comparing accents:
someone from LA (lower Alamance) vs. someone from Randolph county. Which accent is harder to understand??
If someone only had time for a day trip to check out one part of the MST you covered in Away Message, what were your favorite parts to explore in Western / Central / Eastern NC?
When you go to a (new to you) place in NC, how do you like to get to know/discover that place?
I am struggling writing a book on old stories about my family I witness or heard about , putting them into a book! I need help putting this together ! I am about half way through ! Can you lead me in the right direction ! It would make a heck of a book and movie in my opinion! Thanks
I would like a physical copy sent to my home address. How do I do that?
We're heading off to Topsail for our (50th annual) family beach trip. Ever thought about writing about Operation Bumblebee and the origins of the sleepy island?
Which version do you go with on the Tar Heel State: colonial naval stores or Civil War?