FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PBS NORTH CAROLINA TO PREMIERE SEASON TWO OF ‘BEST OF OUR STATE’ ON OCTOBER 5 

In partnership with ‘Our State’ magazine, PBS North Carolina revisits some of its most cherished stories and profiles. 

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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 10/2/2023 — PBS North Carolina, in partnership with Our State magazine, announces season two of its inspiring series Best of Our State. Hosted by the magazine’s editor in chief, Elizabeth Hudson, the showcelebrates the vibrant people, culture and landscapes of North Carolina. Season two of Best of Our State premieres Thursday, October 5, 8 PM, on PBS NC, online and on the free PBS App. 

Season two of Best of Our State kicks off with a story about Dorton Arena, an architectural wonder and an icon of the N.C. State Fair. Other highlights this season include a profile of Trevor Thomas, the first blind person to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail; a chat with the Roanoke Island caretakers of the oldest cultivated scuppernong grapevine in America; and a visit with James Beard Award winner Bill Smith, who shares his famous recipe for Atlantic Beach Pie. 

“PBS North Carolina is thrilled to reach back into its vast archives and breathe new life into our viewers’ favorite stories in this exciting new season of Best of Our State,” says Heather Burgiss, PBS North Carolina’s director of original productions. “We’re exceptionally fortunate to have Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer Morgan Potts back at the helm to guide this remarkable revival. And we’re very thankful for Our State’s Elizabeth Hudson, who lends her talents and expertise as the host of this outstanding production.” 

“I’m so excited for viewers to see our magazine pages come to life through these intimate portraits of fascinating individuals and interesting landmarks that have shaped this state in countless ways,” says Our State’s Elizabeth Hudson. “Watching Best of Our State is a reminder of what a trove of history and innovation we have in North Carolina, and I’m thrilled for the chance to transport viewers to the very heart of what makes this state so great!” 

Broadcast Schedule 

Watch Best of Our State Thursdays, at 8 PM, on PBS NC, or stream online or on the free PBS App. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest broadcast information. 

Episode 1: Dorton Arena & the Kruger Brothers 
Premieres Thursday, October 5, 8 PM 
Learn the story behind one of NC’s most ambitious and historically significant pieces of architecture, Dorton Arena. Also, discover the journey of the Kruger Brothers, German immigrants who followed the sound of the music they loved all the way to the hills of North Carolina. 

Episode 2: Thomas Built Buses, Elizabeth II & Story of Virginia Johnson 
Premieres Thursday, October 12, 8 PM 
Discover how classic yellow school buses are built in High Point, and journey from Manteo to Bath on the Elizabeth II, a representation of a ship used to carry the first English colonists to the Americas. Also, hear how J. Larry Keith of the Lonesome Road Band was inspired to write the heartfelt song “The Story of Virginia Johnson” after hearing his wife’s tales of her mountain childhood. 

Episode 3: Linville Caverns & Sheila Kay Adams 
Premieres Thursday, October 19, 8 PM 
Go on a tour of the underground marvels of Linville Caverns. Then join David Holt as he spends a day with seventh-generation ballad singer Sheila Kay Adams. 

Episode 4: Carl Sandburg’s Connemara & Photographer Matthew Lewis 
Premieres Thursday, October 26, 8 PM 
Explore Connemara, literary icon Carl Sandburg’s Henderson County home and a National Historic Site. Then meet Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Matthew Lewis, who shares the stories behind some of his most important images from his time with the Washington Post. 

Episode 5: Trail of Trust & Chimney Rock State Park 
Premieres Thursday, November 2, 8 PM 
Follow the remarkable journey of Trevor Thomas, who hiked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail—almost 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine—without the benefit of eyesight. Plus, learn the story behind Chimney Rock State Park, which is famous for its 315-foot freestanding rock spire and breathtaking views. 

Episode 6: Dismal Swamp Canal & Ben Long Frescoes 
Premieres Thursday, November 9, 8 PM 
Storyteller Bland Simpson takes a historical trip up the Intracoastal Waterway’s Dismal Swamp Canal, the oldest continuously used artificial waterway in America. And internationally renowned Asheville artist Ben Long keeps the ancient art of fresco alive. 

Episode 7: Grandfather Mountain, Atlantic Beach Pie & Flag Man 
Premieres Thursday, November 16, 8 PM 
Photographer Hugh Morton’s beloved Grandfather Mountain becomes a state park, and chef and writer Bill Smith shares his recipe for Atlantic Beach Pie at Crook’s Corner, the iconic Chapel Hill restaurant. Plus, we remember flag collector John Andringa, the most patriotic man in North Carolina. 

Episode 8: The Sweetest Sound & Keeper of the Vine 
Premieres Thursday, November 23, 8 PM 
Artisan and musician Jerry Read Smith describes how the gorgeous sound of the hammered dulcimer caught his ear and heart. And Jack and Estelle Wilson of Roanoke Island share how they’ve embraced their role as caretakers of Mother Vine, considered to be the oldest cultivated scuppernong grapevine in America. 

Catch up on episodes from season one by visiting pbsnc.org. 

About PBS North Carolina 

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

About Our State 

Each month, Our State magazine celebrates the very best of North Carolina through lively storytelling and stunning photography. Our State reflects the beauty, nature, nostalgia, travel and food of the state. It’s the perfect source of information for those who’ve lived in North Carolina all of their lives, for those just becoming acquainted with the state or for those looking to visit or relocate. This award-winning magazine reaches more than 1,124,000 readers each month, with subscribers in every state and nearly 20 foreign countries. Learn more at ourstate.com. 

-PBS NC- 

Media Contact 
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications 
PBS North Carolina 
press@pbsnc.org