Sitting in on a bluegrass jam for the first time can feel like joining a conversation halfway through. Tennesseans who play regularly follow unspoken customs that newcomers aren’t always told about. Here’s what to know before you sit down with a group. 1. Watch the Circle First Before you unpack at a bluegrass jam, find…
Saving up your allowance for something you really wanted felt like a big deal. Pennsylvanians who were kids in the 1980s still remember the toy aisle or card pack that had them counting coins. Here are the crazes that were worth every penny. 1. Cabbage Patch Kids Cabbage Patch Kids dolls turned a Wilkes-Barre department…
Ask a visitor what Virginia food they’ve tried, and you might hear about ham and not much else. Virginians know the list runs a lot longer. Here are the foods worth sharing with the next out-of-state friend who visits. 1. Peanut Soup King’s Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg lists peanut soup on its lunch menu…
A grandmother’s purse always seemed to have exactly what you needed. South Carolinians who dug through one as a kid may be surprised how long some of those items have been around. Here’s a peek at what she might have carried, and where it came from. 1. Church Fans Church fans were a purse staple…
If you’re thinking about letting Cracker Barrel do the cooking this year, a little planning can save you a headache. Here’s what Kentuckians should know before they order a Thanksgiving meal at Cracker Barrel. 1. Preorder Window You’ll preorder a Cracker Barrel Heat n’ Serve meal during a limited window, according to the holiday guide….
Mention Washington, and a lot of people picture rain, ferries, and Seattle traffic. Eastern Washingtonians know their side of the mountains looks very different, and they’d like the rest of the state to know it too. Here’s what they wish people on the west side understood. 1. Cascade Rain Shadow The Western Regional Climate Center…
Ask an older Floridian for directions, and you might hear about a store that closed decades ago. Many of the shops families once counted on are gone now, but the memories haven’t faded. Here are the stores that may still bring back a smile. 1. Burdines Burdines began with William Burdine and his son John,…
Your dog can’t say how their day’s going, but they can show you. Georgia dog owners likely already know how to spot a few of them, but others are easier to miss. Here are the signs your pup is feeling good. Note: This is general information, not veterinary advice, so talk to your veterinarian about…
Walk up to a potluck table in Ohio, and the food can be a clue to which part of the state you’re in. Ohioans from different corners bring dishes that rarely travel far from home. Here are the dishes that can give away where the potluck is being held. 1. Cincinnati Chili Cincinnati chili is…
A state line doesn’t mean much in the Ozarks. Arkansans and Missourians who grew up in the hills may each say a tradition started on their side. Here are the customs both states can fairly call their own. 1. Float Trips The radio station KSMU calls the Ozarks float trip a tradition that links generations….
