Ask A Tar Heel — Our State Quiz

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(1) In 1952, a group of performers named the Vagabonds Players made their home in Flat Rock, NC, establishing what would become the Flat Rock Playhouse. In 1961, the Flat Rock Playhouse was officially designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. Today, Flat Rock Playhouse is a major contributor to the local economy and hosts approximately how many patrons annually?

a. 50,000
b. 70,000
c. 80,000

(2) The Town of Davidson, NC, is home to Davidson College, consistently touted as one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges. The University is also the alma mater of many notable alumni, including current White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, UNC-TV personality D.G. Martin, and what best-selling author?

a. Stephen King
b. Patricia Cornwell
c. Allan Guganus

(3) Jacksonville, NC’s original “Can Joe Man” Herschel R. Brown came to Onslow County on Jan. 1, 1952. The local musician is originally from what large Tar Heel town?

a. Wilmington
b. Charlotte
c. Raleigh

(4) Hickory, NC’s own Denise Clay has been photographing the world around her since her childhood. Today Clay is considered a renowned photographic artist and an active member of many photographic organizations. Before focusing on photography, Clay worked as a:

a. Pre-School Teacher
b. Nursing Home Administrator
c. Tour Guide

(5) The town of Love Valley, NC, is located in Iredell County and, as of the 2000 census, was home to only 30 people. Despite its small size this compact community maintains an authentic Old West style that perpetuates its fame as what?

a. “Home of the Best Horse-Back Riding in the East”
b. “The Cowboy Capital of North Carolina”
c. “Birthplace of Wyatt Earp”

(6) Smithfield, NC’s own Pam Earp has been crafting Corn Husk Dolls within the N.C. State Fair’s “Village of Yesteryear” since 1996-displaying these traditional crafts to the state’s citizenry for a decade. Earp’s Corn Husk Figures are considered to be the oldest dolls in the Americas, used by early Native Americans for what purpose?

a. Meal Preparation
b. Decoration
c. Sacred Healing Ceremonies

(7) The Intracoastal Waterway includes the mouth of Bradley Creek near Wrightsville Beach where, as the story goes, Captain Kidd buried a portion his storied treasure. Because of this tale the associated area near the mouth of this creek is known as:

a. Money Island
b. Treasure Island
c. Kidd Island

(8) Photographer Mark Wagoner founded Mark Wagoner Productions in 1983. The local company, creating visual images in the mediums of still photography, motion photography (film and video), and motion graphics, is located in what Triad city?

a. Winston-Salem
b. Greensboro
c. High Point

(9) Carved from a river flowing through the mountain's limestone for more than one hundred thousand years, North Carolina’s own Linville Caverns offers visitors a geological kaleidoscope of sparkling stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations. The caverns themselves are actually three levels and tourists are only allowed on which “floor?”

a. Top
b. Middle
c. Bottom

(10) Jamestown’s Castle McCulloch is an authentic medieval castle and Victorian pavilion located in the heart of North Carolina. Built in 1832 by Cornish engineer Charles McCulloch, the property is considered an integral part of the history of what industry in this state?

a. Textile Milling
b. Gun Powder Production
c. Gold Mining