Monday, April 21, 2025

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1864, federal forces attacked and destroyed nearly a third of North Carolina’s salt works operation in New Hanover County as part of a broader strategy to weaken Confederate forces. Salt was used for preserving meat and therefore considered essential to securing the food supply.

Today’s edition of Flyover North Carolina is a bit shorter than usual so that our staff could spend time with family for Easter. We’ll return tomorrow with our regular Tuesday edition of Flyover North Carolina.

We’re sponsored today by Brightmeds, offering affordable weight loss medication online.

ILM and AVL Add New Flights, Restaurants

Wilmington International Airport (ILM) and Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) are offering new nonstop flights and restaurants in time for summer.

Beginning June 6, Avelo Airlines will launch nonstop flights out of Wilmington to Miami on Fridays and Saturdays. Avelo also offers nonstop flights from Wilmington to 15 other cities, including Boston, Nashville, Orlando, and Houston.

Meanwhile, United Airlines will start nonstop service from Wilmington to Denver on Saturdays throughout the summer.

On the other side of the state, Delta kicks off nonstop flights out of Asheville to Boston on Saturdays and Sundays beginning May 10.

New restaurants and stores are also on tap at AVL this summer, with Jimmy John’s, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, two retail stores, and multiple vending concessions opening as part of a $400 million expansion project.

Spring Festivals Spotlight NC Culture

Spring festivals across North Carolina offer cultural music, crafts, food, and beverages for a variety of ages and tastes.

Merlefest, named after Merle Watson—son of renowned guitarist Doc Watson—takes place April 24-27 in Wilkesboro, featuring a star-studded musical lineup that includes The Avett Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, The War and Treaty, and others.

Brewgaloo Craft Beer Festival is April 25-26 in downtown Raleigh, the Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival is April 26 in Cary, and the North Carolina Pickle Festival is April 27 in Mount Olive.

Don’t miss the Cheerwine Festival in Salisbury on May 17, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., honoring the cherry-flavored soft drink invented in 1917 in Salisbury. Enjoy crafts, music, food, a beer garden, and of course, plenty of Cheerwine.

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➤ Eastern NC: The most American alligator-infested bodies of water in North Carolina include the Cape Fear River, Outer Banks, Orton Pond, Buzzard Bay, Lake Waccamaw, Neuse River, and New River. (More)

➤ Manteo: A list of 10 European-inspired wineries, from Asheville to Rose Hill, includes one offering wine produced from a more-than-400-year-old Mother Vine cutting. (See List)

➤ Carolina Beach: Island Burgers & Bites, a 200-square-foot restaurant inside a Sunoco gas station, is getting such rave reviews that Yelp ranked it among the state’s top five restaurants in 2024. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Defending 4A state champion Grimsley High School (Greensboro), West Charlotte High School, South Pointe High School (Rock Hill, S.C.), and Hough High School (Cornelius) have been invited to the Keep Pounding High School Classic at Bank of America Stadium on Aug. 22. (More)

➤ Rodanthe: For the first time in event history, the Disabled Veteran/Wounded Warrior Fishing Jamboree—scheduled for May 10—will take place at the Rodanthe Fishing Pier. (More)