The Grey Area News

The Grey Area News

"LOCAL AND NATIONAL UNUSUAL NEWS™" -- EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA, the US & BEYOND

  • Home
  • News
    • Eastern NC (Local)
    • North Carolina
    • National
      • Colorado
      • Denver CO
    • World
    • Extraterrestrial
  • Happenings
    • Business
    • Farm and Garden
    • Film Industry
    • Food and Reviews
    • Movies and Reviews
  • Features
    • The Strange-ness
    • Shades of Grey
    • Puzzle Pages
    • Editorials
    • Chuckles
    • Little Bits of History
    • Miscellaneous
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Services
    • Read Print Version
    • Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
    • Rates & Sizes
    • Editions
Homehistory

history

The Marine Electric, a 605-foot cargo ship, as seen underway before its capsizing and sinking on Feb. 12, 1983. The converted WWII-era ship foundered 30 miles off the coast of Virginia and capsized, throwing most of its 34 crew into 37-degree water, where 31 of them drowned or succumbed to hypothermia. Photo: US Coast Guard
history

A Little Bit of History: The shipwreck that changed the Coast Guard forever

February 12, 2019 Guest Author or Contributor

The history of the sinking of the Marine Electric and creation of Coast Guard rescue swimmers program, provided by the United States Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic. Story and artwork by Petty Officer 2nd Class Corinne Zilnicki […]

Witches, Black Cats and Shapeshifters, Oh, My!
history

Witches, Black Cats and Shapeshifters, Oh, My!

October 30, 2018 Guest Author or Contributor

By Paula R. Stiles Some of the oldest and scariest tales in North Carolina are about witches. Witchcraft is found in every culture of the world and NC has stories from all over the Old […]

Victorian era casket and handler with Wayne County Historical Society. Source: Thomas Bailey
events

A Victorian Era Funeral, History, Food, and Facts: All in One Event

October 2, 2018 Kay Whatley

“Victorian Mourning Practices” Presentation and Social Scheduled for Oct. 27 Forget vampires and monsters. In advance of Halloween, immerse yourself in a real, unusual, and slightly creepy part of the Victorian Era by attending a […]

OkTARberfest 2018 flyer. Source: Town of Louisburg NC
events

OkTARberfest & More: Music, Food, and Living History in Louisburg Oct. 19-20

August 27, 2018 Kay Whatley

This year, OkTARberfest Weekend is planned for October 19-20, 2018 in Louisburg, North Carolina. Why the odd spelling of this festival’s name? Well, the Tar River runs through Louisburg and that’s where this annual event […]

Histsoric Bath NC Pirates in the Port. NC. Source: Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
events

Pirate Life and NC History Covered During Historic Bath’s “Pirates in the Port” Weekend

July 16, 2018 Kay Whatley

From Stede Bonnet to Blackbeard himself, people have long been fascinated with pirates, which are part of North Carolina history. Who were they? Where did they live? What did they wear? How did they become […]

Yadvi - A Journey Of A Dignified Princess poster
history

Film with NC Ties Tells The True Story of A Princess in British India

April 27, 2018 Kay Whatley

By Kay Whatley, Editor A historical film based on a Franklin County, North Carolina woman’s royal family in India, is set for release in New York City and Los Angeles, California cinemas this year. Yadvi […]

A model of Explorer 1 is held high by (left to right) JPL Director William Pickering, James Van Allen, and Wernher von Braun at a late-night news conference announcing the launch of Explorer 1, held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech
history

A Little Bit of History: NASA and Explorer 1

January 24, 2018 Guest Author or Contributor

Explorer 1: The Beginning of American Space Science Sixty years ago next week, the hopes of Cold War America soared into the night sky as a rocket lofted skyward above Cape Canaveral, a soon-to-be-famous barrier […]

Source: The Max G. Creech Selma Historical Museum, Selma, North Carolina.
events

Selma Museum Holding Open House on Jan. 27

January 22, 2018 Kay Whatley

The public is invited to the annual Open House on Saturday, January 27, 2018, 11am-2pm, at The Max G. Creech Selma Historical Museum, 104 West Anderson Street, Selma, North Carolina See a presentation outlining the plans for exhibits, […]

Book cover for “America’s Greatest Library: An Illustrated History of the Library of Congress” by John Y. Cole. Source: US Library of Congress
history

New Book Celebrates the History of the Library of Congress

January 7, 2018 Guest Author or Contributor

Library’s First Historian Publishes Illustrated History of Oldest Federal Cultural Institution A new book from Library of Congress Historian John Y. Cole, America’s Greatest Library: An Illustrated History of the Library of Congress, tells the […]

Gene Autry with Engine No. 12 at Tweetsie. Source: Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock NC.
history

A Little Bit of History: Here Comes Santa Claus

December 14, 2017 Kay Whatley

By Kay Whatley, Editor You hear it on the radio throughout the holiday season, in stores while you shop for gifts, and blaring from parade floats. The song, “Here Comes Santa Claus” started with a […]

Dr. Nicholas Pediaditakis, founder of Alkyonis Mental Health Center, Raleigh NC.
editorial

Dr. Nicholas’ Corner: The Persistence of Obsolete Beliefs

July 13, 2017 Dr Nicholas Pediaditakis

By Nicholas Pediaditakis, MD The ancient Greeks, as usual, had a word for it, ου με πείσεις καν με πείσης — “You are not going to persuade me, even if you give me evidence to persuade […]

May 2017 photos by Jerome De Perlingi, artistic director of Eyes on Main Street, Wilson NC.
history

A Little Bit of History: Anderson Apartments in Wilson NC

June 8, 2017 Kay Whatley

By Kay Whatley, Editor A hop, skip, and a jump from Wilson NC’s Barton College and close to the Western Sizzlin’ you’ll find 503 Vance Street, a row of colonial townhouses called the Anderson Apartments. The apartments and […]

Some of the historical records the study authors consulted to create a historical database of climate reports published with the article. These records provide evidence of the arrival of the Black Death in Europe as well as evidence of the decline of mining because of it. Credit: Alexander More, Harvard University and Climate Change Institute, University of Maine.
news

Study Finds Human Activity Has Polluted European Air for 2000 Years

June 5, 2017 Guest Author or Contributor

By Lauren Lipuma, American Geophysical Union A new study combining European ice core data and historical records of the infamous Black Death pandemic of 1349-1353 shows metal mining and smelting have polluted the environment for thousands […]

Source: Hemp Industries Association and Vote Hemp.
farmgarden

Hemp History Week Launches Nationwide June 5-11, 2017

June 5, 2017 Guest Author or Contributor

Advocates Promote Sustainability Benefits of Organic Hemp, Innovative Hemp Technologies and the Need to Lift Federal Prohibition on Hemp Farming By Lauren Stansbury (votehemp.com) and Tom Moylan (wearemovementmedia.com) The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) and Vote Hemp launched the 8th […]

Perry's Mill Pond in Louisburg NC. Photo: Frank Whatley.
history

A Little Bit of History: Perry’s Mill Pond

January 30, 2017 Kay Whatley

Cooler winter days give great weather for walking around Perry’s Mill, established in 1778 — back in the early days of this country and soon after signing of the Declaration of Independence! This 200+ year […]

Photo Source: Town of Bunn.
feature

From Railroads to Highways: The Bunn Story

January 25, 2017 Kay Whatley

By Kathy Cockrell, Contributing Author Bunn NC, located at the intersection of NC Highways 98 and 39 in southeastern Franklin County, is a small town with a fascinating history stretching over two centuries. Historical records […]

No Picture
feature

A Little Bit of History: Cicero Culpepper Carriage Shop

January 24, 2017 Kay Whatley

It’s just after the turn of the century — the twentieth century, that is. The year is 1907 and a carriage shop has just opened at 222 Tarboro Street West in Wilson, North Carolina. Horses and mules draw wagons […]

No Picture
feature

A Little Bit of History: Bennett Bunn Plantation

January 10, 2017 Kay Whatley

Driving down Route 97 outside Zebulon, North Carolina, a roadside sign announces the Bennett Bunn Plantation. The plantation’s historic, Federal-architecture house was built by Bennett Bunn in 1833 on inherited family land, and was listed […]

No Picture
feature

A Little Bit of History: Town Creek Indian Mound

December 1, 2016 Kay Whatley

North Carolina residents and visitors alike may explore a variety of historical locations throughout Eastern NC and across the state. One such historic site dedicated to North Carolina’s Native American heritage is Town Creek Indian Mound. Archaeologists have worked […]

No Picture
feature

A Little Bit of History: Native Americans in North Carolina

November 1, 2016 Kay Whatley

Native Americans resided across the North Carolina area long before the settlers came. Starting with the first European arrivals in the 16th century, the tumultuous history of NC contains a mix of interactions that led to high cultural and […]

No Picture
feature

A Little Bit of History: Fort Macon

October 28, 2016 Kay Whatley

Drive a little more than two hours from Wilson, Rocky Mount, or Zebulon to Atlantic Beach. Then, make a left and drive up East Fort Macon Road until you run out of road. You’ll be at Fort […]

No Picture
feature

A Little Bit of History: The Devil’s Tramping Ground

October 14, 2016 Kay Whatley

Located a few miles away from Bennett NC and Harper’s Crossroads NC, is a small piece of land known as the Devil’s Tramping Ground. All that is visible is a barren circle in the forest, a bit […]

Devil Dog Dungarees textile factory sign, Zebulon NC. Photo: Frank Whatley.
feature

A Little Local History: Devil Dog Dungarees

September 27, 2016 Kay Whatley

Passing through Zebulon, North Carolina, on Gannon Avenue, you might see the large, retro sign for Devil Dog Dungarees along the road. The sign is a reminder of North Carolina’s textile industry history and of manufacturing in Zebulon. The Devil Dog Dungarees factory opened around 1954. […]

Let My People Know Network lecture is planned for Wilson County Library, Wilson NC. Source: Manaka Ashahnayahu.
events

Community Event – Free Ancient History Lecture

May 31, 2016 Kay Whatley

Topic:  “The Americas – Lands of the Shemitic Negroes” Contributed by Manaka Ashahnayahu A special lecture is planned on the topic, “The Americas – Lands of the Shemitic Negroes.” This topic will be presented on two separate dates by Lecturer/Ourstorian, Monica […]

The All Camps Consortium presented Director Jarvis a proclamation recognizing his work in support of telling the story of confinement sites on May 12, 2016, in Washington, DC. Photo: NPS.
history

Japanese American Internment History Grants Awarded

May 19, 2016 Kay Whatley

The US National Park Service Awards $2.8 Million in Grants to Preserve and Interpret World War II Japanese American Confinement Sites Released by Jeremy Barnum National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis yesterday announced $2.8 million […]

Edwin Farthing in Europe, Undated photo released by www.ncdcr.gov.
news

Dachau Concentration Camp Papers Acquired by NC

April 19, 2016 Kay Whatley

Released by Matthew Peek, ncdcr.gov The liberation of the World War II German concentration camp of Dachau, April 29-30, 1945, is being commemorated by the State Archives of North Carolina with the announcement of the recent […]

Nash County Courthouse front, Nashville, North Carolina.
feature

A Little Bit of History: Nash County Courthouse

February 1, 2016 Kay Whatley

Added to the National Register Of Historic Places in 1979, the Nash County Courthouse in Nashville, North Carolina, has stood for over 100 years. It functions as a courthouse, since 1900. A beautiful example of Colonial Revival […]

Source: Golden History Center, Golden CO.
events

Unique Event Tells Sordid History of Colorado

December 29, 2015 Guest Author or Contributor

“Humorous Hoaxes and Sleazy Scams in Colorado History” A presentation of “Humorous Hoaxes and Sleezy Scams in Colorado History” is coming in January to the Golden History Center. The presenter will give listeners a look at […]

Posts navigation

1 2 »

Latest News, Events & Features

  • Wake Forest Renaissance Centre logo
    Local Students and Parents invited to Wake Forest STEM Event on Apr. 13
    February 21, 2019
  • Photo from a #WOW World of Words Writing Initiative Event. Photo: Dr. Tammy Bird
    Writing Initiative in Full Swing, Author Events Upcoming
    February 21, 2019
  • The writing Day Retreat Location is Rolling View Community Building. Photo: Donna Campbell Smith
    Writers’ Guild to Host Writing “Day Retreat” on May 4
    February 21, 2019
  • Business Happenings
    Eastern NC Business Events in March 2019
    February 21, 2019
  • Sesame Street cast. Source: Library of Congress
    Fifty Years of Sesame Street to Be Preserved for Posterity
    February 20, 2019
  • This illustration depicts multiple small drones flying in an urban environment, which will be the scenario for NASA’s last in a series of demonstrations of a system that safely manages drone flight. Source: NASA
    NASA Tests Urban Drone Traffic Management in Nevada and Texas
    February 19, 2019
  • Jesus Christ Superstar poster. Source: City of Rocky Mount, North Carolina
    Jesus Christ Superstar Coming to Imperial Centre
    February 19, 2019
  • James 'Plunky' Branch and his band Oneness out of Richmond, Virginia. Source: Halifax County Schools NC
    Black History Programs in Halifax County Covered History, Music, and More
    February 19, 2019
  • NC Ninth Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green. Source: Ford Porter, NC Office of the Governor
    North Carolina’s Ninth Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, Inducted by Governor
    February 19, 2019
  • Source: Dr. John Stamey
    Bigfoot Column: The State of the Forest 2019
    February 19, 2019
  • Things To Do in NC When You're Bored - Winter
    Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored — Feb. 21-24, 2019
    February 18, 2019
  • Wake Forest Film Festival 2019 logo. Source: Catherine Gouge, Wake Forest Renaissance Centre
    Wake Forest Film Festival is Mar. 28-30
    February 18, 2019
  • Johnston County Heritage Center, Smithfield, North Carolina. Photo: Kay Whatley
    Johnston County Heritage Center Opens Exhibit, Shows Important Documentary
    February 17, 2019
  • Friday Nights on the Tar logo. Source: Town of Louisburg
    Louisburg Free Concerts Return with the Warmer Weather
    February 17, 2019
  • Vendor Opportunities -- The Grey Area News
    Upcoming Vendor Opportunities in Eastern NC
    February 12, 2019
  • This panorama from the Mast Camera (Mastcam) on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover was taken on Dec. 19 (Sol 2265). The rover's last drill location on Vera Rubin Ridge is visible, as well as the clay region it will spend the next year exploring. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
    Mars Curiosity Rover Departs Vera Rubin Ridge, Video Released
    February 12, 2019
  • Hemp growing on a farm in Bunn, NC (Franklin County). Photo: Kay Whatley
    NC Industrial Hemp Commission Meeting by Phone is Feb. 15
    February 12, 2019
  • The Marine Electric, a 605-foot cargo ship, as seen underway before its capsizing and sinking on Feb. 12, 1983. The converted WWII-era ship foundered 30 miles off the coast of Virginia and capsized, throwing most of its 34 crew into 37-degree water, where 31 of them drowned or succumbed to hypothermia. Photo: US Coast Guard
    A Little Bit of History: The shipwreck that changed the Coast Guard forever
    February 12, 2019
  • Things To Do in NC When You're Bored - Winter
    Things To Do in NC When You’re Bored — Feb. 15-17, 2019
    February 11, 2019
  • The Nevermore Film Festival is March 8-10, 2019. Source: The Carolina Theatre of Durham, Inc.
    Nevermore Film Festival Returns Mar. 8-10
    February 11, 2019
  • Soul Food Feast 2019. Source: Selma NC Parks and Rec
    Selma, NC: Soul Food Feast is Feb. 23
    February 11, 2019
  • The Biltmore Company The Gilded Age
    Biltmore Opens New Exhibition: A Vanderbilt House Party – The Gilded Age
    February 11, 2019
  • Hemp growing on a farm in Bunn NC. Photo: Kay Whatley
    NC Regulators to Notify Hemp Companies Regarding CBD Product Restrictions
    February 9, 2019
  • Source: Dr. John Stamey
    Bigfoot Column: Indiana Bigfoot Sighting
    February 6, 2019
  • HeART of the Gardens logo. Source: Airlie Gardens
    Airlie Gardens “HeART of the Gardens” Exhibit: Call to Artists
    February 6, 2019
  • Grassy plants called sedges grow across the surface of the bog that Neumann and her team studied. Credit: Rebecca Neumann/University of Washington
    Early Spring Rain Boosts Methane from Thawing Permafrost by 30 Percent
    February 6, 2019
  • State of North Carolina Martin Luther King, Jr. Commissioner Jacquie Jeffers
    Editorial: Black History is Woven Into the Fabric of America
    February 5, 2019
  • Carolina Wren by Bette Parette. Source: Audubon Great Backyard Bird Count
    Audubon and Dorothea Dix Park Invite Public to Great Backyard Bird Count Kickoff Event
    February 5, 2019
Subscribe to The Grey Area News - Updates

Follow The Grey Area News

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Johnston County Writers Conference 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strange News

This illustration depicts multiple small drones flying in an urban environment, which will be the scenario for NASA’s last in a series of demonstrations of a system that safely manages drone flight. Source: NASA
national

NASA Tests Urban Drone Traffic Management in Nevada and Texas

February 19, 2019

NASA has selected two organizations to host the final phase of its four-year series of increasingly complicated technical demonstrations involving small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. The Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems […]

The Grey Area News on TV



Watch WHIG TV episode of The Grey Area TV from September 19, 2013



Watch WHIG TV episode of The Grey Area TV from October 24, 2013



Watch WHIG TV episode of The Grey Area TV from November 21, 2013

Categories
business chuckles editorial et events farmgarden feature filmindustry food history local-co local-nc movies national news other puzzles shades state-co state-nc strange world
Subscribe to The Grey Area News - Updates

(c) 2019 The Grey Area News, C Whatley