Country Western Dancing in North Carolina

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North Carolina Trivia

Who won the World Championship 4-H Horse Bowl in 1999?
The North Carolina 4-H Horse Bowl Team won on August 11, 1999, in Ft. Worth, Texas. Besides Ginny Adams, Garner (a student at North Carolina State University); it was Emily Alexander, Matthews; Heidi Steinbach, Conetoe; and Chrissy Mischinski, Advance. Kathy Alexander, Matthews, and Kim Foushee, Roxboro were the coaches.
Are there many horses in North Carolina?
The Department of Agriculture estimates North Carolina's 1999 horse population at 220,000, which puts the state in the top 10 in the country for horse ownership. The state fair all-breed horse show each October is the biggest such event in the United States with 2,500 entries. Raleigh's Hunt Horse Complex holds 60 horse shows annually. North Carolina horses dominated the racing scene so greatly that the Washington, DC, Jockey Club banned them from competition in 1827. Horse racing and horses were cut down as North Carolina gave all its good thoroughbreds for calvary mounts during the Civil War. - Ned Barnett, The News and Observer - 5/1/99
What would we find on a North Carolina ranch?
Lauch Faircloth can drive his white pickup straight ahead for nine miles without leaving his 10,000 acre property. You will see his 3,500 head of Brangus cattle, herds of deer, thousands of geese, wild turkeys, hawks, and fishing ponds. He also has 300,000 hogs either on his property or on contract with the neighbors. His is the 31st largest hog operation in the country. - Source: Rob Christensen, The News & Observer - 8/23/98
Was the Carolina footwear of the mid-1860s a slip-on style or lace-up?
Who (among the American colonies) first declared independence from the British?
The citizens of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, in May 1775. - The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, Revell. ISBN 0-8007-0886-5.
What historic events began on February 1, 1960, in Greensboro, North Carolina?
Four black college students refused to move when refused service at a Woolworth's lunch counter. During the next 19 months, over 70,000 black and white students would participate in sit-ins.
How many federal Indian reservations are in North Carolina?
One. The Cherokee Indian Reservation. -North Carolina Trivia, complied by Ernie & Jill Couch, Rutledge Hill Press, 513 Third Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37210. ISBN 1-55853-112-2
By 1775 what was the estimated number of beef cattle being exported from North Carolina?
50,000 head annually. -North Carolina Trivia, complied by Ernie & Jill Couch, Rutledge Hill Press, 513 Third Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37210. ISBN 1-55853-112-2
What's happening with the NTA membership in North Carolina?
According to the membership lists published by the National Teachers Association for Country Western Dance, instructors are quitting the business or at least dropping membership in the organization. - NTA Membership Lists 1995-1998. Here are the North Carolina counts:
  1. 1995 - 90
  2. 1996 - 72
  3. 1997 - 36
  4. 1998 - 20

From interviews and personal experience, ex-members have complained about weak leadership, poor quality newsletters - both in proof reading and content, and constant promotion of ballroom dance and the dance studios. Current members appreciate the discounted ASCAP/BMI rates. The NTA 1998 membership list did not contain the normal state and country membership divisions, which were the greatest tools for finding local authorities on what's happening in the dance scene and club locations for people who were traveling. Another weakness was the omission of many E-mail addresses. A quick glance suggests a 20% membership drop, particularly from the historical cowboy territory, such as Texas, with the gains in far removed areas such as Belgium and Netherlands. This coincides with the many telephone calls and letters we've received from frustrated instructors.

Note: We are not attempting to do a national projection based on North Carolina figures.

How fast does the wind really blow in North Carolina (hurricanes and tornados are not included)?
Wind gusts up to 195 mph were recorded in early 1997 at the U.S. Weather Service reporting station on top of Grandfather Mountain's visitor center. The previous record was set in 1995 at only 175 mph. -News and Observer So how far could that blow a cow?
How long was I-40 closed when a gasoline tanker blew up the bridge over I-40 between Valese and Hickory on July 24, 1998?
Working around the clock, crews were able to reopen I-40 by Monday, July 27, 1998 - about 72 hours. The detours were: Westbound - Exit 148 West of Statesville, travel West on U.S. 64 to I-40 in Morganton; Eastbound - Exit 105 at Morganton to N.C. 18, then South on N.C. 18, East on N.C. 10, North on N.C. 127 to I-40.
How long was the only Interstate linking Raleigh to Knoxville closed by rock slides in 1997? How did you drive between Raleigh and Knoxville at that time?
On July 1, 1997, rock slides covered Interstate 40 in North Carolina blocking access to Tennessee. North Carolina officials reopened 1 lane of I-40 in each direction by Thursday, September 11, 1997. 72 days totally blocked. The other two lanes opened on December 19, 1997 - about 170 days partially blocked. The northern detour began with I-40 in the Greensboro/Winston-Salem area. Go north on I-79 or I-77, then go south on I-81, and merge into I-40 westbound into Knoxville. An extra 120 miles or so.

The southern detour began with I-40 at Asheville. Go south on I-26, then I-85 to Atlanta, then north on I-75 to I-40 (definitely west of Knoxville) - too darn far.

Scenic alternative and warning:

This is NOT approved by our highway safety folks and includes some extremely sharp switchback driving between Boone and Bristol. Do NOT take trailers or trucks on this section of road - there are vehicle length limits posted. Our driving time on this route (car) and the mileage were similar to a previous trip (Raleigh to Knoxville) on I-40. You may not want to use this in inclement weather.

From I-40 in Greensboro/Winston-Salem take 421 west to Bristol, go south on I-81, and merge into I-40 westbound into Knoxville

How do you know you've gone to the wrong Longbranch?
When you are offered organic vegetables and plans for a solar composting toilet instead of a drink and a dance. The other Longbranch in North Carolina is an environmental education center.
Which North Carolina football team played in the Rose Bowl in 1942? Where was the game played?
On January 1, 1942, the Duke Devils played Oregon State in the Rose Bowl in Durham, North Carolina. The game was moved inland after perceived threats of Japanese bombing on our Pacific coast.-The News and Observer