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The Top 61 Happiest Mountain Towns in the Blue Ridge
Our quest to have our readers select the happiest towns in the mountains began with a set of criteria applied
April 2, 2026
People of the Mountains
How did Mount Airy native Tanya Jones put the hometown of Andy Griffith and the Bunker Siamese twins on the map?
A chance encounter with an alpaca transformed Lee Rankin’s life.
This granddaughter of Museum of Appalachia founder John Rice Irwin now leads the 54-year-old East Tennessee museum, keeping the stories alive and showing visitors how people of Southern Appalachia lived in the 1800s.
John Blenko is the fourth generation to lead this 131-year-old company in making hand-blown glass popular throughout the world.
Interpretive park ranger Michael Smith loves chatting up the mountains he calls home.
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Photo Recap: Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2023
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (BRRR) is a musical festival held annually in September that celebrates the heritage of country
September 1, 2023
Behind Blue Ridge Country
“Virginia” in Virginia: Discovering Patsy Cline in Winchester
Walking Winchester in the relentless rain of a soggy spring could not dampen my enthusiasm to see the home of
August 10, 2018
Behind Blue Ridge Country
Even More Sweet Virginia Breezes
Casually cruising to Claytor Lake in southwest Virginia, I felt like I had come home – back to where it
April 12, 2018
