Are You a True Tar Heel 2

“Are You a True Tar Heel?” : 

'Are You a True Tar Heel?' NCST 2000 Fall 2007 Dr. Tom Shields

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Tomlin, Jimmy. 'Are You a True Tar Heel?' Our State Feb. 2005: 60-78.

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Take this not-very-scientific tongue-in-cheek quiz to determine your official Tar Heel Quotient. OK, maybe you live in North Carolina, and maybe you have a North Carolina license tag and driver's license, and maybe you even know that the state capital is Raleigh, the most populated city is Charlotte, and that the Carolina Panthers went to the Super Bowl a year ago. No offense, but big deal! Being a true Tar Heel is not just about living in North Carolina or even knowing a few superficial facts about our beloved state. Being a true Tar Heel is about embracing North Carolina—the heritage, people, geography and landmarks, favorite pastimes, well-known customs, and even its quirks. It means you likely have sweet tea flowing in your veins and a physical need for regular doses of barbecue. It's about becoming one with your inner Tar Heel psyche. So how do you know if you're a true child of the Old North State? Until now, it couldn't be done, but Our State has designed this thorough, not-very-scientific, tongue-in-cheek, fail-proof quiz to help you determine your official Tar Heel Quotient. So grab a calculator if you want to keep score, and see if you're a Tar Heel of splendor or a Tar Heel pretender.

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Let's start with the basics: If you know why North Carolina is called 'The Tar Heel State,' add 5. If you know two or more such theories, add 10. If you didn't know North Carolina was called 'The Tar Heel State,' subtract 25 and please consider renouncing your residency. Why it matters: There are three primary theories on this issue: (1) During colonial days, North Carolina exported more tar and pitch than any other colony, and tar that spilled on the ground stuck to workers' feet. (2) During the Revolutionary War, Lord Cornwallis' troops crossed the Tar River in eastern North Carolina and got to the other side with tar all over their feet—tar that had been poured in the river by Patriots. (3) The most widely accepted account of the nickname's origin dates back to the Civil War, when a group of retreating soldiers left a regiment of North Carolinians to fight a fierce battle on their own. Later, when the two groups met again, the North Carolinians told the retreaters that next time they were going to put tar on their heels to make them stick. General Robert E. Lee heard the story and exclaimed, 'God bless the Tar Heel boys!' 1

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What kind of tea do you prefer? If it's iced tea—and the sweeter, the better—add 10. If it's unsweetened tea, subtract 10. Why it matters: If God hadn't meant for us to drink sweet tea, He wouldn't have given us sugar. Some restaurants will serve you unsweetened tea, but you'll have to request it. 2

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How do you like your barbecue? For eastern North Carolina barbecue, add 5. For western North Carolina barbecue, add 5. If your favorite barbecue joint features a cartoon picture of a pig wearing a bib and holding utensils, add another 5. If you prefer barbecue beef or barbecue ribs, Subtract 5. Why It matters: We take barbecue very seriously around here, and the war of eastern-style barbecue vs. western-style barbecue has been raging for decades. To be a true Tar Heel, it doesn't matter which style you prefer—only that you take a stand. In his book North Carolina Barbecue, Bob Garner points out that the earliest settlers adopted this time-honored method of roasting pork from the American Indians that lived here. And we've loved it ever since. 3

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If you believe North Carolina has dibs on laying claim to Orville and Wilbur Wright, add 10. If you believe Ohio has a better claim, subtract 10, and please book the next available flight back to Dayton! Why it matters: Everyone knows Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903, but folks from the Buck Eye State claim Dayton is the birthplace of aviation because that's where the Wright brothers made their plans and built their aircraft. Ohio license plates read, 'Birthplace of Aviation,' whereas North Carolina plates read, 'First In Flight.' 4

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If forecasts of snow send you to the grocery store for milk, bread, eggs, and toilet paper, add 10. If forecasts of snow cause you to reminisce about how you used to deal with snowstorms in Buffalo, subtract 10. Why it matters: If North Carolinians want to prepare for a two-week blizzard—even if the forecast is only for a 'light dusting'—that's our right, and frankly, we don't care how it's done in Buffalo. This ain't Buffalo. 5

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Why It matters: College basketball borders on religion in these parts, and the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament has been fans' most intense spiritual experience. Makes sense when you consider that four ACC schools—Wake Forest University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University—are within a couple hours of each other, all with glorious basketball histories. Happy anniversary to Duke University, celebrating its 100th season of basketball (for more, visit www.dukebasketball100.com). So, with the tourney's Friday games starting at noon, many an employee has developed a case of ACC fever. 6 If you've ever skipped work—or brought a TV to work—on the Friday of the ACC Tournament, add 15. If you don't know what sport we're talking about, subtract 15.

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If you know how to shag—even just a little—add 10. If the only shag you're familiar with is a hideous green carpet from the mid-'70s, subtract 10. Why it matters: shagging might as well be the official dance of North Carolina. We have loved our beach music since it began to take shape after World War II, and the only appropriate dance to go with it is the shag. 7

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If you follow NASCAR so closely that you know all the drivers by their car numbers, add 10. If you can name at least three of the four racing Pettys, add 5. If you'd rather watch paint dry than watch the NASCAR boys tradin' paint, Subtract 10. Why it matters: Stock car racing has always been big around here, and many of the sport's top stars live in our fair state. As for the Pettys—Lee, Richard, Kyle, and Adam (Lee and Adam are deceased)—they're the state's unofficial first family of racing. For more on the Pettys, visit the Richard Petty Museum, 142 West Academy Street, Randleman, N.C. 27317, 8

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If you've ever driven along the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the beautiful autumn leaves, add 10. Did you stop for pictures at one or more of the scenic overlooks? Add 5. Or do you think leaves are just leaves, no matter what color they are? If so, Subtract 10, and report to the Blue Ridge Parkway in October to be proved wrong. Why It matters: The turning of the leaves every fall is one of nature's most spectacular shows, and North Carolinians enjoy some of the best vantage points along the Parkway, which features more than 100 overlooks in our state alone. A couple of other top spots for viewing the brilliant reds and yellows include the Cherohala Scenic Skyway, near Robbinsville, and along U.S. Highway 64 through the Nantahala National Forest. 9

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If you've spent vacation time visiting one or more of North Carolina's lighthouses, add 5. Did you climb up to the top? If so, add 5. Why it matters: The lighthouses of North Carolina's coast—Currituck Beach, Bodie Island, Cape Hatteras, Ocracoke, Cape Lookout, Bald Head Island, and Oak Island—are among our state's top tourist attractions. We love to visit them, photograph them, and, at three of them, climb to the top of the stairs: 268 steps at Cape Hatteras, 214 steps at Currituck Beach, and 112 to the top of Old Baldy. 10

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11 If you love homegrown tomatoes, add 5. If you grow your own and share them with friends and neighbors, add 5 more. Why it matters: During a hot North Carolina summer, few foods hit the spot quite like a good ol' tomato sandwich, made from fresh tomatoes right out of the garden. We take pride in growing our own, and we take equal pleasure in sharing them with others.

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12 If you've seen any of North Carolina's famous outdoor dramas, add 10. If you can't even name one of our state's famous outdoor dramas, Subtract 10. Why it matters: Starting with Paul Green's The Lost Colony in 1937, we invented the outdoor drama. Some of the others around the state include Unto These Hills, Amistad, From This Day Forward, The Sword of Peace, Horn in the West, and Worthy is the Lamb.

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13 If you've heard our official state song, 'The Old North State,' add 5. If you can sing a verse or two, add 25 and take a bow. Why It matters: Because it's our official state song, adopted as such in 1927. Written by William Gaston and composed by Mrs. E.E. Randolph, the first verse goes like this: Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her! While we live we will cherish, protect and defend her; Tho' the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her, Still our hearts swell with gladness whenever we name her.

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14 If you've ever been to Tweetsie Railroad, add 5 . If you know how Tweetsie got its name, add 10. If you've made more than one trip on Tweetsie's Mouse Mine Train Ride, add 10, at least. If you've never heard of Tweetsie, Subtract 10. Why it matters: This is one of our state's top tourist attractions, located just outside of Boone. Countless North Carolinians visited Tweetsie as children to participate in the ultimate game of cowboys and Indians. And how did Tweetsie get its name? Running a route between Johnson City and Boone, the trains along the route were recognized by local residents by their distinctive 'tweet, tweet' whistle that echoed through the hills.

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Do you know the legend of the Devil's Tramping Ground? If so, add 5. If you can name the county in which the Devil's Tramping Ground is located, add 5 more. Why it matters: This legend has always been one of our favorites. The Devil's Tramping Ground—located in Chatham County, by the way—is a 40-foot barren circle in the middle of a forest. Nothing will grow in the mysterious circle, and objects placed in the circle at nighttime disappear before dawn. The legend is that Old Scratch himself paces there, charring the ground as he does so. 15

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If you've ever been to a festival named after a fruit, a vegetable, or some sort of edible animal, add 10. Why it matters: we take great pride in our festivals, and celebrate everything from barbecue in Lexington and oysters in Ocean Isle to watermelons in Murfreesboro, potatoes in Elizabeth City, and even ramps in Graham County. 16

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Can you name the official state bird? The official state flower? The official state motto? The official state fruit? Add 5 for each one you know. If you don't know any of them,subtract 10. Why it matters: It matters because, if you're going to call yourself a Tar Heel, you need to know. Here are the answers: The cardinal. The dogwood. 'Esse Quam Videri' (which means 'to be, rather than to seem'). The scuppernong grape. 17

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If you've ever been to Grandfather Mountain, add 5. If you took a picture of Mildred the Bear, add 5, and if you crossed the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, add 5 more. Did you know there's also a Grandmother Mountain? If so, add 10 more. Why it matters: This is one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, and countless North Carolina families have visited Grandfather Mountain in Avery County. Many of us remember meeting—and yes, photographing—Mildred the Bear, the Grandfather's congenial mama bear who loved visitors. And the Mile-High Swinging Bridge—which, just for the record, is not actually a mile high and no longer swings (it was too dangerous)—represents a rite of passage for children and adults who want to prove their bravery. Grandmother Mountain, by the way, stands just to the south. 18

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If you know the North Carolina city upon which Mayberry (the one featured in 'The Andy Griffith Show') is based, add 5. If you think Mayberry was made up out of thin air, subtract 10. Why it matters: Everybody in North Carolina knows Andy Griffith based the TV show's Mayberry on his hometown of Mount Airy. He's even admitted that himself. And since 'The Andy Griffith Show' has been one of the most successful television shows of all time, we're right proud of that fact. 19

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Coke or Pepsi? Add 5 if you prefer Pepsi-Cola, Subtract 5 if you'd rather drink a Coca-Cola. Add 5 more if you've ever drunk a Pepsi or Coke from a bottle and put peanuts in the bottle. Add 5 more if you can name another well-known soft drink that originated in North Carolina. Why it matters: Pepsi originated in New Bern, so the thinking is that's where our loyalties should be. Whether you actually act on those loyalties, of course, is between you and your conscience. Peanuts in the bottle? Cecilia Budd Grimes (see page 86) calls it the Southern lady's cocktail. And as for that bonus question, Cheerwine was born in Salisbury. 20

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If you can name three country music stars from North Carolina, add 10. If you can't name any, Subtract 10. Why it matters: We love country music here, and we take great pride in our contributions to that musical genre. Some of our famous bluegrass and country music stars include Randy Travis, Donna Fargo, Ronnie Milsap, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, and Charlie Daniels. 21

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If you know where Billy Graham was born and where he lives now, add 10. If you've ever been to one of his crusades, add 5. If you're not sure who Billy Graham is, Subtract 10— and you might want to stay inside during thunderstorms. Why it matters: Graham—who was born in Charlotte and now lives in Montreat—is the world's most famous evangelist and North Carolina's most famous son. He has often been voted the Most Admired Man in the World. 22

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If you believe President Andrew Jackson was born in North Carolina, add 10. If you think he was born in South Carolina, Subtract 10. Why it matters: Historians agree our nation's seventh president was born in 1767 near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line in Waxhaw. The thing is, though, we believe—no, we know—Jackson was born in our own Union County, whereas South Carolinians believe—quite erroneously, thank you—he was born in their Lancaster County. We have a museum in Jackson's honor on N.C. Highway 75 just south of Waxhaw. For information, call (704) 843-1832. 23

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If you've ever been to a North Carolina Christmas tree farm to cut down your own tree, add 5. Why it matters: Our state has some 2,500 growers producing an estimated 50 million Fraser fir Christmas trees, according to the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. We're ranked second in the nation for the number of trees harvested and first in terms of dollars made per tree. 24

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Can you identify the individuals pictured above? Add 3 for each one you know, and add 2 more for each one if you know his or her connection to North Carolina. Why It matters: Pictured from left to right are Thomas Wolfe (the Asheville author of Look Homeward, Angel), Meadowlark Lemon (a world-famous member of the Harlem Globetrotters, born in Wilmington), Frances Bavier (who played Aunt Bee on 'The Andy Griffith Show' and retired to Siler City), and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt (who was born in Kannapolis). 25

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If you know where Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is headquartered, add 5. If you don't like Krispy Kreme doughnuts—and you admit it —subtract 5. 26 Why it matters: The company is based in Winston-Salem, and it matters because Krispy Kreme doughnuts are widely regarded as the most sumptuous pastry on the planet, one of our most popular 'exports.'

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If you've ever eaten seafood at Calabash, add 5. If you were vacationing at one of those, ahem, South Carolina beaches but crossed back into North Carolina to eat at Calabash, add 5 more. Why it matters: Eating at Calabash is mandatory on pretty much any vacation trip along our southern coast. If it's good enough for Jimmy Durante—who once ate there and coined his signature phrase, 'Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are'—then it's good enough for us. 27

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Do you know what 'hoi toide' is? If so, add 5. If you know the meaning of 'dingbatter,' 'slick cam,' and 'begombed,' add 10 more. Why it matters: That's not quite another language; it's a dialect known as the Ocracoke Brogue. Charming and lyrical, the translation for anyone outside Hyde County is 'high tide,' 'off islander,' 'very smooth,' and 'soiled.' You may want to bone up by reading Hoi Tide on the Outer Banks by Walt Wolfram and Natalie Schilling-Estes. 28

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If you've lived in North Carolina all of your life, add 10. If you moved here from another state, add 5. If you went to college in North Carolina, add 5. If you live outside of North Carolina but subscribe to Our State, add 5. [And add 5 if you’re not from North Carolina but chose to take NCST 2000.] Why it matters: stands to reason that if you want to be a Tar Heel, you ideally should live here in North Carolina. However, for those who live elsewhere but subscribe to Our State [or take North Carolina Studies], you obviously want to live here, so we'll give you some credit for that. 29

How'd you do?: 

How'd you do? 0 to 99: Well, at least you've absorbed a little of what it means to be a true Tar Heel. There's a wee bit of tar on your heels, but it washes off very easily. 100 to 249: You have true Tar Heel potential. We recommend reading back over the quiz to boost your 'Tar Heel Quotient.' 250 to 390: You're the real thing — a Tar Heel born, a Tar Heel bred. Congratulations! Jimmy Tomlin, an award-winning newspaper columnist and freelance writer, lives in Greensboro.