Tar Heel Traveler

The Tar Heel Traveler takes us to fascinating places across the state and into the lives of memorable characters.

At times, the Traveler will even tread onto controversial turf, putting a human face to heartfelt issues.

Look for thoughtful stories that are poignant, witty, interesting and inspiring, crafted with photography that is beautiful and compelling.

WRAL's Tar Heel Traveler is reporter Scott Mason.

Watch the Tar Heel Traveler Mondays through Thursdays at 5:55 p.m. on WRAL News.

Know any fascinating places and people across the state that you'd like to see featured on WRAL? Email the Tar Heel Traveler, Scott Mason.

1. 
   Local magician starred in TV, movies

   Joshua Lozoff had roles on the TV show “Cheers” and the movie “Clueless.”

   1. Nov. 5, 2009
   2. Video
2. 
   Book details history of Outer Banks

   WRAL's Scott Mason shows us the Outer Banks of the past.

   1. Nov. 4, 2009
   2. Video
3. 
   Transylvania County is known for waterfalls

   WRAL's Scott Mason travels to Transylvania County, land of waterfalls.

   1. Nov. 4, 2009
   2. Video
4. 
   Maintenance man is also a woodworker

   Owen Priest is a maintenance man for Moore County schools.

   1. Nov. 2, 2009
   2. Video
5. 
   Explore the 'Devil's Tramping Ground'

   Some believe a mysterious circle deep in the woods of Chatham County is the devil’s trampling ground.

   1. Oct. 29, 2009
   2. Video
6. 
   Garner lady known for being seed expert

   WRAL's Scott Mason talks with the woman known as the "Seed Lady."

   1. Oct. 28, 2009
   2. Video
7. 
   Apex man restores old gas pumps

   WRAL's Scott Mason has the story of a man who has learned the value of the past.

   1. Oct. 27, 2009
   2. Video
8. 
   Asheville's 'Mushroom Man' sprouts into celebrity

   WRAL's Scott Mason goes mushroom hunting in Buncombe County.

   1. Oct. 26, 2009
   2. Video
9. 
   Biscuit, bowl makers are fair neighbors

   Maw Hutto makes a batch of biscuits and James Madren makes some beautiful bowls. Both have been featured on the Tar Heel Traveler and they are actually neighbors each year at the State Fair.

   1. Oct. 23, 2009
   2. Video
10. 
    Vendors have long history at fair

    McBride’s, Ed’s Foot Longs and Al’ French Fries have sold food for 191 years combined.

    1. Oct. 23, 2009
    2. Video
11. 
    Folk Festival celebrates 62 years

    The Folk Festival is a daily competition at the State Fair. Performers are judged on skill, showmanship and enthusiasm.

    1. Oct. 22, 2009
    2. Video
12. 
    Long-time friends make biscuits at the fair

    Monnie Jenks and Frances Lawrence are friends and long-time biscuit makers at the State Fair.

    1. Oct. 22, 2009
    2. Video
13. 
    Tar Heel Traveler Hallowen Special

    The Tar Heel Traveler Halloween Special

    1. Oct. 21, 2009
    2. Video
14. 
    Fair is family tradition for some

    The State Fair brought Danny Coghill's family together.

    1. Oct. 21, 2009
    2. Video
    3. Slideshow
15. 
    Woodworker carves images of death

    WRAL's Scott Mason meets up with a famous woodworker at the North Carolina State Fair.

    1. Oct. 20, 2009
    2. Video
16. 
    Pumpkin carver is a State Fair attraction

    WRAL's Scott Mason meets up with a famous pumpkin carver at the North Carolina State Fair.

    1. Oct. 20, 2009
    2. Video
17. 
    Flower and garden show hits State Fair

    WRAL's Scott Mason takes a look at the flower and garden show at the N.C. State Fair.

    1. Oct. 19, 2009
    2. Video
18. 
    Musician plays State Fair annually

    Jim Trantham's identity is tied to the State Fair where he has played and displayed instruments since 1971.

    1. Oct. 19, 2009
    2. Video
19. 
    State Fair forms medley of sounds

    WRAL's Scott Mason met up with a group turning the sounds of the Fair into music.

    1. Oct. 16, 2009
    2. Video
20. 
    Aberdeen hosts Sardine Festival

    The annual event celebrates sardines and the sardine queens.

    1. Oct. 14, 2009
    2. Video
21. 
    Sinkhole made famous by swallowing Corvette, restaurant

    WRAL's Scott Mason has the story of the infamous Hickory sinkhole

    1. Oct. 13, 2009
    2. Video
22. 
    What's new at the State Fair?

    The N.C. State Fair starts Thursday. WRAL's Scott Mason takes a look at what's new.

    1. Oct. 12, 2009
    2. Video
23. 
    Brevard known for its white squirrels

    For 50 years, the white squirrels have attracted attention and tourists to the city. Researchers believe there are about 1,000 white squirrels there.

    1. Oct. 8, 2009
    2. Video
24. 
    N.C. city has no paved road

    Carova Beach doesn’t have a grocery store or gas station.

    1. Oct. 7, 2009
    2. Video
25. 
    Oxford drugstore grapples with changing times

    WRAL's Scott Mason gets a warm welcome at Jones' Drugstore, which has been serving up lunch and prescriptions since 1955.

    1. Oct. 6, 2009
    2. Video
26. 
    Grove Park Inn famous for its visitors

    As WRAL's Scott Mason explains, history is in the hallways at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.

    1. Oct. 5, 2009
    2. Video
27. 
    Announcer has been with Canes for 30 years

    Chuck Kaiton has been the Hurricanes play-by-play man since the Carolina Hurricanes were the Hartford Whalers.

    1. Oct. 1, 2009
    2. Video
28. 
    Folk artist to host art show

    WRAL's Scott Mason has the story of Ruth Russell Williams of Williamsboro.

    1. Sep. 30, 2009
    2. Video
29. 
    Award-winning dog has interesting family tree

    WRAL's Scott Mason has the story of a show dog from Apex with some very good genes.

    1. Sep. 29, 2009
    2. Video
30. 
    Gem credited for putting Hiddenite on the map

    WRAL's Scott Mason explains how a rock gave the town of Hiddenite its name

    1. Sep. 29, 2009
    2. Video
31. 
    Line between fiction and reality blurred in Mt. Airy

    Before Hollywood came to Mayberry, Andy Griffith was growing up in Mt. Airy.

    1. Sep. 24, 2009
    2. Video
32. 
    Fan shows admiration for Andy Griffith

    Thursday marks the 20th year of Mayberry Days in Mount Airy. The four-day festival celebrates the beloved Andy Griffith television show of the 1960s. To mark the occasion, WRAL's Scott Mason profiles a fan of the show from Wilson.

    1. Sep. 23, 2009
    2. Video
33. 
    Barbecue and airplanes go hand to hand in Moore County

    Scott Mason checks out the Pik N Pig in Carthage. It is what you might call a barbecue fly-through.

    1. Sep. 22, 2009
    2. Video
34. 
    Older Tar Heel Traveler videos

    Check here for more Tar Heel Traveler stories.

    1. Oct. 6, 2009
    2. Gallery
35. 
    Tar Heel Traveler specials

    Every once in a while, we air a 30-minute special of some of Scott Mason's most memorable and most interesting Tar Heel Traveler reports.

    1. Oct. 21, 2009
    2. Gallery
    3. Video