Thursday, November 27, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1973, professional wrestler Evan Karagias was born in Gastonia. He won a full wrestling scholarship to NC State before debuting in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as "The Outrageous Karagias," then later joined the World Wrestling Federation after it purchased WCW and acquired his contract.

Happy Thanksgiving! However you're spending the day, we hope it brings peace, gratitude, and maybe even a second helping.

Check out Top Stories for favorite memories of this special holiday from a few of our readers, and note that today's edition of Flyover North Carolina is running a bit shorter as our team takes time to celebrate with loved ones.

Also, please keep an eye out for tomorrow's special Black Friday edition—it's our first-ever Flyover Christmas Gift Guide, filled with dozens of great gift ideas for all members of your family!

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Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

NC Groups Feed Thousands for Thanksgiving

North Carolina nonprofits, organizations, and community members helped provide holiday meals to thousands of North Carolinians in need ahead of Thanksgiving.

MANNA FoodBank partnered with Harris Teeter to pack and distribute 1,000 Thanksgiving meal boxes—each with enough food to feed a family of four—while the Campus Kitchen at Wake Forest University hosted its annual Turkey Palooza, where students made hundreds of Thanksgiving meals for families in need.

Mecklenburg County, Nourish Up, and Food Lion hosted the Saturdays on Stitt Street Turkey Giveaway in northeast Charlotte, distributing whole turkeys to registered families impacted by SNAP delays, and Operation Turkey provided Thanksgiving meals to families in Greensboro, Fayetteville, and Raleigh.

Paul Freewill Baptist Church in Richlands planned to give out 300 turkeys, while Whole Man Ministries in Winston-Salem gave away 350 turkeys and sides—each intended to feed a family of four for a week.

If you'd like to donate holiday meals to families in need, visit Feeding the Carolinas' website to find a food bank near you.

Readers Share Thanksgiving Memories

Thanks to all of our readers who shared their favorite Thanksgiving memories with us. Here are a few we loved.

Tammy in China Grove recalls spending Thanksgiving in her new house. "We were so excited to be moving into a larger place that we moved in on Thanksgiving Day." Her family placed an order at Bojangles the day before, but at pickup time, the restaurant couldn't find their order. "As we were on our way to Food Lion to see what they had left, Bojangles called and said they had found it. So we had Thanksgiving dinner on paper plates and lots of laughs."

Kitty in Waynesville remembers her father insisting the family rake and bag "all the leaves" covering their long, steep driveway on Thanksgiving Day. "His motto was, 'No worky, no turkey,'" she recalled.

Clay of Raleigh remembers "62 years ago, my wonderful wife and I were married on Thanksgiving Day in a YMCA chapel on the NC State campus."

Finally, John in Forge Mountain says his favorite Thanksgiving memory will always be the most recent because "every Thanksgiving I can walk away from is a wonderful gift. Having the love of friends and family, especially my saintly spouse, with whom to share things, is the frosting on the cake."

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➤ Statewide: According to a Campbell's 2025 survey of 5,000 Americans, the most popular Thanksgiving side dish in North Carolina is dressing, aka stuffing. (See Map)

➤ Wilmington: If you don't feel like cooking today, Bluewater Waterfront Grill, Elijah's Oyster & Fish Camp, Front Street Brewery, and PinPoint are among the restaurants open for business. (See List)

➤ Asheville Yards Holiday Ice Skating Rink opened yesterday and will close Jan. 19. Admission is $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends, including skates. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Repticon Raleigh returns to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds Nov. 29-30, featuring dozens of reptile vendors, live exhibits, and educational displays. Tickets, which cost $12-$20 for adults and $7 for children, must be purchased online. (More)

➤ Charlotte: The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has announced five holiday performances: Home Alone in Concert, Nov. 28-29; Handel's Messiah, Dec. 5-7; Holiday Pops: A Carolina Christmas, Dec. 12-14; Festival of Lights, Dec. 18; and Cirque de Noël, Dec. 19-21. (See Details)

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