PBS NORTH CAROLINA PRESENTS BROADCAST COLLABORATION WITH OUR STATE MAGAZINE

Hosted by Our State Editor in Chief Elizabeth Hudson, the new show ‘Best of Our State’ premieres Thursday, October 6, at 8 PM. 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 10/4/2022 — PBS North Carolina, in partnership with Our State magazine, will debut Best of Our State on Thursday, October 6, 8 PM, on PBS NC. Host Elizabeth Hudson, editor in chief of Our State, will take viewers on a trip down memory lane for all the beauty and culture North Carolina has to offer. 

“Our State is thrilled to be back on PBS NC with the new series Best of Our State,” says the magazine’s editor in chief and show host Elizabeth Hudson. “It was an absolute delight revisiting all of the classic episodes and filming fresh, fun updates that our audience is sure to enjoy.” 

Best of Our State highlights some of the most treasured stories from the magazine and features beloved destinations across North Carolina. Find the full list of episodes and descriptions below. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Our State to bring these remarkable stories back to our audiences. As we dip into our PBS NC archives, we are mining years of award-winning storytelling that is timeless,” says Heather Burgiss, PBS North Carolina’s Director of Original Productions. “Viewers will enjoy joining host Elizabeth Hudson every week for a new and vibrant look at the very best of North Carolina’s people and places.” 

Broadcast Schedule 

Best of Our State airs Thursdays, 8 PM, on PBS NC. The series will also be available for streaming on the PBS Video App. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest scheduling information. 

Episode 1: “Mule Rider & Carolina Chocolate Drops” 

Premieres Thursday, October 6, 8 PM 

Adventurist Bernie Harberts goes on a Down East wagon ramble; the Carolina Chocolate Drops introduces a new generation to old-time music. 

Episode 2: “Stickbuilt & Lighter than Air” 

Premieres Thursday, October 13, 8 PM 

Environmental artist Patrick Dougherty’s stick sculpture installation at Guilford College; the story of how blimps helped turn the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II. 

Episode 3: “East Fork Pottery & Etta Baker” 

Premieres Thursday, October 20, 8 PM 

Artist Alex Matisse and the origins of East Fork Pottery; David Holt with Piedmont blues legend Etta Baker. 

Episode 4: “What Say You & Tweetsie Railroad” 

Premieres Thursday, October 27, 8 PM 

An NC State linguistics professor travels to Ocracoke to study a fading dialect. Also, the story behind the mountain tourist destination Tweetsie Railroad. 

Episode 5: “Hart Square & To the Lighthouse” 

Premieres Thursday, November 3, 8 PM 

How one man’s passion for preservation led to the world’s largest collection of historic log structures. Also, the restoration of the Bodie Island Lighthouse in Nags Head. 

Episode 6: “Playing with Heart & Wild Horses” 

Premieres Thursday, November 10, 8 PM 

Jim Avett’s passion for music; the wild horses of Corolla and efforts to protect them. 

Episode 7: “Puppet Masters & Elizabeth Keckly” 

Premieres Thursday, November 17, 8 PM 

A creative duo recycles to elicit smiles and wonder. Also, the story of Elizabeth Keckly, a formerly enslaved woman who became Mary Lincoln’s dressmaker. 

Episode 8: “Natural Connections & What It Was, Was Football” 

Premieres Thursday, November 24, 8 PM 

Herbalist, naturalist and storyteller Doug Elliott spends his days making connections with the natural world. Also, Northern transplant and cartoonist Rich Powell illustrates a famous monologue by Andy Griffith. 

To commemorate the Best of Our State premiere, Our State will host a special event at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh on Saturday, November 5, 10 AM to 2 PM. Admission to the event is free; attendees will enjoy a presentation by Our State editor in chief and Best of Our State host Elizabeth Hudson, as well as a screening of the show, a live performance by bluegrass band The Local Boys and food samples from popular North Carolina vendors. For more information about the event, visit OurState.com. 

For more information about Best of Our State, its host and featured destinations, visit pbsnc.org. Watch Best of Our State live on Thursday nights at 8 PM, or stream anytime online and on the PBS Video App. 

About PBS North Carolina 

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS Kids and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS NC serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

-PBS NC-   

Media Contact  
Kathleen Kramer, PBS North Carolina Marketing & Communications  
kkramer@pbsnc.org  
919-549-7059