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www.HuskeysPaint.com | (828) 214-7100 | October 2023
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Explore Its Enduring Legacy EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF OCTOBER AT THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR
While you and I may be situated on the western side of North Carolina, I’m sure we’ve all made the trip to Raleigh to visit the state fair! The fair has a rich history dating back all the way to 1853, and it’d be a shame not to head down to Raleigh once a year to enjoy it. After almost two centuries of practice, the state fair here is one of the best in the country, and October is when we all get to experience all of its many wonders. The October mainstay sprawls over 344 acres with fried foods, live music, wild rides, and a whole bunch of farm animals. This year marks the 170th North Carolina State Fair, and while a four-hour ride might seem tiresome, it’s worth the road trip! As one of the oldest state fairs in the United States, our fair in Raleigh celebrates a long history of North Carolinian culture. Way back in October 1853, the North Carolina State Agricultural Society created the state fair to recognize farmers and their triumphs as well as share new educational farming techniques. While it wasn’t exactly the most thrilling event of the season, the fair was considered a success at the time, as many people came out to visit, not just farmers!
homebaked goods, and community crafts back in those early days. As time passed, the fair even became a tour stop for politicians looking to win over North Carolina’s votes! Horse races soon became a fair staple that now take place throughout the entire year. Local sports teams, including the North Carolina State University football team, would also have games at the fair. Soon, circus events, amusement rides, and even “freak” shows were added to the state fair’s list of attractions! After a few decades, the state fair became a quintessential event for North Carolina, blending the community’s agricultural achievements with entertainment for everyone. Nearly 1 million people head to the state fair each year and for good reason. From Oct. 12–22, you’ll get to see the roots of the fair with stunning horses and livestock, snack on tasty peach preserves and pies, and reach heights of 155 feet on the SkyGrazer or go full speed on countess roller coasters! If you’re like me, though, you may want to stick with strolling around the grounds eating everything in sight, sipping lemonade, and looking at all the livestock.
However, the state fair was put on hold when the Civil War ravaged the country in the 1860s. After the grisly event ended, the state worked hard to bring the fair
October only comes once a year, so be sure to make some time to head over to the state fair this
season — you’re bound to find something you enjoy, and you’ll certainly find me there! Happy October from the Huskey family to yours! — Trent Huskey
back. In 1869, the fair finally returned, and the state of North Carolina helped fund a bigger and better event. The state fair was filled with prize-winning livestock, delicious
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Wasp Troubles? Try This Simple Removal Method PLUS 2 MORE DIY PEST CONTROL TIPS!
Are wasps buzzing around your yard keeping you from enjoying the fall weather, or are you battling bugs inside your home? If so, try these DIY tactics to eliminate them and keep them from returning next year. Eradicate troublesome wasps with soapy water. You don’t need store-bought insecticides
Be sure to wear protective clothing when spraying wasps, just in case “instant” isn’t fast enough. A spray bottle is perfect for tackling small nests. For larger projects, experts recommend buying a heavy- duty hose-end sprayer at your local home improvement store. Deter future pests with a fake wasp nest. Just as you can keep owls away with an owl statue, some exterminators claim you can deter wasps and carpenter bees with a fake wasp nest! Pest experts recommend hanging your “nest” in the spring and keeping it up through fall. Look for a spot where real wasps would get cozy, like the peak of your eaves or the corner of your garage, attic, or porch. You can buy nest decoys on Amazon or make your own from crumpled paper bags. Break out your vacuum to prevent bug stains and smells. It seems counterintuitive, but if common fall pests like Asian lady beetles, box elder bugs, or stink bugs make it into your house, you shouldn’t squish them — you should vacuum them up! Some bugs, like stink bugs, create foul smells when squashed. Others, like Asian lady beetles, can permanently stain your rugs or walls with their guts. To keep your home clean and stink-free, use pesticides outside and suck up survivors inside.
to banish wasps from your yard or garden. Instead, simply pour 2 tablespoons of dish soap into an empty spray bottle and fill the rest with water. Shake up the mixture, and you have homemade wasp spray! According to one pest control expert, spraying down nests with this simple
solution kills wasps instantly. It works because wasps breathe through holes in their bodies called “spiracles.” They can survive in the rain because the surface tension in each water droplet prevents it from blocking their spiracles effectively. But soap eliminates that tension, letting water seep into their breathing holes and drown them in mid-air.
REAL GHOSTLY ENCOUNTERS AND HAIR-RAISING FARM SCARES Discover a Top Haunted Attraction Perfect for You!
Even if you’re not a fan of haunted houses, surprise thrills, or jump scares, getting a good fright is an October requirement! Plus, you’re bound to have a friend or family member drag you to a haunted house this season, no matter what. So, you might as well go to some of the best and scariest attractions in the state! The Haunted Farm, Hendersonville Voted as the best haunted house in North Carolina, the Haunted Farm is a must-visit for all horror lovers. Located deep in the rural farmlands, this spooky attraction holds a long history of fabled horrors and disappearances. While the Haunted Farm is terrifying — visitors regularly cut their tours short
out of fear — there is no age limit here! Kids are welcome if their parents deem them able to participate, but be warned: The Haunted Farm is not for the weak! Check out NCHauntedFarm.com to learn more about its history and ticket information. The Haunted Trail, Asheville If you want more family-friendly and less gruesome scares, head to the Haunted Trail. Tailored for the entire family, the Haunted Trail in Asheville is perfect for kids ages 3–12 and even features a sensory- friendly version for those needing
Additionally, the Haunted Trail donates four meals to local food banks for every ticket purchased! It’s a perfect Halloween attraction for the whole family. For ticket prices and
dates, visit HauntedTrailWNC.com. The Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville
If you want unmanufactured scares, visit an actual haunted hotel! The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville has long been believed to be a haunted location with its own friendly ghost who interacts with guests. The recurring spirit known as the Pink Lady is said to be a woman in a pink gown who supposedly lost her life at the inn after falling from the fifth floor. Those who board in room 545 are known to experience the most paranormal activity … so stay if you dare!
a more gentle experience. The trail glows with neon lights at night and is also open during the daytime for more family fun.
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While North Carolina has some postcard-worthy sights to see, it also holds a variety of horror movie filming locations. The state is a perfect setting for any scary movie since its scenic towns and rich history can bring any story to life. If you’re a horror movie fanatic, stopping at the filming locations for these four movies is a must for Halloween! ‘Halloween Kills’ You may have witnessed some familiar landscapes if you watched the 2021 sequel to this legendary franchise. “Halloween Kills” shot plenty of scenes in Wilmington, with the terrifying Michael Myers wielding his kitchen knife throughout the city. In particular, check out Wallace Park and Veterans Park, where multiple gruesome outdoor scenes were filmed! In the film, Mick’s Bar and Grill is actually The Rusty Nail, a pub where you can jam out to blues tunes and sip a cold beer. To finish up your “Halloween”-themed tour, head to the Museum of the Bizarre, where you can take a photo next to Michael Myers! ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Southport is the filming site for this seaside horror flick from 1997. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” features a hook-wielding killer and some of Southport’s most famous spots that still stand strong today! You can visit the Amuzu Theatre, where Sarah Michelle Gellar is crowned as the beauty pageant queen, or drink by the seaside at the American Fish Company, the film’s fictional Ollie’s Oyster Bar. ‘Scream’ The 2022 fifth installment of the “Scream” franchise was filmed in Wilmington, just like “Halloween Kills”! The legendary trio — Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette — can be seen walking (and running) all around Wilmington. You can visit the Wilmington Riverwalk, where Sidney first receives a call from Ghostface, or Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern, where filming also took place! ‘The Conjuring’ Featuring real-life tales from paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, “The Conjuring” was the start of a new horror franchise in 2013. In this film, a family is terrorized by demonic evil in their new countryside home. This large, spooky residence in Currie along the Black River is the central location in the film and offers an extremely eerie atmosphere, but you can also visit the Carolina Apartments, UNC Wilmington’s campus, and the Carolinian Inn, where a few other scenes were shot. Plenty more horror movies were filmed in North Carolina, including “Cabin Fever,” “Hannibal,” and “Evil Dead,” so your horror movie tour doesn’t have to end here! FROM MICHAEL MYERS TO GHOSTFACE Follow the Footsteps of Horror Icons at These Filming Locations
Candy Costume Gourds Halloween
Haunted Moon Raven Tricks
Vampire Werewolf Witch Zombie
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com
Save money this October with this delicious homemade pumpkin spice latte that will taste better than any store- bought coffee.
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 shots espresso (or 1/2 cup freshly brewed coffee) • 1 cup milk of choice • 3 tbsp pumpkin purée
• 1–2 tbsp maple syrup • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 1 tsp vanilla extract • Whipped cream for topping (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small pot on medium heat, heat milk until simmering but not boiling. 2. Make your espresso (or coffee) and pour into a large mug or Mason jar. Add pumpkin purée, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla and stir until well combined. 3. With a milk frother, froth the heated milk until foamy. Then, pour into your pumpkin espresso mixture and top with whipped cream. For decoration, you can sprinkle more cinnamon or pumpkin spice on top!
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INSIDE THIS EDITION
A Journey Through North Carolina’s State Fair History DIY Pest Control to Banish Wasps and More Thrills and Chills Await at These Haunted Locations Embark on a Spooky Tour of North Carolina’s Horror Movie Sets Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
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Personalized Vacations With AI
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AI-ENHANCED TRAVEL: YOUR SECRET TO THE PERFECT ITINERARY
The feeling of excitement for an upcoming vacation can quickly turn into one of stress. After you purchase your ticket or plan your travel, you may feel so burnt out that scheduling day-to- day activities for said vacation feels impossible. Thankfully, helping you create an itinerary is where AI thrives. So, how do you use AI to help you plan a trip? The first step is to craft a prompt that will get the best response possible. To do that, ask your preferred AI platform questions in your native language. AI understands many languages, and your grammar and syntax when asking questions matter when looking for perfect results. The more grammatically accurate your sentence is, the more artificial intelligence can help you.
Next, you need to be as specific as possible. Include all relevant information about your travel party when asking it to make plans for you, including if there are any kids, elderly travelers, pets, dietary restrictions, interests, or priorities because those factors will impact the results it gives you. You should also tell the AI software when it misunderstands you or gives you results that don’t match what you want. AI, like ChatGPT, uses large language models (LLMs) to learn from the person interacting with it, so the back-and-forth of providing feedback helps it pinpoint your specific interests to give you better information. For example, you can provide this prompt: “Make me a travel itinerary for seven days in Rome with activities in less crowded areas that are accessible to elderly travelers.” Finally, double-check any of the information AI gives you. Most platforms can only access information available before 2021, so certain attractions, restaurants, parks, or other itinerary items may not exist anymore. Want to give AI travel a go? ChatGPT isn’t the only site you can use to plan your itinerary! You can try any one of the following AI software specifically created for travel: • Tripnotes.ai • RoamAround.ai • Curiosio.com
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