WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! On this day in 2010, more than 6 inches of snow fell across North Carolina's mountains and northwest Piedmont. Throughout that night and the next day, 12-13 more inches fell across the state's eastern half, extending white Christmas joy to all corners of North Carolina.

Today's edition through the rest of this week will be a bit shorter than usual to allow us time with our families. In honor of the Christmas holiday, the entire Flyover North Carolina team wishes you a day filled with peace, joy, love, and good food!

We're sponsored today by Laughland, the 100% safe and easy-to-use teeth whitening kit you can use at home.

Petty Brings Christmas Joy to WNC

This morning, children across western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee are unwrapping gifts thanks to NASCAR legend and North Carolina native Richard Petty.

In response to families devastated by Hurricane Helene, "The King's" Petty Family Foundation created Operation Appalachian Christmas, a coalition of organizations united in helping those still struggling to recover from Helene's destruction.

Throughout December, Operation Appalachian Christmas hosted various events to collect new, unwrapped gifts and donations for children facing an uncertain holiday experience.

Learn more about the Petty Family Foundation's efforts to help people in need here.

Seasonal Trains to Hop On

The Christmas season lives on beyond Christmas Day, with opportunities to ride seasonal trains.

Tweetsie Christmas is running its open-air steam locomotive through Dec. 30. Ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains to Santa's Gingerbread House where you can take a photo with Santa and enjoy hot cocoa, s'mores, Christmas carols, a Christmas show, and other festivities.

The North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer operates 25-minute winter train rides around the Southern Railway's repair facility Dec. 27-31.

The N.C. Ale Trail By Rail offers a journey of a different sort. NC By Train has partnered with the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild to transport beer connoisseurs to breweries between Raleigh and Charlotte.

Flying together with our sponsor

Whiten Your Teeth With Science — Not Gimmicks!

Laughland is the dentist-formulated, clinically proven whitening kit that's given 200,000+ people their dream smile — without pain or sensitivity. It's easy to use, 100% safe, and guaranteed to work!

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➤ Cary: Triangle Menorah Lightings are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 27, 5-8 p.m. in Morrisville; and Monday, Dec. 30, 5:30-6:15 p.m. in Cary. Both events are free. (More)

➤ Raleigh: The North Carolina Arboretum's Winter Lights open-air walk-through show continues through Dec. 31 and consists of over one million lights. (See Details)

➤ Concord: Speedway Christmas runs through Jan. 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and is considered the Southeast's largest drive-through holiday light show, featuring more than five million lights. (See Details)

➤ Charlotte: The U.S. National Whitewater Center turns into a 24,000-square-foot ice skating rink every winter. It encompasses two free skate zones and two ice trails. (More)

➤ Greensboro: Piedmont Winterfest also features ice skating at LeBauer Park, with curling nights offered on Mondays and Tuesdays. (More)

➤ Asheville: "Chihuly at Biltmore" displays Dale Chihuly's world-renowned contemporary glass art through Feb. 2 in Amherst at Deerpark and throughout the estate grounds. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

How does Laughland whiten your teeth by 7+ shades in less than a week without sensitivity? It's simple — we partnered with a team of renowned dentists, then did exactly what they told us to do!

That's why our proprietary formula combines Hydrogen Peroxide — the exact same whitening agent your dentist uses — with a soothing blend of Glycerin, Sodium Bicarbonate and more natural ingredients that prevent sensitivity and boost results.

Finally, we keep our formula temperature controlled at all times to guarantee maximum effectiveness.

Only your dentist can offer similar results — yet Laughland is a fraction of the price, and you can use it from the comfort of your couch!

Laughland is the only whitening kit with a 100% success rate in clinical trials.