One thing that ran wide open on Thanksgiving Day was our Christmas tree industry. Debbie Carpenter of Pyatte in Avery County was getting ready to head to the Raleigh farmers market to sell Avery County Christmas trees. She told High Country Radio News that there were pickups, lowboys and tractor trailers

being loaded and readied to head out in all directions. Workers were cutting, bailing and loading trees all day with short breaks for turkey with a side of pie. She did advise area travelers to drive safely, obey the speed limit and buckle up. She had safety in mind but also noted that the driver with their load of trees had counted 12 patrol cars between Boone and Wilkesboro.