Paging through memories

Our State Magazine's 75 years of stories and photos created an impression on many readers

You've probably picked up and thumbed through a copy at the doctor's office or the barbershop. Our State magazine, which got its start as The State, has been around for 75 years now. The magazine was founded by New Yorker Carl Goerch, who moved here and grew to love the state.

When we asked readers to share their memories of the magazine, many of you responded. It turns out many of you had connections to founder Goerch. He must have made lots of connections in his travels across the state.

Some readers have used the magazine as a travel planner, and some of you have taken Our State with you when you've moved away and it has served to soothe homesick hearts.

But we'll let you tell those stories.

The founder

When I read the section in The N&O asking what role Our State Magazine has played in my life it sure brought back memories. I remember the magazine as being the most important magazine in our house because Carl Goerch, the founder of the magazine, was my grandfather. My whole life, I heard the story of how Papa brought his family during the Depression from Little Washington to Raleigh. My mom was 12 years old and I think it was a very traumatic move. However, he thought it was important enough to start the magazine. My mom went on to write for the magazine after she graduated from UNC and also in limited capacity after she was married.

My grandfather was a remarkable man of German descent from New York who truly loved the state of North Carolina and her people. I don't think he was highly educated, but he knew facts about the state I still don't know, having spent my whole life here. He challenged the grandkids (there were six of us) to learn the facts of North Carolina -- many times there was a silver dollar at stake if we learned specific facts like all 100 counties.

He never met a stranger. He loved to fly his two-seater Cessna, long after he should have quit, and enjoyed playing practical jokes. He and my grandmother roamed the world after his retirement and passed on to me his love of travel. Seemed, though, he was happiest back home in Raleigh. The State Magazine provided me with much enjoyment in my life by providing me with the founder as a role model.

The conductor

My grandfather was a retired conductor with Southern Railroad in Spencer. He would tell me stories of places he had visited in our state ... places I had never heard of before, like Buzzard's Roost, Linville caves, Indian caves along the Yadkin River, Maco Lights and the Brown Mountain Lights. I was thrilled hearing about the different customs and people he met from the mountains to the sea ... like the pottery craftsmen in the Piedmont, carving experts in the mountains, and boat builders on the Outer Banks

My first magazine subscription from him was Wildlife in North Carolina, and then a subscription to The State in 1951. He knew personally some of the original contributors to The State. I was fascinated reading the stories; during summers we would go fishing and also visit some places written about in The State (in his Nash Rambler!) All of my issues were highlighted and saved in a box in Mom's attic. In 1961 I went off to college in Chapel Hill. Many years later, I learned that my "box of memories" had been thrown out, along with my comic book collection! "Well, I didn't think you wanted them anymore," she said. I still love you Mom.

A family story

I grew up in the '40s and '50s in Boone. The State Magazine was a monthly fixture in our home. My father, Boone attorney Wade E. Brown, and Carl Goerch were friends, and Dad was known to suggest a story idea to Mr. Goerch from time to time. When each issue came, Dad would point out interesting stories and often added his own insight to the story, especially if the article was about his beloved mountain region.