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September 1, 2026#10
September 1, 2026
Searchable issue transcript
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$6.95 $6.95 Fo o d Fo o d Art Art Hist or y Hist or y Culture Culture Event s Event s O pinion O pinion Style Style En Plein Air En Plein Air foothills foothills Digest Digest Paint with Paint with Bob Timberlake Bob Timberlake Display Until 10/1/20 Display Until 10/1/20 I ssue XII
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Patient safety. It’s what we do best. o one should fear coming to us if you have a medical need or there is sickness in your family. Please don't let a lingering condition worsen if you aren't feeling well. While we understand it can be concerning to think about going to a hospital, doctor's office or urgent care during the COVID-19 crisis, we want to put your mind at ease. We are taking extraordinary measures to ensure our facilities are safe and clean for you and your family. We have increased our focus on cleaning key high-traffic, high-touch areas as well. And at our practices we are offering telehealth as well as some curbside services. Masks are provided to all patients and we have separate treatment areas for those with respiratory illnesses. You can rest assured, your well-being is our top priority. N l l l We are here for you, and we're committed to your safety.
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You can always subscribe online at http://foothillsdigest.com, but you can also fill out this form and send it in to: Foothills Digest/P.O. Box 2670/ Lenoir NC 28645 Name: Address: Phone: Subscribe to foothills Digest Subscriptions are $27 per year and we publish quarterly. Shipping is $9. Please enclose a check or your credit card information. Cards are charged $36 one time. Card Number: Expiration: CVV Code: On the Cover “Window View” -Bob Timberlake See page 56
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4 COLUMNISTS Bob Timberlake James Thomas-Shell Sarah Everly Calvin Reyes Donna Steele Heather Woods Davis CARMEN ECKARD Chief Editor CONTRIBUTORS Lisa De Maio Brewer Richard Eller Evanne Timberlake Christine Tobais Eric Welborne Suzanne Irwin Stephanie Ray Carole Coates Kaylene Burcham SPECIAL THANKS Lisë Swensson Nathan Huret Scott Millar foothills Foothills Digest P.O. Box 2670 Lenoir, NC 28645 Phone: 828.475.1323 E-mail: editor@foothillsdigest.com Website: foothillsdigest.com Stock by Adobe Stock MADE IN USA
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Emergencies Don’t Wait When an emergency strikes, go to the place where your healthcare heroes are ready to care for everything from broken bones to chest pain. We have been working hard to ensure our hospital—including our Emergency Department—is safe for everyone. Every minute matters in an emergency. You can have greater peace of mind knowing the right care is close to home when you need it. #YourHealthOurHeroes. Learn more at MyFryeRegional.com
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7 Letter from the Editor: Dear Readers, The year 2020 has been a strange one so far. I think we could agree that I’m understating that, by quite a lot. Things certainly feel unsteady and less than safe. As I’m writing this letter, we’re still in the midst of a global pandemic. Our numbers of new infections, right now, are still growing, so we know we can’t ignore Covid-19, which has caused the death of over 100,000 people. Just as frustration with the pandemic was reaching a crescendo, George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minnesota. This sparked worldwide protests, on a scale I’ve never personally seen. The majority of these protests have been peaceful, but some have been marked by rioting, looting and violence from the police, and vitriol seems on the rise. There is unrest, on a large scale. I hope that we can take some collective deep breaths while we think on what binds us together as a community. Even when we were shut up in our houses, we cared about our communities. We reached out and we cared for our neighbors. We sought each other’s company online, because we are communal beings. We need each other. The purpose of Foothills Digest is to celebrate that community, and to preserve the history and culture of all the people who live here. This is a different kind of issue. We didn’t do a “One-Tank Trip,” because we weren’t permitted to travel, and we didn’t feature a restaurant, because they’ve been closed. We skipped the event calendar as well, because most events have been canceled. But even if we aren’t meant to be mixing in large crowds, or traveling to fun locations, we can still enjoy the things that make the foothills unique. So we are celebrating what makes us us. We are celebrating the threads that run through our communities, binding us to each other. Please, readers, stay safe. Remember social distancing and wear a mask in public. Soon, our numbers will go down, and we will return to life, just as people did in 1920 after the Spanish flu ravaged the nation for 2 years. And also, please try to give people the benefit of the doubt as much as you can right now. We are all struggling to find that new normal everyone keeps talking about, but it’s pretty unsteady as we find it. If your neighbor stumbles, I encourage you to help them up instead of kicking them while they are down there. It will help them, but it will also feel nicer for you. Readers, it is my distinct honor and privilege to create this magazine for you each quarter. It is made with honest and true love for you, for this land, for everything that makes these hills special. Thank you for reading.
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8 Letter From the Editor A Crisis for the Ages 1919 Health Bulletin Local Heroes Getting Back to Our Roots Recipes A Different Kind of Artist “Window View” Paint with Bob Timberlake Plein Air Painting Plein Air Festival Barn Quilts Blue Ridge Pkwy App Fox and Hound Table of Contents 7 10 16 18 26 40 48 56 55 64 70 72 75 76
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9 Granny Eckard The Nest at Steele’s Farms Backyard camping A Message from CVHS The Pets We Love Al Fresco Dining The New “It” Accessory Do-It-Yourself Mask What’s Normal Anyway? Treasures Today Nature A Typical Morning Rewarding Respite Encomium for a Hummingbird Photography 10 80 82 91 92 94 96 98 100 104 106 107 108 109 110 114 130
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A Crisis for the Ages By Richard Eller This map is called “Hickory 1907 Bird’s Eye View, ” and it is made available by The Library of Congress. A. E. Downs is the original publisher of the map.
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11 I n the predicament that we all faced with the spread of COVID-19 spread, most of us can claim the 2020 pandemic as uncharted territory. While self-quarantining is certainly alarming and never before experienced in the our lifetimes, it has actually happened before. In fact, this year marks its centennial of a similar predicament in western North Carolina. On February 3, 1920, the City Council of Hickory, NC approved and issued an ordinance. With a total of eleven sections in a new emergency law they shut down the city to all commerce as they faced a disease threatening the lives of its citizens. Section 1 declared “that the Spanish Influenza or “The Grippe,” is hereby declared a communicable disease and shall be reported to the City Health Department.” After a wave of cases during fall and winter of 1918-19 when Lenoir College (before the name change to Lenoir-Rhyne) reported 50 sick and another 150 cases on the southside of Hickory, the disease came back with such abandon that the city felt it needed to issue a stern edict to citizens about how they should handle spread of the “flu.” Section 2 gave notice that any house where the disease was reported would have a placard (sign) noting its existence and placed at the location. Other points of the new regulation forbade anyone having the Spanish Flu from leaving their home for at least 12 days. All “theatres, public gatherings, schools, churches, including Sunday school, shows, carnivals fairs in the city or within one mile of the corporate limits, shall be closed and hereafter prevented.” The fine for violating the ordinance was “a penalty of fifty dollars,” (over $640 in 2020). The same fine applied to any child under 14 not employed who was found on the streets of Hickory. Just three days before, the county Superintendent of Health Dr. George Shipp reported that “the warm weather which permits people to get out of doors has done much to check the disease.” That observation came after a wave struck the eastern portion of Catawba County. Shipp cited only five cases in Hickory. Then it hit. In Catawba County, 200 cases were reported, then another 50, prompting the ordinance to quarantine the city. Notices in the paper followed with a raft of advice for those inside. One article said, “Sunshine is a more efficient remedy for influenza than whiskey- and is much cheaper.” Advertisements for products like Nyal Tonic promised a return to health from “Influenza, La Grippe and other wasting diseases,” available at Lutz Drug Store on the western corner of Union Square, downtown Hickory. “Mother’s Joy Croup and Pneumonia Salve” also promised relief, as did the local Catawba Creamery, which reminded citizens that milk and butter were “excellent ‘Warders Off’ of that scourge called ‘SPANISH INFLUENZA’.” Everyone grasped for ways to help folks stand up to a sickness that was spreading not only through Hickory but the rest of the nation as well.
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12 Epidemiologists still debate its origin but agree that the Spanish Flu did not come from Spain. It did however, spread rapidly from the movement of people during World War I. Estimates of those killed worldwide vary wildly, with 30 million as an average. In the United States, the mortality rate was somewhere between half a million to 675,000. Hickory experienced another wave of the Grippe after the quarantine but still recorded fewer cases than surrounding areas like Caldwell County with over 600. Dr. H.C. Menzies, the city physician, attributed the lower numbers to “the promptness with which council met the situation.” The quarantine in Hickory lasted for almost four weeks, short by the standards of the 2020 Covid outbreak. In taking the drastic action it did, the city of Hickory made a very proud claim, reporting “there are very few cases in the central part of the city, but there are quite a number in the suburbs and in the country around Hickory.” The announcement went on to say that “not a single life has been lost in the city, and all agreed that it was worth the sacrifice.” A century later we weren’t so fortunate. However, their actions were remarkably similar to our r e s p o n s e a century later. Hickory’s leadership l i s t e n e d t o the medical community a b o u t t h e predicament.Dr. H.C. Menzies, s e e i n g t h e s p r e a d o f “influenza and pneumonia” (they were often cited together in stories about individuals getting ill) both nationally and l o c a l l y , h e “stood pat” on his insistence that city leaders n e e d e d t o speak with one
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13 voice about the seriousness of the epidemic and provide direction as Hickory moved through an uncertain time. Just like today, merchants in 1920 knew they were taking a financial hit over the ordinance of quarantine. One article in the Hickory Daily Record acknowledged the loss of business coming from the disruption. It read, “Much sympathy was expressed for Mr. John F. Miller, manager of the Hickory Amusement Company who is made to bear the chief financial losses incident to the quarantine, but the point was made that the health of the people of Hickory is of first importance. This view was also shared by Mr. Miller.” No kids on the streets meant no audience for performances at his theatres—the Hub and Pastime. He, and the other merchants of Hickory accepted the loss of business as so many companies have done this time around. They agreed that for the safety and health of the entire community Dr. Menzies was right to insist on the emergency shutdown. When the ban was lifted, Miller placed an ad in the HDR acknowledging the disruption by saying “our bookings being badly disarranged, we have after much difficulty and expense, succeeded in having our bookings restored again, not, however without a great many changes and deferred playing dates.” But he remained optimistic and reassuring, saying that his theatres “will be thoroughly At Catawba Women’s Center, our qualified staff of nine physicians is complemented by the area’s only private midwifery practice, advanced practice provider care and an experienced team of nurses, medical assistants, technologists and administrative staff. 1501 Tate Boulevard SE, Hickory (828) 322-4140 www.catawbawomenscenter.com
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14 “Choose a Job to Transport your Career” Transportation Insight is Hiring! We value the attributes of professionalism and high-quality character. A successful candidate will value and possess these attributes: strong work ethic, strong communication skills, motivation to grow and learn, positive attitude, dependability, responsibility, honesty and integrity. If this sounds like you, please apply at www. transportationinsight.com/about/careers/. cleaned and ventilated at once and will reopen to the public.” As a final statement and call to action (a feature of any good commercial) he added, “WE WILL BE PLEASED TO WELCOME YOU BACK AGAIN. Respectfully, J.F. Miller.” Their struggle is our struggle. And they can be an invaluable resource to seeing our way forward in challenging times, because they succeeded. With conviction, determination and grace under pressure they got through times as scary to them as ours are to us. They didn’t flinch, although most assuredly, they were just as unsure as we are, not knowing how bad the hit would be or how long it would last. We have them to thank for their fortitude, just as future generations will have us to thank for ours. Richard Eller is the CVCC Historian- in-Residence with the Historical Association of Catawba County. His most recent works are on the City of Hickory’s history which will be included with a pictorial look back produced by CVCC Photography students, called “Hickory: Now&Then” which will be available this fall. Also, his latest documentary, “The Untouchables: The Perfect Season of the Ridgeview High Football Panthers” will debut this fall. It tells the story of the 1964 team that went unscored upon in their quest for a state championship. A story about the team appeared in an earlier edition of Foothills Digest. f D
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Health Bulletin has been published by the North Carolina State Board of Health since before 1900, and continues to be published today. The cartoons in this selection were printed in July of 1919, (Volume 34) and the article was published in January of 1920 (Volume 35). You can access the whole collection, North Carolina History of Health Digital Collection, at https://hsl.lib.unc.edu/specialcollections/nchealthhistory.
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17 The faith cure people discard the use of means in sickness on the ground that if you trust the Lord without using means He will honor your faith by healing your diseases. The danger of this doctrine has always been not only its plausibility, but its appearance of piety--that was calculated to deceive the very elect. These modern Faith Curists, however, were not the originators of this view. In our Lord‘s day the devil advanced the same idea. He tempted Jesus to cast Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple on the please that God would save Him, according to Scripture. Here was a discarding of the use of means and shutting God up, either to allow His power to be exercised at the option of Satan, or else to allow the Son of Man to be crushed to death by the fall. When our Saviour answered “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, “ He meant that you have no right to put God in that sort of dilemma. When pious men, even with the best of intentions, insist that meeting in church when disease is abroad would be harmless, because the Lord would take care of His own, they are really placing God in the dilemma, and in that respect, they are “Faith Curists. “ We do not for a moment question the piety of these brethren. In fact, we confess that they have more religion than we have, but we do get a grain of comfort from the thought that our religon, short weight though it be, is at least of a more practical nature, and one that will appeal more to the common sense of mankind. As we study God‘s dealings with me, we find that He acts according to natural laws, as far as those laws will go, and that it is only when He reaches the end of these laws that He interposes with miraculous power. We believe that He could easily make those who assemble within a church during a time of pestilence immune from the disease if there were no natural means of attaining the same end, but as quarantine has been proven to be such a means, we believe that He expects us to use it. Statistics prove that this disease has been no respecter of persons, that both good and bad have been taken, and that those who did recover from it were those who used the means. Let us remember that there is a law of parsimony in God‘s exercise of power as well as in philosophy, and that He never uses supernatural power when it can be avoided. No one questions the motive of our brethren who hold other views than these. They are good and pious people. “They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. “ From the Presbyterian Standard. Published in The Health Bulletin #35. Faith Cure and the Quarantine _____
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18 There are a few terms we’ve all heard so many times at this point that they are starting to lose their meaning, but I’m going to use one anyway: These are unprecedented times. It’s fair to say that most of the world was unprepared for the global pandemic. COVID-19 caught us off guard and the world has been a bit chaotic and very uncertain. But my personal hero Mister Rogers told me that whenever there is a crisis, we should look for the helpers, and once I started looking, I was truly amazed by the communities I see around me. Like the Grinch, my heart grew three sizes, and so I want to make sure that you know about these heroes as well. I know before I even start that I will miss people and businesses, but please know I’m being as thorough as I can. If I’ve forgotten someone, please join our Foothills Digest Facebook Group and make a post! It’s important to first recognize the people who kept us all fed, clothed and safe during the shutdown. Our basic needs were met because of the tireless dedication of a host of people that include health care workers, grocery store workers, farmers, retail workers, police, firemen, postal/FedEx workers, Amazon workers and delivery drivers for services like Instacart and Doordash. We must acknowledge that it’s the hard work of these people that kept our way of life from crumbling. Teaching We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to our teachers, who pivoted to distance education with no warning, and still LOCAL HEROES By Carmen Eckard w/ Community Submissions
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19 managed to educate our children. Along with that, I tip my hat to the moms and dads who became home-school teachers and put in tremendous effort. Feeding Every school system in our region found ways to continue to feed students. Many systems used buses to deliver meals to students, and all offered pickup of school lunches. Strategically, this was a massive undertaking that was vital to keeping children fed in a time where food was insecure, and it was a massive success. Many area McDonalds restaurants provided free lunch for children, as well as the family-dining chain, Zaxby’s of Morganton and Marion, and Old World Baking Company in Valdese. Kalman’s Bon Appetit provided food, and Notions supplied meals for health care workers. Black Mountain Ale House provided hundreds of free meals and Bella Vino in Morganton offered free spaghetti meals for anyone in need. Carolina Smoke Legendary Barbecue also provided free food. Grace Kitchen, with 7 food pantries in Ashe County, expanded their food program and began offering their meals to go. Sparta Candle Company donated money for the packaging for this food. We also saw the development of an interesting and marvelous collaboration between Northminster Presbyterian Church and The Underground Table. To help people impacted by the pandemic, the team feeds the community. Each Tuesday and Saturday, Chef Ben Sullivan prepares to-go meals that feed 4-6 with a protein, vegetable and starch. A donation of $10-$15 is appreciated but not required, and proceeds go right back into feeding people in need. You can call to make reservations at 828.324.6634. Protecting The world saw itself with a huge need for hand sanitizer and protective masks, both in short supply. Many area businesses began making these items. Groups and organizations sprung up dedicated to making sure these supplies were provided. Artisan Soapery pivoted to make hand- sanitizer, working with Old Hickory Brewery to source the necessary alcohol.
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20 Additionally, the following distilleries switched production to hand sanitizer: Broad Branch Distillery, Chemist Spirits, Copper Barrel Distillery, Doc Porter’s Distillery, Elevated Mountain Distilling Company, Fainting Goat Spirits, Seventeen Twelve Spirits, Great Wagon Road Distilling Company, Howling Moon Distillery, Muddy River Distillery, Oak & Grist Distilling Co., Southern Distilling Company, Two Trees Distilling Company and Warehouse Distillery. The need for masks has been tremendous and varied. Citizens need cloth masks for being in public, but health care workers needed very specific types of masks and the supply chain couldn’t keep up with the demand. A great many businesses pivoted to making masks for medical professionals, as well as other protective gear. The Carolina Textile District became an important connection for manufacturers regarding mask production. The group serves to connect manufactures to people who can sew their products. During the crisis, they pivoted to work with the production of masks and other protective gear. Design Foundry worked with the Carolina Textile District which enabled the company to very quickly plan and produce hospital gowns for the North Carolina Hospital System. McCreary Modern also altered their production to make masks, on top of taking excellent care of their employees during the shutdown. They researched and developed two different types of masks. One is a special reusable mask that covers an N95 mask in order to extend its life and the other is a disposable pleated mask. Both are being produced and distributed to Hospice of Catawba County in North Carolina and nationwide as needed. So far they have given over 70,000 masks away to local hospitals, assisted living centers, first responders and nonprofits. Rick Coffey, McCreary Modern’s CEO, says, “ It is our way of giving back to our community to help in combating this crisis!” Ramsey’s Finishing is an important part of the supply chain for masks and gowns and still have most of their 60 employees working 50 hours per week. Lee Industries shifted production in their three furniture manufacturing facilities, to produce approximately 10,000-20,000 masks per week and 5,000 gowns per week that will directly support physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists.
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21 We are Eckard Photographic, the creative team that brings you Foothills Digest. We are visual story tellers. Let us help tell your story. www.eckardphotographic.com 828-475-1323
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Asheville Vacuum Cleaner Company made HEPA filter masks and gave them out for free to high-risk people. Shurtape has donated tens of thousands of N95 respirators to front- line healthcare, emergency services, and law enforcement professionals battling COVID-19 in North Carolina, Ohio, Connecticut and Florida, where the company has manufacturing and distribution facilities. Hickory Springs started producing and shipping out masks, gowns, and medical mattresses to health care facilities to alleviate a nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). They designed a pleating machine, reset their overall production layout, and re-sanitized all their facilities, moving from product design to conception within 30 days. They also developed a unique North Carolina Plan your visit & experience our Waldensian Heritage “Where the Piedmont Meets the Mountains” 828.879.2129 visitvaldese.com Waldensian Heritage Museum Trail of Faith Waldensian Winery Valdese Lakeside Park OCP Community Theatre Old Rock School Auditorium Rock School Art Galleries P&W Railroad Museum Explore Downtown Public Art & Parks Local Dining & Shopping Visit Our Historic Attractions
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medical mattress which uses a special nylon cover that makes it easier to wipe down and disinfect in-between patients. They are now manufacturing 4,000 of these mattresses along with 2,000 free- standing metal beds daily. Automated Machine Design worked tirelessly with all hands on deck to create custom pieces required for the masks, at first cutting pieces by hand until the tooling could be put in place for stamping. They have provided essential pieces to a number of local companies that shifted production to PPE and although a small Hickory business they deserve a lot of credit for putting the needs of community first during a crisis. Hickory Brands Inc. has produced stretch elastic, straps, mask ear loops and medical restraint webbing for manufacturers to complete masks. Additionally, many people worked tirelessly to provide the community with cloth masks, which were in short supply. The group Sew Masks Unifour began in late March as a group of craftivists who were concerned about the well being of healthcare and essential workers. They’ve come together to meet the needs for cloth face masks for our front line heroes and to help local agencies provide donated masks for their clients as well. In the first two months, they made and distributed 3,100 masks and they are still going strong. You can join this group on Facebook to help make masks, or to request them. Local teacher Lauren Elaine worked with a student to create and distribute mask clips. She says, “This year the 4-H Garden Club I lead at Banoak Elementary was cut short, but one student wanted to continue to his community service
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24 project. We created face mask straps for the community using a 3D printer. The student and his mom used his at-home 3D printer to create the straps. My dad, a paramedic, and I, a first responder, tested a few demos. We loved how they held our mask without pulling our ears or the need to readjust the mask straps constantly. “ She continued, “We’ve donated close to 500 straps to front line workers. I was honored to deliver these straps to various organizations! I’m also so proud to wear one on each call. If you know anyone who is interested in a strap, please have them email me at lauren_ weaver@catawbaschools.net.” Sandra Duckworth took it upon herself to cut and sew over 1,600 masks. We salute this impressive feat. We were also impressed with Camille Sterling who drives a bus for the Greenway Public Transit System. She provided facial coverings to those riders who did not have them. Supporting Other citizens found creative ways to be helpful. Sam Morgan in Morganton did a secret pie fundraiser and raised $500 to help Adventureland Books in Downtown survive this crisis, because that bookstore has become a vital hub for residents. Sign Gypsies surprised essential workers all over our community with signs at their place of employment displaying messages of encouragement and gratitude. Potter Hamilton Williams’ favorite part of living in Morganton is the downtown community and when he saw the workers of downtown restaurants and bars struggling he knew he needed to help. He created the giving platter. It is his popular nautilus platter, and he gives 25% of the sales price to the downtown Tip Jar that the Chamber of Commerce created to support out of work servers in the community. He’s given over $3,000. The Valdese Stitchery created a fundraising program by designing and selling t-shirts for our local businesses and donating half the proceeds to them.
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25 Maggie Mae’s Consignment Boutique in Hickory, North Carolina offers high-end clothing and accessories at an affordable price point. With exceptional brands like Chicos, Prada, Frye, Coach, and Burberry, you’ll be amazed at the stylish clothes, shoes and accessories we offer. Maggie Mae’s also carries a curated selection of vintage fashions and handbags. Our store is conveniently located on Highway 127 in the Viewmont area of Hickory. Stop in to see what treasures are on our racks. (828) 569-1390 1839 N. Center St. Hickory, NC Creating At Foothills Digest, we believe stories are important, so we’re mighty tickled with the efforts of the Alleghany Writers Group. They have been distributing blank notebooks so students and adults can write throughout the pandemic, to help process all the change happening in the world. They aim to record the transition in the community and our personal lives. It’s a “community WRITE” that includes prompts on the Grassroots Literary Project Facebook page, writing project ideas, videos from the author John Claude Bemis, and the opportunity to submit stories to the Alleghany News . When we read that, we immediately reached out and asked for submissions, which you can read in the literature section at the back of the magazine. It is positively overwhelming how much support the communities of the Foothills were able to offer during these trying times. We are very proud to call ourselves North Carolinians. I also want to thank all of the people who have taken this crisis seriously. Wearing masks and being socially distant aren’t easy and don’t come naturally, but our efforts have been working and I believe we will come away from this with a strengthened sense of purpose and community. f D
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26 Getting Back Getting Back to Our Roots: to Our Roots: Comfort Music in the Time of COVID By Lisa De Maio Brewer Photography provided by artists It’s not unusual to turn to comfort food in times of trouble, and that’s all well and good. But a long-lasting global pandemic is better served by heaping helpings of comfort music. Less calories, more filling! Foothills Digest looks at some of the roots of our region with a pandemic playlist. Whether you need energy, inspiration, or tranquility, here’s hoping you’ll find it in these songs. Enjoy. Use your smartphone to scan this QR code. It will take you to a YouTube playlist of all of the songs in this story. Listening will most certainly improve your reading experience! 26
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28 Mike Cross, “The Lord’ll Provide” from The Bounty Hunter Born in Maryville, Tennessee in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and reared in Lenoir, North Carolina in the shadows of the Appalachians, Cross became a musician almost by accident. He was sick and snowbound one college weekend when he learned his first guitar chords and the rest, 14 albums later, is history. Now 73, his website features a poignant note announcing that he has been dealing with a tick-borne infection. “My fine motor skills have been eroding, my mind has been wrapped in a dense fog, and my physical and mental energy have steadily declined….The good news is: I have recently begun to feel my health improving in every way.” Cross’ music catalogue includes more than a few humorous songs sure to lift your spirits. We all send our best wishes to lift his as he recovers from his illness. Donna the Buffalo, “Working On That” from Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday This roots music band is one of the mainstays of MerleFest and consistently provides some of the best, most danceable positive vibes around. “Working On That” will convince you that all problems are solvable; all you need is a vintage Hammond organ and a soaring melodic interlude. Or, if you prefer to wallow in the collective pain for a moment, tune in to “Seems To Want to Hurt This Time” from Live From the American Ballroom. Will Easter, “Carolina Home” from Carolina Home The 26-year-old Pine Hall, North Carolina native now calls Doc Watson’s town of Deep Gap his own. Laidback but passionate, plaintive yet polished describes his considerable vocal and songwriting talents. See our interview with Easter elsewhere in this issue.
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His & Hers, “Carolina Waltz” from Family Land High school sweethearts Caleb and Sara Davis have been making beautiful music together for a while. Their soothing harmonies pair perfectly with the need to exhale at the end of a long day. As a hospital charge nurse (Caleb) and high school special education assistant (Sara) with children of their own, they know a little something about healing and nurturing. Let their music wash over you. Big Ron Hunter, “I’m Not Gonna Stress Myself Out” from The Great Unknown The smiling man from Winston-Salem, North Carolina learned guitar from his own father but also studied with the late great bluesman Guitar Gabriel. Hunter sings like someone who knows about trouble firsthand but won’t let it get the upper hand. See our interview with Hunter elsewhere in this issue. The Kruger Brothers, “Beautiful Nothing” from Between the Notes Jens and Uwe Kruger are from the foothills of Switzerland but now reside with their families in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Musically partnered with their “brother from Brooklyn,” Joel Landsberg (another Wilkes County transplant), the brothers play everything from bluegrass to show tunes to classical and back again. Perhaps more important than the musical notes at times are the sacred silences between the notes, Jens has said. “Beautiful Nothing” will help you appreciate that concept in melodic Kruger Brother fashion.
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30 Tift Merritt, “Feeling of Beauty” from Traveling Alone Raised in Raleigh, this Texas native writes better than Dylan and sings up past EmmyLou. She won MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest in 2000. Put on your faded comfy jeans, close your eyes, and dream of taking your Volkswagen bus out to the Pacific coast when this is all over. It could happen! Chris McGinnis, “Miss You More” from Songs For You Every song on the Morganton, North Carolina native’s debut album is a gem. His vocal and guitar skills pair perfectly with his songwriting. “Miss You More” may have a bittersweet and elegiac quality to it but it is not entirely without hope. McGinnis writes of this album, “Every one of these songs is about looking back with humility and looking forward with hope.” Nikki Morgan, “Thank God I Got My EBT Today” from 30 Something Ah, the many voices of native North Carolinian Nikki Morgan! On her website, she describes her musical style as “a little bit Country, a little bit Folk, and a lotta bit of soul….” This singer-songwriter can do it all. Her heartfelt love songs and foot-stomping spirituals make her live performances truly alive, and this song is keeping it real. Old Crow Medicine Show, “I Hear Them All” from Big Iron World Old Crow Medicine Show, led by founder and lead singer Ketch Secor, has the power to energize even the most sluggish of quarantined metabolisms. These call-to-action lyrics will get you up off of your couch and, at the very least, flat-footin’ in your kitchen. See our interview with Secor elsewhere in this issue.
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31 Alexa Rose, “The Way Love Is” from Medicine For Living Rose hails from the beautiful Alleghany highlands of western Virginia but delivers a song for a road trip of love that isn’t going anywhere. The three-quarter time lulls you to a false sense of security only to be brought up short by the arresting ending. Alexa Rose’s ethereal voice, her thoughtful songwriting, and her band’s skillful interpretations make the entire CD a classic. Tim Stafford, “Janet’s Waltz” and “Smitten Kitten” from Acoustic Guitar Perhaps what matters most when curating a pandemic playlist is finding something to soothe and comfort. That is exactly what the Acoustic Guitar CD does, fully and completely. The simply named, purely composed songs are a gift. See our interview with Grammy award-winning Tim Stafford elsewhere in this issue. James Taylor, “Hard Times Come Again No More” from Appalachian Journey. North Carolina’s favorite son guest stars on this CD compiled by Edgar Meyer, Mark O’Connor, and the incomparable Yo-Yo Ma. Their poignant version of the classic Stephen Foster song, called by some both a prayer and a complaint, may fill even hardened pessimists with a spirit of gratitude and optimism. Doc Watson, “Froggy Went a-Courtin’” from Songs for Little Pickers This selection is for children, or for those behaving like children, or simply for the young at heart. The late, great folk legend Doc Watson created this live album comprised of songs he learned as a child. Unlike most modern pieces for children, it does not patronize its tender audience nor sacrifice the music’s vocal and instrumental integrity. Train up children in the way they should go, and keep them grounded, musically speaking, with selections from an American treasure.
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32 You gotta be quick to catch Ketch Secor. The founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show is a busy husband, father, Grammy award- winning musician, and community activist. Not surprisingly, the songwriter who co- authored “Wagon Wheel” with music legend Bob Dylan has social activist roots as deep as Dylan’s. Secor is a founding board member of the nation’s newest Episcopal elementary school, the Episcopal School of Nashville, where he serves as co-chairman of its board of directors and leader of its Families’ Committee. “I’m just trying to build community. I’m somebody who got really turned on by this America. I love it, I just love it. I even love the things I hate about it, I love it that much,” Secor says with passion. “And I believe in it, and I want it to come through this experience better and ready to reimagine together what a future can be for our country, in which we’re all present to dream it. “My kids can go to school anywhere because I’ve got bread. I really started [the school] for kids who have been historically disenfranchised from schools like this one, and from the schools I could afford to send my kids to,” Secor says. “It’s a very divided place, Nashville, Tennessee. And possibly more segregated than ever before,” he says quietly. Opening the school and working with it while maintaining a heavy tour schedule has had its “It’s a super colossal load. A lot of times I think I can’t do this anymore,” he confesses. “I think, ‘Why didn’t I just pick a charity and write a check?’” Secor, who wrote the inspirational anthem “Nashville Rising” following the devastating tornado in April, is driven by an idealistic vision of how the world could be, should be, at least on his part of the planet. “I could try to be a part of a national movement in education, in health, in environmental a d v o c a c y , o r whatever,” Secor says. “But I’m just trying to do it on my block. I’m just trying to do it right here. And I’m trying to encourage others to do it right where their home is, because I think the remaking of the world starts with just what’s within arm’s length.” Speaking by phone from “right here in the kitchen” of his N a s h v i l l e h o m e , Secor seems very much a Virginia- raised scholar and gentleman. He bears no resemblance to the roots rock star whose high energy, on- stage performances are supercharged w i t h l y r i c s referencing cocaine, methamphetamines, whiskey and a certain Brushy Mountain trailer. With a high school diploma from the prestigious Philips Exeter Academy and a wedding write- up featured in The New York Times, it is a challenge to reconcile the stage star’s over-the- top showmanship with the committed family man and church-affiliated, elementary school founder. The solution? Don’t try. Ketch Secor is who he is. He’s writing that book as he goes. One book he has written already is Lorraine: The Girl Who Sang the Storm Away . Inspired by Appalachian folktales, the book incorporates the love of music and the healing power of music, according to illustrator Higgins Bond. The Root Meaning of Community Ketch Secor By Lisa De Maio Brewer
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33 Secor’s profits from the sale of the book go directly to the Episcopal School of Nashville, and he has pledged to “try to respond personally to everyone who makes a donation,” according to his website. Secor has strong feelings about giving. “I keep working so I can keep giving,” he says. Working and giving are, for Secor, companion pieces. “It’s the commodification of my art that enables me to be the community player that I long to be,” he says. Secor has enjoyed extraordinary success as a roots musician. “I definitely consider myself a roots musician because I can play the Jew’s harp pretty well,” Secor says, “and I don’t know what’s ‘rootsier’ than that!” Roots music is the sound of America in its traditional sense, and it can be the sound of various forms of community, he believes. “It can be a concert setting, it can be dance music, it can be front porch music, for weddings, and burials, and graduations,” he said. He remains grateful for Doc Watson’s influence. “Yeah, well, I think about Doc pretty often,” Secor admits. “He certainly had a powerful effect on us. I look to the stars nowadays and I know that Doc is up there as some sort of guiding light. So, yeah, I do think a lot about Doc Watson and I’m so grateful for this chance encounter we had with him,” he said. Watson “discovered” Secor and the original members of Old Crow Medicine Show busking in Boone and invited them to perform at MerleFest, where a wider audience appreciated them and eventually made “Wagon Wheel” a huge hit. “You know, I wrote him a lot of letters after that,” Secor said. “I sent them to Nancy [Doc’s daughter] and to Rosalee [Doc’s wife]. And when Doc died, I still felt like I never really knew him. But his gift to us was, it happened right there on the street corner, you know? It wasn’t something that, we weren’t pen pals, and we didn’t jam. You know, we went over to his house a couple of times, but we were just acquaintances. “You know, Doc did more for us than we ever, ever could repay him by doing,” he said. Music was and is the common denominator, especially now during challenging times. But rather than categorize this magazine’s pandemic playlist choices of “James River Blues, “I Hear Them All” and “Take ‘Em Away” as roots songs, Secor sounds very much like a professor in offering a gentle correction. “That’s funny that you call the particular ones you call old-timey,” he said. “To me, the old- time music that Old Crow plays is the mountain music that we play, from the foothills, like you’re saying….We have a lot of songs that sound like they came out of Sparta or Mt. Airy or Yadkinville, North Carolina, or out of Fries [Virginia] or Galax. But the ones that you mentioned there are more like folk songs. “And those are good songs to pick because they’re, you know, they use story craft to make people feel comfortable,” he acknowledges. “I never put that much faith in words to be the message. Sometimes I like just a good instrumental.” Secor pauses for a moment. “And if I was gonna put a song on your playlist, it would be by Benton Flippin and the Smoky Valley Boys. I’d put on Benton’s Dream. That one’s don’t got no words,” he jokes in a slow drawl, “but I think it says, in the language of violin, everything you need to know to get through.” How does Secor view the role of the musician, especially now? “We need to keep making new music,” he said. “We need to be experimenting and learning at home and challenging ourselves to be our best selves. “You know, artists have a kind of responsibility to help the rest of the population keep dreaming and keep imagining a better world. We’ve got our paintbrushes out and we want to paint a picture of an American dream. Now is the time for re-evaluating that dream and re- imagining it. If you’re somebody who’s lost their work, if you’re somebody whose loved one is incarcerated, if you’re somebody who’s been victimized by people in power or by authority, if the rung on the ladder has never been within reach, then there’s a lot of reasons why you might be somebody who’s having difficulty conjuring an American dream. That’s where people like me have got to selflessly create one,” he said. So much he has done, and so much he has yet to do. Ketch Secor is still writing that book. Catch him if you can. Lisa De Maio Brewer is a legal assistant at Brewer & Brewer, PLLC in Wilkesboro, NC. She is the volunteer Executive Director of Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival in Mocksville, NC, winner of Carolina Country’s Best Festival Award for 2019.
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34 We are a new kind of kid’s magazine: a nonprofit dedicated to helping your child connect to the foothills by sharing our history, traditions, and information about our biodiversity, along with articles and games that align with the NC Standard Course of Study. Sponsor a child for 1 year of quarterly magazines for $5, sponsor a whole class for $100, or a school for $1,500. Visit our Facebook page for more information, or call 828.475.1323.
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35 No doubt about it, Tim Stafford is as talented as it gets: • Grammy award-winning guitarist formerly with Alison Krauss & Union Station. • Founding member of the bluegrass super- group Blue Highway. • Winner, Song of the Year (“Through the Window of a Train”) and Songwriter of the Year (twice) from the International Bluegrass Music Association. • Distinguished Alumnus in the Arts award from East Tennessee State University. And if they made an award for nice guys, he’d win that, too. In an e-mail interview from his home in eastern Tennessee, S t a f f o r d l i s t e d more than a dozen musical artists who have influenced him through the years. The liner notes of his solo CD, Acoustic Guitar, catalogue more than 100 “Heroes and Inspirations” from Django Reinhardt to Dave Brubeck and, not surprisingly, the songwriter’s songwriter, Jimmy Webb. Bluegrass guitarist T o n y R i c e i s featured on the list prominently. “When I heard Tony Rice perform, I was blown away and his artistry is sort of woven into what I still try to do,” Stafford wrote. Stafford’s interviews with notoriously publicity- shy Rice led to the definitive biography, The Tony Rice Story: Still Inside. Stafford co-authored the book with Caroline Wright. What is the inspiration behind Stafford’s music and performances? “Eating!” the ETSU adjunct music professor wrote in jest. “Just kidding, although I have done this for a living since about 1990, so I’m used to doing several different things inside music to make a living, including songwriting, performing, recording, writing, teaching and buying and selling instruments. “But my inspiration is simply every day I’m alive – always seeing and hearing new things and hearing melodies that I have to record in some way. The other guys in Blue Highway inspire me to play and perform better live and in the studio. My wife inspires me to write pretty songs if I can. Music is just what I do, like a lot of folks, but I find inspiration in unlikely places sometimes, and I can’t explain it. Just the way a blue sky hits me, or a mountain range sits brooding against it. Or seeing a little Bluebird in my yard. You have to be open every day to something inspiring you,” Stafford wrote. For instance, “Janet’s Waltz” was written for his wife not long after they began dating. “… [S]he inspires me to write pretty songs, not by anything she says about it, but just by being who she is,” Stafford wrote. The song “Smitten Kitten” had its genesis in a real life cat, Darcy, the pet of Stafford’s songwriting friend Bobby Starnes and wife Connie. The good news for fans of Stafford’s solo work is that he has almost completed his upcoming project, Tunes & Ballads. The selections will include a traditional fiddle tune (“Red Haired Boy”), an instrumental version of the 1966 pop hit “Sunny,” and seven original ballads covering topics from Tennessee to the Titanic. “I don’t think it’s any accident that you see people posting more about music during times like these,” Stafford wrote. “…[M]usic…is a universal language that of all our forms of expression, speaks clearest and most immediate above whatever else might clutter our understanding.” Tim Stafford By Lisa De Maio Brewer
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Will Easter has admired Doc Watson from his childhood, when he first heard about the musician at his family reunions’ bluegrass jams. “Doc’s kind, genuine spirit is reflected in his music. That’s really what I shoot for with my music,” Easter wrote in an e-mail from his own Deep Gap, North Carolina home. The 26-year-old Pine Hall, North Carolina native considers himself a roots musician and notes that roots music, as its name indicates, “has an earthen sound” made for “regular everyday folks.” Following a middle and high school phase in which he listened exclusively to punk and metal music, the Avett Brothers brought him home to roots music. The Avetts “evoke the emotion of what they are singing about through the energy of their performance” as well as through their songwriting, Easter wrote. This fall, Easter hopes to have his next record in production. His songs are written and ready to go. At the time of publication, his live shows had been canceled due to the pandemic, but he looked forward to playing “in a safe environment” as soon as possible. Easter’s upcoming album will feature his original, “Dancing With Ambition,” a likable, danceable tune with uplifting lyrics: “Ain’t it funny how everything works out? We spend our days running off this fear and doubt, Then we wake up one morning, Everything has changed…. We’ve got hope in our eyes And ambition dancing in our feet.” In the meantime, Easter stays busy with his day job (construction) and a strong online presence (Instagram livestream) that will hopefully, eventually transition to a podcast. Why does Easter do it? “My goal for music is to bring people together,” Easter wrote. “I want to provide something that people can relate to and not feel like they are on this world alone. I want to create music that builds people up, helps them through adversity, and just enjoy life. “I feel that my creator has given me a talent and I plan on using that talent as long as I am able.” Will Easter By Lisa De Maio Brewer
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Big Ron Hunter has been called “The World’s Happiest Bluesman.” “I have a hard time singing sad songs. There’s no sadness on the inside of me. Even though I sing the blues, I’m not blue!” he said during a recent telephone interview from his home on the south side of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “I attribute my joy to salvation,” Hunter said. Music has taken him all over the world, Hunter said, but his salvation in Jesus has given him “a lot of goodness” and taken his anxiety away. “When you got fear, you can’t do anything. You’re afraid to meet people, afraid to talk to people,” he recalled. “But once I got saved and got born again, I wasn’t afraid anymore and that brought in my joy. The fun came in when the fear went away. The joy came in when the fear went away.” In May of 2007, Hunter had an opportunity to put his philosophy into action. The busy man was working a full-time job as maintenance custodian at the Stevens Center in Winston-Salem. On weekends, he would travel to Tennessee to perform blues with his friends, well known blues musicians Roy Roberts and Phil Guy. He would then drive back to Winston-Salem to set up shows at the Stevens Center, and he played music on Sunday for his church’s worship service. Hunter tended to other responsibilities during the week. At the end of the month, he had a debilitating stroke. “I was in the hospital recovering, and actually, I was a miracle, to tell you the truth,” Hunter said. Hunter lost his vision temporarily and had to relearn how to walk and talk. While recovering in the hospital, his song, “I’m Not Gonna Stress Myself Out” came to him. Within three weeks, he was back onstage, in a wheelchair, doing a show. “A lot of times when you overwork yourself, when you do too many things, put too many irons in the fire, that’s how strokes come along,” he said. The pandemic quarantine has been a productive time for Hunter, who now works exclusively in music. He hopes to have a new recording out in early 2021 that will feature “a fun song” about his home city called “You Can Find Me in Winston-Salem.” “It talks about a lot of unique things and a lot of unique places in Winston-Salem, like the Reynolda Gardens,” Hunter said with a full laugh. “I’m going to bring up a lot of old places folks used to meet at.” Musicians have an ability to bring people together, Hunter said, and challenging situations like the global pandemic also have a way of bringing people together. “I think that we need to start loving each other more,” Hunter said earnestly. “That’s what brings us together. Love. Like fear, for instance. I really want to work on that. Stop fearing one another. Once we get over fearing each other, we can start loving one another. I just believe that. I just believe that,” he repeated. “Once we stop being afraid of each other and start loving one another, I think we’ll be able to work things out. And help each other.” The World’s Happiest Bluesman is serious about that. Big Ron Hunter By Lisa De Maio Brewer
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Preserving the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains by using GREEN practices. 48 Solar Panels preheat our water! We are just four miles from the New River (second oldest river in the world) and seven miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway in the small mountain town of Sparta. 341 North Main Street Sparta, NC 28675 336.372.2501 Make your reservations online at AlleghanyInn.com Good music is good medicine, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Dr. Jennifer Sterling Snodgrass is a Grammy-nominated professor of music theory at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. The winner of the W. H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion and author of Teaching Music Theory: New Voices and Approaches (Oxford University Press, 2020) has some theories about music and the comfort it provides. “Sometimes popular music is well, predictable, and that is why so many songs have a chorus that repeats over and over at the end,” Snodgrass wrote recently in her analysis for Foothills Digest . “Even though we may like the element of surprise, there is something comforting about knowing what is going to happen next.” This was true, she wrote, of Elvis Presley’s music, which incorporated guitar chords that could be replicated by the average American teenager during the peak of Presley’s popularity. The chords “always resolved the same” and formed a predictable pattern. “This phenomenon of expectation and resolution can be traced back to the music of Mozart and Haydn in the 18th century,” Snodgrass wrote. “These classical composers focused on a phrase length of four measures meaning that the listener knew exactly where the pauses (or cadences) would be, and thus the resolution.” Snodgrass took a close look at “I’m Not Going to Stress Myself Out” by Big Ron Hunter. She found that the song “includes so many of the same formulas in terms of melody, formal design and harmony that encourage the listener towards a sense of well being and stability,” she wrote. The chorus is repetitive but with “an improvisatory style, almost as if Big Ron is totally content to not be following a traditional score and is making up the melody on the fly because he feels so free,” she wrote. “As a listener, it is impossible to not feel a sense of release here,” Snodgrass wrote. Various scientific studies have found that listening to music can result in a release of dopamine, our body’s naturally occurring feel-good chemical. Whatever the explanation may be for the healing power of Big Ron Hunter’s song and good music in general, one thing is for certain: we’re not going to stress ourselves out about it! Dr. Jennifer Snodgrass By Lisa De Maio Brewer
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40 Recipe We’ve had the hankering to eat outside an awful lot lately, so we asked Calvin to show us something delicious for the grill. This is what he came up with, and it was mouth-watering. We hope you’ll give it a try! By Calvin Reyes Photography by Jon Eckard
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43 Add butter to sauté pan over medium-high heat. As soon as tiny brown bits begin to form in the pan, add the green peas and toss thoroughly with the butter. Allow to cook over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Once peas are thoroughly heated, remove pan from heat and cool ingredients to room temperature by pouring over a sheet pan lined with parchment. Once the green pea and butter mixture is cooled, add to a blender or food processor with remaining ingredients adding liquids first. Blend together until desired smoothness. Salt to taste and serve. Combine Jam, Ginger, Garlic Powder, Soy Sauce, Hoisin, Cayenne Pepper, and Sesame Oil in a medium bowl and allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before using. For the wings, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add chicken wings and poach for 10 minutes. Remove wings and lay them on a sheet pan lined with parchment. Make sure they are far enough apart to allow air circulation. While the wings rest, start the grill. Once the grill is pre-heated, toss the wings in 1/2 the refrigerated sauce mixture and place over medium heat. Monitor the wings to ensure they don’t burn, but some char gives off a nice flavor. Cook the wings until the skin becomes crispy. Remove from the grill and toss with remaining sauce and ramp salt. Serve immediately. Raspberry & Ramp Chicken Wings Green Pea and Garlic Hummus 1/2 Cup Seedless Raspberry Jam 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger 1 tsp Garlic Powder 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce 1 tsp Hoisin Sauce 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper 1 tsp Sesame Oil 12 Chicken Wings 1/4 tsp Ramp Salt (Use garlic salt as substitute) 4 Tbsp Butter 2 Cups Green Peas 15.5oz Canned Chickpeas 2 Cloves Black Garlic (shown on previous spread) 1/2 Cup Sesame Seeds 1/3 Cup Olive Oil 6 Tbsp Water Salt to taste
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44 Be Noticed! Combine all ingredients, excluding the oil, in a small bowl. While whisking, slowly add the oil to the ingredients to create an emulsion. Salt to taste, and toss with your favorite salad. In these photos we used this dressing with a chopped salad that included cabbage, carrots, pecans, blueberries and Manchego cheese. This dressing is perfect for any summer salad or with chicken, fish or shellfish. Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing 1 Lemon Juice & Zest 1 Tbsp Poppy Seeds 1 Tbsp Grain Mustard 1 Tbsp Lemon Balsamic (can use white balsamic as substitute) 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder 1 tsp Agave Nectar 1.5 Tbsp Grape-seed Oil Salt to taste
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Filling 2 Cups Fresh Blueberries 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar 2 Tbsp Orange Liqueur Add all ingredients to a saucepan. Toss ingredients until well mixed. Cover and cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture starts bubbling. Immediately remove from heat and cool. Topping 1/4 Cup Butter (Melted) 2 Tbsp All Purpose Flour 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar 1/4 Cup Rolled Oats 1/2 Cup Walnuts 1/8 tsp Cinnamon Using a fork, mix all ingredients together in a medium sized bowl until well combined. For Assembly Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Using the baking pan of your choice, place filling in the bottom of pan (avoid filling more than half the height of the pan). Using your fingers, sprinkle the topping over the pan of filling. Bake for 30-40 minutes. Can be served immediately or allowed to cool down and serve later. Calvin Reyes is a local resident of Hickory, NC. He currently operates a pop-up dinner once a month that offers guests a unique and intimate 7-course dining experience. He is also one of the owners of Henry River Mill Village, better known as District 12 from the Hunger Games movie series. Calvin has passion for telling stories and sharing experiences through his food, and he hopes that his recipes and pop-up dinners can help connect more people with their own kitchens and food journeys. Blueberry Crisp f D
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49 A Different Kind of Artist By Carmen Eckard Photography by Jon Eckard James Vinson has an artist’s soul, and we’re certainly glad that he found his medium. As far as we can tell, the art of being a top-notch bartender comes down to two particular skill sets: there’s the ability to mix a good drink, and then there’s knowing people, and intuiting how to connect with them as you serve them. On both these c o u n t s , J a m e s excels, and that’s why we think he’s the best bartender w e ’ v e e v e r encountered. James mixes liquors the way Monet m i x e s p a i n t s , which is to say, artfully. He has all of the traditional knowledge required of a bartender. He’ll be happy to serve you your favorite, but he’ll also mix you up something brand new on the spot, or size up your personality and mood to serve you something he thinks fits very well. He’s got a particular sort of creativity that isn’t afraid to meander off the beaten path. He mixes bold drinks with strong flavor profiles but time after time, they are delightfully drinkable. He is also careful to select high quality ingredients. When a drink only calls for two or three ingredients, it’s pretty important that those ingredients be the highest quality you can get your hands on. To this end, James spends countless hours searching for new liquors and wines. He also has an impressive collection of artisan bitters and mixers that elevate the quality of the drinks significantly. James is the bartender at Charolais Steakhouse, although he’s been tending bar in the Catawba Valley for 20 years. The Charolais seems to be his favorite, and the atmosphere suits him well. Restaurateur Zackary Cranford r e c o g n i z e s t h e artistry with which James approaches bartending, and gives him the freedom to create the perfect bar. He’s run with that freedom and stocked the bar with a delightful a s s o r t m e n t o f liquors, bitters and mixers, as well as an excellent selection of beer. The wine list is over 10 pages long, carefully curated by James, and ever-changing. A beautifully stocked wine room keeps those bottles and the perfect temperature and ensures an excellent imbibing experience. Longtime regular Scott Monish named the drink shown on this page, Man O’War. We asked him about James and he said,
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51 “We go way back...it’s only me and his dad that call him Jimmy or Jim. In this region, I don’t know any finer bartender. For the past several years, it’s always Dealer’s Choice...it’s whatever he likes to serve me, every time. One time I asked him to make me a bourbon drink and he told me I needed to name it. We both like the races and we named it after one of the winners at the Kentucky Derby...everyone knows Secretariat, but Man O’ War is kind of unique, so that’s what we went with. I would put him up against any mixologist regionally, from the depth of his recipe box to the knowledge he carries....he’s like a chemist, or an artist. The glass is his canvas and the drinks his paint.” At Foothills Digest , we agree with Mr. Monish’s assessment. James has a particular knack for mixing liquors in unexpected ways, and for mixing drinks that are quite drinkable. Looking around his bar, you don’t see anyone grimacing as if they were taking medicine, as is common elsewhere. On the second part of the equation, James shines as well. We’ve noticed that as he’s talking with people, he treats different people differently. He explains that not everyone is looking for the same thing in a bartender. Some want someone to chat with him about their lives, while some want to discuss only the weather, or a football game. He lets each guest take the reins, and he follows the cues they don’t realize they are giving. He’s very good at picking up those cues, and the result is that people come back to see him, again and again. James seems to focus on making sure that people feel better when they leave his bar than they did when they sat down, and people certainly don’t mind paying for that experience. We asked him for some recipes and some tips. We was happy to oblige.
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52 Windy City (at right) 1.5 oz Vodka 1 oz Honey Syrup 1.5 oz Campari .5 oz Triple Sec .5 oz Sour Mix Shake all, serve up L’amour Parfait (page 54) 1.5 oz Gin .5 oz Simple Syrup .5 oz Sour Top w/ Just Peachy French Bubbly Serve in a champagne flute with lemon zest. Never Ending Struggle (pg 50) 1.5 oz Vodka 1.5 oz Rosé 1 oz Campari 1 oz Grapefruit Juice Shake all. Serve on the rocks with Orange Garnish. Man O’ War (pg 48) 3 oz Bourbon .75 oz Licor 43 .5 oz Campari Dash of habanero syrup Lemon zest Shake all. Serve on the rocks with orange garnish. Making CBD accessible for everyone by offering some of the best quality and best prices in the industry. H I C K O R Y 283 2nd Ave SE 844-66-VLIFE or 844-668-5433 VLifeCBD.com
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55 We also asked James for tips on making better drinks at home. He said, “The best tip is If you find your drink hasn’t quite gotten there, just a pinch of salt, just a tiny pinch, make sure it’s dissolved, not so it’s salinated, but just a little bit....it will be better. There is a way to make a perfect gin and tonic and that’s by adding one drop, not two drops of hot sauce because the vinegar in the pepper will promote the tonic and make it go from being a glass, to crystal. Just the one drop. “ James Vinson is the kind of bartender that inspires a following. He has spent two decades watching people, learning them, and anticipating their wants. He’s blended that with good sense and artisan practicalities, and a creative streak that rivals any artist I’ve met. We wholeheartedly recommend that you take a seat at his bar. Ask him to make you your favorite drink. It’ll be better than the one’s you’ve had before it. Better yet, ask him to make you whatever he’d like. It’s worth the risk. You’ll find him at the Charolais, at 766 4th St SW, Hickory. f D
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56 “ Window View ” Art by Bob Timberlake & Photography by Evanne Timberlake “In this time we are currently living in, it is important to reflect upon the good things in our lives, it’s important to be thankful for those risking their lives to keep us safe, and it’s important to remember we will not be behind glass for the rest of our lives. We have faith, and we are holding on to hope that we will come out of this pandemic a more loving and appreciative community. We will never take another hug for granted, or being able to see our grand and great-grandchildren. This painting is about perspective, and I think ours will be better after all this. ”
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58 Mr. Timberlake Recommends... E very time we chat with Mr. Timberlake, he is full of wonderful ideas. We thought we’d share one of our favorites in each issue. He made sure we tasted the fried pies made by Karen Moore Saunders, and man, are we glad. Karen’s Fried Pies & More serves up traditional Southern fried pies of many varieties. Apple was our favorite, but the chocolate came in second, and the fresh blueberry pie was also mouth-watering. Karen was inspired to bake by her grandmother, who always served up her baked goods wrapped in a red bandanna. Today, Karen serves all of her pies that way. It’s yummy goodness wrapped in nostalgia. You can place an order by calling (910) 220-1555. Mr. Timberlake and his wife Kay have spent the time during the COVID outbreak exclusively in three locations: home, their Lexington studio, and Conrad & Hinkle, the family-run grocery store that’s been a Lexington mainstay for over a century, known for their exceptional pimiento cheese. During the shut down, he painted this piece, called “Window View.” “Window View” will be available as a limited-edition giclée. Be on the lookout for information about how to buy one. You’ll find that info at BobTimberlake.com. We think it beautifully captures the stillness of this past season in a way that feels uniquely North Carolinian.
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59 & BREWER BREWER 204 East Main Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 | www.brewerandbrewer.com 336-667-1441 Serving Clients for Four Generations Call Us For A FREE Consultation! • Traffic Offenses / D.W.I. • Divorce / Custody / Support • Workers’ Compensation • Social Security Disability • Serious Injury Accidents • Malpractice • Product Liability • Deeds, Wills, Corportations • Real Estate, Contracts
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Arts For Life is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting pediatric patients and families through arts education and engagement. Now serving the patient community in four children’s hospitals across NC, Arts For Life brings art and music lessons to more than 14,000 children and family members annually. With hospital partners limiting in-person access to patients and families, Arts For Life pivoted to be able to provide opportunities for art and music outside the hospital, too - and Arts For Life Anywhere was born! It is an online hub of free creative resources: lessons, videos, downloadables, recommendations from our art and music teachers, and more. Check the site for engaging art activities for everyone! ARTSFORLIFEANYWHERE.ORG The Timberlakes took the lead of nonprofit Arts for Life and participated in a 30 day creativity challenge. The purpose of the challenge is simply to create something each day, for 30 consecutive days. We really enjoyed following the hashtag “#artsforlifecreative30” and were quite impressed by many of the artists and craftsmen we saw sharing their images. Our favorites consistently came from artist Heather Harbour Bedsaul. We were impressed by her command of several mediums, and the creativity with which she worked. The mountain scene embroidery above was one of many excellent pieces. Heather says, “I am an artist, and I have created all my life. I usually have either a pencil, paintbrush, or an embroidery needle in my hand, expressing my heart where words cannot. In college, I earned a degree in studio art and explored drawing, etching, hand-lettering, and graphic design. I have enjoyed learning painting, sewing, quilting, and embroidery the last several years. I love the idea that artists can create something beautiful with whatever materials they have to work with, a small reflection of the creativity of our Creator.” #ARTSFORLIFECREATIVE30
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Yadkin Riverkeeper Inc. has been a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, supported by the generosity of individuals, corporations and organizations that care about clean water, since 2008. CELEBRATE AND PROTECT OUR YADKIN RIVER WITH A BOB TIMBERLAKE LIMITED-EDITION PRINT Bob Timberlake painted “Yadkin Canoe Rental“ in 2009, inspired by his treasured wooden canoes mounted on the side of his studio shed in Lexington, NC. This print measures 20“ x 7.25“ and is limited to an edition size of only 200. 100 percent of the proceeds from his print sales will go to support Yadkin Riverkeeper‘s mission to protect and enhance the Yadkin Pee Dee River. Order your print today at www.bobtimberlake. com. Help us keep the Yadkin Pee Dee River drinkable, swimmable, and fishable by becoming a member today. For more information, please visit yadkinriverkeeper.org.
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64 Plein Air Painting By Carmen Eckard
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65 Nature has been one of the greatest inspirations of art for all of our history. Museums are filled with paintings of landscapes. Today, plein air painting, or painting outside, is practiced by many talented artists, but that wasn’t always the case. This painting by Winslow Homer is called Artists Painting In the White Mountains. It was made in 1868 and shows the easels that revolutionized plein air painting, as well as the white umbrellas artists were known for working under.
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66 W ritten history is a little murky on the subject, but it’s thought there were very few artists painting outside until the 19th century. It wasn’t because they weren’t inspired. Artists have always sketched sweeping landscapes, but practicality made it necessary to paint these sketches inside. Even today, painting is a messy process, but before the 19th century, painting involved a series of processes that included crushing your paint. It was laborious and needed to be done in a studio, where conditions could be controlled. Two major developments led to the plein air movement. The first development was the invention and perfection of metal paint tubes. In the 1840s, Winsor & Newton were the only producers of moist watercolor paints, and they developed and patented metal tubes with screw caps, making their paints truly portable. Before these tubes were created, artists bought solid pigments they would then have to crush and mix with a medium, like oil. These tubes revolutionized the art world and allowed artists like Claude Monet to get outside to paint their masterpieces.
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67 The second development was the portable box easel, a decade later. These lightweight easels made it possible to trek up a remote hillsides or across rough terrain to get to the beautiful views. They hold art supplies, fold up to the size of a briefcase, and unfold to form the easel for painting. Several schools of art began to experiment with painting en plein air, but it was Claude Monet who showed artists what a valuable thing painting outside could be. He was known for taking several canvases with him when he painted a landscape, painting on each at a different time of day. He captured the moving light in a way that no one else had, and now he’s one of the most revered artists in history. Claude Monet was part of the Impressionism Movement which grew in popularity at this time. Other notable plein air painters include Renoir and John Singer Sargent, whose painting of Monet is below. Van Gogh was a master of plein air painting, For a century and a half, plein air painting has remained popular. Renowned painter Bob Timberlake says, “I find so much inspiration right outside my doorstep. And there is something magical about slowing down, breathing it in, and taking a moment to appreciate how beautiful nature is. To really appreciate it. It is sublime, almost, to paint while totally immersed in the great outdoors. The feeling of wind, the sound of the leaves. It’s indescribable.”
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69 Mr. Timberlake continued, “Painting outside allows you to look and see, and really see, what it is that you are trying to capture. How the light hits the tree, or the wind moves the grass just so. It’s an experience I recommend to all artists.” We also talked with painter Dan Smith, who paints each year at Hart Square, a historic village in Catawba County, as shown above. He said, “Soon after moving to Hickory I started following in the footsteps of Daniel Boone while creating artwork for a Turchin Center exhibition I titled “MAN-Infested Destiny: From Boone to Boon.” During this time Dr. Bob Hart (1936-2020) also asked me if I could be his Minnie Reinhardt (1898-1986), and paint images of his cabins during the annual Hart Square Festivals. So, I became Bob’s assistant and artist-in-residence, and he became my Daniel Boone. What better place to paint plein air than Hart Square!” You can see Dan Smith, along with other artists, painting en plein air at the annual Hart Square Festival, and you can also check out the Plein Air Festival in Blowing Rock. But above all, if you have any interest in painting, we hope this article encourages you to get outside and paint something yourself. We are positively surrounded by natural beauty and the best way to capture its majesty is to be there, taking it all in as you paint. f D Artist Dan Smith paints en plein air at the annual Hart Square Festival.
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70 In August, you’ll have the opportunity to attend the Plein Air Festival at BRAHM in Blowing Rock. The purpose of the festival is to bring painters together from all over the world to paint outside in the beautiful nature of Southern Appalachia. For four days, artists have the opportunity to paint in Blowing Rock and the surrounding areas. Spots they would normally need to pay to have access to, like Tweetsie Railroad and The Blowing Rock, will be available during this time. At the conclusion of the four days, the public are invited to a “Wet Paint” Art Show and Sale. That will be on August 22nd. Collectors and the public flock to this event, both to view and purchase the art. All of the submitted pieces are also entered into a judged plein air painting competition, where 2 awards are given: professional and novice. Awards include cash and in-kind sponsor donations of artist materials. Judging will be performed by a panel selected by BRAHM that will include a mix of professional artists, collectors, and curators. Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to add to your art collection while supporting artists and the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum!
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Schedule for August 22, 2020: 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Ticketed Patron Preview and Judging 2:00 - 3:30 pm: Awards Ceremony, Public Reception, Wet Paint Show
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72 Barn quil ts of Ashe County Photography by Jon Eckard “The quilt is a symbol of comfort and family. Barns are symbol of our heritage and community. What would be better than combining the two and creating a visual image of who we are and where we come from?” -Ashe County Arts
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74 Ashe County is home to over 150 Barn Quilts, and tourists come from across the country to see them. The colorful additions to the barns are eye-catching and add to the beautiful natural landscape. These barn quilts didn’t just appear one day, but rather are part of a nationwide movement. It’s been a dozen years since the Ashe County Arts Council began the mural project, which was funded by a Blue Ridge National Heritage Grant through Handmade in America, but residents have painted their own in the years since the project started. It would be tricky to find all the barn quilts yourself, so the Ashe County Arts provide trail guides. Six different trails take you on scenic drives around the county. You can find those guides at ashecountyarts.org/barn-quilts/php. You’ll see barn quilts all over the hillsides of Western North Carolina now, and more are popping up all the time. It’s a trend we can get behind! If you have a barn, we hope you’ll consider painting your own barn quilt. You can create the design from a quilt in your family, or create a geometric pattern you like.
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75 Editor’s Choice: Best Foothills App This free app is published by the Blue Ridge Parkway Association to help you more fully enjoy your Parkway area vacation. BRPA has been dedicated to providing travel information to the Parkway visitor since 1949 as an official partner organization of the Blue Ridge Parkway -NPS. Blue Ridge Pkwy Travel Planner * Maps * Parkway Visitor Centers * On and off-Parkway lodging & campgrounds * Interpretive stops on the Parkway * Gas availability * More than 50 popular hiking trails * Itineraries * Access Points for the Parkway * Nearby Parkway communities and services * Wildlife information * Save places to your Favorites list
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76 Fox Fox & Hound A CIVIL DISCOURSE WITH JAMES THOMAS SHELL AND SARAH EVERLY The Hound: Quarantine? Calling this a quarantine is like my sister saying she was “living off the grid” because she couldn’t get her hair or nails done and Starbucks was closed. Maybe my ambivalence on the subject is related to the personal circumstances that I have been through since Christmas Eve 2019. My mother was in a car accident and severely broke her lower right leg that night and I’ve been surrounded by chaos the past several months. My sister and I left for Wake Forest Baptist Hospital at Midnight Christmas Day to be with Mama, so there was no Christmas. Mama didn’t leave Winston-Salem for a month and then spent another month in a rehabilitation facility closer to home. Nearly every day, I devoted hours visiting my mother, running errands for her, and/or checking on her property. Finally, we brought Mama home on February 27th. I took a leave of absence from my job to take care of her. I was staying with her during the time the Coronavirus Pandemic came into full recognition. I was already in lockdown. My mother had an External Fixator device attached to her leg on January 8th, which made her rehabilitation very difficult. Her injury was completely non-weight bearing and there was an infection that had to be dealt with. Along with assistance from an “At Home Healthcare” team, I tended to her intensively for two months to get her better. Quarantine is what we saw elsewhere. In China, you basically Editor’s Note: This column exists to give voice to various sides of arguments, and to open up conversation around important topics. Some opinions are rather pointed, and since we represent opposite sides of most arguments you’re bound to read something you don’t agree with. We hope something you read here will add to your understanding by showing you someone else’s perspective. The opinions in this article are the opinions of our writers, and we appreciate their viewpoints mightily.
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77 couldn’t leave home without written government permission. People were running out of food and becoming desperate, because of how stringent their lockdown was. There was great fear because police were going into people’s homes and extricating them if they thought they were sick. In Italy, you could go to the grocery store or pharmacy, but that was about it. You might get stopped by the police and asked what you were doing and you had to have permission for any travel. Mentally, I’ve learned to roll with life’s punches, because life goes on long after the thrill of livin’ is gone. My personality and history made me learn how to follow the rulebook without letting the rules box me in. Getting older, my time is running out and we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow. Luckily, I don’t have to worry about getting my hair or nails done and I am the cook, so I don’t have to worry about the eating out thing. Matter of fact, if I wouldn’t have been taking care of my mother, I would have been working the entire time, because I have been deemed essential. What we have been through isn’t a Quarantine. It’s an inconvenience. I know Covid-19 is real. I also know this Pandemic wasn’t necessary. China and the Tinhorn dictators of the world are not our friends and don’t have our interests at heart. Many lessons need to be learned here. Freedom-loving people don’t want to be told what to do and won’t willfully give up rights just because a government “official” or bureaucrat says it’s for their own good. People don’t like arbitrary rules. That is built into our culture. People naturally yearn to be free. Liberty is their natural inalienable right. Being high-strung, I have some angst about this situation. The saying goes, “This too shall pass,” but when you are in the midst of it, you begin to wonder when? I’m going to cut people a lot of slack, because they just want to live and by that I mean more than hanging on by a thread. They want to pursue happiness. James Thomas Shell Hickory Hound The Fox: I can’t honestly say that I’d ever imagined what my life in the midst of pandemic would look like prior to actually being in the midst of one, but I think if I had I would have imagined it as being part of a country and community that would unite as one and build bonds of solidarity. I’d imagine it to be similar to 9/11 when our country fiercely banded together across economic, racial, and class divides to grieve the lives of 3,000 innocent people who wouldn’t make it home because of a senseless, hate driven act. Yet here we sit, 100,000 lives lost and my community is busy running its mouth about microchips and how covering our face in public is infringing upon its civil rights. If I’m being perfectly honest I’m wildly disappointed. Disappointed that we can’t think of our fellow man for even a moment. Ashamed that we care more for a fresh set of highlights than we do for the safety of our neighbor’s asthmatic daughter. Yes, stay at home orders have been the ultimate inconvenience, but if we as citizens are complaining about inconvenience while others are dying alone in cold hospital rooms, losing their jobs, or fretting over how they’ll make up the rent payment before courts reopen then I think
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78 that points to how fortunate we’ve been through this ordeal. If we’re calling it an inconvenience then I think we’ve been so fortunate in fact that we don’t even possess the right to complain. Hound, you mentioned inalienable rights and freedom loving people in relation to this whole mess, and I do see the point you’re trying to make, but here’s my take. No one is as deeply imprisoned as the man forever locked in a wooden box six feet below our feet, no one wishes for freedom so much as the family shackled by the grief of unexpectedly losing their mother, and no one who aids in that imprisonment and anguish deserves any amount of slack. They most certainly will not be getting any from me. Last week my husband quietly stood in line while the man behind him attempted to start an argument with him for wearing a mask. Three weeks ago local businesses were opening their doors illegally in protest of an order put in place to keep them alive. Four days ago tens of thousands of people flocked to area beaches, throwing all caution and guidelines to the wind for a few hours of fun. For the life of me I cannot fathom why we care more about instant gratification than we do economic and physical health within our communities. Quarantine is a pause. Stay at home orders are a timeout. If we cannot respect these things for even a moment then we will face long term fallout. No economy can recover if the workers are dead. No ICUs can save lives if all the beds are full. No business can stay open if the clients are laying motionless with ventilators breathing for them. We will not recover if we cannot look past a momentary inconvenience, band together, and love our neighbors. We have an opportunity to rise up in solidarity and compassion. Instead we’re choosing to cry oppression over wearing a mask and washing our hands. Sarah Everly The Fox The Hound: Wow Sarah, I truly feel your angst. You define your cause, but unfortunately I have to disagree with much of the predicate of your beliefs. That’s your world, not mine, and we shouldn’t look to impose our wills upon others. That is the true definition of liberty, controlling one’s own destiny. Any time someone wants to throw up an intellectual “Not Going There!” wall, then they deliver the virtual palm to the face “Conspiracy Theory” statement. That is a vapid, non-starter of dialogue, which is fine by me because I will gladly walk away. But for the sake of this forum, I am here to continue making valid points. One percent is never thought of as being a defining statistic. Are you going to take a raincoat with you if there is a 1% chance of a storm? Are you going to invest $1,000 in a stock that has a 1% chance of paying off $100,000? We can’t operate our lives based upon 1%. It just isn’t feasible. When we muddle statistics into the mud of politics, then it is very hard to get a firm grasp upon reality. You point to one guy fussing at your husband about a mask. Others harp on people protesting the government’s arbitrary mandates. We’re talking about the exception not the rule. The extreme majority of protests have been more of a murmur. Unfortunately, we can’t get a firm grasp on the statistics related to this virus, because of money, politics, and government. Too many people have vested interests in the outcome of this virus. The count of morbidity from Covid-19 is an inexact statistic, because of definitions, co-morbidity issues, and how the government is paying for deaths in medical facilities during this time. Even if we do give the 100,000 number validity, that is 3 one-hundredths of 1 percent of the 329 million people that live in this nation. Sadly, the reality is we all end up in that box someday -- (deceased).
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I was fine with the initial theory of flattening the curve. The proposition was as you state. We were also told that this was a temporary action. We bought the time necessary to take steps to face this virus head-on. People cannot afford to continue hiding indefinitely, because we will end up flattening our society instead and that will have even graver consequences for society’s future. The Fox: To reiterate the point I made in my opener, a flattened society is exactly what we’re facing if we can’t wait even a moment to slap new acrylics on our nails, or a few more weeks before joining thousands upon thousands of citizens on the shorelines. A temporary flattening is much easier to recover from, as there is no recovering from death. To answer your questions, I have been stranded by a flat tire in the midst of a pop up rain storm. I’ve had to walk a mile through downpours to reach a business whose phone I could use (let’s pretend that doesn’t show my age), so there’s always a raincoat in my car. Rarely have I ever needed it, but it’s there for when I might. As for investing $1,000? That point isn’t even relative. Wearing a mask is not a personal cost. It is a simple act that may save a life. It may not, but if not then you covered your face for a bit. Whereas if you don’t, you could be the reason someone dies. People are dying, and I don’t care what percentage of the population it adds up to. Death is ugly, and dying in a sterile room without your loved ones in sight is a horrific way to go. I’ve faced death and I know exactly how cold and sorrowful a place that is. I do not wish it on even a single soul. So to me 100,000 lives lost matters a hell of a lot more than being able to play disk golf with friends or enjoying whatever frivolous actions our inconvenienced citizens are rattling on about. We are all suffering in some capacity and while that suffering matters to us, it matters very little in the big picture of getting our lives and prosperity back safely. We have nuclear families, we have crisis lines, we have ways to get through this. I know that we will come out on the other end of this. This is hard, this is isolating, this is anxiety inducing. But right now dealing with those discomforts is the upside. We deal with temporary isolation, or we deal with death. The choice is ours, and I think we’re making the wrong one. By Sarah Everly, The Fox Recently, four police officers brutalized an unarmed black man in Minneapolis, MN. These actions were caught on video and witnessed by a crowd of bystanders, but it still took four days for the first officer to be charged with murder. Eight days for all involved to be charged. The unarmed man was a father of six, his name is George Floyd, and if he had been white he would likely still be alive. In the days since we’ve seen mass amounts of civil unrest. We’ve seen looting, we’ve seen riots, and we’ve seen the strength and spirit of our black communities. But mostly we’ve seen how deeply the vein of police brutality and escalation runs through our country. In this time of great anger and hurt, I stand with Floyd, Arbery, Taylor, Jean, and the countless others that have been ripped from the earth by systemic hate. My actions feel too late, but I am promising to learn, listen, fight, and love harder. Sitting down a moment longer only allows for more death. If you are still seated I am asking that you try to imagine your father’s neck under the knee of men you paid to protect him. I am a very white, very privileged woman, but make no mistake I would scorch the earth in all of its entirety for my sons. When George Floyd screamed “Mama” he summoned the ferocity of every human ever gifted such a title. He may not be my son, but I will not rest until I can trust that a black man is as safe in his skin as my own white sons are. Black Lives Matter f D USE THIS QR CODE TO USE THIS QR CODE TO WATCH THE NEW VIDEO WATCH THE NEW VIDEO CALLED CALLED “ B L A C K ” “ B L A C K ” BY BY FOOTHILLS ARTIST FOOTHILLS ARTIST I QUE. I QUE.
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80 Granny Eckard Quarantined In the summer of 1948 my sister contracted polio. (You can read “Polio in Our Family” printed in Foothills, Summer 2018 issue.) That was a terrible scourge that scared all parents beyond imagination. Most of these parents were young themselves when the world was quarantined with the Spanish flu, or at least had heard about it. One trip through the local cemeteries will give you an idea of the scope of this flu. I was shocked myself to see so many tombstones with death dates of 1918, 1919. Some of these people lived 29 years, 60 years, 3 months, etc. This flu was not choosy. Neither was polio. We were quarantined that summer and most of us did not even recognize the difference. We didn’t go anywhere anyhow, except to church and that was restricted also during this quarantine. I remember the Sunday we got to go to the DRIVE-IN for the first time , for CHURCH, not the movies though. That was against our religion, you know (trying to get to heaven and all). But the trip was very special and it is still burned into the retina of my mind: Mom and Dad in the front seat of our old black Chevy and the rest of us, except my older sister, in the back craning our necks to see the screen. Kathryn was already at Camp Sutton in Monroe at the time and her visits were also restricted. Mom and Dad would drive down there whenever possible to see her but we had to sit on the lawn outside and play during the visit and could wave to her at the window (shown at above). Now we found ourselves quarantined from Covid 19. This time our young children were very aware of the restrictions: they didn’t get to finish the school year with their peers, they can’t have their birthday parties with the usual fanfare, there are no toy stores and no movies here either; activities they had been sucking up like a Hoover Deluxe. I suspect today’s children have had a more difficult time with quarantine since they have always had more freedom. According to Webster, quarantine is a 40-day period. This 40-days keeps getting longer and longer with no certainty about anything, even school in the fall. Bless them. But as they say on TV, “Hang in there, we’ll get through this together.” Somehow.
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81 Y our name her e As North Carolina’s restaurants, hotels, attractions and shops reopen, Count On Me NC is a public health initiative that empowers guests and businesses to help keep everyone safe from COVID-19. Check out the site to see a map of participating businesses. They are going above and beyond, following strict protocol to keep us safe. You can also take a pledge to do your part to slow the spread of germs. COUNTONMENC.ORG
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Introducing The Nest at Steele’s Farms By Carmen Eckard Photography by Kent Lin Tim and Donna Steele are known for their impeccable taste. Their construction and design companies are thriving because they chase perfection in a way that is rare and remarkable. Their style is crisp, clean and sleek, with an appreciation for the rustic, but above all, it is refined. The couple recently purchased an 82-acre farm in the rolling hills of Taylorsville. They bought the farm in order to find peace and tranquility. Tim and Donna are romantics. They say they’ve found their soul mates in each other, and they know that love is to be cherished. The beautiful landscapes on their farm inspired the couple to consider welcoming other couples to their farm for celebrations. Through their other businesses, the couple and their teams were already skilled at hosting lavish events, and now that they had a location, opening a venue was an obvious choice. The Steele team wants couples to begin their lives together with the feeling of warmth and love, and they combine
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84 We are the preferred providers of oral surgery, wisdom teeth and dental implants for many area employers. No matter where your patients live or work, they’re close to one of our offices in Hickory, Lincolnton, and Statesville. Visit our website at www. omsdrs.com for a complete listing of participating employers and dental plans. Visit any of our three convenient offices!
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85 their unique skill-sets to make that happen. The farm is dripping with romance and magic is in the air. It’s stunning backdrop for the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Warm, welcoming and surrounded by stunning natural beauty at every turn your guests won’t want to leave this natural wonder! The property is a collection of individual vistas of natural beauty, with each nest , or location bringing its own whimsical charm or stunning backdrop to your special day. A host of unique locations provide many options for your day. The Barn is a rustic venue with old-time charm. It has concrete floors, exposed beams and wood, oversized chandeliers and climate control. In 2021, it will undergo an extensive renovation which will include a bridal suite, hardwood floors, marble, tufted walls, and other exquisite details the Steeles are known for. Other areas include “The Meadow,” “The Grove,” and “The Garden,” all with their own unique charms. Whatever area you choose, you’ll have a beautifully curated selection of decorations and furniture. Donna Steele is an artist with string lights, draped fabric and place settings. Also available for rent are several types of dance floor, including wooden herringbone and a see-through model. Linens in many fabrics and colors are available, along with silverware in silver, brass, black and copper. Table service options include matte white, matte gray, blush and black, and crystal glassware is available as well. Extensive lighting and furniture options are available as are a plethora of lighting options, including
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Oakwood Dental Arts is a full service dentistry firm based in the heart of Hickory, North Carolina in the historic Oakwood district. Our mission is to help you thrive in our town. Whether you have a troubled tooth that needs help or want to get that smile you’ve always dreamed about, we are here to serve. We will work with you to create a plan to achieve the best oral health possible. Let’s take the journey together. 828-324-6235 OAKWOODDENTALARTSNC.COM MCKINNEYDDS@OAKWOODDENTALARTSNC.COM
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chandeliers. There is also a large selection of potted plants and trees available for rental. They even have rugs you can rent to pull your whole look together. The Nest at Steele’s Farms is open for business, and they are looking forward to hosting your wedding or event. We asked Tim and Donna what else they have up their sleeves, because they are usually full of good ideas. We were thrilled when Tim told us that he’s purchased some buildings in Downtown Taylorsville and intends to be part of the revitalization efforts there. He told us his plans were extensive, and we can’t wait to see what unfolds at their new location.
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88 Tim and Donna Steele’s businesses are family business in all the best ways. We asked Tim about working with his family. He said, “ Working with the family is heartwarming. My kids went away to college, graduated and came back home to work with my companies. That is a compliment and makes my heart happy as a Father. It can be challenging but at the same time you can see the love shared by our family , or same sense of commitment and our work ethic, which is visible in all that we do. We love our work and we are so happy to now add the event center to our portfolio of businesses. What better place to showcase love than where people start their life together?” We hope that if you’re planning a wedding or any other large event, you’ll check out The Nest at Steele’s Farms. It’s such a good backdrop for the first day of the rest of your life.
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NCHBA STAR AWARDS B e ST R oom R emo D el /R e N ov AT io N , B e ST A DD i T io N , B e ST W H ole H ou S e R emo D el / R e N ov AT io N steelesconstructionllc.com Welcome Home! As you may have heard, our construction and design is unsurpassed in quality, precision, and project management and we will exceed your expectations. This is what coming home looks like…you’ll be as happy as this family seeing their new home for the first time. Call us today for your consultation! General Contractor Licenses NC# 74498 SC# G121741
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LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS? North Carolinians are a resilient lot, so when the camp grounds are closed, we improvise! Pitch a tent in your backyard, build a fire and roast some marshmallows! The kids won’t mind that you’re not at a real campground, so long as the hot dogs and s’mores keep flowing. We hope you’ll catch a selfie to share to social media with the hashtag #foothillsbackyardcampout. Before you put your phone away for family bonding, check out the app Sky Guide. You just point your phone at the sky and it labels the stars, planets and constellations for you. It also labels satellites, and any labeled object can be clicked for more information. It’s a very helpful addition to any stargazer’s tool bag. Time seems to be moving more slowly this year, but that makes it easier to spend quality time with our families. It’s a great opportunity to build life-long memories. FOOTHILLSBACKYARDCAMPOUT
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92 Catawba Valley Health System entered the fight against COVID-19 in early March. We have seen our organization, our community, our state and our world be transformed since then. At our hospital, we implemented unprecedented changes in response to the pandemic in order to keep our staff and our patients safe. The work done by those on the front lines and in support of these efforts has been nothing short of extraordinary. We describe our promise to the community with the phrase “where compassion meets innovation.” It is not an exaggeration to say we have seen both compassion and innovation reach even greater heights among our doctors, nurses, administrators and support staff. We mobilized an Incident Command Center before even the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed, and we continue to operate that Command Center 24/7. Our leaders are ensuring all who enter our facilities and clinics are safe, given the support and comfort they deserve, and receiving the highest-quality care available. Initial projections of COVID-19 cases were alarming, but our planning and preparation was thorough and well-coordinated. Critical care unit (CCU) capabilities were expanded throughout our medical center, singularly focused on ensuring all patients with COVID-19 symptoms were isolated and receiving safe care. In an abundance of caution – and in accordance with local, state and federal guidance – we suspended non-emergent tests, procedures and surgeries, as well as prohibiting visitation except for extreme circumstances. Again, all our actions centered on one thing: safety. We are proud to report that all within our organization have performed exceptionally, with many employees often serving in non-traditional roles in order to assist our response planning. These heroic efforts have allowed us to begin transitioning back to offering tests, diagnostics, procedures and surgeries that had been suspended. Extra processes are in place to protect patients needing those services, including being tested for COVID-19 before their procedures, the requirement to wear masks, and being screened at the door A message from
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93 before entering. Physical distancing is enforced throughout our facilities and, in the case of our physician practices, telehealth or curbside services are often an option. While we know there is still uncertainty about the prevalence and duration of this virus, our message to our community is that our hospital is a safe place to be, and that you should not delay getting the care you need from us if you are ill or injured. An unfortunate result from this crisis is that patients with serious conditions have been staying away from the hospital and their doctors’ offices out of fear of the virus. You need to know that we have taken extraordinary measures to ensure that all patients are safe, that our facilities are clean, and that we segregate those with respiratory symptoms from all other patients. By putting off care for illness or injury, you could be putting yourself at risk. Therefore, we want to reassure our community that we have remained ahead of the virus with planning and preparation, and we have remained diligent in maintaining the highest levels of safety and quality as well. Your trust in our organization is cherished. We look forward to serving you and your family’s needs. Eddie Beard, RN, President and CEO Philip Greene, MD, Chief of the Medical Staff Catawba Valley Health System Go from this To this Robert Long Vinyl siding, Windows, r e m o d e l s & m o r e (828)308-2821 longrobert693@gmail.com
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94 “Of course we can take them,” I heard myself saying, and before I was able to turn auto-pilot responses off, the time and place for pickup was set. It was a good experience for the girls I reasoned as we went to pick up the two male boxer pups that were rescued from an unspeakable situation. They were absolutely beautifully pitiful. The mange was so bad they had no fur, literally just skin and highly defined bones. They were not able to walk ten feet without falling in exhaustion. The rescue gave them fighting names Foreman and Frasier and they both fought like champs to get healthy. It was three months before Frasier let us know he was too good for this world and we had to say goodbye to him. Our little family learned how to love truly, giving without expectations, mourning the losses, and celebrating every small victory. Due to his rough start, the vet warned us then that if Foreman made it through the next two months he would probably have half the life span of the average boxer. Foreman did not agree with them. He fought and he won. He had the sweetest spirit and was fiercely loyal to our little family. He played with us, he kept us company, he listened to our problems without judgment and he was ALWAYS happy to see us. He welcomed guests, prevented our home from being burglarized, and loved mud puddles and snowdrifts. The vet was always happily surprised to report he was a perfect specimen with no issues except a runny nose in the spring. The girls grew up and moved out and Foreman got old. It happens. He reached nine years before arthritis kicked in. No longer was he able to greet me at the door with uncontrollable kidney bean dance boxers are known for but the excitement in his eyes to see me as he laid on the couch was the high point of
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POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CBD every homecoming. My heart broke seeing him in so much pain and it got worse. The next visit to the vet was excruciating. They found a brain tumor and the arthritis was rapidly getting worse and more debilitating. We should consider laying him to rest since it would be cruel to let him suffer. I don’t have to explain that car ride home or the phone calls made to the girls that evening. We were devastated and desperate to fight for Foreman one more time. Enter Cannabidiol (CBD) . There are no words, what a difference! He was welcoming me home at the door again, and showing the puppy how fun mud puddles could be! Foreman had a new lease on life. For the next year and a half he was able to enjoy the winter of his life. He welcomed my granddaughter into our pack so graciously. He even taught her how to walk a dog! I like to think we were worthy of the love and loyalty Foreman gave us. Foreman passed away in April, but we are so grateful that he was able to enjoy his last years with us. Research on CBD is in its early stages, but studies and anecdotal evidence are showing that it helpful in treating conditions like anxiety, pain, cancer, and arthritis. Dogs have the same canniboid receptors that are found in people, and it’s assumed that the positive effects of CBD in human trials points to usefulness for pets as well. CBD is a natural way to improve the health of your pet. f D
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96 A l fresc o DINING by Donna Steele It’s been a challenging year to say the least. Getting outside to spend some time in the fresh air is good for you in many ways. Vitamin D and fresh air create a sense of overall wellness. Eating outside is just a bonus! We dine al fresco all summer long. Have a picnic on the lawn. Set a stunning table using things you already have. Or, set an elaborate table and entertain guests! If you plan to eat outside often, set up an area that makes it easy to do. A solid table and comfortable chairs that don’t hold in water are important. A tablecloth will help with setup and cleanup. You’ll notice that we use neutral colors and avoid patterns when we are decorating outdoors. That allows the natural beauty around us to shine, and our table becomes a complement to nature, not an interruption. You’ll also want to consider lighting. There are so many options available these days. We look for something that isn’t overpowering, but adds a nice, warm glow to the space. However you set your table, or even your picnic blanket, you’re sure to find comfort and pleasure in eating al fresco.
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2020 has brought with it a new and exciting fashion accessory. We know masks are helpful, and it’s recommended that we wear them in public for a while. Fortunately, there’s no need for your mask to ruin your outfit! Use it to accessorize! We know it’s traditional Southern knowledge that your shoes should match your pocketbook. So what should your mask match? There’s no set-in-stone answer here, which makes the face-mask a fun and versatile accessory. Your mask can match your bag, your belt, or your shoes, and you can pull out any color from your outfit, or a coordinating color. Matching your mask to your outfit will give you an extra polish that’s noticeable from across any room. You can also add jewelry, beads or embroidery to your mask if you’re feeling fancy! We recommend that you scour your local fabric store (or your scrap bag if you have one) to get fabric pieces that will make your outfits pop, then make your own. We’ve included directions to sew masks on the following pages...no sewing machine required! the new “it” the new “it” accessory accessory
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100 1. Cut out the two included pattern pieces which include a seam allowance. Fold your main fabric (wrong sides together) and pin the pattern piece labeled “main fabric” to it. 2. Cut your folded fabric to match the pattern piece. You’ll have two pieces which are mirror images of each other. Do the same for your liner fabric and pattern piece. 3. Turn the pieces over and pin each set, right sides together. 4. Sew the long curved sides together on each set using the seam allowance marked on pattern pieces. 5. Snip the seam allowance every inch or so to allow movement of your seams. Turn the pieces right-side out and press the seam allowance to one side. D o - I t - Y ourself
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102 6. Topstitch near the seam line on both pieces. On both the left and right side of the liner piece, fold the raw edge and hide it inside the fold, and topstich to hold in place. 7. Place the inner layer on top of the outer layer, right sides together, lining up the center stitches. Sew the top and bottom of the masks. Clip the seam allowances every inch or so and turn your mask right-side out, then press. 8. Double fold the raw edges on the outer layer top and bottom and topstitch to hide them. 9. Make a pocket for the elastic or tie by folding the side raw edge 1/4” from the edge, then folding again so that the edge meets the edge of the inner layer. 10. Sew a vertical line, leaving the top and bottom free for your elastic. Add elastic or ties. You can insert a coffee filter or other filter material inside the pocket, and you’re good to go!
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104 What is Normal Anyway? By Heather Woods Davis I miss my normal. Don’t you? I miss just popping into the grocery store. I miss picking up my kids from school— meaning that someone else was their teacher! I miss the rhythm of Monday- Friday so that weekends felt restful. I miss my regular workout group and bumping into you all at El Paso. This is what happens when your world is turned upside down isn’t? You find yourself lamenting the big things and little things. Plenty of things turn our worlds upside down. Death, job transitions, graduations; empty nests and suddenly full ones. More than ever, as we live in a world turned upside down; remember the disciples on that first Easter morning, They were locked inside because of fear…Ugh that speaks to our right here, right now. More than ever we understand what those disciples felt; we understand when normalcy is shattered; when we are scared of crowds of people; when we are anxious about leaving our homes. We know what it is to wake up and feel uncertain. We know what it is to go about our day trying to ignore what feels like low-level fear and anxiety with a side of panic. We know what it is to wonder if normal will ever return. Lutheran pastor David Lose wonders, “Do I really think that after we’re beyond this stretch things will go back to the same old, same old?” Normal, whatever that was, didn’t return after Jesus died or after his resurrection appearances. Which makes me think that perhaps the Christian message of hope is that we cannot jump back to the same old life or the same old faith. The central doctrine and belief for Christians is the resurrection and if there is one thing that isn’t normal, it is coming back to life after death. The resurrection appearances we celebrate in fact, mock a return to normal. You want to bring spices to the tomb like you normally would for someone you love, Mary? Guess who will show up looking like the gardener! You want to go back to fishing, living your normal life, Peter, James and John? Guess who will show up on the beach cooking your breakfast! Think all the hoopla in Jerusalem is done and it is best to just head on back home to Emmaus? Guess who will show up to walk with you on the road. Do you think locking your doors and meeting together quietly will bring normal back? Going back to normal isn’t possible or perhaps even faithful. The Easter declaration was our eyes have been opened and we have seen the Lord. Now the declaration is, our eyes have been opened and we have seen that our normal was a thinly veiled curtain hiding too many sins and omissions. The reality of what was normal has been damaged, and again, pastor David Lose rightly affirms, sheltering in place has been easier for some but not all.“[Workers] making minimum wage, including grocery workers and warehouse and delivery service employees, typically had to keep at their jobs whether they had sufficient protective gear or not. The fragility of a shrinking middle class, limited financial savings, and healthcare beyond the reach of too many has been devastating to major sections of the population. Will we, can we, do we want to go back to this normal?”
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To speak plainly, for Easter Christians, normal doesn’t exist anymore. When Jesus died no one expected him to rise. Normal was gone. But when Jesus appears to those frightened disciples, his first word is a word of peace. Shalom. Wholeness in the midst of their shattered normalcy; wholeness in the midst of their breaking. Friends, hear Jesus speak that to us: peace, shalom, and wholeness in the midst of our breaking. That peace was a blessing of God’s favor, a manifestation of divine grace so that as normal fell away, Christ’s peace came as a blessing for the new that was ushered in. Among other things, this time has shown me that I am not in charge of much of anything other than myself a couple of humans and dogs. But here’s something we can all be in charge of. We can hold onto the hope that what was normal would cease; we can hold onto the promise, that the Risen One has given us peace and wholeness and together we have the strength to weather whatever is breaking us in the now. This moment of now, might hold death. It might hold sickness. It might be devastation to our financial stability. But our gospel, our good news tells us that Jesus isn’t about to leave any of us there. The resurrection’s bold claim on our lives and on all of creation is that Jesus shows up in our breaking and brings us wholeness. A blessing that we as Easter people are eager to offer to each other and the world as each new day dawns. Because here’s what it is wonderful when our normal is shattered: we see the beauty of this world Christ redeemed: even when there is bad news, even the worst news, there is always good news, there is always gospel. Our eyes have been opened to the good news—that is our new normal. Grieving the bad and celebrating the good—not ignoring the bad not offering cheap platitudes for the bad, but honestly grieving what is lost: that is where Jesus shows up. Celebrating the good, finding it when things are hardest, finding hope even if it is that weed on your sidewalk that refuses to be squashed; celebrating the good news is where Jesus shows up. Our new normal is embracing this broken life, with a blessing of promised wholeness. We face life with authenticity and integrity. We face life with limps, bandages, and scars. We together are empowered to embrace everything, the bad and the good, death and new life, we embrace it all in the arms of one who has holes in his hands. Right here, right now…tell how wholeness has come to you, even in the breaking. Even when your doors were locked. Even when you were scared of the crowds. Even when you doubted. Tell some good news. This is our new normal. f D
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106 Treasures Today By Eric S. Welborne Treasures today, hidden in view Eyes to the next step, dragons await You don’t have to dream for Mayapple’s bloom Like snowflakes in June beneath its bud Winter below in summer’s sway The Present’s a gift to be opened today It’s off the grid no GPS states Tender eyes that lacrimate (ah, a new word like smoke) They see the knots of that hickory oak We see it in levels behind the old window pane The one we can’t open on muggy June days…the daze! Grandma Ruby tells Daniel at eight The boon of the highway leads to the place Come with me Grandsie to that old wooden shed When her time has come the lumber will tell This desk is of hickory- the sturdiest kind It held the key to my C+ test And the whoopin’ I got from my so-called best In the co’ner is a Slugger Grampa made For sixth inning courage and that pitcher’s piercing face Prob’ly hewn from the tree of yesterday’s grace From the crack of that bat if you graduate We may just take in a Crawdad’s game!!
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107 Nature Stephanie Ray, RN, HTP Being part of the solution is easier than you might think... it starts with us.. Nature is very calming... Go outside.. Listen to the birds come alive with their sweet melodies as the sun greets the new day, take a walk... admire the graceful nod of the daffodils as they bow gently in the wind. Admire the bright cheery presence of the dandelion flowers, Their sunny faces bring cheer in this time of fear and uncertainty. Their strength and very will to survive can teach us much. Beauty and fortitude... breath it in! Turn it off and tune in Turn off the noise external and internal Instead go outside, Look around there is much to see and be thankful for Besides the morning song of the birds And lonely refrain of the cows ... Look closer, Beneath your feet Even the gravel beneath your feet has a story to tell Once part of the Ancient Mountains Now providing a surface for you to walk upon The gift of sight to see the many colors and sparkles within Looking up, the flowers and leaves bursting forth With their beauty and majesty Unfurling once more in the warmth of the sun As Winter releases its hold Take a deep breath in and Surrender to the Earth , Mother Earth Releasing the breath feel the gentle wind surround you Nurturing you Calling you home To peace and tranquility The following three submissions are from members of Alleghany Writers, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging creative writing across the local community and writing Across the Curriculum in Alleghany County Schools.
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108 A Typical Morning Carole Coates I used to drag myself out of bed to the blare of an alarm clock. In the dark winter months I pushed the limits of how few minutes were required for me to be presentable for work. Did my hair really need styling? Were my clothes passable without being touched by an iron? A shower?—maybe tomorrow. I actually am a morning person. I just want morning on my own terms. Daylight to awaken by, for one thing. Waking up naturally, for another. These days, most of them, I get my wish. If I feel like it, I laze in bed for a few minutes. Other days, I hop right up, brush my teeth, splash a bit of water on my face, and head downstairs for a leisurely breakfast. Directly in front of me are two windows, beyond which lies our front yard with a young crab apple tree, an, ancient rhododendron, an unruly pussy willow, and an aging mountain ash tree—along with ferns, herbs, and various perennials hidden below my sight level. All these plants attract birds, from tiny ruby- necked hummingbirds to sleek, raucous crows. To my left, sliding glass doors lead to a covered deck. This is where we hang feeders filled with black oil sunflower seeds. Nuthatches, cardinals, titmice, rose-breasted grosbeaks, slate-colored juncos, purple finches, black capped chickadees, and goldfinches vie for space at these all-you-can-eat-if-you-can-get-it buffets. Downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers compete for a tasty bite at the suet feeders. They all compete with the squirrels. Eating breakfast like this—watching and listening to the birds as they go about the business of their daily lives, laughing at the antics of thieving squirrels and scavenging chipmunks, and listening to the mellifluous singing of mating Carolina wrens—is good for the spirit. My heartbeat slows; my entire face opens into a smile; my body, always inclined toward tension, relaxes. I take my time. So much healthier than an alarm clock and a frantic dash out the door. Natural Natural Elements Elements Of N o r t h C a r o l i n a W e c u r a t e p r o d u c t s f o r a n a t u r a l l i f e s t y l e Our products include: • A full-range of NC CBD products • Elderberry Syrup • North Carolina Hot Sauce • Honey • Jewelry • Essential Oils • And more! 1 5 U S H w y 3 2 1 S W H i c k o r y , N C 2 8 6 0 2 8 2 8 / 7 2 9 / 9 8 6 8 8 2 8 / 7 2 9 / 9 8 6 8 2 2 1 N W M a i n S t r e e t L e n o i r , N C 2 8 6 4 5 8 2 8 / 9 2 9 / 2 4 2 0 8 2 8 / 9 2 9 / 2 4 2 0
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It was nearing closing time at the Alleghany County Library. The monthly meeting of The Alleghany Writers had just ended in a burst of applause for those who had shared their articles; literacy shining in the written word. Approaching the front door, I noticed a pyramid of books for sale by The Friends of the Library. This non-profit group has a bookstore on Main Street in Sparta and several times a year it offers a sale that can’t be missed. Glancing at the wall clock, I knew I had a few minutes to scan some of the titles. I circled the layers and hastily found two paperbacks that caught my eye. Why I selected the two largest paperbacks (700 pages each) is beyond me! I went over to the checkout counter and Doug, assistant librarian was waiting patiently to “sign me out.” “That will be $1.00 for the two.’ he announced. “Are you sure?” I responded, in a somewhat dubious manner. My friend Doug reassured me. “Yes, it is a bargain that can’t be missed.” “A true bargain, indeed. “ I mused. Little did I know that in the following week, the nation would be under quarantine and life styles drastically altered. Routines, changed; work schedules, minimized; and homes, islands of safety. The Coronavirus, a deadly living organism, was spreading throughout the world and our rural mountain area would not be spared. During the first week of quarantine, adjusting to idleness, I eyed the two paperbacks and wondered if I would ever open those bargain tomes. I decided to take the risk. I settled into my favorite chair and opened Team of Rivals. In this quiet setting, I began to enjoy the phrases and the scenes that Doris Kearns Goodwin, the author, penned. No sense of guilt permeated my being. I was actually taking time to read; away from the computer, the iPhone and the daily episodes of Gunsmoke and Andy Griffith. Team of Rivals is an historical biography of Abraham Lincoln and his cabinet members who orchestrated major decisions before and during the Civil War. The study in character understanding became an engrossing experience for me. The second paperback, The Warmth of Other Suns resonated with me even more than Team of Rivals. The author, Isabell Wilkerson, southern born African American researched the migration of blacks from the South to Northern/Western states from 1920-1980.This historical study brought to light the dangers and hardships endured by blacks who worked the cotton fields in the rural South. Ms. Wilkerson introduced three persons who actually made the heart wrenching decision to leave a known way of life for opportunities in the states above the Mason-Dixon Line. Ida Mae, George, and Robert escaped the prospect of lynching, Jim Crow laws, and share crop farming. The Promised Land lay ahead with its tenement- ghettos, gang and drug threats, low earnings in factories and menial/cleaning positions. Difficulties abounded in the migration. Yet statistics indicated that most never returned to the South. It was a move for their children, a landscape of promise. In the future, I shall recall the moments during the quarantine that afforded me the pleasure to read, to reflect, and to savor the writings of outstanding authors and not feel pangs of guilt. To the Friends of The Library, gratitude for the literary treasures! Rewarding Respite Suzanne Irwin
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110 I. Prologue My mother drove herself to church this morning. She drove her own car. She looked sharp. She wore a black two-piece suit, topped by a chic silk scarf. She toted oxygen and a burden. May 6, 2012 II. Parode All of your worth Your experience Your sacred perspective – III. Strophe You once were protected, enclosed by the womb. Your rapid heartbeat brought about your birth. Your sucking in of nectar caused you to thrive. Your speckled, glint-filled green eyes opened you up to your world. I imagine your eyes opening for the first time. Your eyes, gleaning the people - the colors - the sounds around you – Your eyes, each year of the eighty-two ... Encomium for a Hummingbird By Kaylene Burcham
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111 And then you did flutter about in fervor, looking into the Earth and creation, Fingers, hands, arms were your wings, Touching the flowers, dropping the seeds, digging the dirt, Freezing and canning the nectar. Your world became my world. What myriad stitches you sewed to navigate your place on Earth, Creating original art that I wore to school, Selling raggedy Ann & Andy dolls - Helping to make ends meet, Piecing together patches of clothing, & Incorporating them into quilts and animal shapes. …Collecting buttons, adding zippers, pinning my hems, tailoring my clothes… III. Episode Hummingbird. You are like the hummingbird – you brought that bird to my attention… You and I watch the slight figure flutter and perch at your feeder by the kitchen window. You point out to me how that fragile warrior-bird gasps. Any moment or day now, the bird will lose its fight to drink in the nectar. You had watched it a few days earlier – You knew. The bird’s struggle makes you sad. Your lament lies in your comments as you bustle around in your kitchen. I inwardly wince with my knowing your kinship to the bird - For you and me, the bird is more of a mirror, more than just an observation of Nature, but its life runs parallel with your struggle. On a slower scale of time – There is your fight to breathe: several years pass as you fight to continue life. Torpor, Your flight and forage stunted – Not limited, but nectar becomes blocked. Hibernation. Heaviness. Your fragile skin becomes like that of an infant. Your vibrant body slowly gives in to your lung’s limitations. Your skin, colored red & blue, so tender to the touch, sinks in as you lose more weight. Your heart - Pumps so hard - “1,260 beats per minute” - It works so hard - It tries…but there are no responsive “250 breaths per minute.” Your brave heart that never lets go - Your heart that works so hard to raise your chest - It pumps blood to tissue even as lung capacity diminishes, further and further.
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An idle body. An awake mind. Eyes closed. Mind in angst. Did you hear your heart beat till the end - Did you feel it beat till the end? (You and I wonder how it will end - we who are so seemingly forthright with each other deny your pending death, of all things, we denied it - you had said that very last night that you would eat and regain some strength and get better ... in your last hours you say these words? I hung on to hope, in my anguish, as I fed you your last meal, a meal that was maybe three sucks of a straw - you could not even use your inhaler – you futilely tried – I still see your flapping fingers - no one could help you use it - did you believe your words of hope? I struggle not knowing what you knew and my not acting, that last night, like you were leaving, not realizing that your eyes were fixing for death - for death! Why does not knowing, not acting matter? We lost our last chance to speak about the end - we lost our chance to tell each other remaining secrets - there are things I never told you - there are events you never explained to me - did we need to know? - did you need to know? - I needed to tell you, but how could you process any more than your struggle to breathe?) Did you hear me and my cheap words stumbling to comfort you, but only comforting me. My words were cheap, cheap words … You barely saw me when I told you, at that moment, how beautiful were your eyes. (It seemed something cheap to say; I still feel it was condescending to you who lay dying.) Had I been braver, dug deeper! The swirling emotions, the dangers and concerns of youth - I wanted to know more about that foreshadower of your death, That place, that dark depressing place to which you would allude – The place that rose out of your dreams and daily meditations – You told me of the rock, The Rock was not too far from where you slept at night, a ways into the woods in the back of your parent’s home – That place you fled to when you were upset with your home-life, Upset by some bickering, some chaos of your youth … And at the end of your life, your mind took you back to that sweet refuge - that rock - you had prayed there - I imagine you clung to it. What a sweet young girl you were - How fragile - then and now. Had we been braver! We would have shared secrets. We would have explained events without the ambiguity. We would have given the details. We would have delivered the apologies - explained the impact, the disaster, the reasons … Are secrets in life nothing more than events of emotional power? I saw your chest raise up. I heard your rapid, raging breath until I heard your body’s last effort to stay here. With no clear separation, you are still here,
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But there it is, your rapid heartbeat raising your chest up and down, pumping away. Those last moments with you when your voice is silenced, but your body rails on against its end. When torpor turns to death. Only the evening before…I had seen your green eyes; they were becoming fixed, but seeing through, what I guess was, a hazy, blurred lens – fixing themselves to stillness, to darkness, but, at that time, still glimpsing at the people, the colors, the sounds around you - you were losing control of your own body - I complemented your beautiful green eyes as they were becoming fixed! And then I went to work the next day! How could I carry on as you lie paralyzed in bed waiting for death, but beckoned from work, I returned to see your heart pump your chest. I still lean toward your eyes to know you, to memorialize you – to attempt to peer into your soul. The last hours, the rapid heartbeat, the swabbing your mouth - I saw your tongue move when I swabbed your mouth with lemon. I wonder if that movement was your last interaction with the world? After the last breath, We daughters wash your still-warm body, Your little fragile warrior body. I clean and trim your nails, Carefully, But I do bring up a bit of blood on one finger. You bleed like you still live. I notice you are taller, longer in death. The struggle to live makes you bow into yourself from the fight, But death releases your suffering stress to allow your stretch. I cherish seeing your body’s elongation, a symbol of your endurance and victory. Your eyes are now closed to the world, But I see you in my dreams. Your voice is silenced, But I hear you in my mind, And your mosaic-quilts cover me at night. IV. Exode I could never capture you fully. How could anyone capture a hummingbird? Oh, hummingbird, no one flutters like you do. You leave the world in a flutter, And I am left with an utter longing. You made your mark – only my tears assuage the void.
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114 It’s one part living classroom, one part outdoor gym. You can view a live webcam at chimneyrockpark.com/live-webcam/ Photography by Jon Bilous
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116 The Nest at Steele’s Farms “A place that feels like home, where friends and family come together to celebrate the most special moments in life” 101 Nest Lane, Taylorsville, NC ( 8 2 8 ) 3 2 2 - 8 0 1 1 S e e pa g e 8 2