#6
September 1, 2026#9
September 1, 2026
Searchable issue transcript
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foothills Digest $6.95 Fo o d Art Hist or y Culture Event s O pinion Style A Comprehensive Guide to MerleFest An Interview with Sam Bush Spring 2019 The Blue Ridge Music Trails
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Steele’s Construction is always on the leading edge of technology by using premium building materials and the best craftsmen operating at maximum efficiency to ensure on-time completion. Check out our website and Instagram for progress photos of this amazing lakefront modern farmhouse oasis. WWW.STEELESCONSTRUCTIONLLC.COM @STEELESCONSTRUCTION
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( 8 2 8 ) 3 2 2 - 8 0 1 1 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
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foothills Foothills Digest 619 2nd St NE Hickory NC 28601 Phone: 828.475.1323 E-mail: editor@foothillsdigest.com Website: foothillsdigest.com Stock by Adobe Stock PRINTED IN USA EDITORIAL CARMEN ECKARD JON ECKARD JOEY OSBORNE Chief Editor Principal Photographer Partner COLUMNISTS James Thomas-Shell Gabriel Sherwood Calvin Reyes Donna Steele Granny Eckard Amber Bryson Kat Dellinger Heather Woods Davis David Zealy Wright Tara Bland CONTRIBUTOR S Richard Eller Kermit Hunter Eric Welbourne LB Sedlacek CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Diane Taylor
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Subscribe You can always subscribe online at http://foothillsdigest.com , but you can also fill out this form and send it in to: Foothills Digest/619 2nd St NE/Hick - ory NC, 28601. Name: Address: Phone: Subscriptions are $27 per year and we publish quarterly. Shipping is $16. Please enclose a check or your credit card information. Cards are charged $43 one time. Card Number: Expiration: CVV Code:
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To learn more or to schedule a primary care appointment online, visit FryeHeart.com A self-proclaimed “mad gardener,” making the world a more beautiful place is Deward’s calling. When fatigue became a thorn in his side, the team at Frye Regional Medical Center helped Deward get back to creating beautiful outdoor spaces with his sons. As part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare and the region’s only Duke Health affiliate in heart, Frye Regional Medical Center has a team of experienced doctors with specialty training in heart to provide the very best care for Deward and others in our community with heart disease. I’m enjoying a new season of life with my sons Experts in HEART DEWARD’S
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Letter from Editor SPRING 2019 Dearest readers, I love Spring. Nothing feels better than shaking off the Winter under the warm sun. Flowers are blooming and crops are growing. Sweet tea is even more delicious than normal, and our front porch is calling. Music is in the air. I don’t know about you, but music has always filled my life. The rhythm of the South seems to be picked out on a bass and stringed instruments sound like home. This issue is filled with the music of the Foothills. Learn about the instruments of Blue Grass music, and then read about the Blue Ridge Music Trail. What a resource that is! That organization makes it so much easier for North Carolinians to hear live Blue Grass or Traditional music. We highlight a few of our favorites. MerleFest is near and dear to most of our hearts, and we are thrilled to bring you a host of information about the performers and the festivals. I also want to thank you for helping us give copies of our magazine foothills Kids to 6,000 students in Catawba and Caldwell Counties. These kids magazines are full of games, crafts, science and stories, touching on most subjects in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, providing supplemental education. We intend to continue to grow this program and appreciate your support as we do so. You can download foothills Kids using this QR code.
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Contents SPRING 2019 Letter from the Editor Event Calendar Quintet of Strings The Unparalleled Experience of Live Music Blue Ridge Music Trails MerleFest The Man Who Would Be King Post Office to Cultural Anchor Mike’s Advantage Catawba Atlantis One-Tank Trip: Hendersonville Fox and Hound The Power Behind the Periodicals Some Catawbans are Special 7 10 12 22 24 39 44 60 64 68 72 86 90 92
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94 98 100 102 105 106 108 110 115 120 124 126 130 131 132 133 136 138 Page 16 Hiking in Our Back Yard The Patrick Harris AVF Winners Hiking with Kat Dellinger Do You Hear What I Hear Hickory Crawdads Women’s Health Good Pho U Recipes Bring Spring Inside Spring Fashion Spring is Harmony to my Hair Dear David Eventfully Yours Flower Power The Office Back Home Photography
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Event Calendar APRIL 12-14 HELLBENDER 100 Old Fort Graduate level bike race staged from Camp Grier. 25,000 feet altitude. Rules apply and registration required. HELLBENDER100.COM 888.233.6111 21 HICKORY HOPS Hickory Featuring the handcrafted brews of over 50 craft breweries across the Foothills, along with live music. HICKORYHOPS.COM 25-28 MERLEFEST Wilkesboro Featuring lineup of bluegrass, blues, folk. Including Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush and more. MERLEFEST.ORG 828.879.8049 27 PIONEER DAY Old Fort A celebration of mountain heritage featuring a car show, music, crafts and vendors. MGMNC.ORG 828.668.9259 27 GREENING UP THE MOUNTAINS Sylva A 10,000 person strong celebration of Spring and living greener, with live music, crafts and more. GREENINGUPTHEMOUNTAINS.COM 828.586.2719 27 FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN BLACKSMITH FESTIVAL Spruce Pine An annual celebration of the art of blacksmithing. There will be vendors, demonstrations and food. DOWNTOWNSPRUCEPINE.COM 828.765.3008 MAY 2-5 SAVOR BLOWING ROCK Blowing Rock Craft brews, wine, vendors and music. SAVORBLOWINGROCK.COM 828.295.7851 4 MILL VILL FEST Hildebran Foothills Digest is proud to sponsor this annual event at the Henry River Mill Village. Featuring tours, local artisans and blue grass by the Sigmon Stringers. HENRYRIVERMILLVILLAGE.COM 6 RAMP FESTIVAL Waynesville In its 80th year, this festival celebrates the wild onion, the ramp, which is harvested in the foothills during the Spring. 828.456.8691 9 LEAF FESTIVAL Black Mountain For 24 years, each May & October, an intergenerational family of 12,000 people join together to experience the power music, art & culture has to transform lives & strengthen community. THELEAF.ORG 828.686.8742 17-18 ANTIQUE POWER SHOW Newton Antique farm equipment with demonstrations and tractorpull. FOOTHILLSANTIQUE.COM 828.256.8818 18 HOOK, LINE AND DRINKER FESTIVAL Sylva “Trout. Music. Beer. Need we say more?” HOOKLINEDRINKERFEST.COM 24-26 WHITE SQUIRREL FESTIVAL Brevard Music, crafts, street vendors and food are higlighted in this celebration of the white squirrels of Brevard. WHITESQUIRRELFESTIVAL.COM 25 GARDEN JUBILEE Hendersonville Over 200 vendors selling plants, garden accessories and food along with gardening talks help you learn more about this important pastime. 828.693.9708 26 FOUNDERS DAY FESTIVAL Valdese Bringing Waldensian traditions back to life for one day! 828.879.2129 26 TOE RIVER’S ART COUNCIL STUDIO TOUR Spruce Pine This self-guided tour takes you through winding mountain roads to visit local artists and artisans in their own studios. 828.765.0520
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JUNE 1 MERMAID PARADE AND FESTIVAL Marshall Art music and seafood make this an event you shouldn’t miss! 828.649.7889 2 GET OUTSIDE MOUNTAIN RELAY Glade Valley/Sparta 200 mile relay race throughout Alleghany County with shuttle drivers. GETOUTSIDEMOUNTAINRELAY.COM 336.363.4984 8 NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY Chimney Rock Enjoy the park and a viewing of Last of the Mohicans. 800.277.9611 15 BLUFF MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL Hot Springs This music festival was started to raise funds to save Bluff Mountain from destruction. It has grown into a renowned music festival. 828.649.1301 21 DOC WATSON DAY Boone This free event celebrates our own Doc Watson at the Jones House in Downtown Boone. JONESHOUSE.ORG RECURRING TGIF CONCERT SERIES Morganton Enjoy food and free music every Friday June 3rd through July 26th. MUSIC ON MAIN Sparta First Friday of each month, May through October. HILDEBRAN CRUISE-IN AND MUSIC Hildebran Held the 4th Saturday of each month, June through September. Classic cars, food vendors and live music. ART IN THE PARK Blowing Rock Held every 4 weeks June through October. Arts and crafts downtown. APPLE CITY CRUISE-IN Taylorsville Held every 4 weeks June through October. Showing arts and crafts downtown. HORN IN THE WEST Boone VIsit the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War outdoor drama, running June through August, each night but Mondays. TWEETSIE RAILROAD Blowing Rock This train-based amusement park is a great place to spend time with children. Opening on June 7th, the park stays open until the last day of October.
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From bluegrassers to New Grassers, black cowboys to psychedelic jammers, there’s more than enough room for everyone under the ever-growing tent housing the music of the Appalachian foothills. According to the Library of Congress, “Appalachian music” is, in fact, “an artificial category.” Like many labels, it was “created and defined by a small group of scholars in the early twentieth century, but [bore] only a limited relationship to the actual musical activity of people living in the Appalachian mountains.” The mountain range itself includes land from Alabama to southeastern Canada but generally, the states most frequently included in the bluegrass language territories are Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. If the oft-debated geography were noted for its broad diversity of population, music, and landscape, how would its musical product be defined then, or now? Like human beings, bluegrass DNA may be traced to its complicated roots, but readers should not rely on too fine a defining label of the resulting outcome. The general timeline of Appalachian music is frequently divided into two periods: traditional music and “old-time music.” The former includes danceable tunes and ballads from the early 1700’s through 1900, and the latter features string-and-jug band, minstrel shows, and vaudeville styles associated with World War I and the Great Depression. Appalachia’s ancestral Scotch-Irish, African- American, German and Polish musicians created their sounds through the years holding instruments which had their own unique international provenance: the Italian mandolin, violin and double bass, the African and Caribbean banjo, and the Spanish guitar. They’re somewhat eclectic and sometimes electric, this quintet of stringed instruments that produces the traditional bluegrass sound...
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The Fiddle The violin is generally considered to be the first stringed instrument used to create the Appalachian canon. Tara Nevins, fiddler and founding member of the band Donna the Buffalo , holds this view. “The body of and the various styles of fiddle tunes that have emerged, historically, from different regions, along with new tunes, are the center from which it all comes,” Nevins wrote in a recent e-mail. “The fiddle is the center, in a sense, carrying the melody, driving the melody around which the banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass support and also help drive the tune.” Folk music featuring the fiddle flourished among the communities of hard-working, economically depressed and socially isolated immigrants. Unable to bring everything with them from their homelands, many of them brought both melodies and lyrics and gifted them to their few new neighbors. Together, they helped create the Appalachian sound. The New York State native, who began her musical studies playing classical violin, thinks that the geography itself of Appalachia has played a role in the music. “I’d guess that it has played a role in diversity of style and interpretation, given [the region’s] physical nature and areas of isolation and separation,” she wrote. Nevins, who also plays the accordion and scrub board, credits 20th-century old time fiddlers Benton Flippen and Fred Cockerham of Surry County, North Carolina, as well as Bill Monroe’s more bluegrass-leaning Kenny Baker from Kentucky, with influencing her musical tastes and stylings. “I think Appalachian music is more accessible than ever, and that’s a good thing,” Nevins concluded. “There’s a good number of folks playing it the old way, preserving the tradition, while it is also in the hands of those continuing its evolution for better or worse, depending on one’s opinion. Either way, I’d say it’s not going anywhere and continues to be important and relevant.”
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Convention Center & Visitors Bureau With ample opportunities for live music, Hickory is a great place to appreciate the harmonies of life. Music. Well Crafted.
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The Banjo His papers are housed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His “Black Cowboys” research materials are exhibited at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame, which will soon feature his work as part of its permanent collection. He performed at the inauguration of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. The GRAMMY Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Dom Flemons, a founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops , is a gifted musician and thoughtful historian. The 36-year-old Phoenix, Arizona native said in a recent telephone interview that he was drawn to the “infectious sound” of the Flatt and Scruggs style of bluegrass “right from the beginning.” Flemons, known as The American Songster , thinks the banjo has a unique sound. As an elementary school student, he played the drums, and later discovered that the banjo appealed to him as a drum he “could play chords on.” Later still, as Flemons “got deeper into the history of the African banjo, that ended up being aesthetically something that I found unique as I started to approach the instrument.” He enjoyed adding “different syncopations and different rudiments in my playing,” he said. “The banjo shows up a couple of different times in the evolution of bluegrass,” Flemons said. “Of course, the early banjo was an African- derived instrument that was a part of the black communities for many years. “You had things like the blackface minstrel show come along, which was one of the first super popular theatrical art forms of the United States,” Flemons said. “It was really one of the ones that became an international phenomenon, and within the blackface minstrel show they featured these early banjos that were fretless instruments. Some of them were shaped differently like gourds, or they were more handmade, kind of like a foreign oddity of an instrument, the plantation banjo. “And so, when we go many, many decades into the future,” he continued, “you see the banjo come back again and again. Back in the ragtime era, there were people like Vess Osman who created sort of a classical music style of banjo playing that was similar to classical guitar. So, you had three-finger rolls start to emerge where people are playing guitar styles on the banjo.” Flemons noted that North Carolinian Charlie Poole listened to ragtime prior to developing the three-finger roll style in the first decades of 20th century. Many of Poole’s songs have been re-recorded by modern artists such as the Grateful Dead, John Mellencamp, Joan Baez, and the Chieftains. Poole’s innovations were followed by another North Carolina banjo innovator, Earl Scruggs, who, Flemons said, “did for the banjo what someone like Chuck Berry did for the electric guitar. He added this new vibrant and syncopated sound that elevated the banjo from being more than a comedian’s instrument, a blackface minstrel comedian’s instrument, that accompanied him for songs. “Earl Scruggs changed the way that people heard the banjo. That became the strongest element of bluegrass, after Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys . It was literally the addition of the three-finger banjo roll that really solidified the style of music,” Flemons said. Flemons’ current project, Dom Flemons Presents Black Cowboys, was a finalist for the 2019 Best Folk Album GRAMMY. “The nomination solidifies that there’s a need for traditional music and representation of traditional music in just any form,” Flemons said. “I think there’s a need for people to share music that’s culturally relevant, that is so foundational in the way that it has stood the test of time. I feel like there’s a real need for that. Also, representation of historical ideas or expressions that may be underrepresented, like the idea of black cowboys. I’m not the first one to ever think of the idea of black cowboys, and there are still many people that are black cowboys, and they’re out there on the range now, but, the idea of there being a representative musical album that could showcase something of a comprehensive overview of the idea of black cowboys, that was something that I knew was missing.” Flemons, who grew up in the American West, noted that there were many different types of people and cultures in his region. They all had to learn to get along together and respect one another, regardless of whether or not they liked one another. “The idea of a multi-cultural, multi-faceted West was something that was core to the foundation of this album,” Flemons explained. “And I’m glad that it has proven to be a powerful statement without being on either the offense or defense of any type of narrative. I’ve really tried to be very factual and very historically based with my claims and my written notions about the history. I feel like I was very even- handed, as best I could. I think that was appreciated, as well.” Flemons is not one to look forward while failing to look backward. He has a gourd banjo embellished with the Sankofa bird, a popular symbol from Ghana. The bird is flying forward even as it touches its beak to its back in order to bring the lessons of the past forward and into the future, Flemons said. The phrase “Sankofa” is an African proverb meaning, “Go back and fetch it.” “That’s a real foundational piece of my work,” Flemons said. “The banjo itself had its roots in Africa, for a people who were enslaved and in a different environment. It had been African sounding, but it also had something new…and [now] the banjo is the perfect synthesis of the idea of ‘sankofa.’”
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The Guitar If Eric Clapton asks you to build a guitar for him, chances are it’s because you know a thing or two about it. Wayne Henderson knows his way around building guitars. The 70-year-old National Heritage Fellowship recipient lives in a warm, cottage style home in Grundy, Virginia. For some lucky visitors, stepping into Henderson’s workshop and home is a little like leaving Kansas behind and tumbling into the Land of Oz . Henderson is a smiling, humble and kind host who is willing to share his knowledge of music and stories of playing beside guitar legend “Doc” Watson. Henderson’s father played fiddle, but the first instrument that 5-year-old Wayne picked up was the guitar. He was taught to play by his neighbor E. C. Ball, who was well-known throughout the region for his gospel music and finger-style playing. “Mr. Ball,” as Henderson still refers to him, allowed Henderson to trace a cardboard pattern around Ball’s 1929 D-48 Martin guitar in order to create his first guitar pattern. It was, Henderson recalled in a recent interview at his home, “the only good guitar in the community, anywhere.” “I got to looking at that thing one day and thought, ‘Well, this thing is only made out of wood. I should be able to make one,’” Henderson said. And a guitar-building legend was born. Henderson guitar owners include artists such as Clapton, Gillian Welch, Tommy Emmanuel, Zeb Snyder, Peter Rowan, Presley Barker, and Blue Highway’s GRAMMY Award-winning Tim Stafford. The last two years of his life, Doc Watson played a Henderson guitar, Henderson said. According to Greenwich Village folk musician Happy Traum, the instrument joined the Appalachian fiddle and banjo parties of the 1920’s. Artists such as Mother Maybelle Carter of the Carter Family brought the instrument to the front with their thumb-picking style, while Bill Monroe and The Blue Grass Boys used the guitar rhythmically as they honed the true bluegrass sound, Traum wrote in his book Bluegrass Guitar. Guitar, considered a cousin to the dulcimer, has played a critical role in the development of Appalachian music, Henderson believes. “I think it’s a real important instrument, but it came along later,” he said. The Scotch-Irish fiddle and the slave gourd banjo were the basis of old-time music, Henderson explained. He credits the Sears- Roebuck catalogue with making guitars affordable and available as well as popular. They were “not real good ones,” he allowed, “but communities like this wouldn’t have had a music store that might have had a Martin or a Gibson.” Henderson continued, “The guitar is a wonderful rhythm instrument. That’s all it was for. They called them parlor guitars, a lot of the time. Usually ladies would set around and sing and strum the guitar to back themselves up.” The early 20th-century string bands followed, he said, and some of the first string band music had a distinctive guitar sound, as demonstrated by Georgia’s Skillet Lickers and their blind guitarist Riley Puckett. Rhythmic guitar was featured on tunes that reflected some of the culture and events of the region, such as D ance All Night With a Bottle in Your Hand , Hog Killing Day , and Broken Down Gambler. Henderson credited Puckett’s guitar runs and back-ups behind the fiddles and banjos as some of the best rhythmic guitar he has heard to this day. He added that Puckett was one of Doc Watson’s favorite guitar players. Henderson himself is most often a finger- picking style guitarist. He plays lead and enjoys playing Carter family tunes that Mr. Ball taught him as a child. He had Doc Watson’s records and tried to imitate them, eventually playing with the man himself and calling him “certainly the biggest influence on me.” As for the future, the luthier believes it is in good hands, and he is doing all that he can to preserve and promote it. The Wayne C. Henderson Festival and Guitar Competition held at Grayson Highlands State Park the third Saturday of every June raises money to provide instruments and training in traditional music. This is done through the Junior Appalachian Musicians program for fourth through eighth graders, now serving four states along the Appalachian range. The program was the brainchild of Henderson’s longtime friend, Helen White. Initiated 25 years ago, it has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars to promote young people’s mountain music studies. In addition, the Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts works to explore and preserve the cultural heritage of the region. The school is housed in a restored 1908 schoolhouse in Marion, Virginia and features, among other offerings, a Monday night jam session. Henderson sees unlimited promise in his student, 14-year-old guitar prodigy Presley Barker of Traphill, NC. The luthier is impressed with Barker’s talent but also his humility and work ethic. “With kids like Presley coming along, the music should be in the best shape it’s ever been,” he said. Although Henderson worries about “all of our heroes getting gone” he is confident that the “next generation of superstars” (led, in his opinion, by Sam Bush) will keep traditions thriving.
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ADVANCE TICKETS $ 15 Dom Flemons The American Songster Grammy award winning founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive The Kevin Prater Band His & Hers Featuring free kids’ activities – unique vendors – delicious foods classic car show – auction WWW.CBCBLUEGRASS.COM – Carolina Bible Camp 1988 Jericho Church Road – Mocksville, NC & BREWER BREWER Bluegras 8 Annual Carolina Bible Camp Festiva SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 th
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The Bass The bass, or double bass, may have its provenance in the 15th century European style cello, but its country cousin the wash-tub bass had its own place in the continents of Africa and Asia. Both eventually found their way to the Appalachians to make their unique contributions to folk and bluegrass music. The double bass grew in popularity in the middle of the 20th century, as it had a more prominent part in rock-and-roll as well as bluegrass. The wash-tub version was used decades earlier in New Orleans jazz bands while yet another permutation of it was used in Appalachian jug bands. The humble instrument even found its way into a jug band that formed the basis of what would later become The Grateful Dead . Wayne Taylor, award-winning bass player, songwriter and vocalist with the bluegrass super-group Blue Highway , admitted in a recent telephone interview that “other instruments are more important to the overall sound of the music, but a good bass player is one of the most essential things to making a band sound like a band. “Going back for years, some old time bands were playing a gut bucket or a tub bass. They would take a broom handle and string and a wash tub, but they had a bass of some kind,” he said. “Acoustic bass was very important for a lot of reasons, some of those being that back years ago, people might get together where you didn’t have a source of power. They brought that into the music, in bluegrass and also jazz, and traditional styles of American music.” Taylor, who famously spent years driving a coal mine truck in southwest Virginia before becoming one of the best and most distinguishable male voices in bluegrass, believes “Bass has its place.” He sees that place as keeping the rhythm and filling up the lower register. “The one role I don’t think it should have is as a lead instrument,” Taylor said. “If you enjoy playing solos, more power to you, enjoy that. Music is all about having a good time. I personally have never seen it as a lead instrument.” The 2016 inductee into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame, a title he shares with Patsy Cline and Roy Clark, calls Marshall Wilborn his bass hero. “Marshall said it’s easy to over play, but almost impossible to under play,” Taylor said, calling him the “master of tone” and “the quintessential big bass player.” Taylor is clearly a traditionalist (albeit one who sports a charming earring at age 64). Still, he has no problem with new bands stretching the limits of that which is called bluegrass music. “It’s okay to stretch limits; Blue Highway has,” Taylor said. “But the roots are always there. Now, I’m afraid some are getting away from the roots. Play whatever you want to play; I don’t have a problem with that. But if you’re calling it bluegrass music, it needs to have those identifiable roots to Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers.”
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The Mandolin The Italian mandolin, thanks to the travels of European immigrants, found its way to Appalachia and into the hands of artists playing in jug bands. Later in the 1950’s, Bill Monroe was credited with developing the percussive sound of the “chop” on the instrument, according to folk musician Tim O’Brien. It is most often used on the “back beat” as “the snare drum of bluegrass,” O’Brien says in an instructional short video, referring to the perfect chop as “a nice woody THWACK!” It is an instrument, said mandolinist Jesse Iaquinto of Asheville-based Fireside Collective , conducive to interacting with the audience, and perfect for someone who is both singing and playing. “You’re not playing a ton of notes like the banjo,” Iaquinto said. “I’m only playing the upbeat, the ‘boom chick.’ I played drums growing up. I had a natural relationship with the mandolin because it is such a percussive instrument. The attack keeps the band on time. It’s almost like snapping fingers, or clapping hands.” Iaquinto, who grew up in Pennsylvania and New York before earning a philosophy degree from East Carolina University in North Carolina, acknowledges that the Appalachian region was always a part of his background. He had played a lot of music in many styles but “nothing had felt like it was in my heart and the right thing. I was still looking until I found bluegrass and the mandolin. Now it’s an honest expression….It’s such a uniquely American style of music. It feels good and honest to play it.” The legendary Bascom Lamar Lunsford, an early folklorist and author of the bluegrass anthem Good Ole Mountain Dew, i nfluenced Iaquinto’s path. “He traveled and learned,” Iaquinto said. “He would go into very rural areas and have dinner with families that played music for generations. He compiled these songs and learned over 500 songs for the Smithsonian. Those are some great recordings. Learning about him and his legacy and how close he is to Asheville influenced me a lot. Maybe not as much musically, but folklore- and philosophy-wise.” How relevant is the old music to contemporary sounds? Very. It’s clear when Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio mentions Doc Watson in the same breath as the late rocker Tom Petty in his February, 2019 GQ interview. The connections between old Appalachian music to present and future generations of music fans are evident. Looking back at the history of Appalachian music only creates a richer understanding and appreciation of its contributions and connections. Fireside Collective , the 2016 winner of the MerleFest Band Competition, continues to enjoy increasing popularity. Iaquinto thrives on his grueling tour schedule and thinks the music contains more, even deeper lessons to be learned. “Colorado, New York, Seattle…people love bluegrass,” he reflected. “Its spread from the Appalachian roots to the entire country. It’s one of the greatest styles ever created on earth, let alone our country. “It’s a story. You can learn a lot about humanity through Appalachian music,” Iaquinto said.
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If your instrument could talk, what would it say? “It would urge everyone to get along….Be different, but still love and care for one another without harming each other.” “Don’t leave me shut up in this box - take me out and play me!” (with a laugh) “Dang to the dang-dang, dang dang!” “I wish she’d play me all the time instead of that pink electric thing!” “My bass that I record with – not the one I travel with, but the 1940 M1 Kay – will be 80 years old next year. It would say, ‘Why don’t you leave me alone and let me rest!’” Lisa De Maio Brewer is a legal assistant at Brewer & Brewer, PLLC in Wilkesboro, NC, and executive director of Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival in Mocksville, NC. Photo of Wayne Henderson by David Johnson. Jesse Iaquinto photo by David Simchock. Photo of Tara Nevins by Alan Grossman. Photo of Dom Flemons by David Johnson. Photo of Wayne Taylor by Sherri George.
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The Unparalleled Experience of Live Music The Western Piedmont Symphony is many things to many different people. What first formed in 1964 as the Hickory Symphony became incorporated in 1972 as the Western Piedmont Symphony. The purpose was to have a broader presence in the region, mostly through school concerts and other outreach programs. The efforts worked. Today, the Western Piedmont Symphony performs 85 concerts and programs for more than 30,000 individuals in 12 counties. Many elementary school children in the foothills experience their first orchestral concert and have their first exposure to classical music with the Western Piedmont Symphony through In-School Concerts. The Hickory Metro String Quartet Residency brings professional string quartets to the area to share their time and talents through concerts, workshops and other engaging programs like Rug Concerts for preschoolers, Silver Serenades for senior citizens or Beerthoven Concerts performed in area breweries. Hundreds of high school students have played with the Western Piedmont Youth Symphony. Well-known musicians such as Joshua Bell, Marvin Hamlisch and even Willie Nelson have been presented by the Western Piedmont Symphony. Programs span across all ages and interests. The music landscape is changing. Audience expectations and habits are more unpredictable. The way we experience music is more personal and also more portable. Many symphonies struggle to adapt to these changes but ultimately what has not changed and what will not change is live performance. A large group of professional musicians coming together for the sheer purpose of creating music is an unparalleled experience. As our community grows and we all adapt to the changing times, the Western Piedmont Symphony will also grow and adapt while at the same time, always remaining a source in our region for high- quality, live musical performances. For more information about the Western Piedmont Symphony, visit their website at www. wpsymphony.org.
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Upcoming Dates with WPS: May the Fourth Be With You - May 4, 2019, 7:30 p.m. L. P. Frans Stadium A fun event for the whole family. Join the Western Piedmont Symphony and the Hickory Crawdads for an evening filled with the music of John Williams. You’ll hear favorites themes from Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and, of course, Star Wars. Costumes encouraged! Summer Pops - July 20, 2019, 6:00 p.m. SALT Block North Lawn Every summer, the Western Piedmont Symphony and the City of Hickory present an outdoor concert that is FREE to the public. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs and come enjoy an evening celebrating the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon. MAY 4, 2019 AT THE HENRY RIVER MILL VILLAGE FREE ADMISSION BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS LIVE MUSIC FOOD TRUCKS SILENT AUCTION 50/50 RAFFLE ARCHERY TAG ARENA HENRYRIVERPRESERVATION.COM BEER & WINE LOCAL VENDORS Mill Vill Fest benefi ts the Henry River Preservation Fund, a not for profi t, 501(c)3 charitable organization focused on the preservation of the Henry River Mill Village.
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blue ridge MUSIC TRAILS of North Carolina L et ’ s expl or e The mission statement of the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina is lovely: “Our vision is create an environment in Western North Carolina where the rich music traditions of the region are sustained and utilized in appropriate ways to improve the lives of residents; where traditional musicians thrive and feel supported in their creative lives; where visitors and residents alike can appreciate and enjoy the richness of the music; and where youth are provided with first hand traditional music experiences that spark interest in the music of the region.” Foothills Digest salutes the efforts of this organization and appreciates everything they are doing. There are so many stops along this trail, and you can see an updated list, as well as an interactive map at the site: blueridgemusicnc.com We wish that we could tell you about each of the venues that are part of the program, but we don’t have the space. Instead, we are sharing a few of our favorites, and we trust that it will create excitement about hearing more bluegrass and traditional music. “Music traditions continue to be handed down in families and communities; at the same time, musicians are moving here from other parts of the country to be at the heart of these wonderful traditions. You’ll find lots of folks making music—from seasoned, master musicians and enormously talented youngsters to exuberant beginners and dedicated back porch pickers. Most importantly, the music here is to be shared. Opportunities to listen in and to join in are plentiful.”
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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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blue ridge MUSIC
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28.................................Sims Country BBQ 60...................Blue Ridge Artisan Center 33.................................The Earle Theatre 34.........................................WNCW Radio 32..Blue Grass & Old Time @ Jack of the Wood 36....................................Reeves Theatre 39.............................................MerleFest 85..........................Dancing in the Street TRAILS of North Carolina Photos provided by Blue Ridge Music Trails.
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Sims BBQ
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sims COUNTRY BBQ Photography by Jon Eckard. Story by Carmen Eckard. To get to Sims Country Bar-B-Que, you go down a long and winding country road, then another, and another. So far as I can tell, this is true no matter where you are coming from. Then, you go down an impossibly long driveway which opens up to a positively packed parking lot. People LOVE Sims Bar-B-Que and it shows. It’s only open on weekends, and as soon as Friday rolls around, people flock to Sims, load up their plates and settle in for some good old fashioned bluegrass. That is, until it’s time to get up and dance! It was 1979 when Keith Sims (below, sitting in front of the stage) and his sons Joe (at left) and Michael opened the restaurant. It’s built on land that’s been in the family for generations, since before the Civil War. They started small, building barbecue pits from reclaimed metal and building a “Shed” to house the pits, the restaurant and the crowd. They’ve added onto the original space more than a dozen times, and their space is nearly 6,000 square feet-plenty of room to spread out. The walls are made of untreated wood and everything feels rustic, and that’s just how it’s meant to feel. The simple stage has presented many bluegrass legends, including Doc Watson who performed there more than twenty times. Below, the Sigmon Family Stringers delight the crowd. The dance floor stays crowded, with a healthy mix of cloggers, folks who are enjoying the music but don’t know how to clog, and children. The hosts lead the crowd in a square dance, and everyone truly has a good time.
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Sims BBQ It’s hard to say what people love more: the music, or the food. The cooks have this menu down to a precise art. It’s always a hard choice when you have to pick a favorite barbecue, so Sims serves up three kinds of meat. In a typical night, they cook 150 whole chickens and hundreds of pounds of beef and pork. They also serve white slaw, which is, of course, a required barbecue staple. They make a tasty baked bean dish as well as legendary corn bread fritters. Looking around, we saw plates stacked high with these, which explains the need for a dedicated fritter maker (shown in the background above). Dinner is buffet style, and sweet tea (perfectly Southern brewed) is purchased by the pitcher. Your fee pays for your dinner and your entertainment. Everywhere we looked, we saw people enjoying themselves. Whether they were flipping fritters, strumming a banjo, eating or dancing, everyone had a smile on their face. Sims Country Bar-B-Que is open on Friday and Saturday nights. Food is served at 5 pm, and the band plays from 7-9. It’s cash only and there aren’t any ATMs nearby, so plan ahead. Be sure to check out this Foothills stop. Bring your kids, your parents and your neighbors; they will all love it! The company also hosts birthday parties and other events.
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sims COUNTRY BBQ
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Bluegrass&and Old Time at Jack of the Wood is a cozy pub in Downtown Asheville that was the original home of Green Man Brewing . The pub opened in 1996 and has become a mainstay in Asheville for tourists and locals alike. They have a large draft selection and house-made pub food, but we are highlighting them because of their weekly music events Old Time Music Jam Session , each Wednesday at 5, and Bluegrass Jam , Thursdays at 7. These weekly jam sessions are attended by high-caliber musicians as well as hobbyists. The band that started it all was Ty Gilpen and Second String . It was a rainy Bele Chere night in 1997 and they played for 7 hours. Deb Rider began to book musical acts to create the Thursday Night Bluegrass Jam. Missy Raines and Jim Hurst, David Greer, Town Mountain, Krueger Brothers, John Stickly, Lyndsey Pruit, Stig, Billy Constable and Sons of Ralph have played in these jam sessions. The Bluegrass Jam is hosted by Drew Matulich, with a revolving group of outstanding musicians. bluegrass & Old Time Photos provided by Jack of the Wood.
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The Earle hosts weekly free jams; WPAQ Merry-Go-Round (the second longest continuously running live radio broadcast in the country) every Saturday; free weekly youth fiddle, guitar, banjo, and old-time dance lessons through N. C. Arts Councils’ TAPS (Traditional Arts Programs for Students); the Blue Ridge and Beyond concert series, which features nationally acclaimed bands; the annual Tommy Jarrell Festival ; and Mount Airy Old-Time Retreats. The Historic Earle Theatre is also home of the Old-Time Music Heritage Hall , which preserves, promotes, and protects Surry County old-time music. The Music of Surry County documentary, hosted by David Holt, is continuously screened. It captures the driving intensity of Round Peak music and the local legends Tommy Jarrell and Benton Flippen as well as explaining how Surry County’s old-time music became known and emulated worldwide. Photographs, artifacts, and storyboards further the story and highlight local musicians, teachers, and preservationists. Still a movie theatre, the Earle also shows features weekly and free family movies monthly. For additional information, visit www.theearle.org or www.facebook.com/earletheatre, or call (336) 786-7998. the HISTORIC EARLE Theatre Photos provided by the Historic Earle Theatre.
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WNCW -FM 88.7 WNCW-FM 88.7 proudly partners with the Blue Ridge Music Trails of NC . Both organizations have a common goal to preserve and promote the music of WNC. The station offers the Blue Ridge region distinctive programming that promotes the heritage of this area. By providing programming to listeners that is anchored in popular music, art and culture and the traditions that have inspired them, the station has created an identity as an authority on the indigenous music of the Appalachian region, both recorded and live. In spring of 2017, a partnership was forged between the Blue Ridge Music Trails of NC and
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WNCW-FM to promote and preserve the music legacy of Western North Carolina. This partnership included the creation of Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina , a radio segment and podcast highlighting bluegrass and old-time music stories, performers and musical traditions across the 29 mountain and foothills counties included in the music trail footprint. Produced by WNCW’s Kim Clark, the short segments cover such subjects as the Piedmont blues style of Etta Baker, the musical recordings of Doc Watson and his family, Round Peak Music of Surry County and Jimmie Rodgers and the Bristol Sessions recording sessions. Boosinger’s long history as a performer of traditional and bluegrass music as well as her musicologist background and knowledge of the region provide rich context for the segments. The segments air on WNCW (88.7FM) every Tuesday at 8:51 a.m. and again on Sunday afternoons at 4:25 p.m. during the station’s This Old Porch programming. Down the Road is also repurposed as online as podcasts by both entities. “Every corner of Western North Carolina has a special story to tell about its rich musical traditions,” said Laura Boosinger, host for the program. “Through these segments and podcasts we invite citizens and visitors alike to listen, learn, and head ‘down the road’ to explore these special places and get to know our amazing musicians and dancers.” The title of the segment is based on the tune Down the Road from the Doc Watson Family. WNCW-FM is an independent public broadcast service of Isothermal Community College and broadcasts at 88.7FM with service in Charlotte, NC on 101.3FM, Greenville, SC on 97.3FM, Boone, NC on 92.9FM and on WSIF Wilkesboro at 90.9FM. Stream online at www.wncw.org/listen-live, or by using the QR code in the title.
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the REEVES Theatre Most people who grew up near Elkin, NC have fond memories of the Reeves. The beautiful Art -Deco movie house was originally opened in 1941, showing films and news reels of the day. Later, it was converted into the Elk Twin, also a movie theater, before eventually falling into disrepair. The people of Elkin knew this place was too special to lose, but times were tough and funds were low. Years passed and the Reeves sat empty, slowly being improved and preserved by dedicated citizens. Finally, in 2013, the Reeves was up for sale, and three long-time Elkin residents decided to buy it and turn it into a live music venue. Employing and partnering with as many local craftspeople and manufacturers as possible, they fully restored the original building facade, and rebuilt the sign and marquee to the specifications of the original architectural plans. The inside was converted into a modern industrial music hall, with great acoustics and superior sound quality as the primary goal. The lobby also functions as a cafe and bar, featuring locally-sourced meats, dairy, and produce as well as local craft beer and wine. The Reeves Theater & Cafe owners and staff hope the space will serve as a home for music, showcasing not only the rich local musical traditions of the Yadkin Valley and Foothills, but also the talents of artists from around the country and the world. The Reeves is a symbol of the strength and diversity of this beautiful region, the richness of tradition, and the dedication of the local community to art and music. P h o t o p r o v i d e d by Reeves Theatre.
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the EARL SCRUGGS Center The Earl Scruggs Center, located in historic Uptown Shelby, combines the life story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native, Earl Scruggs, with the unique and engaging story of the history and cultural traditions of the region in which Mr. Scruggs as born and raised. It was in the nearby Flint Hill community where Mr. Scruggs learned to play banjo and began the three-finger playing style known around the world as “Scruggs Style.” The exhibits in the Center explore Mr. Scruggs’ innovative career and the community that gave it shape while celebrating how he crossed musical boundaries and defined the voice of the banjo to the world. Mr. Scruggs embraced tradition while also adapting to the changing times and looking toward the future – themes which resonate throughout the Center. The Earl Scruggs Center provides a wonderful experience for visitors with engaging and interactive exhibits, special event space and rich programming. In addition, the Center’s home is the historic 1907 Cleveland County courthouse located on a beautiful court square and surrounded by vibrant shops and restaurants. The Center is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm, with extended hours until 6 pm on Wednesdays. Visit www.earlscruggscenter.org for a schedule of programs, many of which are included with museum admission. Call 704-487-6233 for more information. Photo provided by The Earl Scruggs Center
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MerleFest , is, most simply put, the premiere Folk Music festival in the world. The festival was started in 1988 at Wilkes Community College by Doc Watson who was mourning the loss of his son and playing partner, Merle Watson (at right). Merle died in a farming accident in 1985, and Doc wanted to honor his son. In the first few years, most of the performers were personal friends of Doc or Merle Watson. But the personal friends of a legend like Doc Watson tend to also be somewhat legendary. Many of the performers have stuck with MerleFest since the beginning. MerleFest 2019 By Carmen Eckard. Photography by Jon Eckard Some photography provided by MerleFest.
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MerleFest is unique because of the obvious comaraderie between the performers. They are genuine in their delight to play together, and it shows. Below, Sam Bush and Woody Platt, of the Steep Canyon Rangers , embrace and smile after playing together. That’s how it goes at MerleFest . The festival is enormous, by all counts. It brings in an average of $10 million each year to Wilkes County, and attendance is around 80,000 people. For reference, Wilkes County is home to about 69,000 people, so those festival numbers are tremendous. The popularity of MerleFest is well-earned. Decades of consistantly excellent shows have garnened the love of the citizens, and everyone we talked to had something to say about their MerleFest experience. “Best thing about MerleFest is the feeling that anything can happen and usually does. MerleFest magic is a real thing: three-climate weather forecasts, unplanned jams, surprise guest stars, unexpected conversations with artists and fans.” Lisa De Maio Brewer “For me, MerleFest is a great opportunity to enjoy lots of different kinds of music with friends from all over NC and beyond. I especially love the shift to more Americana and Red Dirt music!” Tonya Buff Scott
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“ MerleFest has become an annual tradition for us. We go for the whole experience - from the big concerts on the main stage...to impromptu groups of strangers who gather to play...to the nighttime parties in the dance tent. We also enjoy the activities outside the festival....and the music & camaraderie at the campground is like no other. We have a lot of great stories about people we’ve met there & will never forget. Our kids love it as well! Memory making at its finest!” Melinda Benoy Hager
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Quote from Dolphus and what it’s like now MerleFest brings us Bluegrass legends and prodigies as well. I don’t know how else to explain Preston Barker. He is only 14, and he’s been playing acoustic guitar for six years. Living in the NC mountains and listening to Doc Watson on the radio inspired Presley to begin picking fiddle tunes and bluegrass music and he quickly emerged as an astonishingly gifted flat-picker. He’s been on a great deal of television shows, and has played in many important venues, like The Grand Ole Opry , with Ricky Scaggs. Below, he jams with Trey Hensley, who was also a child prodigy who took the world of bluegrass by storm. He also played The Grand Ole Opry at a very young age, and he continues to delight audiences. On the following pages, we will highlight some of our favorite groups. There are over one hundred groups performing, so we can’t tell you about each of them here. We can, however, help you listen to them. At the end of this story, you’ll find a page of QR codes that allow you to use your smart phone listen to every band that’s playing, as well as many wonderful MerleFest performaces from the past. MerleFest runs from APRIL 25TH THROUGH THE 28TH. Tickets are available for individual days, or as a set. VISIT MerleFest.org FOR MORE INFO.
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Sam Bush has been called a few things in his lifetime. The multi-instrumentalist and singer- songwriter is credited with taking bluegrass to a new level (he’s considered the Father of Newgrass). The GRAMMY Award winner is the fans’ favorite at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (he’s known as the King of Telluride). In the foothills of North Carolina, however, he is simply Sam, the man who makes frenzied crowds scream at MerleFest each year. MerleFest , the annual memorial celebration of folk legend Doc Watson’s late son, Merle, is held in Wilkesboro, NC. Bush has appeared at the festival every year since its inception in 1988, the same year that Doc Watson was awarded the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment of the Arts. Bush was cordial and casual during a recent interview. He reminisced about past MerleFests while preparing for a two-hour performance at the Newberry Opera House in Newberry, South Carolina. The Man Who Would Be King by Lisa Brewer Photography by Jon Eckard. Some Photos provided by Artist.
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“ The first MerleFest , really, it was about people that knew Doc and Merle,” Bush said, considering his first invitation to perform at the festival. “It was only a couple of years after he [Merle] died, and it was still a pretty emotional time. We were doing it because we were friends with Doc and Merle.” Perhaps the artists hit it off in part because of Bush’s rather unusual skill set. He was experienced in accompanying a blind guitarist prior to meeting the legendary Doc Watson. “When I was a kid,” recalled the Kentucky-born Bush, “I played with a blind man. And the way that he liked to be led was the same way that Doc did, which is about a half- step behind you, with his hand up in your arm, and then if you go down a step, Doc feels you go down a step, or, obviously, if you stop, he does.” Bush smiled softly at the memory. “So, early in playing with Doc, Michael [T. Michael Coleman] said, ‘Can you take Doc to stage?’ So I just held my arm out. Doc said, ‘Well, how’d you know how to do this?’ and I said, ‘Well, I played with a blind man when I was a boy.’” The inaugural MerleFest was, as Bush remembered, played on a flat bed truck and was called the Eddy Merle Watson Memorial Festival . “Which would have embarrassed the heck out of Merle,” insisted Bush, “because he and I had had these discussions. He didn’t like to be noticed. He didn’t care if anybody spoke to him. He was all about Doc getting the attention, because he, frankly, didn’t want it.” Bush’s voice grew quieter, remembering his friend. “He liked driving his big tractors and earthmovers and trucks and he loved doing all that more. And he loved to play the guitar but it just came easily to him. He never, you know, Merle didn’t try that hard. His dad’s talent passed down, and so….” His voice trailed off. Quickly, Bush was sunny again, recalling an early MerleFest jam session featuring Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Mark O’Connor, and John Cowan. That group, featuring most of the men in Bush’s paradigm-shifting band New Grass Revival , was credited with setting the tone for future jams. “But always, of course, Doc was going to ask us to come out with him and jam,” Bush said. “ That was the honored chair, I think, for all of us, that we’d get to jam with Doc. I mean, it was kind of like, if you went to MerleFest and you didn’t get to jam with Doc, it was like you didn’t accomplish as much, because jamming with Doc was the big thrill there.” MerleFest has become more than an annual pilgrimage for musicians and fans alike. It’s almost a seasonal rite of passage for the artists. “I’ve said it before,” Bush said with an easy smile, “it’s like we wait all winter to get to this festival, and that’s where we all kind of meet up, at first, after the winter….And I know that first year Doc wasn’t there, we all just missed him really badly.” Bush fell quiet again for a moment, then broke the silence with a peal of laughter. “I will take credit for musicians getting their own bathroom backstage! Sometimes you’re in a hurry, right?” He shook his head, chuckling at a memory. “And one year I came back and I needed to go to the men’s room, and I’ll be doggone if Doc was next and ... in the bathroom he and Jack [Lawrence] were standing there with their guitars on in line, and I just yelled out, ‘Hey! Boys! Out of the way! Doc
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Watson gets to be first! Come on! You’re making Doc stand in line? Get out of the way!” Bush credits Watson with inspiring many artists throughout the musically rich Appalachian foothills. “From that region, you’ve got Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson. And over in Sparta, Tennessee, you’ve got Lester Flatt and all those influences,” Bush said. “I don’t think people play the guitar because they’re from Carolina. I think they play because they love Doc Watson.” Some of Bush’s favorite MerleFest moments have included his participation in the popular Mando Mania and Hillside Album Hour events. He praises 2018 North Carolina Heritage Award recipient and fellow mandolinist Tony Williamson of Siler City, NC, for Mando Mania’s uniqueness. “Tony does a wonderful job of displaying the different mandolin players’ styles,” Bush said, “and he always, every year, he will introduce me to a new young picker that’s terrific that I have not heard. Tony Williamson is the guy that applauds the other mandolin players while being a virtuoso style mandolin player himself.” At the same time, Bush light-heartedly blames the Waybacks’ James Nash for tempting him annually to cut his own schedule close and participate in the famous Hillside Album Hour. Each year, several thousand festival guests perch precariously on the steep inclines surrounding the Hillside stage to hear the Waybacks lead special guests in a full featured album, the name of which is a closely guarded secret right up until the highly anticipated opening notes. “This is always a special treat for me because they let me play the mandolin on rock songs!” Bush said with a laugh. “I love James Nash’s intricate arrangements and how he interweaves all these songs and whatever they’re going to do. And you know, people look forward to the Album Hour, so I hope I get in. Sometimes, it’s a little too close to my set and I need to not do it, but I tend to do it, and, yeah, I’ll do it if they ask me.” At the same time, Bush recognizes that too much of a good thing can be, well, a bad thing. “Last year [at MerleFest] I really outdid myself,” he recalled, shaking his head in self- admonishment. “I can’t ever do that again. I can’t do eight sets in one day. I mean, I got really sick after that. I don’t know, I love playing, and all my friends ask over the winter for me to play on their sets, so you get there, and they’re my friends, and I want to play with Jack, and I want to play with Michael.” Bush’s fellow artists (does he have any peers, really?) confirm his influence and effect on the festival specifically and on music, in general. Like Bush, award-winning broadcaster Cindy Baucom of Knee Deep in Bluegrass has appeared on the MerleFest stages every year. She produced the recording, “What’ll I Do?” featuring her husband, banjo legend Terry Baucom, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, and others. It won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s award for Recorded Event of the Year in 2013. What many people don’t realize about the collaborations taking place at MerleFest is that most are unplanned.
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“Backstage at MerleFest is an interesting place,” Ms. Baucom said in a recent e-mail, “and once-in-a-lifetime performances are discussed, rehearsed and performed on the spot…many times with Sam Bush at the helm!” Ms. Baucom added, “Over the years at MerleFest Sam has brought an electrical energy to the stage…almost magical. He creates such an inviting atmosphere between the audience and the performance they are enjoying.” “I love Sam Bush,” said Jesse Iaquinto, mandolinist and founding member of Fireside Collective, the 2016 winner of the MerleFest Band Competition . Backstage at the Willingham Theater in Yadkinville, NC, Iaquinto discussed the far-reaching influence of Sam Bush and New Grass Revival. “When I discovered Sam Bush, a lot changed,” said Iaquinto, an East Carolina University philosophy graduate. “What he did for mountain music, Appalachian music and bluegrass as a whole, influences our sound, probably more obviously than Bascom Lamar Lunsford. “He brought in outside styles,” Iaquinto said of Bush. “It started to blur the lines. Then you wonder: reggae! Is that Appalachian music? But influenced by bluegrass, which is inherently Appalachian, it maintains that. Sam playing great mandolin, he plays it so percussively, he and New Grass Revival are huge influences on Fireside Collective.” What does the subject of the 2015 documentary, Revival: The Sam Bush Story, credit as the source of his energy and optimistic outlook? “I’ve always been fortunate that when the downbeat hits, I’m not tired. Heck, I’ll be 67 in April,” Bush said. “I’ve been fortunate that [music] can kind of take me to a spot where whatever’s wrong that day, it’s not wrong then.” Cancer pulled the rug out from under
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him when he was only 30, he said. He and his wife Lynn, who was 27 at the time, learned how quickly things can change and be lost. The experience, he believes, helped him “re- prioritize at an earlier age than some.” Bush credited his parents with having “positive attitudes” and described his father in particular as “a happy- go-lucky kind of dad and a friendly guy.” He gestured at the dressing room mirror beside him, nodded at his image and laughed, “This is my resting face! Yeah, I was looking the other day at my mug, and my jaws are getting bigger than Vassar Clements just from smiling!” But the smile disappears from the King of Newgrass’s face when he speaks about the current state of the union. He spoke of a song he and co-writer Jeff Black penned ten years ago called “Stop the Violence.” “Yeah, I come from an old peace-loving hippiedom and I’ve tried to always get along with people,” Bush acknowledged. “We’re not trying to be political or preach. It’s just two songwriters wishing for a less violent world.” Ten years ago, the song was inspired by current events, Bush said. “The idea of t his got started – and again, I’m not trying to be political – we actually called each other and go, ‘I saw a show last night, where people like it when this guy looks at the camera and yells, ‘You’re fired!’ This is entertainment? “And with violence, and with mean- spirited entertainment, you know, we just wished for a gentler k i nd of thing,” he said. Bush describes the song as a rock-and-roll tune, even “kind of violent sounding,” and the resulting music video (“You know, I’m not a fan of making videos”) as a “heavy metal-looking vid eo.” To some degree, Bush wrestled with the decision to record the piece. “Of course, it’s like nothing I’ve ever done,” he said. “And just a few months ago, it occurred to me, ‘Why couldn’t I record that song? What’s gonna happen?’ I mean, if people don’t like it, they won’t listen to it. “It’s expensive to do this, b ut I wan t it said,” Bush said, “And then, after that, we’ll go back to, I’m sure by April or May we’ll be recording a record with our acoustic instruments like the way you hear us.” Is it possible that America could ever see another Bush in the White House, a Commander in Chief with a proven ability to draw a crowd for all the right reasons? “Never!” Bush said with conviction and laughed loudly. A moment later, speaking more quietly, he said, “Ah, Bush in the White House. Hey, I’ll say this: It’d be great if the person in the White House was smarter than me. But I don’t believe that to be the case. Again, there’s a violent society that’s being perpetuated by the man in the White House that I can’t go along with.” If the day’s negative events inspire Sam Bush, so, too, do the day’s positive events. He reports being inspired by his wife, Lynn, and even by the sport of baseball. “But musically,” Bush said, “nothing inspires me more than when our band is hitting on all five cylinders. It’s an unspoken thing. When we’re all playing, and we’re really in time together, there’s this feeling of, okay, we can’t lose. The togetherness. That’s where it’s at.”
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Clearly, fiercely, and unabashedly, he loves the Sam Bush Band : Scott Vestal on banjo, Stephen Mougin on guitar, Todd Parks on bass, and Chris Brown on drums. He has traveled the world but wants the opportunity to do so with this team. “There’s places in the world that I’d love for this band to go,” he said. “In 1980, New Grass Revival was Leon Russell’s band, and we played in Australia, New Zealand…but I wish we could go back with this group. I’d like to go back to Japan again, with this band. “It’s a challenge, because at my age, I don’t go to Europe just to stay in some weird hotel for European charm!” Bush said with a low chuckle. “I’m from America, and everything runs on time here, and you get your own room!” He laughs again. As a personal goal, he’d still like to see himself on Eric Clapton’s set list, sharing the stage with the legendary guitarist. “I’ve just been very fortunate,” Bush mused. “You know, somebody was talking the other day, saying, ‘We should make you the Six Degrees of Separation.’ Because, you know, I’ve played with Ringo. I’ve played with Keith Richards. I played with Billy Gibbons recently. I got to play ‘La Grange’ with Billy Gibbons on the mandolin!” He dissolves into laughter again. But even the serious side of Sam Bush will not allow him to philosophize about his future legacy. He rejects the question outright. “I plan on being a really old man,” Bush said earnestly. “And I know that someday, my hands won’t work, and, I’m up for it. By that time, I will have played enough, I guess. Or, maybe if my voice still works, I can do like Dr. Ralph [Stanley] used to do, and get a good kid to play the mandolin, and I’ll stand there and sing.” And what does he want his audience to feel at the end of a performance? “That they were entertained for two hours and they didn’t think about anything else that they needed to be doing,” he said with another run of laughter. He wants his guests to feel like “we took you to the Fun Zone for two hours.” Speaking of which, the concert hall below is filling up quickly. “I’d better go make a [set] list!” Bush said, and politely closed the interview generously past the promised time. A couple of hugs and thank-yous, and it was time for him to get back to work. The long and lean King of Telluride strode purposefully down a darkened hallway, ready to shed light on his willing subjects. Lisa De Maio Brewer is a legal assistant at Brewer & Brewer, PLLC in Wilkesboro, NC, and executive director of Carolina Bible Camp Bluegrass Festival in Mocksville, NC. (828)327-8300 www . goodwinfamilydentistrync . com Great Dental Health=Great Overall Health Offering: • Crowns, Bridges, Veneers • Fillings: Mercury Free • Implant Restoration • Partial and Full Dentures • Oral Cancer Screening • Non Surgical Gum Therapy Offering Care Credit
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Photo by Crackerfarm The Avett Brothers made mainstream waves with their 2009 major label debut, I and Love and You , landing at #16 on the Billboard Top 200 and garnering critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Paste, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Time . 2012 saw The Carpenter hit #4 on the Billboard Top 200, while People, USA Today, and American Songwriter lauded the album. The group appeared on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! twice in a few months’ time. During their second performance, the Brooklyn Philharmonic joined to pay homage to Brooklyn with I and Love and You at Mr. Kimmel’s request. Their eighth studio album, Magpie and the Dandelion , debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200. They performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman , and accompanied Chris Cornell for a Pearl Jam tribute on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon . The band supported The Rolling Stones in Raleigh during 2015’s Zip Code Tour. True Sadness achieved The Avett Brothers highest career debut to date and dominated multiple charts. The Rick Rubin produced album hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Albums Chart, #1 Top Rock Albums Chart, #1 Digital Albums Chart, #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and scored two Grammy nominations. The Avett Brothers were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2016. 2018 brought the HBO premiere of May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers, a documentary co-directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio. Days after this debut, True Sadness launched to #3 on the iTunes Album Chart and #1 on the Rock Albums chart. The Avett Brothers debuted a new song, Roses and Sacrifice , live on Late Night with Seth Meyers in October 2018. The song was released in November 2018, with Rolling Stone calling it a “joyous sing-along.” Also in November 2018, the band headlined the Concert for Hurricane Florence Relief in Greenville, North Carolina, raising $325,000 to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. The Avett Brothers continue to be revered as one of the top folk-rock acts in the country. The Avett Brothers
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Steep Canyon Rangers Steep Canyon Rangers are a MerleFest crowd favorite. The group have been making music together since college, releasing their first album, Old Dreams and New Dreams , in 2001. Many of them have been friends for life and it shows. Their comfort with each other and their instruments leads to amazing live performances. In 2009, the band began playing with superstar and banjo player Steve Martin. This opened them up to a much wider audience. They continue to tour and make albums as a sextet as well as with Steve Martin, a schedule that keeps them very busy indeed. The band’s last five albums have risen to the first position on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts . The album Nobody Knows You won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass album and the year before, the band was nominated for the same category with Steve Martin for the album Rare Bird. In 2011, The International Bluegrass Music Association named them, along with Steve Martin, the Entertainers of the Year. When Steep Canyon Rangers perform, it is fun. The audience is having fun, but so are the bandmates, and it’s really easy to enjoy the experience. Don’t miss this performance. Photo Courtesy of Band
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“…fully-formed, vivid portrait of Saturday night excess and Sunday morning reality in 21st-century Appalachia.” — Rolling Stone “Childers has a wounded drawl and a pen that elevates tropes… into Pulitzer-worthy poetry.”— The Washington Post “Sturgill Simpson produced 26-year old Tyler Childers’s Purgatory , and it’s easily one of the year’s best country LPs.” —The Fader “…one of the finest releases of the year and an impressive introduction to a talented newcomer with striking lyrical and musical talent.” —American Songwriter “Tyler Childers’ brilliant Purgatory is a tribute to his Kentucky homeland and its people. With the tender ‘Feathered Indians’ and the meditative ‘Universal Sound,’ Childers—at just 26—has proven himself to be one of the finest voices and songwriters working today.” — Wide Open Country “ Purgatory has definitely established itself as the front runner for country album of the year and put Childers on the list of young artists looking to change the way people talk about country music…” — Glide “…the album that emerged under Simpson’s production will slap you silly, what with Childers’ incredibly clever lyrics and the perfect instrumental backing they get here… Childers’ talent is remarkable.” — The Bitter Southerner Tyler Childers Photo by David McClister
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The Way Backs In an interview with NPR, The Way Backs described themselves as “a power trio with a fiddler.”Their style is a progressive bluegrass-more Americana than pure tradition. They do not allow a style to weigh them down. The Chicago Tribune described their second album as a “near- ideal balance of irreverence, chops, discipline, and originality.” The group formed in 1999 and within two years, they were playing national festivals (like MerleFest ) to much acclaim. It wasn’t long before they had a record deal and several albums under their belt. James Nash, Warren Hood, Joe Kyle Junior and Chuck Hamilton make up the band, and they are supremely talented. The group is also the brainchild behind the eclectic Hillside Album Hour , one of the most popular performances at MerleFest each year. The Hillside Album Hour is a game. The performers, which consist of a large chunk of the MerleFest musicians, play an album from start to finish. They just don’t tell you which one. The audience is treated to a unique performance of bluegrass covers of a complete album. It’s such a simple but almost revolutionary idea, and audiences love it. Photo Courtesy of Band
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Chatham County Line “Chatham County Line is a veteran ensemble at the top of its game sticking to its considerable strengths—poignant songwriting and inventive acoustic arrangements that draw upon a broad array of American roots influences, highlighted by trademark three and four- part harmonies that shine throughout.” -bio The Raleigh based band has produced seven albums. Bandmates Dave Wilson, Chandler Holt, John Teer and Greg Readling are respectful of the roots and history of bluegrass, but not bound by them. In addition to their typical tour schedule, the band is also working with Steve Martin and Martin Short, opening their show, Now You See Them, Soon You Won’t in several locations. The band’s latest album August was number one on Billboard’s Bluegrass chart, and each album since their first has made it to the chart. But it isn’t because they are worried about following trends. Chandler Holt (banjo, guitar, vocals) says, “Music today has almost become about everything else besides the music, but for the four of us, it’s very much the opposite of that. We get to do what we want to do. What else is there?” Photo Courtesy of Band
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Wynonna and the Big Noise Wynonna Judd needs no introduction. In her youth, she dazzled the music scene with her mother, singing wholesome, twangy songs that resonated with America. Wynonna and the Big Noise is Wynonna Judd’s 8th studio album, and her first since 2003. The album is joyful, and Wynonna is triumphant. The album has a feel of breaking out, of blossoming into wholeness. The small group also includes her husband, producer and drummer Cactus Moser, which does help explain the comfort and happiness we could hear. The two met over 25 years ago when she and her mother joined his band on tour. They’ve been married since 2012, and making music together is a natural fit. The album was recorded mostly live, with a hint of good old-fashioned jam. Cactus spoke to USA Today about Wynonna’s music: “She and her mom made music that was as pure as you can get, just amazing voices with acoustic guitars. There are some bluesier rock edges on the album, but some parts are as straight-ahead as what they did in 1984.” Photo Courtesy of Band
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Keb’ Mo’ Junior Brown Keb’ Mo’ is a four-time Grammy winner. Over the past two decades, Keb’ has cultivated a reputation as a modern master of American roots music through the understated excellence of his live and studio performances. Many artists have recorded his songs, including B.B. King, Buddy Guy, the Dixie Chicks , Joe Cocker, Robert Palmer, Tom Jones, Melissa Manchester, Solomon Burke and The Zac Brown Band to name a few. He has also been on several television shows and Keb’ has played his iconic version of America The Beautiful in the series finale of Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing , as well as at the actual White House for President Obama. In 2017, Keb’ Mo’ released TajMo, a collaborative album with the legendary Taj Mahal. The multi-generational duo went on to tour the US and Europe in support of their album; which has since earned a GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Source: Artist Bio With his unique voice, more unique song writing, and even more unique double necked “Guit-Steel” guitar, there has absolutely never been ANYONE like Junior Brown. He’s an American Original. Junior remembers experiencing Country music as “growing up out of the ground like the crops – it was everywhere; coming out of cars, houses, gas stations and stores like the soundtrack of a story.” He went on to produce twelve studio albums. Brown’s signature instrument is the “guit-steel” double neck guitar, a hybrid of electric guitar and lap steel guitar.
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Brandi Carlile Earls of Leicester This is how amazing Brandi Carlile is: Dolly Parton did a cover of HER hit song! In 2007 Brandi released her second album Story , and in 2017, she released Cover Stories: Brandi Carlile Celebrates 10 Years of The Story – An Album to Benefit War Child. This was an album of covers of her songs, and Dolly Parton sang the title song. President Barack Obama wrote the foreword and other high-caliber performers covered her songs, including Kris Kristofferson, Adele, Pearl Jam and the Avett Brothers. This sort of honor can only be earned through talent and dedication. Brandi Carlile is a powerhouse. Her new Grammy Winning Album By the Way I Forgive You is available for purchase and download now. The Earls of Leicester are a bluegrass group put together by Jerry Douglas with the intention of sharing the music of Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and their band the Foggy Mountain Boys to a contemporary audience The Nashville based band includes Barry Bales, Charlie Cushman, Jerry Douglas, Johnny Warren and Shawn Camp. Their first album Earls of Leiceste r won a Grammy for Bluegrass Album of the Year. It made it onto the Billboard 200 and rose to first on Billboard’s Bluegrass charts. Listening to this band feels like going back in time, which attributes to their popularity. It’s nostalgia elevated to art.
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MerleFest Media Thursday Performers: View and listen to all of Thursday’s Performers, which include Junior Brown and Wynonna and the Big Noise . Friday Performers: View and listen to all of Friday’s Performers, which include Amos Lee and Tyler Childers. Saturday Performers: View and listen to all of Saturday’s Performers, which include The Sam Bush Band and Brandi Carlile. Sunday Performers: View and listen to all of Sunday’s Performers, which include The Avett Brothers and Steep Canyon Rangers . MerleFest 2018: View and listen to highlights from 2018’s MerleFest .
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Use your smartphone to read these QR codes. If you have an iPhone, you should just point your camera at the QR code then click the link when it pops up. If you have an Android, download a QR reader for free in the Google Play Store.
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Historic Post office to Cultural Anchor m Carmen Eckard Photos m Jon Eckard In 1915, our Hills were still wild. The Federal Government knew they needed anchor points. They needed a presence in our small towns. They accomplished this, across the region, by building beautiful and elaborate government buildings. Wilkesboro became home to a stunningly beautiful Courthouse and Post Office. It features traditional Federal-style architecture, including beautiful sky lights, marble walls, and rich detailing. The building brought an extra importance to Downtown Wilkesboro, and caused feelings of pride for most citizens. Eventually, a new Federal Building was built and the Board of Education moved into the building. In 2017, the building received a new breath of life when Dale and Michelle Isom purchased it. The couple is quite involved in the hotel industry in Wilkesboro, and they had a clear idea of what the town wanted and needed. The couple lovingly restored the building, once again highlighting the rich construction.
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Once it was complete and stunning, the couple began their three-pronged approach to creating a community anchor point. First, they created the Blue Ridge Artisan Center. This is half store, half gallery, with most of the items being juried. You’re sure to find locally made and artistically crafted treasures here. From paintings, to sculptures and pottery, and everything in between, you’ll find the art you need here. The second part of the couple’s plan was the creation of a venue, lovingly called The 1915. This venue is used for weddings, celebrations and corporate parties. Perhaps more importantly, it has become a music venue. The 1915 is home to Heart of Folk Productions and hotes live performances featuring bluegrass, roots, Americana, folk, country and swing music. Area musicians as well as touring bands play evening concerts in the 1915 venue. Monthly contra dances take place on the First Friday of each month. Open Mic Nights happen often and we look forward to musicians and singers of all ages participating. The 1915 is also a venue host for Carolina in the Fall Music & Food Festival held annually in September, says Michelle Isom, Heart of Folk, LLC. The building is a stop on the Blue Ridge Music Trails , so you know that the music offered is high- quality and relevant to our history. Lastly, the couple opened The Artisan Cafe . This coffee shop and farm to table restaurant serves delicious coffee and sweet treats, all in the old Mail Room, surrounded by the beautifully preserved architecture. Every community needs a specific place dedicated to the expression of our artistic natures. For Wilkesboro, this is it. We hope that you’ll visit, take in some music, but some art and a steaming espresso. at g 1915 *April 19– Open Mic Night *Friday May 3 – Monthly Contra Dance Dance Caller Roberta Kogut, Bandleader Bob Kogut, $5 at the door *Friday June 7 – Monthly Contra Dance Dance Caller Roberta Kogut, Bandleader Bob Kogut, $5 at the door *Friday June 14 – Nikki Talley in concert, $15 Call 336-990-9500 for more information.
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By Al Stout For many who just came into Advantage Beer and Wine Supplies in Hickory for the first time to buy a wine kit, or get a few tips on how to make better ales and stouts at home, they walk in and find exactly what they expected. The place looks like a hardware store set up by the Gallo Brothers. All you need can be found within 30 feet from the entrance. The store’s mascot (and, more importantly, head of security) is a small brown and tan Chihuahua named Bruno. He barks just to let you know he is on the job as Mike Walkup greets each customer. “Don’t mind him,“ he jovially says of his security chief. “He just barks.” Some know what kind of wine they want to make, buy a kit and leave. But others are looking for something new. If Mike’s suggestion is something they are unfamiliar with Mike will invite them to the back of the store for a wine tasting. This is where the magic begins. It is here at a small counter where a variety of bottles are on display. Mike offers several choices he thinks the customer might like and conversations begin as his customers sample his old and new creations. An acoustic guitar, a Yairi from the 1970’s, is also on the counter. “You play?” a first-timer will ask. “Yeah, I know a little. Here’s a new song I just wrote this morning. Tell me what you think.” The song has an eclectic blend of musical influences like most of Mike’s songs, but the lyrics can be deep, emotional, or humorous. “You’re pretty good.” “Well, I do the best I can with what I got to work with.” Soon four other people walk back to the counter and take a stool. They have been sitting on these same stools many times before over the years as repeat wine makers. They talk about new wines they have just bottled and some bring in a sample to get Mike’s opinion on it. Others just want to hang out like in the old smoking clubs in London in the 1700’s and give their own opinions on politics, sports, and the social scene around the country in general. Some have learned this is a relatively safe place to debate, and sides are informally drawn. But nothing ever gets too out-of-hand. All of the repeaters at Advantage Beer and Wine Supplies share a lot of jokes. Mike will eventually sing one of his original songs or an obscure cover of someone like Guy Clark. Mike’s Advantage
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But visits revolving around the music as much as wine-making have added a certain charisma to the place. Several local guitar players also come by here doing solos or singing harmonies with Mike. There is a good reason for this. Mike was once the front man for a band called C&M Traveling Show. That was in the heyday for local musicians in Hickory when local bands had several venues available to them. For some it almost became a full-time job. All of that changed in the last generation or so. Clubs like Ten Years After, Yesterdays and the White Pine have all closed down. Even places like P.B. Scotts in Blowing Rock, and the Double Door in Charlotte no longer exist forcing many local musicians in and around Hickory to find the dreaded day job. “It’s not like it was,” Mike says. “It’s hard to make a living at it. They can’t play here because there’s no place to play.” Then his thoughts are carried back to THE DAY for music in Hickory. “There were a lot of good bands here,” he says. “Like Nantucket , the Carter Brothers Band and the Super Grit Cowboy Band . Even really good bands from D.C. like the Night Hawks could swing down here and draw a good crowd. But it was our band, C&M Traveling Show , that set the crowd record at Yesterday’s. Man, there were people lined up all the way around the block and down the street just to see us.” In those days C&M Traveling Show played with Hank Williams, Jr. and George Jones. “We didn’t need a tipping jar back then. We actually got paid.” Once the clubs began to disappear nothing came in to replace them. Karaoke bars and sports bars with TV’s lined up on every wall filled the void. “I still like writing songs,” he says. “But now I write only for myself, the music I want to hear. I have no plans to go commercial with it.” Along with fellow guitarist and producer Ross Sermons from Tasmania, Australia Mike has recorded three CD’s, mostly original material. Mike’s Advantage Beer and Wine Supplies is also evolving, becoming more than just a business. It isn’t one of those places where everyone knows your name. But the regulars will remember your face. There used to be more slow days thirteen years ago when Mike started this business and could kick-back and read a novel while Bruno was able catch up on some well earned Zzzzz’s after he got his job several years later. But these times are getting less frequent. People who came in once kept coming back. On some days a server will come by with chicken wings and a variety of dips to share with other wine-makers, especially on holidays. All of the new found fun seems to be an extension of Mike’s unique way of looking at life. In this atmosphere no one is a stranger. w On one afternoon last Christmas a crowd of people spontaneously all showed up with food and wine, and just as vital to this store’s image, they came with their guitars.
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“It’s not a bar,” one woman sitting at the tasting counter said. “It’s more like home. I’m just here to be happy. This is my refuge. It’s a family place.” As a new guitarist started out behind the counter and sang some Merle Haggard along with some of his own stuff, another woman stool-side said, “We make wine and came in here two years ago. But my husband and I come now because it’s amazing music by original artists. Where are you going to hear music like this in Hickory?” Another man in the Christmas crowd said, “This place is unique. It’s the best kept secret in Hickory. You talk to people like you’ve known them all your life. That’s what I like about it. The people, yes.” On days like this Advantage Beer and Wine Supplies refuses to be just another typical wine shop, a place for wine, music, or a social gathering where ideas are exchanged and strangers turned into friends. And so it goes, that’s the way it is. Mike says he opened the shop around 2005 simply because he liked drinking wine and came to the conclusion that making it was cheaper than buying it. He sells kits for both red and white wines, dry and sweet. What he bottles he sells. Like everyone else he grew up knowing you can make wine out of almost anything, but even he gets surprised when someone comes in with a green jar of kudzu wine or jalapeño wine. While some of his own wine is made of watermelon, cranberry or something out of right field called dragon fruit, his best sellers are Malbecs and Cabernets. Today he ferments 800 bottles of wine each month. Some are beyond singing the lament “Bye, bye Miss American pie…” while seeing the way it has all worked out for local musicians in Hickory, and not all for the good, perhaps. “People can’t even get a decent gig in Asheville anymore, even the good players,” one man said. “The best it gets for most of us is a one-night stand at a bar with three, or four couples sitting at the tables. And even they didn’t come here for you.” Not so at Mike’s. There are songs sung here every day married with wine and people who just like people—and Bruno. Advantage Beer and Wine Supplies may have started out as Mike’s own concession to getting a day job, but the music here is more than a remnant or memory to the way it once was. Music lives on here side by side with the wine making and friends. And Mike? He continues to march to the beat of his own strumming.
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Catawba Atlantis: U n d e r n e a t h L a k e Norman lies a town of extraordinary spirit. Just ask those that lived there. By Richard Eller “It was a big family. Either family-wise or friends that made it a family,” remembered Gene Fisher. “Everybody just grew up together, stayed together, played together, suffered together, whatever good or bad came along. It was for everybody.” The residents of Long Island, North Carolina enjoyed their life together. According to Gerald Robinson, “Everybody knew everybody. Nobody locked their doors.” And for Sylvia Cannon, “It was a great experience to grow up in village like that.” This idyllic place, a community of fun, games and closeness, no longer exists as you might imagine. In fact, even walking the streets of this village to get a sense of what it was once like is impossible. That’s because it no longer exists. To touch the ground of this village requires diving under the waters of Lake Norman. That’s where you will find the once congenial town of Long Island. Starting in 1959, the waters began to rise around the mill town. By then everyone had moved, the old mill around which the community centered, was torn down, houses moved to higher elevations, and the once tight- knit community dispersed. But the memories those folks took with them when they left, paint a picture of life many would find wondrous for its simplicity. For the workers at the Long Island Cotton mill wages were low, but so were living expenses. The company supplied housing and rent included all the utilities including electricity (for the houses that had power). Some didn’t, but folks that did shared. Una Mae Brown pointed out
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that residents without power just came over and ironed their clothes in the homes of residents who did. It was like Gene Fisher remembered, “Any time, just go from one house to another. If it was meal time, you’d eat, if it was bed time, I have slept in other people’s houses and just go to bed and wake up the next morning and go home.” For the residents, Long Island was a world unto itself. They had their own beach, their own baseball field (and team), their own radio station operator who aired the play by play of games. Everyone even had their own nicknames. Pinto, Pudge, Gub, Van Snooter were all some people knew others by. Many of the names were a mystery as to how folks got them but some had a story attached. Una Mae Brown’s sister got her nickname after she tried to replace her father’s laxative with a rabbit pill (dropping). Her mother warned him before he took it and sister Wilma became “Pill” for the rest of her life. The families of Long Island were self-sufficient, with a good portion of their food from gardens or hunting/fishing. Some kept chickens or hogs. When they did go to town, the choice was Statesville or Newton. But a company store supplied immediate needs. It also served as a community center of sorts. Kids got their shots there; workers got their paychecks. But as Carroll Gilliland recalled they did have one thing that most family farm kids they went to school with didn’t. Going to Sherrill’s Ford School he remembered a girl who “used to swap ham biscuits for peanut butter crackers.” Her reason? “She said the people that lived in the mill had money and we don’t get money but once a year from the sale of crops.” In Catawba County history, Long Island had the distinction as the location of the last crime that was committed that resulted in a hanging. Someone, it seems, kept stealing from the company store. Superintendent James Brown decided to hide out and wait for the culprit after the store closed. When the perpetrator again broke in, the struggle for a gun left Brown dead. The conviction of murder carried with it a noose. After the hanging no church would accept the remains so the murderer was brought back to somewhere near
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Long Island where he was buried in an unmarked grave. The scene of the hanging can be seen at the History Museum in Newton (the 1924 Courthouse on The Square), part of the Historical Association of Catawba County’s collection. By 1963, with the waters of the Catawba River damned for power, Long Island fell below the rising Lake Norman to serve for good times in another way. Recreational boating supplanted the childhood fun of baseball, pranks and playing in the former cotton mill town. Now the community is just a memory. But what a story they tell of life in the mill village, an adventure that many of the folk who enjoyed it now wished their grandchildren could experience. Memories of growing up in Long Island as well as several artifacts from the village are part of an exhibit called “Spinning Yarns: The Long Island Mill Family” on display now at the History Museum in Newton from the Historical Association of Catawba County. The Museum is open 9am-4pm Tuesday through Saturday. With the real Long Island buried under water, it is a close as can be gotten to a special place, removed only by time and tide.
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One Tank Trip By Carmen Eckard. Photos by Jon Eckard Photo by Sam Dean
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An excellent weekend getaway should offer a vibrant selection of places to stay, delicious restaurants and fun activities that you don’t often participate in. By those standards, you should go ahead and pack a bag and head southwest to Hendersonville. It’s been a popular destination for summer tourists for a century, sitting at 2,200 feet above sea level. But the city is often called “The City of Four Seasons,” a nod to the fact that the town experiences extremely distinct seasons, while never being too hot or cold. The average in the coldest months is a mild 37 degrees, and July’s average is only 75 degrees. We think this means you’ll do well to visit any time of year. T h e d ow ntow n has an interesting serpentine road structure. The road meanders along with large curves built in, creating a very walkable downtown with a lot of room for outdoor seating for restaurants. It also slows traffic down considerably, which allows tourists to take in more of what the town has to offer. Attention to detail and appreciation of beauty is apparent in the great majority of the buildings downtown. The experience of walking down the curving sidewalks feels lush. There is a yearly art event called the Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk that invites artists to paint bear sculptures which are auctioned off and then permanently displayed. We noticed dozens of these bears, with nearly every business offering a proud display. Downtown is filled with absolute gems. The town was incorporated in 1847, so as you could imagine, the heart of the town is full of beautiful buildings, created and embellished in an opulent time in architectural history. For the history buffs, your first stop should be the Henderson C o u n t y M u s e u m , shown on the previous page. Housed in the beautiful and decadent historical courthouse, the museum offers guests a slice-of-life experience, as well as more traditional museum offerings. They accomplish this with a recreation of a turn- of-the-century store, complete with a video host. Several other permanent exhibits combine with touring exhibits to create an enriching experience. History buffs will also note that the statue of Lady Justice perched atop the building is one of only three in America which is not blindfolded. Hendersonville offers many choices for lodging, including hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts and Airbnbs. We were delighted to stay at Aunt Adeline’s Bed and Breakfast. This historic inn, listed on the federal registry of historic homes, was
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first built as a boarding house called Bon Haven Inn. The original sign hangs proudly in the lobby. The porch columns and large fireplace are built from river rocks which gives a unique appeal to the space. Inviting communal spaces and large bedrooms provided a comfortable stay, and the hosts were lovely conversationalists and tended to all our needs. This bed and breakfast is for adults only, to ensure that all guests have a peaceful, quiet stay. The only exception to this rule is if a group reserves all of the rooms. Each of the bedrooms are distinctly different, and you can select the room you prefer on their website, auntadelinesbedandbreakfast.com. We enjoyed the breakfast room, which has many charming architectural features that remind us of the boarding house history of the home. The space is built for serving efficiently, while still being beautiful. We were also impressed by the breakfast we were served. A delicious coconut eggnog with coffee was served first, followed by a fruit salad with kiwi and pineapple and a delicious glaze. The third course was thick bacon with eggs and quesadillas, with guacamole and pico de gallo. We set out for the day in good spirits, well- rested and well-fed. We went downtown again, as there were so many things to explore, and our first stop was the Historic Railroad Depot. Run by the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club, this depot features an incredibly detailed train set built to highlight the uniqueness of each railroad town in Western North Carolina.
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Several rooms are filled with impressive and lavish landscapes of mountains, cliffs, towns and wilderness. Tiny replica trains chug-chug around the track as the club members control them. It’s stunning in its scale, as well as its accuracy. The opening of this article juxtaposes imagery of the Historic Henderson Courthouse with the Railroad Clubs replica, and it passes our tests-we were completely dazzled. The train sets are built inside of a train station built in 1902. This was the second train station on-site; the first had been built in 1879, but was moved when growth demanded a larger building. Many of the original features of the train station have been preserved, making this another opportunity to experience living history. Railroads were absolutely integral to life when all of the small towns across Western North Carolina were formed. Visiting the Railroad Depot gave me a deeper understanding of the strength of will that was required to tame our hills. The Wilderness is fierce, and the Railroad was the great connector, allowing a regional culture to develop, and offering kinship with neighboring communities. Our next stop was Team Ecco Aquarium and Shark Lab. This aquarium was the first inland aquarium in the state, and it is an important educational staple to the area. Many elementary aged children in Western North Carolina have never been to the coast and did not have hands- on learning experiences with sea life. Brenda Ramer changed that, and lovingly tends to the aquarium and the creatures housed there. Her love of and excitement for her animals is very clear, and it’s impossible to not be charmed. She teaches classes and leads diving classes and trips as well as hosting visitors to the aquarium. We met a monitor lizard, a crested gecko and a huge tortoise before watching Brenda dive to feed the sharks. I didn’t know that sharks could imprint (like baby ducks) with human caretakers, but it is so. Her sharks were excited to see her, gave her obvious affection and even a kiss. Right across the street from the Aquarium is the
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Appalachian Pinball Museum. When you first enter the historic space, you are greeted with antique pinball machines, mint classic arcade games and insanely high ceilings with dramatic windows and art deco detailing. It feels like a museum. But then, you go past the concession stand and into the arcade room. My jaw dropped and my Inner Child squealed with delight. A darkened room is filled to the brim with glowing, enticing pinball machines, more than I’ve ever seen. A $10 ticket allows customers to play all day on any of the 72 games. Every style of pinball is represented, and each is in beautiful condition. Additionally, there are classic arcade games, and I mean all the best ones. It’s a delightful experience that you shouldn’t miss. As an added plus, you are given a bracelet so you can visit downtown restaurants and pubs and come back. Hendersonville is known for its art scene. From local galleries to contests, you’ll find local art well-represented, which gives the town a unique flavor. Below, Gallery at Flat Rock owner Suzanne Camarata Ball smiles with her dog. Her store, and others like it, showcase local artisans and their art. Flat Rock, minutes from Hendersonville, is home to the North Carolina State theatre. Flat Rock Playhouse is a top-notch theatre employing a healthy staff of creatives as well as seasonal actors. The theatre was built in 1952 to house a group of actors knows as The Vagabonds . By 1961,
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the theatre had earned the State Theatre of NC designation, and it has thrived in the years since. The house seats 500 people, and most years see 100,000 patrons coming through the door. Not bad considering the town of Flat Rock is only home to 3,300 citizens. Flat Rock playhouse is an equity theatre, which means that they only hire professional actors and technicians. It is also a fully producing theatre, meaning the shows do not travel to that location. They are built on-site. Actors are housed on the premises and sets and costumes are built there. The theatre does not have a fly-rail system, but it has wing space the size of the stage in each wing. This allows the sets to move in and out seamlessly without needing a fly system. A full season gives patrons many opportunities to experience high-quality live theatre. Be sure to check out Flat Rock Playhouse’s Season of Shows and catch one while you visit! The wild areas of Henderson County, much like many of the wild areas across the Southern Appalachian, are some of the most biodiverse areas on earth. The region is also full of waterfalls, with nearby DuPont State Recreational Forest being the best-known. Some of the scenes from Hunger Games were filmed in the Dupont State Recreational Forest. The iconic waterfall scene was filmed there and you can hike to the spot. During one month of the year, from mid- May to mid-June, these wild areas become a stage for a special insect. The Blue Ghost Firefly is a very rare insect, only found in small pockets of American wilderness, and only on nights during a one month span, when the moon isn’t out. They prefer ground with thick leaf cover, so the woods of Western North Carolina are ideal. The scientific name for the Blue Ghost Firefly is Phausis reticulata and the DuPont State Recreational Forest has been noted for having a large population. Visits during the firefly season are limited by the forest service to protect the habitat of this rare species. The good news is that you don’t have to visit the park to see the fireflies. Aleen Steinberg, nature lover extraordinaire, tells us to visit any mountain woods between May 15 and June 15, and look for the nights where the moon is the darkest. Rainy days that turn into cool evenings offer the best odds of seeing the fireflies. Be sure you don’t wear bug spray and cover your flashlight with clear red plastic. The bugs will only glow if you don’t. Speak quietly and tread softly. Then just wait. By 9:45 pm, any fireflies around will be brightly glowing. They usually come out an hour after sunset, which is around 8:30 during that time of year. The glow of these fireflies is special because they do not blink. Their lights stay on for 2-3 seconds at a time, leading to beautiful photography like the photo at right. You can see the photo larger in the last pages of our magazine. It truly is a site to behold, and a site you’ll only see in our region.
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Photo by Scott Treadaway Photo by Blue Bend Photography Photo by Blue Bend Photography Photo by Spencer Black
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Hendersonville is home to the Cheers! Trail. It connects 16 craft beverage makers from the region. You can tour each of the places, which include three cideries, six breweries and two wineries. High-quality craft beverages are sold at each stop along the trail. We sampled seven ciders from Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery and we were very impressed. It’s clear that care was taken to be traditional and pristine. We also sampled sherry and brandy which we recommend. It is particularly satisfying to drink cider made in Henderson County, because that’s where 85% of the state’s apples are grown. The mild seasons provide an excellent environment for apple trees. The Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery has imported thousands of apple trees from France, to ensure that the cider produced is of the highest traditional standards. Download the trail map at visithendersonvillenc.org/ wp-content/uploads/Cheers- Trail-1.pdf. The trail’s 11 stops are as follows: 1: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, where guided tours are offered 7 days a week. 2: Blue Ghost Brewing Company, named after the region’s natural wonder. 3: Bold Rock Hard Cider, which uses only apples sourced from Henderson County. Tasting room is open daily. 4: Southern Appalachian Brewery, which has a family and pet friendly tasting room. 5: Basic Brewery, a nano brewery offering craft beers.
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IV Hydration is the quickest and most effective way to hydrate, prepare, and recover when the body has become, or will become, depleted of fluid and vitamins. Our special blend of vitamins and medications will help an athlete prepare for a rigorous workout or competition, a traveler reset from jet lag, a patient recover from illness or surgery, and those wanting to stay well and prevent aging to feel at the top of their game. 100% of the fluids, vitamins, and medications are absorbed immediately and provide rapid results. F eel Y our B est ! Be Y our B est ! o ne D ro P at a time . A few of the IV Hydration therapies offered at V-Infusion are: • ”About Last Night”- Hangover Relief • ”The Recovery Room”- Recover from illness, surgery, or Injury • ”Reset The Clock”- Jet lag recovery • ”Game ON”- Pre and Post workout • ”Turn Up The Heat”- Fuel your fat burning Power • ”The Vice Grip”- Migraine and headache relief • ”An Apple A Day”- General wellness (828) 322-1498 6: Flatwork Ciderworks, serving cider they’ve crafted from “Tree to the Tap.” 7: Sanctuary Brewing Company, serving artisan craft beers in a pet- friendly environment. 8: Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard, where several varieties of wine are served. 9: Burntshirt Vineyard which was voted the 2015 & 2016 NC Winery of the Year 10: Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery, pictured, which is located in an apple orchard in a very old and lovingly renovated barn. 11: Triskelion Brewing Company, a brewery known for it’s bold flavor profiles. 12: Guidon Brewing, a brewery with international flare and an outside tasting deck. 13: Dry Falls Brewing Company, an industrial chic brewery. 14: Mills River Brewery, with beers named after natural landmarks and hiking trails on-site. 15: Sideways Farm and Brewery, where the beer tastings feel like wine tastings. 16: World’s Edge Meadery, located at Point Lookout Vineyards, the meadery produces 7 meads, a type of wine made with honey.
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The food scene in Hendersonville is diverse and exciting. There are so many options that it’s hard to know where to start. We ate a lot of food while we visited, but three places really stood out. We found Mezzaluna , in downtown, to be very good. We were also impressed by Shine, a new restaurant with rooftop seating. We sampled escargot and a delicious steak. Our favorite meal, however, came from Flat Rock Wood Room . It’s near the Flat Rock Playhouse, so be sure to stop there when you catch a show. Flat Rock Wood Room Owner Jamie Guay spent years in the world of competitive barbeque. This is apparent when you see his room of trophies, but it’s also clear when you taste the barbeque. Cooked slowly, and just the right amount, the barbeque was so tender chewing was barely neccessary. I loved that we didn’t have to choose between pork, beef and chicken: all were offered in generous servings. Don’t leave without purchasing a bottle of award- winning bbq sauce. We also sampled a fabulous appetizer sampler and a pretzel with beer, all top-notch, as well as a proscuitto pizza which was surprising and delightful. Don’t miss t his restaurant.
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Photo by Sam Dean Near the restaurant you’ll find the Saint John Church in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, pictured left. It’s worth a stop for its beauty alone. Th e gorgeous church is on the National Historic Registry, and was built in the early 1800s. The building, however, is still operating as a church. Visitors are welcome to both view the church and visit the cemetary, and guests are always welcome for services on Sundays. In this issue you’ll find an article about the Blue Ridge Music Trail . One of the stops along the trail is the Street Dancing in Hendersonville. From July 8th to August 12th, each Monday night features dancing in the street. In 1918, World War One ended and the citizens of Hendersonville welcomed home their soldiers by dancing in the street. For one hundred and one years, the tradition has continued. The celebrations are festive and patriotic. Caller Walt Puckett teaches simple square dancing steps before leading the crowd in a toe-tapping good time. The dances begin at 7:00 pm and last for two hours and admission is free. Lastly, be sure that you soak in some natural beauty. There are many ways to do that, but the favorites are DuPont State Recreational Forest and Jump Off Rock . DuPont Forest has a popular three-mile trail that visits three waterfalls: Hooker (shown below), Triple and High Falls. There are many other trails to explore. Jump Off Rock offers stunning views of neighboring states. only five miles from downtown Hendersonville, this a a fast and easy way to be engulfed in nature. I didn’t know Hendersonville was so full of treasures. Now that I do, I intend to visit frequently. It’s a wonderful way to dive into the mountains, offering the opportunity to relax and explore for a rejuvinating weekend trip. I hope you’ll visit soon as well, and be sure to tell them Foothills Digest sent you.
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In looking at the economics, culture, and politics of our community, what issue that involves all of those dynamics, is urgent and important to address, so we can advance our communities forward towards growth and well-being as we progress through this century. What do we do about dead buildings, wasted space, and urban sprawl in our communities that creates the least intrusion in the rights of property owners, while maximizing the economic and cultural viability of our community? In the last 15 years, we have seen our local communities have to come to grips with a transition towards a new economic reality. We saw many manufacturing facilities become defunct and close their doors. There was a negative impact on business owners, managers, and laborers that caused an overall lack of progress in our communities. In a world that constantly spins forward, our being stuck in a rut meant that we were actually falling behind. Property owners understand that maintaining property is a constant battle that costs money. Not maintaining property causes one to actually fall behind economically. I am not new to this issue. 10 years ago, I made videos that are still on Youtube of vacant properties in our area that needed to be addressed. The Hollar Mill and Lyerly Mill buildings are two buildings that had sat empty for years that I videoed. Look at those buildings today compared to what they were then. I may not have been all on board, when it comes to how those buildings were redeveloped, but I wasn’t the owner of those properties. At the end of the day, I am glad that those properties have become positive economic assets in Hickory. Most people alive today seem to think that “Big Box” stores have always existed as part of the country’s landscape, but they pretty much came into existence in the middle of the last century. They evolved when retailers decided to put most available goods on display in the store, instead of keeping the inventory sealed off in storage. Walmart, Kmart, and Target all opened their first stores in the year 1962. Today, we take for granted the existence of these kinds of companies. These stores required huge, undivided space, with high ceilings to accommodate their voluminous inventories. They also required huge parking lots, centering their economic model around customer convenience. Their diversity of products meant that customers could one-stop shop, buying everything they needed. Their economies of scale enabled these companies to buy huge amounts of goods at lower wholesale prices and pass those savings along to customers. With more marketplace evolution, the rise of online retail has further changed the landscape. Now customer convenience has progressed to where products are delivered to your doorstep without leaving home . Year after year, over the past generation, we have seen more and more of these “Big Box” stores go out of business, leaving communities littered with empty buildings. How do we repurpose these buildings? In some cases, similar sized evolutionary companies are looking to fill these spots. Amazon Inc., largely responsible for the new retail reality, has decided to open some brick and mortar stores, but this type of repurposing will put a very small dent in this issue, because of the same reason that Amazon began dominating the retail sector to start with. The bottom line demand of customers are price and customer convenience. The practical option, in many circumstances, is demolition. Many of these buildings were cheaply built with projected lifespans of 25 to 30 years. We have seen, through the “Big Box” era, where a building was demolished and the same (or a similar) retailer rebuilt in the same footprint. Demolition allows for land to be repurposed and building parts to be recycled. The enormous size of these properties are adaptive to many functions. Such stores can be utilized for apartment housing within a mixed-use development. Aside from residential use, these shell buildings have been redeveloped into office space, civic accessibility, museums, and healthcare facilities. Many “Big Box” property owners are transforming these sites into mixed-use destinations with multiple restaurant pads, smaller shop spaces, and public plazas. Mixed-use environments create dynamic community hubs of commerce. Restaurants, offices, and healthcare is the sixth , and the f inale, in this serie s, about economic development in our area . We have discussed vision , aligning to marketplace, leveraging unique strengths, and inspiring people to innovate, and change. Now we f inish up by ar ticulating we connect with and inf luence people to move here and do busine ss in our area . mmar y, I think that we can all see that Gabriel and I agree on more than we dis agree on when it come s to the issue s of omic Grow th . I think we all understand it’s diff icult to sustain a succe ssful economy over a long period of time. We are e mercy of external force s, including, but not limited to, the overall busine ss cycle, culture, and politic s. Our for tune s ebb and f low with the time s, but a proactive approach is nece ss ar y to ward off stagnation . This is about action versus tion , which is completely different than the modern political paradigms deemed Conser vative -Progre ssive. bottom line is that grow th nece ssitate s a clear understanding of where you want to be in the future. If you don’t have s, then what is your endgame? You’re just winging it through life. Winging it isn’t a formula for succe ss. The Roman sopher Seneca s aid, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets oppor tunity.” Good for tune isn’t just about being at right place at the right time, but also about being open to and ready for new oppor tunitie s. That is what this serie s has about … Preparing for Succe ss! It’s Spring again . The time for bir th and rebir th . Time for Evolution and Revolution . Time for fre sh star ts and new beginnings. Gabriel and I f inished up our serie s about Economic Development . When we discuss the Vitality of where we live, it is def ined by Economic s, Culture, and Politic s. You just can’t get away from tho se force s and the impact they have on our individual and collective live s. Gabriel and I were thinking about where we wanted to take this seventh discussion . Seven’s suppo sedly a luck y number. It is thought to be the number of perfection and completene ss. Well Gabriel sent me a me ss age and asked what we were going to talk about . I told him to choo se. He was talking about the money local governments are spending tr ying to make things happen . He wants to talk about that and po ssi bi litie s and mo st of all he wanted the focus to be po sitive. Well , let’s see how we did...
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Gabriel Sherwood A civil discourse with James Thomas Shell & Gabriel Sherwood A civil discourse with James Thomas Shell & facilities can activate sidewalks and build foot-traffic. The housing is an excellent alternative in re-using a footprint, as opposed to creating more developmental sprawl. In our communities, we have thought about ways to take our limited economic resources and leverage them to redevelop and enhance our landscape. I think it is vital to have a 21st century mindset in using public money to do what is best to improve our local ecosystem. The first step towards improving our community is to maintain the assets that already exist. The 21st Century approach means that it is imperative that we reduce, reuse, and recycle assets that are not performing as intended. We must develop governmental policies that do not create roadblocks that hinder outside of the box ideas related to economic development. Policies and ordinances should be open to possibilities, not towards making transitions and evolution impossible to protect existing, antiquated business and cultural concepts. In a city like Hickory, I would direct at least $10 million (total) of public funds towards developing a Mixed-Use Development node in each of the four quadrants of the city ($2.5 Million in each quadrant). The money could only be used on abandoned “Big Box” or manufacturing properties. The developer’s proposed business plan would show the city why they need the money, how it benefits the public, and how they intend to develop their property as a centerpiece that can stimulate economic regeneration in that vicinity. The order of such projects would be ranked based upon economic enhancement of the proposed property versus the need of, and impact on, the immediate vicinity. The above is just an overview of my thoughts. Yeah, details, details, details... but I think you can see this is how we take something negative and turn it positive. References Big box stores are dying. What do we do with all the bodies? - Popular Science - March 28, 2018 Innovative Uses for Vacant Big Boxes - GlobeSt.Com - December 13, 2017 James Thomas Shell What would you do if you won the lottery? We have all thought about it I am sure, what we would do, how we would invest in the future. On the heels of our recent conversations about economic development in the area, let it be Hickory and surrounding communities who win. Imagine after a long process the Western Piedmont Council of Governments region … Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba, Counties … are awarded a one hundred-million- dollar development grant. What could, what would we do with it to improve the region while being the most efficient and offering the most impact? I advocate planning how much will be invested in transportation access, how much will be invested in communications access, and how much to help people who need a hand getting back up off the streets? We have jobs available, but we have a high poverty rates partly due partly to access to those jobs between communities that really aren’t that far from one another. Hickory’s success is inexorably linked to the success of the counties in which our city’s reach extends. Public funds are vital and should be invested to do the most good to the most people, as a rising tide lifts all. Experience has taught me the trouble it can be getting to job centers, even if just across a municipal line. I regularly loaded up my old ’89 van to make the drive from Hickory’s public housing to Claremont and Conover factories to drop off neighbors. We can do that on a larger level with the capital to expand that idea as is being spearheaded in Hickory now by certain public servants and potential employers. I would suggest we put that program on steroids and use Greenway’s existing structure to do it. We offer shift-based stops, neighborhood access far off main access lines, and along the way we ask the businesses being served to invest in the programs as well as the people gaining their access. With minimal investments by each entity being served, we could do years of good work. 8 more busses, 10 vehicles that carry up to 15 people, and 10 that carry up to 8, and a few for special needs, would require an investment of a maximum of $7 million with alternative fueling options and maintenance warranties. Drivers and administration salaries would require an investment max of $4 million a year after all overhead and would put millions a year into the local economies. The plan would use busses to connect cities with hubs in each town. Then, smaller vehicles to move between communities and production centers in each county. With an investment of 25% of our purse including the operational budget, we can expand and maintain the organization for the first several years. After some time to read the need, we adjust the vehicle count according to the use and move forward to sustained
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viability and possibly growth to other communities. Just as important as getting people to the production is getting information, education and commerce to them in their homes. There are areas of the four-county region that don’t have good cell phone reception, much less good highspeed internet access. In fact, in downtown areas in some of our towns there is no access while at the same time our students have received electronic equipment to do homework. That has caused some stress for some families, and despite our rural areas we can do something about it. I believe investing 30 million in grants to communities and citizens to assist in gaining access. This would lead to a new burst of commerce and civic involvement. The funds would acquire land to build towers in partnership with providers, and negotiation between those providers and municipalities for public access would help drastically reduce the investment going forward. Students would benefit with the access to their studies, online learning options, and general access to what’s happening in real time. Businesses benefit for obvious reasons and the increase in commerce brings more income for citizens and municipalities alike. The cycle of success often requires limited investments, but it’s the patience and willingness to invest in people that sometimes stops the wheels. I think if we treat people like the end instead of the means, the means takes care of itself as the tide goes up. This plan not only improves lives, but also provides a more proactive business culture. As James and I have spoken of many times in agreement, we have the land and the workforce but just need ways to connect them with the centers of production and commerce … and we can take a huge leap towards it with these investments. Finally, with planning for supports for our people, we can’t forget those most in need. Holding 10 for future needs, 30 million remains in our grant. There is a challenge our area faces, Hickory deals with it every day. Poverty at near 20% and the homeless that struggle around us are a reminder that without responsible growth, people get left behind. Like the opioid crisis, we can’t arrest or legislate ourselves out of this one … people require investment . I think if we continue the positive steps taken by our governmental and non-governmental forces, and adapt a more people first approach, our economic goals may lay along an easier path. We have opportunities to take lessons from other places in how we respond to these challenges. Simple access to the internet and transportation will make a world of difference to folks that are kept from things by distance, but for those hiding in the woods around us every day … we need to think big. Thirty million dollars to buy a few unused buildings to transform into temporary housing to offer a bed, a shower, and an address, helps us offer that foothold needed to get started. With work and investment by our people, our business community, and our governments, a challenge can become a strength and a beacon of our investment in ourselves and others. That attracts businesses and younger workers that know their community will invest in them. All these ideas feed off each other, and a system of self- supported citizens and communities is what we are all striving for. Often people trying to make a comeback are hindered by situations they don’t always control, as it’s expensive to be poor. We can help. We have our internet expansion provide application access, our transportation system gets them there on time, and we get to watch as some folks reenter the area as productive members of our communities. With these plans we can make a real difference to a lot of people and still hold a quarter of our funds for unseen needs of the future as these programs develop, and perhaps some of it could go to grants to assist companies along the way that need space as our commerce expands. We can’t help everyone and there would be technicalities and conflicts and budgeting issues to overcome and work through, but with efficiency in mind and equality in purpose we can make a difference. Gabriel Sherwood “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/.
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Each May the Hickory Landmarks Society hosts an annual fund raising event, a Hickory Home and Garden Tour . Thanks to the kindness of selected property owners, HLS has been fortunate to showcase over 160 of Hickory’s finest architectural buildings and gardens in the past 24 years. On May 17th, HGTV’s John Gidding will be the featured speaker for the tour, which goes throughout the day on May 18th. Tickets for the Romance of Home and Garden Tour are being sold ($25 in advance, $30 on Tour day) now and proceeds benefit our organization’s mission to preserve Hickory’s architectural heritage. Tickets are on sale at our site www.hickorylandmarks.org or by using this QR code. HICKORY LANDMARKS SOCIETY HOSTS JOHN GIDDING
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FHD: What’s it like to work in a modern public Library? How is the Gaston Co. library system tackling the 21st Century? Dondero: It’s unbelievable, libraries have changed so much in just the past couple of years. Our library has done so much to not only keep up with current technology, but to create programs and events for everyone to enjoy. With adding our tech branches to give people access to new tech like 3d printing, VR, and all kinds of creative programs and clubs for almost anything. Every branch has different clubs including everything from sewing club to a 3d print club to an upcoming film making club. ( To which John will adding his considerable skills as a director, editor and visual effects animator.) FHD: Some people aren’t aware of the important role that libraries play in outreach. Libraries help the homeless find housing and employment, and help ex-convicts adjust to life in society. So What is Library outreach in Gastonia? How did you get started doing outreach programs? Dondero: Outreach can be anything really, and we have so many dedicated staff members who go out all over the place bringing help and fun to people everywhere. One program I worked on involved going to the county Jail so inmates could record stories for their children. Once we finished the tapings, we sent the books and recordings home to their families. In another outreach program I made a fan film with children from the Boys and Girls club, where they got to learn how to create their own films using cell phones or tablets. We also go to local crisis centers once a month and provide information for helping the homeless get back on their feet. We provide programs that are all free for homeless families and their children to enjoy, along with games and prizes to help brighten their day. That is the main reason I love outreach so much, no one is ever not-looking forward to smiling, and helping make that happen is an indescribable feeling. FHD: Is there a way for people who want to help with outreach to volunteer or encourage existing outreach programs? Dondero: Always, not only is the library constantly looking for dedicated volunteer staff, but so many other places in the community are in desperate need of volunteers. If the library isn’t your thing, find your local crisis center. Or you can look into mentoring at the Boys and Girls club. United Way is a great place to. Even if it’s just once a month or just helping one person, any action to help someone makes the world a better place. That’s what the library outreach is all about! Make our community strong through information and care. FHD: A lot of what you do involves teaching kids, and sometimes their parents, new and developing technologies. What ended up drawing you in that direction? John Dondero is many things, but conventional is not one of them. He’s a talented visual effects animator, twitch gamer, and the owner of his own (personally repaired) 3d printer. He is also a driving force in helping to develop new media technology solutions in the main branch of the Gaston Co. Public library, where he is employed full time. John began working at the library in 2016. He started, shifting books between different branches, and soon became known as a Book Wizard. Quickly his brilliant ideas, and strong work ethic pushed him up the library ladder. Since then he’s helped to advance and communicate new technologies to citizenship of Gastonia. One of John’s more interesting and successful projects has been designing short interactive Virtual Reality films on Google cardboard for middle school students who have never had the chance to put on a VR headset and experience a world of digital. The students watched with mouths gaping as they became a part of a bold new imaginary world. John got the idea drawing from his decade of experience as an amateur filmmaker and guest speaker at comic book conventions. Now, Mr. Dondero has another brilliant idea and is reaching out to other creatives across the state. The Gaston County Library intends to archive the works of as many North Carolina independent filmmakers as possible. This allows anyone in Gaston county to view the film work being done in their home state, and provides a new audience for some of the remarkable short films and features being produced in our own backyard. John is also heading up several of the clubs that teach both students and community members looking to learn new skills and advance their interests. For John this is just the beginning as he is determined to help his hometown grow to be all that it can be. John sees the world as it could be instead of how it is, and many people are benefiting from both his vision and his elbow grease. Foothills Digest got to sit down with Mr. Dondero and talk technological turkey about where libraries are now, what they really do, and where they’re heading in the 21st Century. A Power behind the Periodicals An interview with John Dondero of the Gaston Co. Public Library by Adam York
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Dondero: Other than being a giant kid myself hmm... , I would have to say it’s a 100% because I loved learning technology and creative things as a child. Because of my love of new technology and learning I found it’s a great way to share my passions with people who may also love it. Not to mention, every time I teach someone something I usually learn something new myself. Especially from children, they have such a natural understanding of new technology, it’s a great way to stay young. FHD: So can you tell us a little bit about your background in film and effects animation? Dondero: That’s always a fun story, I actually got started as a photographer. One of my favorite moments was editing the photos. Film editing was even more fun because essentially it’s just editing photos on massive scale. Then it was just a logical jump to special effects. I fell in love with compositing and CG (computer graphics). It’s almost like a drug. I couldn’t get enough just learning and trying new things, taking risks and creating new things is definitely my passion. FHD: You work a lot with green screens and Virtual Reality, as well as 3D printing. How do you make that relatable to students or library patrons who have little to no connection with computers? Dondero: Well the best thing we offer is hands on experience, every branch of our library has access to computers and green screens believe it or not. We not only teach people how to do things but let them have hands on experience using all kinds of awesome technology Not to mention, we help people learn the computer basics for free. We have so many tech talks and one-on-one sessions it won’t take long before you or anyone gets connected and up to speed. FHD: One of the programs that you’re on is the creation of an independent film archive. Can you go into more detail about that project?” Dondero: This is one of my favorite new projects, and it’s so close to home for me. I have always wanted to build a collection of independent films. I could think of no better way than with the library. Now, not only will there be a collection of NC Independent films but they will be accessible to everyone. Filmmaking has always been a passion of mine, but there are so many people who have no idea of the brilliant films created right in the state they live in. Now they will not only be able to be checked out by anyone, but they will be displayed and acknowledged for being created by local filmmaker. FHD: How can a filmmaker submit a short film or feature, and what are some of the requirements? Dondero: It’s sooo easy. All they have to do is fill out the submission form and send a DVD, complete with case and cover artwork to the Gaston Public Library, it’s free and easy. The important thing is that the film is in standard DVD format and case like the ones you would buy in the store. Since they will be displayed they need to all be uniform. That way we can display as many as possible. Next they need to follow our collection guidelines to be submitted to the collection. So pretty much no homemade porn, animal mutilations or hate speech. The form has examples and guidelines along with a handy dandy FAQ section. There is no limit to the amount of films you send either. The larger the collection the better. FHD: You mentioned a film club, to teach the community about the art of filmmaking. What are some of your goals with that project and who will it be geared to? Dondero: It will be geared for both teens and adults. The sky’s the limit as far as what our goals are. If people are really enjoying it, we will learn every step of film making all the way up to creating our own films. Everything from script writing to the final edits, and everything in between! Our timeline to begin sign-ups is probably going to be near springtime in 2019 and we already have plans for films to watch for analysis, as well as guest speakers to give hands on experience. FHD: In our internet driven world, work like yours is redefining the relevance of the public library in our communities. Looking in your crystal ball, what do you see as the potential future of public libraries in the years to come? Dondero: I see it becoming even more of a community. Anyone who ever says libraries will eventually disappear doesn’t really know what a library is. Of course, we will always have books but that’s not just what a library is all about. It’s a community in a state of constant evolution and change. Libraries are filled with creative and outrageously fun people that not only love new challenges but actively seek them out. There is no way to predict what the library will be like in the years to come, but what I can say is no matter what it’s going to be fun! Online versions of this article will include a link to the filmmaker’s application form. To mail DVD copies to John Dondero, please print and fill out a form copy and send to: Gaston Co. Public Library, Main branch Care of John Dondero 1555 E Garrison Blvd Gastonia, NC 28054 United States I f y o u w o u l d l i k e t o k n o w m o r e a b o u t h o w t o h e l p g r o w p r o j e c t s l i k e t h e s e a t y o u r l i b r a r y , o r y o u i f y o u l i v e i n G a s t o n C o u n t y a n d a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n v o l u n t e e r o p p o r t u n i t i e s , j o i n i n g a c l u b , o r e v e n c h e c k i n g o u t a b o o k , t h e n p l e a s e v i s i t t h e G a s t o n C o u n t y P u b l i c L i b r a r y h o m e p a g a t h t t p : // g a s t o n l i b r a r y. o r g
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I suspect most communities consider themselves special places - different from others - not so much from pride as from joy in small unique qualities about this place you know intimately and love. That sentiment has always existed among the residents of the Catawba Valley. We have evidence that specialness is more than mere feeling, it’s a scientific fact. As one example, consider the plant we know as the dwarf flowered heart-leaf. Or as we botanists prefer, Hexastylis naniflora. Dwarf flowered heartleaf is more native to the Catawba Valley than any of us. It lives only in a narrow range from Iredell, Alexander, a n d C a ldwe ll Counties, North Carolina and down into three counties of South Carolina. How and when it arrived we may never know. It’s extended birthwort family mostly lives in the tropics. Our heartleaf grows as a creeping underground stem and produces leaves and flowers only at the growing end at ground level. We usually must remove dead leaves even to see the flowers. They all flower in late winter and spring with few surviving until June. Like most good Catawbans, they don’t put on a big show. They are a simple urn shape that, as they fade, leave an ovary full of seeds. Those seeds are inside a fatty outer process called an aril. It is an odd way to sow your oats. But the arils render heartleaf seeds irresistible to ants which carry them hither and yon into new territory. The leaves are more of a mystery. They stay green over the winter unless so covered in fallen leaves that they can’t photo- synthesize. Then they turn yellow. Or if exposed to too much winter sun they might turn reddish or purplish. The leaf lasts at least one year but may last longer. There is more to be learned. We find dwarf flowered heartleaf in local forests dominated by white pines and mountain laurel. They really like steep north facing bluffs. If we succeed in saving worthy tracts along the Jacob Fork and Henry Rivers, then our native plant could move from threatened to demonstrably safe. In other words, we can make a real difference in the long-term survival of a rare plant found only within a relatively limited range – another special Catawban. William Moye is a Davidson trained botanist who graduated from Hickory High. He lives in Manhattan but returns to Hickory regularly. Some Catawbans are Spe cial Story and Photography by William Moye
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The mountain was our early-childhood classroom and nature was our syllabus. Our farm bordered the mountain proper which at that time was owned by the Aderholdt family. My brothers, sisters and I did not know exactly where the property lines were, so we wandered and roamed all over--from the road to the top of the mountain. You have heard that “not all who wander are lost.” When we did get a little puzzled about where we were, ,we did not worry because we knew we would eventually reach the top and find our way back home or reach the stream at the bottom and find our way. After Grandpa and Grandma were married in 1905, they lived with their young family in a cabin at the edge of this stream. Our Mom was not born during the time her parents settled there, but she was told stories about the family’s beginning and would join us on hikes to show us the reclaimed spot. She knew exactly where the cabin used to stand even though, many years later, large trees had grown up in the middle of the little square. Much to our joy, we would occasionally find a bottle or a jonquil. The stream was larger then than it is now and was quite impressive to us kids. A couple hundred feet upstream from the homeplace is a waterfall that we loved to visit with our Mom. The undergrowth of laurel was so thick that crossing the creek to get to the waterfall gave one the impression of an Alice-in-Wonderland adventure that I dreamed about for years. This waterfall is now part of Bakers Mountain Park (the blue trail), and when I visited last year with my two young grandsons, it did not seem quite so large to me as it did when I was a child. The boys loved it and played in the stream and caught crawdads (which they released). During my childhood hikes in these woods, Mom pointed out all the different trees and named them for us. She showed us the difference between black gum and maple leaves. She explained that there are three kinds of maple trees, just as many kinds of oaks, and several kinds of pine trees. We could name these trees and could identify them by their leaves in summer and by their bark in winter. We were taught to use catnip tea for indigestion and insomnia, blackberry juice for nausea, and yellow root for infection. We knew the difference between rabbit scat and deer scat. We knew that bear scat usually contained hair. We picked wild huckleberries and blackberries on the mountain with Mom, gallons and gallons of them. She taught us how to listen for the rattle of a rattlesnake back in the brambles. The mountain was my therapist when I needed solace and my gym when I needed exercise. She was my audience when memorizing the Gettysburg Address or Frost. She was my friend when I needed to discuss a problem. I could talk to that mountain and tell her intimate thoughts that I could never confide in anyone else. Years later I learned that my sister had had these exact same experiences. Life is too fast and loud today. The lower western 189 acres of the mountain are now owned by Catawba County and make Bakers Mountain Park. There are six miles of trail, some easy and some a little difficult. The trails are all well-kept and safe with tutorials posted throughout the park. There are several old home sites with history, and a beautiful view of the valley below. You and yours will enjoy a learning experience (even without my Mom) that can last a lifetime. Take a hike-you’ll be glad you did. Hiking in Our Back Yard by Granny Eckard
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The Patrick Harris By Carmen Eckard. Photography by Jon Eckard Acclaimed artist Patrick Harris has made his mark on the art scene across the Southeast. After closing his Charleston art gallery, pH Gallery , to tend to his mother’s ailing health, he is back home, and bringing art to this citizens of his hometown. Patrick grew up in Statesville with an artist mother, and can’t remember a time when he didn’t have a paint brush in his hand. Statesville provided an excellent backdrop for the artistic family, and Patrick went on to study art in college. Patrick was a founding artist of the Delurk Gallery in Winston-Salem. The gallery was known for pushing boundaries and asking more of its viewers. Now that he is back home, he’s focused on making a literal mark on downtown. He is working on his second downtown mural, a painting of Frida Kahlo, a bold painter from Mexico.
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He stresses the importance of getting permission from both the City and the business owner before you paint on the side of a building. Many of our towns have painted over unauthorized paintings, so if you’re thinking you’d like to freshen up your downtown, it’s best to ask permission. Patrick often paints on his mom’s easel, shown left. His father made it for his mother, and it’s where he does his best work. I find Patrick’s style to be very pop-art influenced, but it’s also clear he is inspired by music, architecture and nature. At right you can see three of his paintings, one from each of those categories. Patrick’s eye is fresh and commanding. It is bold and recognizable. It is no wonder that the art world keeps a close eye on him. He volunteers at the Iredell Arts Council , to do his part to keep the arts community vibrant. He is excited by the work of other artists. That’s clear by his involvement in starting two galleries, his love of the arts council, and by glancing at the walls of his house. They are crowded with art of all kinds. In the time we spent together, he dedicated as much time to telling me about the other artists as he did to telling me his own story. His new work will be featured at ZaPow! Gallery in Asheville beginning in May, and he usually has work on display at the Iredell Arts Council as well.
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Tracie Dagenhart, Linda Livingston, Colby Dagenhart and Regan Dagenhart of Conover were very excited to recently win the $100,000 grand prize on AFV, a long-running TV show that rewards people for their funny home videos. In their video, Colby is recovering from dental work and doesn’t make much sense, saying when he saw the family dog Izzy, “That’s a raccoon!”
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The best hiking partner? Your dog. Story and Photography by Kat Dellinger One of the best parts of living in the foothills of North Carolina is the proximity to several national forests and the Appalachian Mountain range. I’ve always been “outdoorsy”, but it wasn’t until I moved to North Carolina that I truly started to adventure solo into the back country. A lot of my family and friends worried in the beginning about me being alone in the wilderness areas. Not because they thought I was going to get lost, but they were worried I might get mauled by a bear (or another human) or fall off a cliff. But I never really was alone, because I had my favorite hiking partner with me almost 100% of the time – my dog. There are a number of factors to take into account before you bring your dog into the wilderness. The health of your pup is the most important one to consider. Make sure all of their vaccines are up to date before taking them out, especially rabies. Do they have the stamina to go with you all day, overnight, or on a multi-day trek? Very young or very old dogs probably do not. Will you be hiking in a rocky area? Trails that are softer, without a lot of roots and rocks are better for your dogs paws, especially if they have not been hiking with you on a regular basis. Does your dog have a short snout, like a pug or boxer? If your hike is strenuous, they will not have the easiest time compensating for the heat and exhaustion due to their shortened airway. And if your hike will be a long one, be sure you’ve brought enough food and water for BOTH of you. One of the biggest worries I have when bringing my dog on the trail is coming upon other hikers with unleashed dogs. It is always a good idea to keep your dog on leash - especially in areas you’re not familiar with or high cliff sides. If you have trained your dog to heel and have quick recall, then being off leash shouldn’t be a problem. But if your dog breed has a high prey drive or can get overly
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excited in nature due to the abundance of scents and sounds, keeping them on leash is safest for everyone on the trail. If you can, get your dog used to wearing their own “backpack”. My dog, Jackson, loved putting on his pack. I never saw him more excited then when I would pull out both of our backpacks. He would carry his food, water and a collapsible bowl. If he was going on an overnight hike, he’d also carry his own sleeping pad. Try to keep the weight even on each side so they don’t get off balance. Use the same rule as you would for your own pack - don’t let them carry more than 20% of their body weight. Kurgo and Outward Hound make great packs. Dogs make excellent company on the trail. They never complain, can help lift your spirits when you think you can’t get up one more switchback and help keep you warm in the tent overnight. Start your pup on some shorter hikes to see how they do and eventually they’ll be ready for an all day trek. Just remember to plan ahead and keep them (and you) safe.
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Do You Hear What I Hear? By Heather Davis Woods Whitney Houston has the best version of this Christmas song, okay . Let’s not quibble over fact. Ringing through the night, shepherd boy/Do you hear what I hear/A song, a song, high above the trees/With a voice as big as the sea/With a voice as big as the sea? The first six verses of psalm 19 tell us right away that there are praises being sung that we don’t hear. “The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” Every year during Lent we watch, Jesus Christ Superstar as a family; that 1970’s version with skinny, angry Jesus . And one of my favorite lines is when Jesus sings, “why waste your breath moaning at the crowd, nothing can be done to stop the shouting, if every tongue were still, the noise the would still continue, the rocks, the stones themselves would start to sing….” Right? The firmament is proclaiming God’s handiwork—day lilies, purple iris and honeysuckle. After all, what are the psalms but songs to be sung deep from the gut of the living world? More than any other poet of late, Mary Oliver brought the sacred of the heavens and the firmament to our collective attention. She now writes poems with the saints in glory but read her poem called, Foolishness: Sometimes I spend all day/ trying to count leaves on a single tree. To do this I have to climb branch by branch /and write down the numbers in a little book. /So I suppose, from their point of view /it’s reasonable that my friends say: what foolishness! /She’s got her head in the clouds again! But it’s not. /Of course I have to give up, /but by then I am half crazy with the wonder of it /– the abundance of the leaves, /the quietness of the branches, /the hopelessness of my effort. /And I am in that delicious and important place, /roaring with laughter, full of earth-praise. I wonder do you have any earth praise to sing? Is it possible for us to be still long enough so the sunshine can remind us that it travels 150 million kilometers in 8 minutes and 20 seconds—not for us—but just because it is gushing praise for the Creator? The stars that twinkle and race across the inky, darkness of space, just because they can. The harmony, the spin of whirling planets (do you know there is a Presbyterian hymn about that?), Pythagoras calls this the music of the spheres. We call it Psalm 19.
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Another season of Crawdads baseball is upon us. The smell of freshly cut grass is back in the air and the sound of thousands of fans erupting in cheers can be heard at LP Frans Stadium. From now through Labor Day, the ‘Dads will host 70 home games, featuring an array of fun promotions. The Crawdads 2019 schedule is filled with exciting themes, concerts, giveaways, and other fan friendly promotions sure to thrill fans of all ages. Once again this season, the ‘Dads will host two post- game Christian Concerts. Sanctus Real will perform following the Crawdads game on Saturday, April 27th while Micah Tyler will headline the post-game concert on Saturday, July 27th. Sanctus Real has been recording for over 20 years and have released six studio albums. The group has been nominated for a pair of Grammys and seven GMA Dove Awards, winning the Modern Rock Album of the Year in 2005 for their album Fight the Tide. Micah Tyler made a splash in the industry with his Christian pop album Different in November 2016. The album earned Tyler a nomination for New Artist of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards. The Crawdads have teamed up with the Western Piedmont Symphony for a special summer concert. May the Fourth Be With You: An Evening of John Williams will take place at LP Frans Stadium on Saturday, May 4th. The award-winning Western Piedmont Symphony will perform a program of John Williams classics such as Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Harry Potter. The show’s second half will be entirely dedicated to Star Wars . For the first time in their history, the Crawdads will be hosting a murder mystery night on Saturday, May 11th. Fans are encouraged to follow along with the clues given out throughout the night on the video board and social media to try to solve the mystery. The evening will also include a replica jersey giveaway to the first 1,000 fans. The Hickory Crawmoms will return this season for a Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday, May 13th. Players will wear specialty jerseys and hats. During the game players will use pink bats that will be auctioned off with the proceeds benefitting local breast cancer patients. The popular inflatable mascot group, the ZOOperstars ! will be making their annual trip to the Frans on Saturday, May 25th. The following afternoon, Birdzerk! will make an appearance, entertaining fans with his practical jokes and mascot antics. This season the Crawdads are excited to participate in Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion (the Fun Cup ). For six games this season the ‘Dads will take on the identity of the Llamas de Hickory. The series will kick off with a weekend long celebration from Friday, June 7th through Sunday, June 9th. The Saturday game will include a bobblehead of our mascot, Conrad, riding a llama. The Llamas will return on Wednesday, July 17th, Thursday, August 9th, and Sunday, August 25th. Latino musical groups, dancers, and even a llama petting zoo will all be part of the festivities. On July 2nd, the USA Baseball National Collegiate Team will take on the Cuban National Team in a special game at LP Frans Stadium as part of the International Friendship Series. Two days later, the Crawdads will host their annual Independence Day Celebration. Both games will include a spectacular fireworks show following the game. The Crawdads are turning back the clock for several HICKORY CRAWDADS
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nights this season. On Thursday, June 6th, the ‘Dads will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival. The Crawdads will throw it back to the 1980s on Friday, July 5th. Fans will be treated to totally tubular on- fields and music throughout the night. LP Frans Stadium will also transform into the Wild West on Friday, July 26th. Wild West Night will also feature specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game. While the schedule is full of many new theme nights, several crowd favorites are returning to the Frans this season. Disney Night, featuring an appearance by the Enchanted Elegance Princesses , will take place on Friday, June 21st. Hero Night with the Heroic Adventure Superheroes will be on Friday, August 9th. In a galaxy not so far away, Star Wars night is set for Friday, August 23rd and will also feature costumed characters. Fans will get eleven opportunities to take in a Crawdads game in 2019 with their dogs. During every Tuesday night game, not only can fans bring their dogs in for just a $1, but they can also enter their pooch into a dog show for a chance to be crowned best in show. The Crawdads will also host two Bark in the Park dates on Sunday, April 28th and Sunday, September 1st. For cat-lovers, the second annual Purr in the Park will be held on Sunday, August 11th. Of course, no baseball promotional schedule would be complete without fireworks. This season the ‘Dads are shooting off fireworks following every Friday game, on July 4th and for the USA vs Cuba game for a total of 13 shows. The year is jam-packed with exciting promotions from giveaways to theme nights. We hope to see you at the stadium this summer! For more information on ‘Dads promotions or to order tickets call (828) 322-3000 or visit hickorycrawdads.com. Our carpet withstands life’s little messes so that you can enjoy all of its moments . Our design team can help you choose the perfect products for your interiors and budget. • Carpet • Hardwood Flooring • Laminate • Ceramic Tile • Luxury Vinyl Tile • Vinyl • Rugs • Commercial Flooring Voted 2018 Best Flooring Store and Interior Design
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We monitor a lot of things in our lives, from our spending habits to the next time our car needs an oil change. It seems obvious that we should monitor our health in the same way. Yet, health screenings are frequently put on the back burner for a number of reasons. One of the most common reasons is the confusion as to which tests are necessary at each age. Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS) is here to guide you with a screening checklist for women, categorized by age. Read the list below to learn what screenings are essential for your long-term wellbeing and how frequently they should be performed: WOMEN AGED 18-39* • Full Checkup with Height, Weight, and Skin at least every 3 years • Blood Pressure Check yearly • Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney at least every 3 years • Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider • Women aged 21-29 should have Pap Smears every 3 years; women 30-39 should have a Pap Smear and HPV Test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years • Sexually Transmitted Diseases – both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse • Eye and Ear Exams, if problems occur • Dental Exam is recommended 1 to 2 times a year • Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years • Influenza Vaccine annually • If not previously vaccinated, women up to 26 should receive the HPV vaccine WOMEN AGED 40-49* • Full Checkup with Height, Weight, and Skin at least every 2 years • Blood Pressure Check yearly • Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney at least every 2 years • Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider • Mammograms every other year based on patient’s risk factor • Pap smears and HPV test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years • Colorectal Screening, discuss with MD if you have a family history • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse • Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if you have family history or if you are African- American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years • Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year • Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years • Influenza Vaccine annually WOMEN AGED 50-64* • Full Checkup yearly • Blood Pressure Check yearly • Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney yearly • Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider • Mammograms every other year • Pap smears and HPV test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years • If a long-term smoker, discuss benefits/ risk of lung cancer screening with physician • Colorectal Screening: Colonoscopy every 10 years, FiOBT every year, Cologuard every 3 years, virtual colonoscopy every 5 years or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse • Shingrix vaccine for Shingles • Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if you have family history or if you are African- American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years • Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year • Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years • Influenza Vaccine yearly WOMEN AGED 65 AND OLDER* • Full Checkup with Height, Weight, and Skin yearly • Blood Pressure Check yearly • Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, Kidney and Thyroid Dysfunction yearly • Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider Women’s Health
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• Mammograms every other year to age 75, then optional • If a long-term smoker, discuss benefits/risk of lung cancer screening with physician • Colorectal Screening: Colonoscopy every 10 years, FiOBT every year, Cologuard every 3 years, virtual colonoscopy every 5 years or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. • Prevnar 13 one time at age 65 and Pnuemovax 23 one year later. • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse • Eye (including glaucoma screening) and Ear Exams every 1-2 years • Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year • Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years • Influenza Vaccine yearly CVHS encourages women to make time for screenings at all ages, as they are essential for disease prevention and early detection. These screening suggestions are general guidelines and should not take the place of a consultation with your physician. Contact your physician today to build a customized plan for your individual screening needs. If you do not have a physician, you can contact our Physician Referral line at 828.326.2876, or search the Catawba Valley Medical Group practices at cvmgonline.org. *National Comprehensive Cancer Network are the guidelines adopted by Catawba Valley Health System’s Community Comprehensive Cancer Program
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GOOD PH U By Carmen Eckard Photography by Jon Eckard Everyone has a go-to restaurant...the one you know will always hit the spot. This is mine. We’ve eaten here dozens of times, and each time is predictably delicious. The name implies several things: the food is healthy, the food is good, and they make a mean Pho. All of that is true, but they are also a full Vietnamese restaurant, serving all sorts of delicious meals. Located in a small strip mall in the Viewmont area of Hickory, bookended by Salsaritas and Panera Bread , the storefront only hints at the goodness inside. We started our meal with shrimp egg rolls, below. These are not like any egg rolls I’ve eaten. They start with fresh shrimp and add black mushrooms, clear noodles, carrots, ground pork and taro root, then they wrap it all and fry it to perfection. The textures this creates are truly only outshone by the flavor. We also ordered a Hot Bowl, shown left. The chef, John Dang, has a gift with soups,
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and he also doesn’t cut corners. His soups take a whole day to make, and this one is full of shrimp, veggies, vermicelli and spices. It is, as the name implies, quite hot. But while some “hot” dishes seem to focus more on the hot than the flavor, the flavor still sings in this dish, even as you reach for your glass of water. My favorite thing at the restaurant are the spring rolls, shown left. They are simple, fresh and light-an excellent starter to any meal the restaurant serves. We are also impressed by the Korean Short Ribs, shown bottom left. The short ribs are seasoned to perfection and served with rice, fried egg, lettuce, cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon. The savory meal hits a beautiful balance that felt almost artistic. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Pho-it’s also delightful, and there are many options. You can choose your meat and make it spicier if you like. I like a combination of several beefs, but each combination is good in its own way. While the restaurant has existed with this name at this location for several years, chef John Dang (shown far right) will be celebrating one year of ownership in June. Along with John, last June, came a tremendous increase in quality and flavor. It’s clear that the food is cooked by people with a passion for cooking. If you’ve visited the restaurant, but not since June, you should give it another try. We love to chat with John because his passion for cooking is so apparent
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There are many exciting changes coming for the restaurant in the next year. Perhaps the most exciting is the addition of beer and wine to their menu, which certainly will draw larger crowds. Happy Hour will be from 3-5:30 PM and will offer rotating drink specials. Vietnamese food is exciting, and visiting Good Pho U is a very good way to experience the culture and food. (828) 855-1811 bookstore.cvcc.edu/newton-thennow
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Basil, Mint, and Gin This is a very simple and refreshing drink to make by the glass or even by the pitcher for a spring get together with family or friends. Be careful though, because while it tastes like light like spring, it packs a stiff punch! 2 oz Plymouth Gin 1 oz St. Germain 2 Dashes Orange Bitters 2 Basil Leaves 4 Mint Leaves 1/2 Lime, juiced Sugar Fill a drink tumbler with ice. To tumbler, add Gin, St. Germain, Orange Bitters, torn Basil and Mint Leaves and juice from half of a Lime. Shake to dilute and pour into a sugar rimmed glass for serving.
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Shrimp and Grits Shrimp and Grits is everywhere in the South. Every kitchen has their own twist or recipe for this staple, but where the true magic lies is in the source of the ingredients. Locally sourced grits, produce and seafood make this dish near impossible to screw up. In my kitchen, I use the following recipes as a foundation, and then I add or take out whatever produce is speaking to me at the market. Don’t be afraid to make it your own! Shrimp with a Bourbon Pan Sauce 1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced 1 Medium Onion, diced 6oz Country Ham, diced 1 Garlic Clove, diced 2 lbs Medium to Large Shrimp, shelled and deveined 1 Tbsp Cajun Seasoning 1 tsp Vegetable Oil 4 Tbsp Butter 1/2 Cup Vegetable Stock 1 Tbsp Bourbon Whiskey 1 Bunch of Green Onions, diced Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp of Vegetable Oil and sauté Bell Pepper, Onion and Country Ham together until vegetables are soft and cooked through. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Remove contents from pan and place aside to add back to dish later. Leave skillet over medium heat. In a large bowl, toss Shrimp, Cajun Seasoning, and 1 tsp of Vegetable Oil until all Shrimp are evenly coated. Immediately add Shrimp to hot skillet and sauté for 3 minutes. Add back the sautéed vegetables and ham from earlier, then add the Butter and Vegetable Stock and reduce until sauce thickens (this will vary based on the width of your skillet). Once sauce reaches desired thickness, add Bourbon Whiskey and then remove from heat. Add green onions and serve immediately over Creamy Grits. Creamy Grits 1 Cup Grits 1 Cup Water 1 Cup Whole Milk 1 Cup Vegetable Stock 4 Tbsp Butter Salt (to taste) Place all ingredients, excluding the salt, in a medium pot that has a snug fitting lid. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to lowest setting and cover. Every 5 minutes or so, stir pot to minimize sticking. The grits will need to cook for at least 1 hour on low. If you notice the grits are dry and require more water, add it as needed. The goal in this method is time, and any excess water can be evaporated later in the cooking process by removing the lid on the pot. After an hour of cooking, the grits should be thick and velvety, but they should still be loose enough to be ladled from the pot to the serving dish. Keep in mind that the grits will set quickly as they cool, so timing is essential when serving with other dishes.
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Roasted Beets and Creamy Dill Dressing This dish is one of my favorites. In my family, beets never receive enough credit, but this recipe changed that. While they are great for juicing, until the summer vegetables start to come in, beets are one of the most versatile ingredients to use for any meal in the spring, fall or winter. They can be eaten raw, boiled, roasted, and even pickled. This recipes uses a technique I normally use to cook potatoes, which takes advantage of the starch buried within root vegetables. Combine it with the creaminess of the Creamy Dill Dressing, and you have a light, flavorful dish that can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a main course. Creamy Dill Dressing 8 oz Sour Cream 1 Tbsp Fresh Chopped Dill 1 Pinch Salt 1 Pinch Pepper 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder 1 Juice from a Lime At least 1 hour before serving, combine all ingredients into a medium sized bowl and mix thoroughly. Allow to rest in the refrigerator, covered, until ready to serve. Roasted Beets 3 Medium Beets 1 tsp Vegetable Oil 1 Pinch Salt Preheat oven to 450 degrees and place the heaviest sheet pan or roasting pan you own (preferably cast iron if you have it) in the oven to preheat. Bring a large pot of seasoned water (I usually add 3 large pinches of salt to the water when I boil most foods) to a boil while you peel and chop the beets into quarters or eighths depending on preference. Add the beets to the boiling water and cook until tender enough for a fork to penetrate easily. Remove beets from water and place in a medium sized bowl with the vegetable oil and salt. Toss beets until completely coated and immediately add to the preheated pan in the oven. Allow to roast for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and serve immediately with a dollop of Creamy Dill Dressing.
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Cranberry White Chocolate Bread Pudding One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is make French style baguettes. Its not often that my kids leave any left overs on baking days, but when they do, this is a great go to recipe to make an easy dessert with the day old bread. Of course, it works just as well with store bought bread, so don’t break a sweat with this dessert. The recipe is also flexible, so if you don’t have white chocolate, cranberries or pecans, then go ahead and experiment with something else and make it your own! 1/2 Stale Baguette, cut into 1 inch cubes 2/3 Cup White Chocolate Chips 1/3 Cup Fresh Cranberries 1/2 Cup Coarsely Chopped Pecans 5 Large Eggs 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar 1 tsp Vanilla Extract 3/4 Cup Heavy Cream Spread Baguette pieces evenly in a small oval baking dish. Sprinkle White Chocolate Chips, Fresh Cranberries, and Pecans evenly on top of the bread pieces. In a large mixing bowl, whisk 5 eggs, and then add Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Vanilla, and Heavy Cream. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are combined, and pour mixture over the bread pieces in the baking dish. Fill the dish to the edge with the mixture and allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour, but if time allows, overnight is best. The stale bread will soak much of the excess liquid. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 60 minutes, or until browned on top and all liquid has been evaporated. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve.
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BRING SPRING INSIDE WITH P ops of colo r by Donna Steele Photography by Jon Eckard Take a cue from the earth and let Spring inspire you to experiment with color. Nature is abundant and it bursts forth during the Spring. Create a color palette that works for your space, taking your cues from blossoms, fruits, and even the wild birds that fly in our hills. The red of a cardinal or brilliant hue of the goldfinch are bold choices to warm up your indoors spaces, and invite in the Spring. This is the living room of the Menzies home in the Historic Claremont Neighborhood in Hickory. The traditional, gorgeously restored space is a perfect backdrop for the unexpected bursts of color. Steele’s Design team worked with the Menzies family to blend high-quality furniture, like these Jonathan Adler pieces, animal textures, and local art, like the beautiful piece from local artist Joe Lafone, creating a luxurious space that feels fresh and energizing.
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This room features Jonathan Adler furniture along with art from local artist Joe Lafone. Natural textures are implemented throughout. Visit Opulence by Steele to speak with the Steele Design Team about your space.
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Serving Men and Women for all of your Surgical Aesthetic needs. Vitality Surgical Center offers a wide array of services including Vaser-Lipo, facial plastics and more. For more in F ormation contact 828-322-1498 . V itality s urgical c enter This season offers you the opportunity to be bold. The 90s are making a comback in some fun ways, and it means that the Spring palette is fresh and blossoming. Greens, yellows pinks and baby blue are on the runways and are a fun way to freshen up your wardrobe. We saw velvet scruncies at the Oscars, and platform shoes are making a comeback. The nostalgia is strong. Shoulder pads are becoming a hot accessory and even pink mascara is en vogue. Butterfly details are also all the rage, a particularly 90’s touch. If the nineties aren’t your thing, take your color cues from nature, including flowers and birds, and of course, the green that is bursting forth across our hills. And to contrast that, another interesting look on this Spring’s runways is head-to-toe neutrals. With many designers driving this trend, we expect it to be popular. Remember, don’t be a slave to fashion. While trends should inform you, your personal style should guide you. Spring Fashion
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Hair
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Ad Spring is Harmony to my Hair by Amber Bryson of Kelly’s Hair Company Music is art and produces beauty, tranquility, and expression of emotion, which goes perfectly with the start of a new season! We all need a new beginning, a inspiration for change, a expression of creative imagination! So what better season then spring to reinvent your look and have some fun bringing out your inner artist! Its time to forget the past and recharge your future! What better way to do that then with your daily beauty routine???!!!! On the runways of fashion week you will see lots of inspirations!! Slicked back styles created with gel, bobby pins, silky ribbons, and head bands will be all over the place! Recreate this look at home to showcase statement earrings or use pretty accessories to create a romantic look if stark and trendy isn’t your thing! Another statement is tiny braids spun throughout your locks for a new boho look that will definitely inspire your friends and family! Maybe you can help influence them to spring into a new year of self expression through their hair! If you don’t appreciate the light side but enjoy the dark side then this next inspiration is for you! Disney inspired villain looks are making a statement this season! Smoky eye makeup, dark red lips, and super high buns with some length falling to one side can bring out your inner bad girl!!!!!! Don’t be scared to impersonate a villain instead of a princess!!! I mean we are reinventing looks right??? Have fun and be yourself!!! Now if makeup is your thing then we have a lot of great things to talk about! 70’s inspired golden smoky eye is huge this season. Colorful eyes, lips, and cheeks with pops of pink, yellow, and blue will give you the opportunity to bring out the colors we have all been waiting for! Also 90’s inspired fashion is not going away! Pink lips with pink mascara is making a statement along with glitter on eyes and lips! Now if bold makeup isn’t your style don’t worry!!! Innocent but strong looks are achieved with simple black eyeliner, glossy skin, and keeping it natural. Show off your natural beauty and appreciate that a no makeup look is also trendy this season!!! Finally just remember spring is the season after winter and before summer, in which change is going to appear! Whether it is originated by creativity or madness, it’s a fresh breath for our personal harmony, style, soul, and Hair!!!!!! Have fun and write the lyrics for your new spring beginning! And find your own personal Hair Harmony!
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Your beauty , like the natural splendor of our mountains, is timeless. Just like the rocks beneath our feet, Your beauty endures. But unlike the abundant nature around us, which bares marks of time and storms, you don’t have to let time leave its marks on your face. Vitality Anti-Aging Center & Medical Spa strives to help you feel your best on the inside and look your best on the outside to achieve a sense of complete well being.
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(828) 322-1498 www.vitalitymedicalspa.com
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Dear David, I am struggling with what my son wants to major in in college. He is a good student and has always worked hard but I am concerned about his future. He wants to major in music and I am just afraid it’s a waste of money. Before I talk to him about it I could use some advice, I don’t want to crush his dreams but I also don’t want to pay for a worthless degree. Sincerely, A Conflicted Parent Dear ACP , I can certainly empathize with your concerns as a former music major myself. That said, let me reassure you, there are multiple opportunities for employment in the music industry. From education, to performance, to music therapy, to production and marketing there are so many avenues your son can take. So often we focus so much on making a living we forget to make a life. Most people that I know that work in the arts find themselves doing work that they love. Speaking from personal experience, doing work you love never feels like work. Hope this is helpful, David Dear David , I try not to be a helicopter parent and I understand that teens express themselves through music but I am really concerned about my son. He has always liked rap and r and b but I recently discovered a performer he had been listening to on YouTube when he left the browser open on our PC. The performer has 69 tattooed on his face and his lyrics are violent and vulgar. My gut is to limit what he can access via the internet at home but he also has a smart phone. What do I do? Sincerely, Panicked Mom Dear PM , I often have this conversation in my classroom, there has been a massive shift in what kids can easily access in the past twenty years. Thanks to the internet, it is unavoidable that children can potentially be exposed to violence, sex, and inappropriate messages. While it is developmentally appropriate for adolescents to express individuality I feel that it is also important to be mindful of what we allow to have in our space. I think I would approach your son about your concerns and talk to him about what your family values are and why this content worries you. Given that your son has a smart phone, it will be challenging to limit his access and that is not even considering his friend’s smart phones. Have the conversation and encourage him to use his discernment. Hope this is helpful, David
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Eventfully Yours. . . I am planning my wedding and have a number of questions about the best music and entertainment choices for my ceremony and reception. Can you give me insight on how to proceed with this part of the planning process? Seeking Harmony Seeking Harmony, Music sets the tone for the perfect wedding ceremony and reception. Classical, standards, jazz, love songs, etc. abound in the options for the bride and grooms selection. When planning the perfect music consider if you are having the ceremony in a church, garden or other venue. Traditionally in a church setting you will need to check with the pastor to request their restrictions or codes concerning music. A church wedding often includes the use of an organ or piano as they are standard equipment that accompany your use of the space. Churches also request that you use sacred music and will often ask to review your selections prior to wedding day. You may also consider adding a trumpeter, flautist, soloist or even strings to add to the celebratory feel of your ceremony. If you are planning a wedding in a garden, outside area or indoor venue you will have the option to choose music that may be more casual in nature. You will need a DJ or someone to assist in playing the music and with sound during the ceremony. Newer trends include playing an array of love songs, jazz standards, bluegrass, country and even 40s and 50s favorites. One of my favorite wedding receptions played songs by Frank Sinatra like Fly Me to the Moon and The Way You Look Tonight . One should try to keep music in one genre and/or feel to draw consistency. Reception music can also determine the basis for a great party. Numerous types of bands offer selections of party music, as well as love standards to keep your guests up dancing throughout the night. When booking a band you should consider their playlist and if they offer the option of learning songs that are special to you like your first dance, father/daughter dance and mother/son dances. Note that bands do take breaks throughout their playtime. During this time, request that they play some of your favorite newer music or songs that are not on their playlist which you enjoy. A new trend many bands offer is the inclusion of a DJ in their services. This DJ can help with the ceremony music if the ceremony and reception are located in the same place, can play during the band breaks and even conclude the last hour of play during the evening and finish off the party. Eventfully yours, Tara B Tara H. Bland is owner and event specialist of Tara B’s Eventful Planning and It’s My Party Rentals. Tara has planned, designed and directed weddings and events for the past 18 years in the Foothills of North Carolina.
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Flower Power by LB Sedlacek The color of the flower makes the season known draws in the heart or bids farewell celebrates with young and old always capturing the photographer’s eye or the artist’s ah, the flowers speak their language of seasons awaiting their weathered fate the landscaper’s blade the survivors living to unlock Spring silently awaiting future generations revealing new wonders ah, the secret life of flowers.
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“The Office” -by Eric S. Welborne The CEO of the corp’rate branch Barked out his orders- cacophonies Files and papers held up their hands And waved goodbye, Mephistopheles Solitude was beckoning quick(ly) And ordered my serenity swiftly So, I battled my puttering, shuttering car, and I shut the world behind me And I welcomed the cedar-planked cherry bench Gazed at the edge of the Blue Ridge Rolling, consoling and interacting For centuries stood the evergreens The only thing snapping were dragons that smile Their fiery hues with the ‘flutterbys’ Or chickadees or thrashers stir with bronze-flanked feathers- Undeterred, not marred By convenience or the city’s distance Passive resistance, a second chance, the breeze at life The oaks, the pines, the hemlocks sway Summer births autumnal chill; they won’t rename when the cold winds hit Or the winter’s revenge with ice-glazed cones can take a bend They are evergreens, pining for my sanity and strong enough to bear the toughest Conditions. The sky-filled canopy unretained is the boss around here that the Good Lord made Like a Shetland’s neigh, it’s just another day… At the office.
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BACK HOME Kermit Turner When Mrs. Sipe finished the dishes she went to make the beds, refusing Sharon’s offer to help. Carl knew his mother was only trying to be a good hostess, but she should have let Sharon go with her- - a chance to get to know each other better. They didn’t seem comfortable together. No one seemed comfortable. He stood looking out the window over the sink. The sun was well up now, the morning bright and sparkling. Pink and white blossoms resembled small sun-touched clouds in the orchard on the hillside beyond the barn. Carl turned and looked at Sharon. In pajamas and robe, she sat at the kitchen table. Her hands cradled a white coffee mug as she stared down at the red-checkered oil cloth. Carl offered to show her around the farm. “All right. A walk will be nice. There surely isn’t anything else to do here.” “Don’t be critical. They’re happy to have us here. Mom’s trying hard to make us feel welcome.” Sharon looked bewildered. “Have I been critical of anyone or anything? I certainly haven’t meant to be.” “You could try to be more friendly.” “I thought I was being friendly. I’ll go get dressed.” Carl continued to gaze through the window until Sharon returned wearing blue jeans and a dark gray cardigan. They went out the back door, across the cluttered screened porch and down steps into the backyard. Sharon buttoned the neck of her sweater and clasped her arms across her chest to shield against breeze from the west, where low dark mountains stood barely visible on the horizon. They crossed the yard and walked out the hillside toward the barn. Carl recalled how dilapidated the barn had looked when he left; now new boards had replaced the sagging rotten ones. Even under a recent coat of red paint the repairs showed clearly. Probably Harlan had done that too, Carl thought, just as he had painted the house’s interior and bought the kitchen appliances. With their salaries at the new tool factory Harlan and his wife Paula had changed things, hadn’t run away as he had. Harlan was a better man. And soon to be a father. His little brother! Beyond the barn Carl and Sharon paused at the fence to look at two reddish-brown cows and calves. “Jerseys,” Carl said. “We always kept a couple of cows for milk and butter. Mom and Dad have never bought milk at a store.” “Did you milk cows?” “Oh sure. But stopped as soon as I could. Glad to let Harlan do it.” “I married a farm boy,” Sharon said, looking at her husband with an amused smile, as if she’d found something to tease him about. “I never liked being a farm boy. Found an after- school job in town as soon as I was old enough.” “I can understand that. It must have been boring and lonely here.” Carl leaned against a fence post and looked out across the pasture. “Yeah, I thought so. But Harlan never seemed to mind.” As his gaze drifted to the animals cropping short spring grass, a memory flooded back. “Dad used to butcher one or two young bulls, yearlings, for beef each fall,” he said, not looking at Sharon, as if voicing memories to himself. “I would help him. He’d shoot the bull in the forehead with the twenty-two rifle and we’d hoist the carcass on a limb of that oak tree and butcher it.” He pointed back to the big oak beside the barn. In sunlight its young leaves resembled slivers of pale-green ice; when the breeze stirred they sparkled against bright sky. Sharon studied Carl’s face. “I can’t imagine you doing that.” “The killing made me almost sick. I had to hold the chain to keep the head still while Dad shot. I couldn’t stand to look until the calf was completely dead.” “It sounds horrible. I see why you wanted to leave here.” “Farm people have to butcher animals. I was just squeamish.” Carl held apart the top strands of barbed wine for Sharon, stooped and stepped through after her. They walked down the grassy hillside toward where bushes lined a stream. “When I was ten or twelve years old I was holding a bull for Dad and he made a bad shot a little to the side of the forehead, missed the brain. The bull took off running. I tried to hold it but it dragged me along on the chain.” Carl turned and pointed behind them. “It ran along the fence up there, then finally stopped and stood with it legs apart, shuddering, blood and foam streaming from its mouth and nose. Dad ran up and shot it again.” “My god! That’s horrible.” Carl walked on. “People have to kill animals for food. Nothing wrong with that.” “But to make a little kid do it!” “He needed help. Not so horrible except that one time. Didn’t do me any harm, I guess.” “It’s just so primitive. This place is primitive. So lonely, no other homes in sight. What did you do out here?” “I wasn’t unhappy here. It’s lonely but it’s peaceful.” Carl looked around him. “Don’t you think it’s beautiful here?” He gestured toward the hillside
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across the pasture and field, where blossoming dogwood trees floated like clouds in the greenness. “I still miss the place sometimes.” He turned his gaze to the west, where mountains stretched like a hazy blue wall on the horizon. “You’re just being sentimental, Carl. You know you didn’t like it here. You left as soon as possible.” “I might not have liked it. But I can’t forget it. Maybe I should have stayed.” “Oh come on, Carl. You’re just feeling guilty because your brother stayed and helped your parents. But you and Harlan are two different people. You would’ve been miserable staying here working on the farm or in a factory.” “Sure, I feel a little guilty. But it’s more than that. It’s in my blood. The family, the land, the hills.” “You’re just in one of your moods, Carl. You know you’re impractical, taking those courses in literature and whatever, instead of completing your business degree. You’ll be in night school till you’re past thirty. It’s self-indulgent. I was cured of sentimentality at an early age when my father ran out on us.” “What I said might be sentimental, but it’s true.” “Whatever you say. I just don’t understand.” They trudged on silently across a broad field where new green sprouted in gray wheat stubble. After the field they entered a wide stretch of trees and emerged into a smaller plowed field that sloped to a creek. Across on the opposite hillside Frank Sipe was plowing. The shiny green tractor, obviously new, surprised Carl. Had Harlan provided money for that too? Around the gray-green field lay a glossy border of moist freshly-turned reddish earth. When his dad rounded the far side of the field and came toward them, Carl waved his arm. Frank Sipe, hunched over the steering wheel, his cap low on his forehead, stiffly raised his left arm. In thick bushes lining the creek at the bottom of the field Carl found an opening and stepped through. “Harlan and I used to swim here.” “It doesn’t look deep enough for swimming.” “We splashed around at least. Got cooled off and clean after working in the fields. It was deeper then; the dam was higher.” He pointed to the low thick rock wall that dammed the creek and created a little cascade. “Rain has washed in dirt from the fields and filled the bottom. Harlan and I hauled all those rocks and stacked them there. We would dive from the dam. Shallow dives, belly-busters. Those were fun times.” “A happy childhood, huh?” She looked at Carl and smiled indulgently, amused and touched by his sentimentalizing of the past. “Hey,” Carl said suddenly, “let’s go for a swim! That sound good?” “No thanks. Doesn’t look very inviting. Besides, it’s cold.” “Sun’s warm now.” “Didn’t bring my swimsuit. Don’t know how that slipped my mind.” “No problem. We never wore any.” “Real nature boys, weren’t you.” They walked on along the edge of the field and along the creek into the woods. Under tall oaks and maples the air was chilly. A gray squirrel scampered through the leaves and up a maple. From a high branch it looked down and chattered at them. Deep in the woods they sat down to rest, their backs against a broad oak, the gray bark rough through clothing. Above them new leaves were green-gold against luminous sky. The murmur of the creek came faintly up the hillside. “It’s nice here in the woods,” Sharon remarked. “But I couldn’t stay in the country for long. It’s too quiet. Kind of scary. Eerie.” “I don’t see anything scary or eerie about it.” Carl snatched up a two-foot piece of rotten limb, threw it against an oak five yards in front of him. Fragments of the shattered wood fell into matted leaves with hardly a sound. “The only thing that scared me sometimes was Dad.” “He does seem a little strange. Just looks at you and doesn’t say anything.” He was all right most of the time. But he would become obsessed with something. Start brooding. One time he got in an argument with our neighbor, Jack McCarter, about the boundary between the farms. Finally McCarter brought a surveyor out to run the line according to records.” Carl pointed through the woods toward the field where his dad was plowing, the sound of the tractor muffled by the trees. “The surveyor said McCarter was right. But Dad thought they were stealing a few yards of land.” Carl stared down, picked up a small dead branch and twisted crumbly bark from it. “When the surveyor was there McCarter drove in pieces of old water pipe along where they had marked the boundary. Then late that night when we were all asleep Dad went out and began moving the pipes to where he thought they should be. The sound of the axe striking metal woke McCarter and he went to see what was going on. He said Dad came at him with the axe.” Carl stared through the trees, remembering the humiliation and pain he’d felt. Sharon reached and placed a hand on her husband’s arm. “What happened?” “McCarter just got out of Dad’s way and went back to his house. Next morning he called the Sheriff. He came out and ordered Dad to move the pipes back. McCarter didn’t press charges. Nothing else happened. But word got around. It became a joke. Guys on the school bus made remarks.Hey, Carl, you’re old man’s farm got any bigger lately. Stuff like that.” “That’s why you left?” “Not just that. I planned to leave anyway, as soon
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as I finished high school. Mainly because we were so poor. Probably that’s what made Dad the way he was. The struggle. Bad years for the crops, late freezes, too little rain. Or too much. He still had a mortgage on the farm and wouldn’t try to get a factory job and farm part-time the way other farmers were doing. Too proud and stubborn.” Carl jabbed the dead branch into leaves and dirt between his knees. Sharon reached out an touched his arm. “You shouldn’t feel guilty about leaving. You did what you had to do.” “I didn’t have to.” He flung the thin, stripped branch off into the trees. “Harlan didn’t leave, stayed and helped out. Changed things.” “But he’s a different person. What’s right for him wouldn’t be right for you. And both of you couldn’t have stayed and married and lived with your parents. If you had stayed Harlan might have left. Maybe you made the way clear for him to do what he wanted.” Carl regarded his wife, feeling new respect for her level-headedness. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. But I wish you could understand my feelings.” “It’s just something I’ve never experienced.” Carl sprang up and stalked off through the trees. Sharon hurried to follow. When they emerged into the plowed field she still trailed behind, struggling to keep pace as they went along the creek. On the hillside across the creek stood the tractor; maybe it was Mr. Sipe’s lunchtime. She jogged clumsily on the cloddy ground, wanting to overtake Carl and get a look at his face. He hadn’t spoken. Had she made him angry? Carl turned aside, pushed through bushes and stood staring into the murky pond. Abruptly he turned to face Sharon. “Let’s go swimming,” he said in an urgent husky voice. He unbuttoned the cuffs of his flannel shirt, “It’s too cold, Carl!” He finished unbuttoning the shirt, removed it and dropped it over a small bush. “Carl what’s wrong with you?” “I want to go in. You go with me.” Standing he removed his shoes and socks and unbuckled his belt. “Come on, take off your clothes.” Sharon backed away. “Somebody might see us. Your dad might come back to the tractor.” Carl reached for her and pushed the cardigan from her shoulders. “Do this with me!” Sharon stared at his face, the intense blue eyes. His desire to go into the water was bizarre, but the nature of his longing came vaguely to her, like a mist shrouding her mind. Maybe she should go along. It seemed so important to Carl. How would he feel if she refused? “All right, Carl.” She removed the sweater, pushed the tight jeans down, bent and pulled her feet free, almost losing balance on the uneven ground. “At least I’ll have a new experience,” she said. “A little skinny-dipping might even be fun if it was warmer.” She laughed nervously, her arms partly shielding her nakedness. Carl reached for her hand and led her into the water’s edge. The bottom felt mushy; a brownish cloud of sediment rose above their feet. She hesitated, but Carl pulled her a few steps farther. “It’s freezing!” The mud oozing between her toes felt disgusting. Carl released her hand and, laughing tensely, splashed water up onto her breasts and shoulders. “No, Carl! It’s cold and dirty!” She floundered toward the bank, but Carl caught her at the waist and pulled her down into hip-deep water, grasped her shoulders, not roughly but with strength that surprised her, and forced her head under for a moment. She came up sputtering, pushing strands of hair from her face and brushing water from around her eyes. Carl dove and swam a few yards submerged, stood up and stepped toward her, water streaming on his face. “Feels good, huh? Nothing like a dip in the old swimming hole.” “It’s wo-wo-wonderful. You lunatic!” Her teeth chattered. “Stay as long as you like. I’m getting out now!” “Just didn’t want you to leave the old home place without a dip in the swimming’ hole.” He followed her to where their clothes lay scattered on bushes and weeds. As they dressed he studied her face. What was she thinking? She looked calm and pensive, not angry or humiliated. He felt relieved. Sharon finished tying her sneakers, stood up, rubbed the sweater over her wet hair before putting it on over the damp blouse. As they walked up plowed reddish hillside, Sharon lifted her brown hair to dry in the sun and breeze. They passed through the line of trees into the field of gray wheat stubble. “I guess I got a little crazy back there.” Sharon turned to look at his face. A smile flickered on her lips. “Oh no; that was perfectly rational.” “Are you all right?” “I’m fine.” Sweater and sun felt wonderful after the cold water. “But my skin feels grimy. I must look a mess. What will your parents think?” “I didn’t stop to consider that.” “You didn’t stop to consider anything. Maybe I can slip into the house and clean up before your mom
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and dad see me.” “I don’t know what made me pull you into the water.” “I think you do. You have an idea, anyway.” They reached the pasture fence. Carl held the barbwire strands apart for Sharon to pass through. Side by side they went past the barn and along the path to the house. * * * The next afternoon Carl sat on the bedside and gazed out the window while Sharon took clothing from the scarred walnut chest-of-drawers to place in her suitcase on the bed. Late sunlight slanted through the window and sprinkled gold onto the dark wood floor and green bedspread. Sharon placed a handful of clothing in the small suitcase, paused and regarded Carl. “Are you sure you want to leave tomorrow? I don’t mind staying longer.” “I’m ready to go. We’ve had a good visit. They don’t seem resentful toward me.” He turned back toward the window. A reddening sun touched treetops across the fields. Sharon sat beside him on the bed. “They’re proud of you. Going off on your own. Getting a good job. Taking college classes.” “They do seem happy to have us here. Maybe we can come back every year. At Christmas sometimes.” “I’d prefer summer. The water will be warmer.” Carl grinned self-consciously. “Yeah, maybe we can build a dam farther down the creek. No muddy bottom.” “We can invite Harlan and Paula. Have a skinny-dipping party.” “Sure, they would love that.” He laughed and reached for his wife’s hand. They sat gazing across fields toward crimson sky above treetops. “It’s about time to go in for supper,” Carl said, glancing at the bedside clock. “I hope your folks aren’t so talkative and boisterous tonight.” “Me too. They’re real chatterboxes. Livewires.” Carl smiled and shook his head, surprised that he could joke. “Back Home” is from Kermit Turner’s novel-in-stories A MATTER OF BLOOD, which chronicles the struggles of a foothills family during the middle decades of the 20th Century. A MATTER OF BLOOD is available from Amazon in paperback and e-book. Signed copies of the paperback are available in the gift shop at Hickory Museum of Art.
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Richard Oversmith, Early Corn , 14” x 18”, oil on linen
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Photo by Kat Dellinger. Find info about this hike on page 102.
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Photo by Spencer Black. Find info about these fireflies on page 78.