Stories of Mountain Folk for 10-18-14

Stories of Mountain Folk is a weekly podcast produced by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia and archived at Western Carolina University.

Podcast on October, 2014:


Storytelling: Our story today is called “How Pumpkintown Got it’s Name” where Amy tells about fighting Billy Woodard, and corn shucking.  Background music:  “Great is the Lord”  

Creative Corner:  Doreyl continues her conversation with Betty Brown about her new album “Singing Appalachian Stories.” Betty tells the story of one of her songs, “Smoky Mountain Memories.”  Music: “Smoky Mountain Memories”  by Betty Brown.  

Stories of Mountain Folk: Amy’s guest Ron Yount, who talks about how he began to carve “Spirit Faces” out of pine knots.  Music: “How I Long to be in the Mountains”  by Mountain Faith.Stories of the Cherokee: Shawn talks about the Cherokee Indian Fair, and the legend of “The Ballgame of the Birds and Animals”   Drum and Flute Music by Matthew Tooni. 

Down Another Road:  (125th anniversary of Sylva) Judy talks with Jack Wood from Caney Fork. He tells some of his memories of Sylva. Jack graduated from Camp Lab school and Western Carolina University.   Music:“Green Pastures” by the Butterpats. 

Closing Song: “Lilies of the Field” by Jon Zackary

Listen to this week's Stories of Mountain Folk HERE

NC Mountain Fall Leaf Color for 10/22/14

   

Asheville and the Mid-elevations:  This is the week to head for the hills! Despit some leaf loss from rains and heavy winds, the green leaves hung on and are ready to start turning this week, continuing through the end of the month. Elevations of 3,000 - 4,000 are showing excellent color.  10/22/14  ...read more and see INCREDIBLE photos

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park:  Waves of color can now be seen throughout the Park. Storms downed most of the leaves at higher elevations but now that the autumn weather has arrived colors are developing quickly everywhere in the Park. At middle elevations at 3500 feet color is fully developed. In the next week or so as 30-40% of lower elevation trees are just starting to turn and another 30-40% have well developed color.  Sourwood, red maple, sugar maple and blueberry have vivid red foliage. Other foliage is pale yellow. It is estimated that we’re at least a week away from full color development around the valley floor in Cade's Cove. The Smokies are also still approaching their peak, so head on over to Cherokee and take the road up to Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap. You’ll pass through green forests at the bottom, good color at mid-elevations, and then forests past their peak above 3,500’.  10/22/14 ...read the full report and see photos  

Southwest Mountains in the Nantahala and Cashiers / Highlands areas:  As in other mountain areas colors are best around 4,000 feet with lower elevation beginning sweeps of colors and the highest elevation loosing their leaves and lower just beginning to turn from green to yellows, oranges and reds. 10/22/14

 
The High Country:  Most of the leaves in the highest elevations have fallen. At 4500 feet and below color is sweeping through and can be viewed from many overlooks along the Parkway or along the Parkway trails. Blowing Rock/Boone areas are just past peak with the best colors below 3,000 feet. 10/22/14 ....see photos and read more from the biology department at Appalachian State University 
 

Where to find color this weekend:  The "middle" mountains surrounding Asheville, Hendersonville and brevard are full of color - check out the nearby parks such as Dupont State Forest and, of course, The Biltmore Estate. Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville south.  10/22/14

 

Waynesville NC Welcomes National Guard's 211th Returning from Afghanistan

October 19, 3 PM - The Clyde NC based National Guard's 211th Military Police Company returns home from their final tour in Afghanistan. The parade celebrating their return will begin at 3 PM in downtown Waynesville NC.  Staging will take place on Academy Street by First Baptist Church and then proceed down Main Street to the County Courthouse for a ceremony on the lawn which will conclude at 4:30 PM.

North Carolina National Guard's 211th Military Police Company’s was mobilized in September of 2013 with more than 120 soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Their mission was to conduct facility security operations at one of the major military bases there.

The unit deployed for approximately one year following training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before going to Afghanistan. This will be the unit's second deployment to Afghanistan since 2002. The 211th has been deployed previously in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

Domestically, the 211th MP's assisted in disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and most recently supported the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte in 2012. The MPs have received a Meritorious Unit Citation and the North Carolina Governor's Unit Citation for outstanding performance.

“No matter what, the Mountain Horses are always ready,” said the unit’s commander, Army Capt. David Parks.

*information provided by the NC DPS.

Mountain Spirits: Beer and Wine tastings in Asheville this Weekend

October 10, 5 PM - 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100in West Asheville NC: Catawba Brewing Beer Tasting. This tasting will include all Catawba's year round brews, plus a few surprises. Buy a six pack of Catawba brew and get a super stylie Catawba pint glass. The tasting is FREE.

Firewater IPA - A wonderful golden straw-colored India Pale Ale we developed using five varieties of grain and five separate massive hops additions.

White Zombie Ale - A Belgium style white ale made with coriander, orange peel, and wheat. This beer is refreshing and tasty with a sweet and shimmering frothy head.

Farmer Ted's Cream Ale - Paying homage to the original settlers of Appalachia and brewed with natural ingredients such as wheat, corn, American hops and free range yeast. This crisp refreshing ale is the product of Catawba Valley’s vision of early American brewing.

King Don's Pumpkin Ale - Brewed using an original recipe created jointly by brewer Scott Pyatt and guest brewer Don Richardson.

October 11, 3 PM - 6 PM:  Indaba Wine Tasting. Indaba wines are crafted in the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest, yet most diverse of the six plant kingdoms. A commitment to social responsibility has always been a key part of the Indaba philosophy. A portion of the proceeds from the brand’s global sales funds the Indaba scholarship, awarded to financially needy and academically deserving students.  Consistently garnering “Best Value” and “Best Buy” accolades, Indaba Wines present character and structure well beyond its price.


Mosaic: This Cabernet Sauvignon dominated Bordeaux blend offers enticing aromas and succulent flavors of blackcurrant, ripe brambly berry fruit and dark chocolate, with subtle spice notes. Soft, gentle tannins coat the palate on the balanced finish.
$10.99

Chardonnay: Bright tropical fruit aromas lead to a crisp, fresh palate with mouth-filling flavors of apple, pear, honey and pineapple. A gentle kiss of oak adds a creamy butterscotch nuance and wonderful depth. A superb value, this versatile white is a fantastic match for a wide range of dishes, from mac & cheese to spicy ethnic food.
$10.99

Sauvignon Blanc: A crowd pleaser, this easy drinking Sauvignon Blanc displays appealing citrus and tropical fruit aromas that lead to a fresh, invigorating palate of pineapple, lemon-lime, mango and green fig. Backed by a solid acidity, herbal undertones shine through on the mineral-tinged finish.
$10.99

10% off all featured bottles on Saturday

  

NC Fall Leaf Color Report for 10/8/14

   

Asheville and the Mid-elevations:  Color is beginning to progress from higher and northern locations down the mountainsides and toward the southwest. The Blue Ridge Parkway surrounding Asheville is the best place to find color this week  10/8/14  ...read more and see INCREDIBLE photos

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park:  The highest elevations are full of color with the yellows of birch, and the reds of maple, sourwood and witch hobble. Last weekend's cold snap helped push color although high winds caused some to fall along the last few miles to Clingman's Dome. With green still dominant the upcoming week should see more color continue to develop. Middle and lower elevations are still only spotted with color including the vivid red of the the Virginia creeper. Fall wildflowers are abundant along the roadside of the Park.  10/8/14 ...read the full report and see photos  

Southwest Mountains in the Nantahala and Cashiers / Highlands areas:  Some of the following trees are in full color - the Virginia Creeper, sourwood, sumac, burning bush - but the color is starting to replace the green.  Timing for fall leaf color is predicted to by "typical" for 2014, from mid to late October, with higher elevations at the beginning and lower elevation finishing last. Some individual trees are turning producing patches of yellow and red. 10/8/14

 
The High Country:  There is good color now from Linville all the way north past Blowing Rock and up into Ashe County, north of U.S. 421. The higher the elevation the better the color development. Predictions now are for peak color to develop at the usual times, from mid-October through the end of the month and lingering into November at the lowest elevations. 9/30/14 ....see photos and read more from the biology department at Appalachian State University 
 

Where to find color this weekend:  The most color can be found at the highest elevations (5,000+) such as Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens, Grandfather Mountain, Beech Mountain, Rough Ridge and Graveyard Fields.  Colors are beginning to spread during the upcoming week at the nid elevations (3,000 - 4,000 ft) including Mount Pisgah, Black Balsam, Devil's Courthouse and Waterrock Knob, southwest of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The road to  Clingmans Dome and Newfound Gap in the Smokies 10/8/14

 

Boone Celebrates Appalachian Heritage with Annual Weekend Festival

October 12, 2014   Boone Heritage Festival   Celebrate Appalachian heritage with living history demonstrations, "yarn-spinners," music jams (bring your instrument) and old-time music on stage. Hear award-winning musicians and storytellers of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area perform in the cozy setting of the Coffey Cabin porch. 

Historical interpreters in period clothing will demonstrate 18th century skills such as spinning and weaving, throwing a tomahawk, shooting a flintlock rifle and more. Make-and-Take Crafts include cornhusk crafts, toddler-size scarecrows, "tin" lanterns, jack-o-lanterns and more. Craft vendors offer authentic items such as alpaca wool apparel, turned wooden bowls, handcrafted soaps, candles, jewelry, handblown glass ornaments, crocheted hats and baby items, books, quilts, wooden furniture, leather items, prints and more.

 Non-profit exhibitors include conservation, farming and education organizations. Snack on fried apple pies, kettle corn, cotton candy, Scotch eggs, hot dogs and more. Admission, music and storytelling are free. A small fee for hands-on craft activities helps cover the cost of materials. 

Find links for complete visitor information on the Boone NC Guide.  

WNC Nature Center Annual Hey Day Fall Family Festival a Favorite

October 11, 2014   Hey Day Fall Family Festival at the WNC Nature Center   Enjoy the 37th annual Hey Day Festival featuring live music and dance performances, special animal encounters, educational programs, arts and crafts for the kids, and delicious food from local vendors.

Hey Day is the Nature Center's biggest event of the year. This year's festival will feature games, pumpkin painting, arts and crafts, educational animal programs, live music, local food vendors, clogging teams, and of course, a wide variety of exciting wildlife. There will also be a kick-off to the Friends' fall raffle, with the opportunity to win great items, including a package from Diamond Brand Outdoors.

Food is being provided by Mojo Kitchen, Captain Dave's Pirate Dawgs, and Ruth & Ranshaw.  Regular Nature Center admission rates apply; Friends members receive free admission.

WNC Nature Center is a living museum of plants and animals native to the Appalachian region. Our purpose is to increase public awareness and understanding of all aspects of the natural environment of Western North Carolina through hands-on and sensory experiences. Each year welcome 100,000 visitors attend - of which 30,000 are school children expanding their classroom curriculum. The Center is located at 75 Gashes Creek Road in Asheville NC.

 

First Monday Concert Tonight at Brevard College

October 6. 2014   First Monday Concerts at Brevard College    The Brevard Music Center, in partnership with Brevard College, presents free concerts to the public on the first Monday of each month from October through May. The concerts begin at 12:30 PM and are performed at The Porter Center of Brevard College. 

Learn more about Brevard College and Brevard Music center on the Brevard NC Visitor Guide. 

 

Stories of Mountain Folk for the Week of 9/27/14

Stories of Mountain Folk is a weekly podcast produced by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia and archived at Western Carolina University.

Podcast on September 27, 2014:

Storytelling: The story today is called “Falling in Love with the Mountains,” and reflects the true meaning of “Catch the Spirit of Appalachia” to Amy, it’s co-founder.  Background music: “The Offering".

Creative Corner: (100th anniversary of Jackson County Extension) Amy talks with Ann Hall and Marilyn Hipps, two retired employees who worked in the office of the NC Cooperative Extension. They tell about some of the fun of working with the extension people.  Music: “Smoky Mountain Memories” by Betty Brown.

Stories of Mountain Folk: (100th anniversary of Jackson County Extension) The interview with Ann Hall and Marilyn Hipps continues, as the two tell about setting up the can goods and bake goods for prize judging at Mountain Heritage Day.  Music: “Smoky Mtn Days” by Keith Shuler.

Stories of the Cherokee: Shawn continues his interview with Nadia Dean, a past journalist from Washington, DC, who has done some extensive research on the Cherokee history.  Flute music by Bo Taylor.

Down Another Road: Once again, Judy talks with her mother, Arbie Cook Rhodes, about an incident that happened in her life at 12 years old.  Music: “Back Then”by the Smoky Mtn Boys.

Closing Song: “Smoky Mountain Emerald Bridge” by Ron Smith

Listen to this week's Stories of Mountain Folk HERE

Biltmore Prepares to Build a Second Hotel on the Estate

Biltmore has begun planning for a second hotel located on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate with construction scheduled to begin by mid-October. The new 209 room Village Hotel will be a four-story, 130,000-square-foot hotel adjacent to the Winery in Antler Hill Village. Currently the opening is planned for November 2015and will create approximately 230 jobs.

Mountain Spirits: Southern Italy Wine Tasting at Maggie B's

October 3, 5:30 - 8 PM at Maggie B's Wine and Specialty Store: Southern Italy Wine Tasting. Come taste brand new wines for the store, new to the Asheville area, and some new to the owners.   They will be pouring: Podere parpinello vermentino di sardegna 2013;  La Meriggia montepulciano d'abruzzo 2012;  Ippolito ciro rosso 2012; Girolamo Russo etna rosso 2012.

Deal of the Week at Maggie B's:  Wild Cider Hard Pineapple "A delicate cider with a well rounded mouthfeel and pronounced ripe Pineapples with hints of vanilla and butterscotch." WAS: $11.99/4 pack  THIS WEEK: $8.99/4 pack.

Maggie B's is located at 10 C South Main Street in Weaverville NC, 10 minutes outside Asheville. 

NC Fall Leaf Color for the Week of 9/30/14

   

Asheville and the Mid-elevations: Earlier color than usual is still predicted, particularly in the higher elevations surrounding Asheville's plateau.  9/30/14  ...read more and see INCREDIBLE photos

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The peak of the season in this area is generally mid to late October, but the beginnings of change are starting to be seen in the dogwoods which are taking on a reddish cast. At the highest elevations, a variety of trees are also trending red including red maple, sourwood, witch hobble, and sumac. The Virgina creeper vine currently has vivid red leaves, but only dots the lanscape at mid and upper elevations. Leaf color may be weeks away but the mountain wildflowers are at there peak of color with vibrant pinks, purples and reds with more subtle yellows and blues. You'll find the blooms along the park roadsides and at the forest edges. Only subtle changes have occurred over the last week.  9/30/14 ...read the full report and see photos

Southwest Mountains in the Nantahala and Cashiers / Highlands areas: Some of the following trees are in full color - the Virginia Creeper, sourwood, sumac, burning bush - but the color is still primarily green.  Timing for fall leaf color is predicted to by "typical" for 2014, from mid to late October, with higher elevations at the beginning and lower elevation finishing last. Some individual trees are turning producing spots of color amid the dominant green. 9/30/14

The High Country: Fall leaf color is popping up in all areas of the High Country. Peak color is still anticipated to be a few days early this year in the highest elevations, perhaps 10/8-12. Grandfather Mountain probably has the most color this week with the Ashe County forests from West Jefferson to Todd beginning to turn at about 40%, although color is not yet intense. 9/30/14 ....see photos and read more from the biology department at Appalachian State University

Where to find color this weekend: Wild flowers by roadsides and edging forests throughout all mountain areas. Grandfather Mountain along the high ridge and near the Stack Rock parking area. New River State Park has maples (red) and Oaks (yellow) beginning to turn.Linn Cove Viaduct in Linville is bright with yellow goldenrod. 9/30/14