Catch the Spirit of Appalachia Publishes New Children’s Book “18 Letters”

Written from the perspective of a child, the book “ 18 Letters” demonstrates the frustration of the child as he learns how to spell his name. However, by the time the book concludes, the child has learned the importance of his name, for it represents generations of his heritage.

Author Rebecca Whitmire Fowler is a retired public school teacher. She taught Kindergarten – Second grade in Jackson County, NC, 1973-2005, and two years of preschool after retirement. She says she taught at Scotts Creek School so long she had the privilege of teaching several children of her former students. Good friend, Renae Spears, owner of the Kitchen’s Shop in Dillsboro, NC, has also given her vision of the story by illustrating the book.

Both author and illustrator will be on hand Saturday, May 24, 2014, to autograph the book in an all day book signing event at the Kitchen Shop, 170 Front Street in Dillsboro NC. The public is invited to come out and meet the Rebecca and Renae at this important time in their lives.

“18 Letters” is the 79th book to be published by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia in it’s quest to honor and preserve the heritage and creativity of the people of Western North Carolina.

Art in the Park in Blowing Rock NC Kicks off for the 2014 Season

May 17   Art in the Park   A juried arts and craft show featuring 90 artists held in the picturesque downtown Blowing Rock park once a  month from May through October.  Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more. 

Blowing Rock NC is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the North Carolina mountains, and is a storybook village filled with upscale shops and unique attractions. Blowing Rock offers outdoor adventure that ranges from whitewater rafting to skiing, performing and visual arts, fine dining and family restaurants, and a range of accommodations including mountain cabins, bed and breakfasts and ski resorts. Stay in a Blowing Rock Inn and walk to downtown stores, restaurants and festivals.  

 

RiverLink Needs Volunteers for RiverMusic

RiverLink's popular RiverMusic concert series is just around the corner.  The first concert featuring Orgone is May 30, 2014 from 5 to 10 PM at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza, 144 Riverside Drive in the River Arts District. For a complete schedule, including a link to a map,  CLICK HERE.


Volunteers  may sign-up via Signup Genius,  or e-mail to dave@riverlink.org, or and the old-fashioned way by phone at 828- 252-8474, ext. 11.

Volunteers are needed to do every job there is - beer, parking, ID checks, wristbands and tokens, etc. Although just about everyone wants to serve beer, please consider taking on a task that may not be as much fun, but is just as worthwhile in helping RiverLink accomplish everyone's greenway dreams.

RiverLink also needs to get some mulch on the concert site and could use volunteers for a few hours on the morning of Saturday, May 24 from 9:00 AM to 11 AM.  Some tools will be available, but more pitchforks would be very helpful. The mulch will be delivered and distributing it should be able to be done  in that amount of time.  If you're available, just contact RiverLink's Dave Russell at dave@riverlink.org or 252-8474, ext. 11.

RiverLink is located in Asheville's River Arts District, and is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.

Stories of Mountain Folk for 5-10-14

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

May 10, 2014:
 

Storytelling:  Amy shares her feelings about her Mom and Dad, in her special story for Mother’s Day:  “I’ll Be Loving You Always.”   Music: “Always” 

Creative Corner:  Doreyl's guest is Paul Lormand, Director of the Bardo Fine & Performing Arts Center at WCU. Paul gives a history of his musical background and his10  years with Western.  Music: “Forked Deer” by David Holt

 

Stories of Mountain Folk: Amy’s guest is Barry Clinton, who speaks about the Macon County Heritage Center at the Historic Cowee School, and their musical lineup for 2014.   Music: “Down in Caroline” by Balsam Range.

 

Black Roots of Appalachia:  Victoria spends time with Roderick Blaine Davis, while they discuss his 33 years of employment at WCU beginning in 1962, working at Reed Gym, and the Water Plant.   Music: “Abiding in the Vine” by Betty Brow.

 

Going Down Another Road: Judy talks with her mother, Arbie Cook Rhodes, about her time as a student at WCU in the early ’50s.    Music: “Smoky Mountain Days”by Keith Shuler.

 

Closing Song: “Big Mon” by the Rye Holler Boys

CLICK HERE to listen to Stories of Mountain Folk