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