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Published by Carmen Eckard, 2018-11-08 06:09:51

Summer 18

Summer2018 pages

101

Hiking
in the Hills

Photos and story by Katherine Dellinger

102

Experience the Roan Highlands

in Full Bloom This Spring
Story and Photos by Katherine Dellinger

Taken at sunrise, looking east towards Grandfather Mountain 103

N ot far from the foothills of North Carolina lies the world’s largest natural rhododendron
garden, as well as the longest stretch of grassy mountain summits (referred to as “balds”), in
the Appalachian mountain range. This well-known section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) starts
in North Carolina at Carver’s Gap and skirts the border of Tennessee. If you have the time this spring,
make a day trip to Grassy Ridge Bald and hike along the AT to experience the gardens in full bloom,
usually lasting from mid June to early July every year.
Starting from the Carver’s Gap parking lot (elevation 5500’), cross the highway and begin your trek north
through a section of coniferous forest before coming out into the open grassland of Round Bald. The trail
is well marked and maintained and leads to Jane Bald. You will follow the Appalachian Trail for about
2 miles until you come to a trail connection on the right marked with a blue blaze. Take this connector
towards Grassy Ridge Bald, elevation 6200ft. There is an outcropping of boulders that makes a perfect
spot for lunch. Enjoy the view, snap some pictures and head back the way you came.

104

Looking south towards Roan Mountain from the Appalachian Trail

This is a very busy area during the bloom, so if you
prefer more solitude, try to make the trek during the
week. There is a state park restroom facility at the
parking lot. Because you exposed with little cover
and at a higher elevation, sunburn is a real potential
- so cover up. You will want to wear some sturdy
hiking shoes or boots because the trail can be rocky
in spots.
Additionally, there is no water supply in this section,
so bring as much with you as you think you’ll need.
As with any outdoor destination, practice “leave no
trace” ethics and pack everything out with you.

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105

10P6hoto provided by Tweetsie Railroad

107

I tried to write this piece in a matter of fact
way, telling you what Tweetsie Railroad
offers without betraying my true feelings.

But I couldn’t, y’all. I have to be honest.

Tweetsie Railroad is my very favorite place.

By Carmen Eckard My boys get dressed up in their spiffiest cowboy gear
and pile into our minivan for a trip up to Tweetsie
often enough that our season passes are actually
worn out by the end of October.

I asked them their favorite parts, to make sure that I covered them here, and they talked, bubbling
over, for the next fifteen minutes, explaining each part that they enjoyed. Even talking about it made
them excited, and it made me excited too.

And in 2018, with screens everywhere and disconnection commonplace, there is something magical
about that excitement. Tweetsie isn’t just a theme park with a train and some cowboys. It feels more like
Never Never Land than a Railroad running through the Wild West. That’s because Tweetsie isn’t trying to
capture history, not really. It’s trying to capture the spirit of childhood, the spirit of play. Quite successfully.

Tweetsie Railroad delights its customers with a wide array of entertainment, carnival rides, a historic
train, a petting zoo, among other things. It doesn’t matter if you’re 2 or 84-there are things that will
entertain you at Tweetsie Railroad. Read on for descriptions of the park and my tips.

108 Photo by Aaron Bridgman

Photo by Aaron Bridgman
The first thing we do when we arrive is hop aboard the train. It pulls up right by the main entrance
and a bell will ring for about five minutes before it leaves. It goes on a trip that lasts about 20
minutes. You’ll want to sit on the right side of the train, and the middle three train cars have the
best views. It’s a good idea to wear sunglasses, because old engines cause cinders which can
blow around.
A beautiful ride around the mountain side with rhododendron blossoms leads to a stop at an old
fashioned town. Bad guys attempt to rob the train, but the good guys, including the Sheriff, the
Marshall and the Deputy save the day. Gun shots, horses and dramatic falls from rooftops, not to
mention exploding outhouses, make this a favorite. Then, the train continues to the Fort, where a
shootout happens that draws laughs and gasps. Watch out for Indians boarding the train to scare you.
Once you’re back in town, be sure to visit the Saloon, where Diamond Lil’ and her girls will entertain
you with can-can dancing and quick wit.
After you’ve cooled off at the Saloon, a trip to the County Fair is in order. The highlight here is a
Ferris Wheel. This Ferris Wheel is not for the faint of heart. The rumor is that it’s the second fastest
Ferris Wheel on the East Coast. I can’t promise that it’s true, but it is very fast and thrilling. We
love it. Hold on to your hats!

109

Photo by Aaron Bridgman

Photo provided by Tweetsie Railroad

110

Photo by Aaron Bridgman 111

Photo provided by Tweetsie Railroad

After riding a lot of rides that make us dizzy, we ride the chair lift to the Top of the Mountain. The
slow ride up the hillside is a perfect opportunity to connect with each other and catch our breaths,
as well as take in the scenery. If you have a stroller, you’ll have to leave it at the bottom of the chair
lift, or you can ride the bus, which leaves from the back of the Saloon every few minutes.
At the top are several must-visit spots. The Mouse Mine features a train ride on a miniature train
into a cave where psychedelic, animatronic mice mine cheese while singing a wildly infectious tune.
There are several opportunities for entertainment at the Top of the Mountain, including a
clogging show, a magic show and performances by Hopper and Porter, mascots for the Railroad.
There is also a gem mining station, which is a great way to cool off on hot days. You can purchase
buckets to be sure that you’ll find gemstones and they are available in two sizes.
At the highest point in the park, you’ll find a petting zoo. Llamas, emus, deer and goats eat right
out of our hands, and it’s hard to get my boys to leave. I schedule 30 minutes here, but it closes
before the rest of the park, so don’t save it until the end of your day.

112

113

The centerpiece of the park is Engine Number 12. It is the
only surviving engine from the Eastern Tennessee Western
North Carolina Railroad, which provided transportation to
the remote areas in our mountains that most rails couldn’t
reach, traveling between Johnson City Tennessee and Boone
regularly. This railroad was integral to the development of
the region, and eased the seclusion caused by geography.
It ran from 1882 until 1950. It was affectionately called
”Tweetsie” because of the ”tweet tweet” sound it’s whistle
made. It’s a sound familiar to almost everyone in our region.
On a clear day, you can hear it for miles, and it remains
unchanged.

In 1955, Gene Autry, cowboy singer and actor, purchased
the locomotive. After realizing shipping it to LA would be
too costly, he sold his option to Grover Robbins for $1.
People lined the highways to watch the engine as it made it’s
way up the mountain, stopping in Hickory to be refurbished.

By 1957, Tweetsie Railroad was established as North
Carolina’s first theme park, and one of the oldest in the
nation.

In 1959, WBTV rented the park for a birthday party for
entertainer Fred Kirby. This was the beginning of a long
working relationship, as Fred Kirby served as Marshall for
30 years and brought much fame and acclaim to the park.

In 1992, Tweetsie Railroad was listed in the
National Registry of Historic Places, which provides
both protection and historical recognition.

The park is still owned and operated by the Robbins family, and
they continue to preserve history while breaking new ground.

The Ghost Train, a spooky extravaganza running
nights in October, has grown to be one of
the largest evens of its kind in the Southeast.

The park is also known for their spectacular fireworks display
on Independence Day. The park stays open until 9 and
fireworks begin at 9:30.

114

At right, my boys Max and River pose with
their favorite cowboys.

Below is an art project we worked on
together that shows the characters and the

Ferris Wheel.
I hope that you and yours will find some
time to visit Tweetsie Railroad this summer.

Write me to tell me about your trip!
[email protected]

Tweetsie Railroad Summer Schedule:

May 28 through August 26, 2018:
Open 7 days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Buy Open until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4 for the Fireworks Events
Tickets Extravaganza, and during Cool Summer Nights. Schedule
Here!
Here!

115

Boggs Farm Center,
Fallston, NC

116
© Michelle T. Bernard

Photos and Story by Michelle T. Brenar1d17

Boggs Farm Center
Fallston, NC

Story and Photos by Michelle T. Brenard

In the not so distance past, by the beginning of October, fields of cotton
would be morphing into puffy white bolls in fields across Cleveland and
the surrounding counties. Once the cotton was harvested, it would be
transported to one of the area cotton engines or “gins” to be cleaned
and pressed into bales.  Once a major part of the economy in the area,
there is no longer any cotton grown in Cleveland County and all of the
cotton gins in the area, including the one at Boggs Farm Center in
Fallston, North Carolina are silent.

The slightly rundown buildings that make the windows are broke and bits of tin are
up Boggs fit in with the general appearance missing from the roof. Without knowing
of the intersection of Stagecoach Trail (U.S. what formerly went on in this building,
Highway 182) and Fallston Road (U.S. a passerby may think it was either an
Highway 18). In its time this junction was a abandoned building or storage shed.
bustling convergence of area farmers and Massive steel machinery with exposed
the general community. Today it’s likely gears and belts, duct work and control
that most traffic passes through without boxes fill the inside of building. Dim light
a second thought as to what commerce shining through the windows illuminate
might have once been conducted there. bits of cotton hang from beams, exhaust
Most of the original businesses, like the pipes and electrical wires like garland
two general stores, Stamey’s and Dixon’s compete with spider webs in the building.
are long gone.

There’s still traffic in and out of the small Cotton is an extremely labor-intensive
storefront where livestock feed, agricultural crop to produce. Until mechanized
chemicals and seed is still sold at Boggs pickers became mainstream, cotton was
Farm Center. hand-picked which was why, after slavery
The rural communities and agrarian was abolished, those farmers with larger
traditions of Cleveland County and the acreage had tenant farmers – most of them
surrounding area is slowly falling into were African Americans but not all of them.
ruin and decay. With this decline, the These families lived on the land owned by
relationships, sense of pride and lifestyles the farmer and raised cotton and other
that were once associated with agriculture crops which they sold back to the farmer
are being lost in favor of the convenience as rent.
of big box stores. In addition to the larger farmers who kept
Farm machinery hangs out under the tenant farmers, small family-run farms also
overhang in front of the building that planted fields of cotton which was picked
houses the cotton gins at Boggs. Some of by members of the household. Frequently,
area children would get time off from

118

school during harvest time to pick cotton. money at it. We didn’t go up in production
Many a Cleveland County child would pick and every other place starting out new
cotton for a farmer to earn money to go did.”
to the local fair which operates around the The continuing advances in both picking
same time cotton was being harvested. and ginning machinery was another
Once the cotton was picked, they’d haul contributing factor to the decline of
it to Boggs or one of the other gins in cotton farming in Cleveland county. The
the area and sell it. The cotton would be equipment that’s used now costs hundreds
ginned, baled and then sent on to one of of thousands of dollars to purchase and
the local textile mills in the area to be spun install. Given the yields of cotton in this
into cloth. area there’s no way a farmer would ever
“A family could pick a bale of cotton in a get his money back by purchasing and
day,” Boggs, Jr. said. “We used to think installing more efficient harvesting or
yields of a bale an acre was good and it ginning equipment.
was back then but today you’ve got to “Production went down in the 1950s due
be well above a bale an acre to make any

© Michelle T. Bernard 119

to the boll weevil but we were still King addition, the mechanical pickers increased
Cotton here in Cleveland County,” Boggs, in price, size and speed but most farmers
Jr. said. “We were growing more in this in the Cleveland County area couldn’t
county than any other county in the state afford to buy one of these more advanced
and did so up until about 1958 or 1959 model pickers plus they were often too
when the mechanical pickers came in.” large to run on their smaller acreage fields.

After the harvest when the cotton would “Down east they can make two, two and
be brought into the gin, which would only a half bales an acre now,” Boggs, Jr. said.
run two to three months out of the year, “Their subsoil is so much better than ours.
Boggs would hire five workers to run the That’s kind of how it’s wound up – where
gin. In the later years he said that not only ever it can be grown the cheapest.”
did it got harder to find people qualified Now the four giant cotton gins along with
or even willing to operate the gin but the the bale pressers are anachronisms in this
cost of workers’ compensation insurance time of extreme industrialization. The gins
also became prohibitively expensive. at Boggs used to turn out five bales an
In the early 1970s, cotton prices took a dip hour and at that time that was sufficient
in price but came back up again in the late but today’s gins produce 50 to 60 bales
1970s and early 1980s, Boggs, Jr. said. In an hour.
2000, it went down so low that farmers
in the area couldn’t afford to grow it. In

© Michelle T. Bernard

“That’s what put us out, we just got plumb High-quality, hand-made products
obsolete,” he said. “There just wasn’t
enough cotton being grown in in the area available at Bottega in downtown hickory
to justify buying back in it.”
The gins have the appearance of just [email protected]
having been turned off. Scraps of cotton
fiber with seeds and bits of branches still 828-962-3077
cling to the wire teeth that combs out the
seeds. Max Boggs, Jr. said that they would
still run if he switched them on but there’s
nothing for them to do now. He’d like to
see the machinery all gone so that the
building could be utilized for some other
purpose.
Small farmers in the still rural communities
of North Carolina continually face the
trials of globalization and competing
technology. Weather has always been a
factor in farming and in this age of climate
change, the challenges have become
greater.
The continuing trends towards
mechanization, agribusiness
conglomerates and overbearing federal
regulations are still making it difficult for
small farm centers like Boggs to stay in
business.
Today Boggs Farm Center already feeling
the pressures of the swing away from
hammered feed to pelletized feed, which
they can’t manufacture without investing
in expensive machinery.
“It’s a business but nothing great,” Max
Boggs, Jr. said. At least it doesn’t take
many hands to operate. As the county
becomes more populated with less farming
it’ll continue to keep dwindling down,” he
said. “It might be a slower process but it’ll
probably change like the cotton did. It’ll go
to where it can be grown the cheapest.”

The threat of a catastrophic impact from an asteroid or comet is a staple of popular culture.
If there was a dinosaur killer in Earth’s past, is there a human killer in our future? What are
the chances and how do we assess the risks? For that matter, what are asteroids, comets,
and meteorites, and where do they come from?
While Asteroids and comets are popular subjects for movies like Armageddon and Deep
Impact, they are also playing their own starring roles in NASA research. In 2001, NASA’s
NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft dramatically landed on the asteroid Eros. In 2005, NASA’s
Deep Impact’s probe collided with Tempel 1, exploring beneath the comet’s surface. In
2007, NASA launched the Dawn spacecraft to the Main Asteroid Belt. With all this interest,
asteroids and comets are compelling subjects for an exhibition.
The Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning, with funding from
the National Science Foundation and NASA, has developed a national traveling exhibition
program called Great Balls of Fire: Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors. The project includes
two exhibits (3,500 sq. ft. and 1500 sq. ft.), an education program for museum educators
and docents, an outreach program to engage amateur astronomers, a public website
(www.killerasteroids.org), and this exhibit website.

March 16-August 26

122

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Crawdads
Baseball

We are several months into another successful Crawdads important member of the family: cats. On Wednesday,
season. Fans attending ‘Dads games at LP Frans Stadium August 8th the ‘Dads will be hosting Purr in the Park.
have witnessed walkoff wins, fireworks, concerts, and the Cats will be center of attention throughout the night
first-ever name change in the organization’s history, as with costumes, themed on-fields, and special video
the team played at the Crawmoms for Mother’s Day board content.
weekend. While the first few months have passed, the On Friday, August 10th, the ‘Dads will be bringing
Crawdads still have a full summer of entertainment in back Superhero Night, one of the more popular theme
store. nights on the schedule every year. Fans will have the
Coming up in the second half, we still have six more opportunity to take pictures with some of their favorite
Friday Fireworks shows, plus our biggest show of the year heroes as Heroic Adventures Superheroes will be
on July 3rd, as the Crawdads celebrate Independence in attendance. The night will be capped off with a
Day. The ‘Dads are on the road this year for the 4th of firework show.
July so we will be starting the festivities a day early. The Also coming to the Frans this season will be Star Wars
night will include a JROTC, God Bless America, and Night on August 24th. The night will be full of tributes
special on-field contests. The players will be wearing to the movie franchise, including music, on-fields and
their patriotic jerseys, featuring George Washington costumes.
crossing the Delaware River, during the game. They The Crawdads season may only run through Labor Day
will also wear the jerseys on Labor Day when they are weekend, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pay tribute
auctioned off with the proceeds going to Disabled to some of our favorite holidays. Christmas in July will
American Veterans. be returning this year on Friday, July 20th. The night
In the second half, the ZOOperstars! are returning to the will be filled with Christmas music, decorations, and
Frans for their second appearance of the season. The will almost certainly be your only chance to see snow
popular inflatable mascot group will make their way back in Hickory this summer. We will also be hosting our
to town on Saturday, August 25th. The group will be annual Halloween celebration on Friday, July 13th.
interacting with fans and players as well as participating Lake Hickory Haunts will be bringing along their cast
in on-field promotions throughout the game. of creepy characters and fans are encouraged to break
In April, the Crawdads welcomed Finding Favour to out their Halloween costumes early for a free ticket to
the stadium for the first post-game Christian Concert the game.
of the season. On Saturday, July 21st, the Sidewalk The season will wrap up on Monday, September 3rd
Prophets will be performing the season’s final Christian for a Labor Day matinée. The ‘Dads will be saying
Concert. The Sidewalk Prophets have released three thank you to fans for another wonderful season with fan
studio albums, with their biggest song, ”You Love Me appreciation day. There will also be an MiLB mystery
Anyway,” reaching number 1 on the Billboard Christian giveaway. Major and minor league teams from across
Single charts. the country have donated mystery items such as
The Crawdads first few months included nights such as bobbleheads, shirts, and hats for the giveaway.
Tribute to Pajamas, Dunder Mifflin Night, and a Grease This summer is sure to have more exciting moments
40th Anniversary Night. The promotional schedule for and we look forward to seeing you at the Frans!
the second half is packed with even more exciting theme
nights.
The debate about aliens, bigfoot, and unicorns will be
coming to the ballpark on Monday, July 2nd, with our first
ever Fact or Fiction Night. Also new to the promotional
lineup this season will be the Usher Hunger Games on
Thursday, July 19th. Ushers will be competing in on-field
contests during the game to be named winner of the
Games and to bring a victory to their section.
For years the Crawdads have provided fans with
opportunities to bring their dogs out to the stadium for
Bark in the Park or to participate in a Tuesday Dog Show.
This season the Crawdads want to celebrate another

124

Fun in the Sun

By Ryan Gant

The ice has melted, you’ve stayed true to your New
Years resolutions; the heat of summer is here and
it’s time to maintain that hard earned beach body.
Summer is the PERFECT time of year, simply because
there are so many activities folks can choose from.
Whether it be participating in a local 5k, swimming,
hiking, even taking a pair of dumbbells outside, the
options are endless.

However, If you have resided in the area for long,
you know as well as I do that there can be some
scorching heat waves; sometimes for weeks on end.
Here are some tips for staying COOL and SAFE for
your summer workouts.

1) BE HYDRATED, STAY HYDRATED Before partaking EXAMPLE WORKOUT “AROO”
in any strenuous exercise in the heat, it is extremely
important to be hydrated. Drink 1-2 cups of water .25 mile run/walk
before even going outside. Take water with you to sip 25 push ups
on every 15 minuets, even when you are not thirsty! .25 mile run/walk
That is important. Drink 1-2 cups after your activity. 25 squats
If you are not hydrated properly you could run the .25 mile run/walk25 crunches
risk of dehydration, and possible heat stroke. If you .25 mile run/walk
notice you are becoming “light headed,” nauseous, 25 burpees
or dizzy, stop exercise to hydrate, and get to a cooler
place. Be smart, and make sure you hydrate before
going outside for any length of time.

2) WEAR LOOSE LIGHT COLORED CLOTHING
Lighter colored clothes will reflect sunlight away
from your body, helping keep your core body
temperature lower. Wearing loose material will aid
in the evaporation of sweat. There are also “dri-fit”
clothing options, designed to keep you cool. If you
decide to go shirtless, just make sure you follow the
next tip!

3) SUNSCREEN With sun beaming down on us 1-5 Rounds (Modify when needed!). For example,
throughout the summer, sunscreen is an absolute must. do modified push ups if you can’t do a full push
Even when it is cloudy, the ultraviolet rays can break up. Start with a lower rep range if you have not
through and burn you skin. Protect your skin. The last exercised in a long time, and vice/versa. Know
thing anyone would want this summer is skin cancer! and listen to your body. That is key.

Have fun. That’s the bottom line. Choose workouts 125
that you will enjoy. That is what summer is all about,
having fun in the sun. Stay hydrated. Be prepared for
the heat, and wear sunscreen.

When It Comes to Stroke
Prevention, Knowledge is Power

Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. While they are the fifth leading cause of death in the
United States, strokes are both preventable and treatable. May is American Stroke Month, a time to raise
awareness about stroke prevention and treatment. To do that, we must know the risk factors and warning
signs.
Stroke Risk Factors
Poor diet and lack of exercise can increase your chance of stroke. Furthermore, there are a number of pre-
existing conditions that put you at higher risk:
• High Blood Pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High Cholesterol
• Heart Disease
• Sickle Cell Disease
Stroke Warning Signs
To identify someone who might be having a stroke and get help, the American Stroke Association recommends
learning the F.A.S.T. warning signs:
• Face Drooping
• Arm Weakness
• Speech Difficulty
• Time to Call 911
If you think you are having a stroke, call 911 right away. “Don’t wait. To receive the medications you need,
you have to be here within three hours of symptom onset,” says Ashlee Pinion-Raby, CVMC stroke program
coordinator.
First responders are trained to identify stroke victims and begin treatment in the field. Once at the hospital,
patients are assessed by a local emergency room physician and given a CT scan. Then, using a stroke robot
referred to as “Webster,” a stroke-specific neurologist from Wake Forest Baptist Health performs a second
assessment.
The two physicians work together to determine whether the patient qualifies for tPA, a quick-acting, clot-
dissolving drug that helps restore blood flow to the brain. “You have two physicians collaborating to get you
the care you need right when you need it,” Pinion-Raby says.
The lack of lag time between a patient’s arrival and treatment is one of the reasons CVMC administers more
tPA than any other WFBH hospital in the region. According to Pinion-Raby, once the ER physician orders
the drug, the treatment is fast-tracked through a well-rehearsed process. Within 10 minutes, the pharmacy
mixes the medication. A nurse then delivers the tPA to the patient’s room, where another nurse is prepped
and waiting to administer it.
Of course, preventing strokes is the ultimate goal. Increasing your physical activity, improving your diet, and
quitting smoking all help reduce the likelihood of a stroke. If you have any of the pre-existing conditions
that put you at a higher risk of stroke, be sure you are managing those with lifestyle, diet, and prescribed
medication.
For more information on stroke prevention and treatment, please visit www.strokeassociation.org.

126

127

NO BACKSIES by Heather Woods Davis

Every year The Hickory Daily Record releases discipleship that will matter in our lives.
the Catawba County restaurant sanitation scores.
It’s a good information, because no one wants to The story starts out with Jesus setting his face
eat in a dirty restaurant. You want to be safe to Jerusalem. Or as we might think of it, he set
when it comes to your GI tract. Really it is a good his mind and his feet to going and ‘there weren’t
thinking to play it safe in lots of situations. Bike n o t u r n i n g b a c k .’ O n e o f o u r d a u g h t e r ’ s f avo r i t e
helmets. Seat belts. Safety rails at Niagara Falls. stories, has the two main characters working out a
“Best before” dates on milk cartons. Safety is a deal for a tea set. Thelma makes sure that when she
good thing. Exercising healthy caution is a good agrees to sell her tea set to Frances, that Frances
thing. Except…except when playing it safe and understands that the deal is final; that there are
being too cautious is the excuse for not believing no . This is Jesus setting his face to Jerusalem,
in yourself. Or when being safe is the excuse for no backsies.
being complacent and skirting responsibility.
Safety and healthy caution are good, except when Now, I’m not 100% sure if Jesus knew everything
playing it safe and being cautious becomes your that would happen as he set his face to Jerusalem,
guide to faith instead of Jesus. but I do think he knew that it wasn’t going to
be safe. He knew deep down when he set out to
So let’s not play it safe. Let’s be bold. Let’s dig confront the powers of the religious day and to
deep. Let’s go there. Let’s just go ahead and jump threaten the imperialism of Rome; to shake the
right in; “what is God doing in your life these very foundations of sin in the world, he knew that
days?” Maybe that question is a little too safe. Let’s it would require him
ask the question another way—perhaps even more to be anything but cautious. When he set his face
to the point; “does Jesus make a notable difference to Jerusalem he knew it would be hard and awful
in our lives?” and quite possibly deadly.

That’s not a safe question, because it begs for For reasons we are not given the Samaritan village
answer. We probably aren’t even comfortable does not accept him when he sends messengers to
with the question. We may get defensive—how make things ready. It could be that they recognize
dare you ask that question! It isn’t that we doubt he isn’t there to do for them—Jesus isn’t there to
God’s presence in our lives, it is just that we aren’t heal, or teach or preach. Luke tells us, they did
accustomed to having to account for it in such a not accept him because his face is set toward
straightforward manner. So we clam up, shift a Jerusalem. Do you suppose the Samaritan’s were
little in our seat—avoid making eye contact with just playing it safe? Do you think that they just
anyone…and let that question hang. Because yes of thought, “well he’s a Jewish rabbi headed to the
course, Christ makes a difference in our lives. Yes, wrong city. Since he’s not here for us, let’s just not
surely God is doing many things in us, and through mess with this, let’s play it safe and have nothing
us, and around us. to do with him .”

Right? Enter James and John; it is no wonder that
M at t h e w s n a m e s t h e m ‘ s o n s o f t h u n d e r.’ T h e s e
Playing it safe might be softening Jesus’s responses Samaritans don’t worship the way they ought
to the would-be followers as he walks on the road to and moreover how dare they deny Jesus
to Jerusalem. Or playing it safe is that pat on the hospitality! Let’s call down fire from heaven to
back and reminder to welcome Jesus and be ready consume them! If we look at it this way—playing it
when he comes to our town. We don’t need a pat safe is responding violently. Violence eliminates
on the back telling us that we are good Christians. the issue or person or struggle. It exercises
Rather deep down we want the courage we dominance and authority over another. But love,
sometimes lack, the courage to rise to challenge love opens you up. Loving others is a lot more
of being Christ’s disciple. vulnerable; it is riskier, it is not safe to respond
in love.
So how do we read Luke’s story of a Samaritan
village who refuses to welcome him; how do you So instead of going back to the ‘Sodom and
read Luke’s story of seemingly faithful people who Gomorrah punishments’ for denied hospitality,
want to follow him but cleave to home and family; Jesus tells them, no, no that isn’t what we are going
how do we read that without playing it safe? How to do. And with Jesus they keep going forward.
do ask for courage even while we are still clinging Jesus isn’t here to reign down fire on any group or
to excuses? empire or government. He’s here to show us the
way to God. He’s set his face toward Jerusalem
You know, looking at these two stories of Luke— because that’s where it will all go down.
and in my NRSV Bible they are partitioned out into Jesus is here to make sure as many people as
a s e ctions, “A Samaritan Village Refus es to Re c eive possible see the truth—that mediocre living isn’t
Jesus” and “ Would Be Followers of Jesus”—at first I all there is. The truth we see in Jesus, is that he is
didn’t think they went together. But now, I think the very best way to really understand the heart
there is an answer for us about playing it cautious of God. But Jesus is also showing us that the way
and safe. I think Luke is telling us something about isn’t all flowers and roses; it isn’t staying in the

128

5-star s hotel. He is also showing us that the way Over 2000 people came for a service to honor that
is always moving forward. That the way is always young man in Greensboro. They surrounded the
one of love and not one of violence. Jesus shows family and shared their tears and grief. But his
us that we must set our faces on him and not be parents insisted they also celebrate his short life
deterred even when everything threatens to fall and give thanks for who he was. Be about life.
apart.
Following Christ isn’t safe. Never has been. Ask
This isn’t about the Samaritans. Just a few verses anyone who has gotten too close to the burning
later Jesus is telling us about the radical hospitality bush. Ask your neighbors and your friends—some
of a very good Samaritan. One who could play it of them know deep in their bones. None of this,
safe and keep on going, but instead acts from a none of what we do is really about playing it safe.
place of love and takes in a wounded brother. No, Remember the great lion Aslan from the Chronicles
this isn’t about fire from heaven and ethnically of Narnia,
drawn boundaries; this isn’t about foxes and birds “A slan is a lion- the Lion, the g reat Lion.”
or burials—it’s about learning to not playing it safe. ”Ooh” said Susan.
It is about setting your face forward on Christ and ”I’d thought he was a man.
not turning back. Is he-quite safe?
I shall feel rather nervous
Luke doesn’t tell us whether the man who wants ab out m e eting a lion”...
to follow Jesus actually does; but most of us doubt
him, right? He sounds too much like the rich man ”Safe?” said Mr. Beaver ...
who wants to have eternal life but can’t sell all ”Who said anything about safe?
his possessions. Which makes us want to rewrite ’Course he isn’t safe.
the story doesn’t it? It is too much like that seed But he’s good.
from the sower—the one that lands on rocky soil He’ s the K ing , [ I tell you].”
and sprouts up quickly, but then withers and dies…
Can’t we write a little more Luke, and give him Let’s change the story. “I will follow you where
the courage he needs to follow Jesus wherever he yo u g o .” Le t ’ s s e t o u r f a c e s t o t h e n i t t y a n d t h e
goes? gritty.

A fourteen-year-old boy from Greensboro collapsed Let’s set our faces toward changing education
during football practice and died a couple of years and how we take care of our veterans.
ago. He was an only child, the very heart of his
parents. How do you bury that and follow Jesus Let’s set our faces toward smarter
wherever he goes? I don’t know. and safe gun control.

W h e n J e s u s s ays , “ Fo l l o w m e ,” a n d t h e re s p o n s e Let’s set our faces toward better health care
i s , “ Lo r d , l e t m e g o a n d f i r s t b u r y my f at h e r,” i t and preventive measures
seems reasonable enough. We take seriously the that teach our children about nutrition.
commandment to honor our mother and father;
we take seriously the commitment to our families. Let’s set our faces to being better people
What is wrong with that? But Jesus says that isn’t not better consumers.
what this is about. There’s an urgency Jesus is
pushing that says, stop playing it safe—stop being Let’s set our faces to a love that has less
about death—be about life. With me, death is left requirements
behind. I am about life. and more participants.

So how do you bury that and follow the Lord of Does Jesus make a notable difference in our lives?
life? I don’t know. I have not had to live through Don’t play it safe. You’ve probably heard this
something horrific like the death of a child; before, but author Annie Dillard says we are fools
but I know what it is to bury a parent. I know for wearing nice clothes and pretty hats to church.
others who have lived through death too; death of The ushers ought to hand out life preservers and
children, parents, spouses and loved ones. And I signal flares because God may draw us out to
see them living. I see them set their face on Jesus where we can never return. God may draw us out
and keep on living. to where we can never return. How about we set
Let’s be about life. our faces to that?!?
And y’all, no backsies.
“No one who puts a hand on the plow and looks
back is fit for the kingdom.” Who’s he even talking 129
to? You? Me? I’ve never actually plowed a field.
But I read that you must stay focused forward,
because if you turn around the plow is going to
get off course and you’ll butcher those tender
watermelon vines on the next row over. So when
the urgency of discipleship comes our way, don’t
look back as if you’ve got to get this or that; don’t’
make excuse that would have you claim you aren’t
good enough or you aren’t ready—instead keep
your hand on the plow and focused forward where
Jesus is going.

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS: ENGAGING
WOMEN IN ADDIC TION TREATMENT

Kelsey Crowe, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS

In working primarily with women in a responsibilities related to child-rearing,
residential addiction treatment setting, I therefore, leaving their homes for an
often hear of the unique challenges and extended amount of time could present
barriers women face in seeking support a challenge for the family. Women with
when they need it. It is important to young children are often concerned about
acknowledge and address these barriers t h e ch i l d re n ’s l a ck of u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f
to provide women support so that they t h e re a s on f or t h e i r mot h e r ’s a b se n c e .
are able to access the services they need. Providing age-appropriate education to
Tak i ng the firs t st e p t o ent er t re atme n t children about addiction often reduces
for anyone can be challenging, and is confusion and improves understanding
often made after other options have about what is going on with their parent.
been exhausted. Often times outpatient Women often struggle with shame and a
treatment, 12 Step facilitation (such as significant societal stigma associated with
AA and NA), detoxification programs, drug and alcohol use. Women are often
and attempts at controlled use have been burdened with labels such as “bad mother”
made prior to making the decision to and “junkie”. These labels are imposed
complete a longer term program. by societal pressures and sometimes self-
Women face unique barriers in accessing reflection. These beliefs perpetuate shame,
and following through with addiction isolation, and addiction. Education about
treatment. Some of these barriers include the neurobiology of addiction, specifically
childcare, family responsibilities, stigma, taking into consideration the needs of
and shame. Women experience a greater women, is an important part of reducing
societal cost for seeking help, and the stigma. Hormones, differences in
experience different consequences than response to drugs and alcohol, and
men when reaching out for support. If progression through the stages of
we can begin to address these barriers, addiction are important considerations
treatment can become more accessible to be addressed in treatment for women.
and manageable for women, allowing them Addressing co-occurring chronic pain or
to take the time they need to heal and psychological issues simultaneously with
enter recovery. Gender differences are an addiction is also conducive to success in
important consideration when assessing r e c o v e r y.
needs and in creating individualized While there are a number of hurdles for
treatment for women. What works for men women to cross when seeking addiction
in treatment does not always work the treatment, a trauma-informed and gender
same way for women. specific approach can help to reduce
When considering the need for residential the stigma and promote healing and
addiction treatment, women often speak re cove r y. Ta ki n g t h e t i me t o ma n a g e th e se
of the challenges related to their children. differences and create a safe place for
Women regularly assume the majority of women to recover is key to empowerment
and success.

oAfmPasryoc,hHo.a, c&tiHvearDdryu-Fgasn, t2a7,,C3.2(51-939357).. Gender relations in addiction and recovery. Jour nal
aCdadrtiecnti,onA. .SF.oc(i1a9l 9W6)o.rkM, o41th, e2r1s 4-in223re. covery: Rebuilding families in the after math of
wHCeounmmtaeennr fSwoehrroSviucabebssut.asencaelcAobhuosleaTnrdeaottmheenr td. r(u1g9s9.4)R.oPcrkavcitlilcea, lMaDpp: rDoeacphaertsminenttheoftrHeaetamltehnat nodf
Fedele, N., & Harrington, E. (1990). Women’s groups: How connections heal. (Work In
Progress No. 47). Wellesley, MA: Stone Center.

130

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131

DEAR DAVID,

Dear David,

I know you are an expert in addiction so I wanted to ask, what do you think a parent should do
when their child is caught using drugs? Is this common in high school? I know about the opiate
epidemic in this area and I want to do what I can to prevent my child from becoming a statistic.

Scared Mom

Dear SM,

Let me first say, your experience is a very common one for parents of teens today. I teach at several
high schools in the area and frequently have discussions with students about the prevalence of drugs
with their age groups. Marijuana is far less stigmatized by these groups and there is a significant
lack of information about other mood and mind altering substances and their dangers. The most
powerful thing a parent can do is to educate their child with accurate information about illicit drug
use and not shy away from hard questions. It is important to act if you see unusual behavior and
if your child is caught, allow them to experience the natural consequences. A night in jail, in the
long run, is a much better alternative to potential years of use while a family enables. See NIDA
for Teens at https://teens.drugabuse.gov/ for up to date, accurate, and research based information.
Also remember, addiction is frequently a family disease and survives best when it’s not talked about

openly and honestly.

Dear David, Sincerely,
David Zealy-Wright LPC, LCAS

My best friend is mad at me because I am not spending enough time with him. I just had my
second kid and I am exhausted, I try to make time for him but he doesn’t have kids and I feel
like I can’t win when I try to explain my change in priorities. He makes me feel guilty for
putting my kids first and I’m just not OK with that but I don’t know how to get through to
him.

Bad Bromance

Dear BB,
It sounds like your friend could use a lesson in empathy, you should never have to apologize for putting
your kids first. Unfortunately, when you have children some friendships don’t make it through the
transition. Being a parent requires being selfless and a great deal of time and energy. Anyone that
doesn’t understand and even encourage that can always find another friend. You however, cannot
find this time with your children again. Life is short and those that are truly your friends will not only
understand but will applaud you for being a good dad and having your priorities in order. Sometimes
friends come in to our lives for a reason and sometimes for a season. Being able to discern the two

and model good boundaries will be one of the best lesson you will teach your precious children.
All the best,

David Zealy-Wright LPC, LCAS

David Zealy-Wright is a Licensed Professional Counselor,
a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and a Clinical
Supervisor Intern. He graduated from Catawba Valley
Community College in 2005 earning an Associate in Arts,
Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2008 earning a BA in Psychology,
and in 2010 an MA in Agency Counseling. His specialty areas
include addiction, depression, anxiety, life changes, men’s
issues, relationships, and LGBTQIA issues.

132 To ask David a question, email [email protected]!

E V E N T F U L LY
YOURS,

Tara H. Bland is owner and event specialist of Tara
B’s Eventful Planning and It’s My Party Rentals. Tara
has planned and directed weddings and events for
the past 18 years in the Foothills of North Carolina.

Today it seems that there are many details and ideas for additional “things to do”
during weddings and receptions. What are your ideas to add a special touch to the
event that have a lot of “BANG”?

You are definitely on trend if you are considering something new and different to try at our
upcoming wedding and reception. Over the past few years brides and grooms have loved
bringing a note of the unexpected to their special day. Sparklers at the end of the evening
during the bride and groom sendoff have become a fun trend and they finish the night with
a whimsical touch. Not to mention that they create a beautiful photo opportunity for guests
and the wedding photographer. When using sparklers please be aware that you should take
precautions to make sure that the sparklers are at least 20” long and you must have buckets
of sand or water available to dispose of them once they have completely burned out. You may
also want to check with your venue to see if they have any restrictions on the use of sparklers.

If you are getting married in an area that has more space, like an open field or farm, consider
the option of hiring a professional fireworks company to set off a spectacular display for your
guests. Generally it is a good idea to do this toward the end of the evening. Please do entice
your guests with fun signage to let them know that there will be an amazing event just before
the sendoff. This way you can expect people to stick around for the show. There are a number
of professional companies within North Carolina that take care of the permitting and set up,
which is a must when dealing with fireworks. Be sure that the company is bonded and insured
and follows all safety requirements either in the city or county that you having the wedding/
reception.

Confetti cannons and confetti balloons are another new trend that brings a fun touch to the
couple’s special day. You will also want to check with your venue to see if this is an option.
If you are having an outdoor reception consider being eco-friendly by using biodegradable
confetti that disintegrates with rain. Use all metallic and white confetti for a chic look or go
all out with a full color explosion!

Eventfully yours, 133
Tara B

I Hear America Singing

Walt Whitman, 1819 - 1892
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe

and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off

work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the

deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing

as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the

morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at

work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young

fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

134

A Nation’s Strength

William Ralph Emerson

What makes a nation’s pillars high And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown
And its foundations strong? Has seemed to nations sweet;
What makes it mighty to defy But God has struck its luster down
The foes that round it throng? In ashes at his feet.

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand Not gold but only men can make
Go down in battle shock; A people great and strong;
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Not on abiding rock. Stand fast and suffer long.

Is it the sword? Ask the red dust Brave men who work while others sleep,
Of empires passed away; Who dare while others fly...
The blood has turned their stones to rust, They build a nation’s pillars deep
Their glory to decay. And lift them to the sky.

135

M O U N TA I N
MEMORIES

WITH GRANNY ECKARD
Granny Eckard shares stories and memories of growing up at
the base of Baker’s Mountain while it was still quite isolated.

136

Polio in Our Family

In the summer of 1948 our family was introduced to polio.

On May 17, my older sister, Kathryn, had just finished her last day of second grade. I was
five years old and was looking forward to starting school in the fall. We were all thrilled
about the coming summer vacation and all the fun things kids get into. Beginning that day,
our lives would never be the same.

Kathryn and I were down the driveway trying to pet a cute little brown dog that our aunt
had picked up in South Carolina for her daughters. We, being children, had no idea what a
rabid animal looked like or acted like. We just thought he needed a family because he looked
skinny and scruffy. Instead of allowing us to pet him, he viciously attacked Kathryn and bit
her. Of course, Dad recognized immediately that she was attacked by a rabid dog. By the time
we arrived back to the house, the dog was gone; but Dad organized a group of neighborhood
men to hunt him down and shoot him. Authorities were called and the dog’s head was sent
off to Raleigh for testing. It was already obvious that the dog was rabid, so Kathryn was
immediately taken to the doctor and then to the hospital to begin her rabies shots.

Two months later, on July 14, Kathryn started having horrible headaches and leg pain.
She could peddle her trike but could not walk without falling. Our parents knew well the
symptoms of polio as did every parent who lived in Hickory and Catawba Valley since the
dreaded epidemic of 1944 and the building of the polio hospital. The Chevy’s motor was being
overhauled and was hanging by a chain hoist under a huge oak tree, so Dad walked three
miles to borrow a car from his employer to take Kathryn to the doctor yet again, realizing
all the time what the outcome would be. His employer was quick to lend it, even though his
wife was not so sure. She was concerned about polio being introduced to HER family, HER
children. Dad understood her hesitance, was thankful for the use of the car, and never held
it against her (he tells us later). This family remained close to us all their lives.

Kathryn was sent from Dr. Hambrick’s office directly to Grace Hospital in Morganton where
testing and treatments began with a spinal tap, mega doses of antibiotics, the iron lung, and
steaming hot Kenny packs. She recovered somewhat, in that she became able to breath
on our own; but was not able to walk. Several weeks later she was dismissed from Grace
Hospital to come home with plans to take her to Camp Sutton in Monroe for more therapy.
She was at Camp Sutton until early spring of 1949 and was sent home with leg braces and
crutches. While at home later that summer her legs began to draw because of a tightening
of the tendons (her words) and she was admitted to the Orthopedic Hospital in Gastonia for
surgery. This was very invasive surgery that left numerous horrible scars about six inches
long on the inside and outside of her thighs, calves, knees, and in her groin. To heal, she was
placed in a Bradford frame that had her bent backward for most of every 24-hour day.

137

The March of Dimes “saved the farm” one of the reasons why kids did not make
literally. All of Kathryn’s treatments and fun of Kathryn is that their parents drove
surgeries were covered in full by the March home the message that their family was
of Dimes – all $1,323. Of the 114 Catawba most blessed indeed. Everyone in this area
County polio patients treated that year, remembered the epidemic of 1944 and
only four patients’ expenses were in excess all the hoopla. No one knew where and
of Kathryn’s. In the years that followed, when polio would strike next.
when we brought home those dime folders
from school, our parents made sure that Nor did they know why. There were
we return them with every slot filled. theories that the virus came from flies, or
from drinking water tainted with human
During both of these hospital stays, feces. Of course we had flies. We had a
Kathryn had school. It was not enough, barn and cows and pigs, but we did not
however, to keep up with the rest of her have flies in our home. Our drinking
class. Realizing that she would be a year water came from a deep well that was
behind her classmates and the problems at least 600 feet up hill from the privy.
she would have with braces and crutches, This was by design. I could say that our
she was reluctant to return to Mountain. Dad was one smart cookie, but it could be
View School in the fall. Our Aunt Irene, that everyone knows #@!* runs downhill.
who was in high school there, encouraged During the summer of 1948 a pretty petite
her to go. Before the tragedy she had county health nurse, in her blue and white
walked several miles to the bus stop, but
Dad knew that could not happen with
Kathryn. So he petitioned the county to
bring the bus to our front yard. For years,
until Irene graduated, she helped Kathryn
get on and off the bus. The bus drivers
helped her too and eventually Kathryn
learned how to accomplish it herself.

I have read accounts of how polio survivors
were taunted, called names, and made fun
of. To my knowledge, though, Kathryn
never experienced any of this. She was
the lone student on crutches and braces,
but her fellow students and teachers
were kind to help her with anything she
needed. There was one boy at Mountain.
View who went to the cafeteria every day
to pick up her lunch. Kathryn had always
been a “picky” eater; so what she did not
want to eat (and especially the milk) she
gladly handed over. Catawba County was,
and is, full of kind folks. I always felt that

138

stripped uniform, visited our home and her fellow survivors with information and
informed our Mom that Kathryn’s virus ambulatory equipment. This group met for
came from flies and tainted drinking water. the next 20 years.
Mom didn’t buy the water theory, but the
flies had to go. So she bought a sprayer, a Early on, polio survivors were told to
little hand pump thingy with a pint-sized use their muscles, “use it or lose it.” But
container, and filled it with DDT, yes DDT, in recent years, because of the fact that
to spray the flies on our back porch ceiling. survivors are having major problems
I recall the cool mist falling down on our with muscle loss and extreme pain, post-
faces and arms. (Our Mom died from breast polio doctors now believe that better
cancer at the age of 44.) advice would have been to “conserve it to
preserve it.” Kathryn switched to a wheel
You are probably wondering why I chair about twenty years ago when she
mentioned the rabid dog. Kathryn’s theory began to suffer from these problems. She
of where she contacted the polio virus was and her husband (a disabled Korean War
from the hospital where she was treated veteran) lived in Boone in their own home
for rabies. She recalls that there were kids for years until he passed away. She now
in the waiting area who appeared to her to resides in a rehab facility in Boone and is
be really sick. There were, and still are, a looking forward to the next chapter of her
lot of unknowns surrounding this horrible life.
virus. During Hickory’s epidemics, there
were doctors and nurses from all over the Books on the subject – Of course,
United States, and afar, who came here to two fictions by Joyce Hostetter, Blue
share their knowledge and expertise and and Comfort; Polio, Pitchforks, and
I am sure they did the best they could. Perseverance published by CVCC’s Red
But if the virus came from house flies Hawk Publishing; and the documentary,
and human feces, how did Jane Goodall’s Miracle.
chimps contact polio in Tanzania?
To have a better understanding of the
Mon and Dad were always thankful that effects of polio, read Dr. Richard Bruno’s
Kathryn’s life was spared. Many children book, The Polio Paradox. Also visit the
did not survive and some survived the polio museum at the Harper House in
rest of their short lives in an iron lung. Hickory (currently on temporary loan to
Kathryn was a very determined girl and the County History Museum in Newton
woman. She was never bitter, never felt
sorry for herself and never felt that there 139
were things she could not do. She married
young and had three children in three
years while working full-time, driving
the kids to school and church, sewing their
clothes on a treadle sewing machine, and
doing her own cooking and housekeeping.
In 1993 she founded The Post-polio Support
Group of the High Country to help provide

Leaving
By Kermit Turner

Two small boys were fighting over a truck, Mark. Don’t be a baby.”
battered fire truck in a corner of the Mark stood up and threw the truck to
kitchen. “You boys share that and be
quiet,” said the young mother at the sink the floor, his face flushed below pale blond
washing breakfast dishes. hair.

The two older children had just left for “You broke it!” his brother screamed.
school, a mile walk on a dirt road, carrying The mother threw an aluminum pot
brown lunch bags the mother had packed
after preparing breakfast for her husband. into the sink and slapped the wet dishcloth
An hour ago he’d left in his clattering onto the countertop. “I can’t stand this
pickup for work at a furniture factory in anymore. I’m leaving and not coming
Lenoir, eight miles away, a job he often said back.” She jerked the faded yellow apron
he was lucky to have in these Depression from her waist, threw it to the floor and
years, when so many men had no work. flounced out of the kitchen, slamming the
She too is thankful for the job, but fears door behind her.
it won’t last. Nine years ago when they
married she’d been so optimistic, just a The boys stood staring at the door,
foolish, starry-eyed girl-- now twenty-seven their blue eyes wide, their mouths agape.
years old, and already with four children to After a minute they ran from the kitchen,
care for. across the back porch and out the rusty
screen door.
The wheels of the red fire truck rumbled
on the uneven linoleum floor. The smaller, At the bottom of the wooden steps they
towheaded boy reached for the toy and stopped and glanced frantically about.
tried to pull it from his brother’s hands. Mark saw his mother down near the small
“It’s my turn! Give it to me!” weathered barn, walking fast, the skirt
of her faded bluish dress swishing in low
A dish clattered into the sink. “Stop sunlight, showing the shape of her legs.
it,” the mother cried, turning to face them. “Mama! Come back! Jay can have the
With a wet hand she pushed a lock of truck!”
brown hair up from her forehead. Early
sunlight through the window cast a broad The woman flung her right arm backward
shadow of her head and shoulders on toward the boys, waving them away, kept
the graying plaster wall behind her sons. walking and disappeared around the side
With red angry faces the boys pulled at of the barn.
the truck.
The boys ran down the path calling after
“For god’s sake give it to him, Mark.” her, the smaller one beginning to cry.
“He just had it! It’s my turn now!”
“No, he’s had it more than me.” “Jay and me won’t fight no more,” Mark
“That’s a lie.” called. “Won’t bother you.”
“Shut up. Both of you. Give him the
140 They rounded the corner of the barn
and stood looking about. Their mother
was nowhere in sight. In front of them,
across the barbwire fence, scraggly pasture
sloped down to a thicket of blackberry

briars and alder bushes along a small “Crazy Fun for Everyone!”
stream. Beyond the pasture, brown autumn
fields stretched along a hillside to a wall of October 5 – 6PM-11PM
dark pine woods. October 6 – 10AM-8PM

With a thumb in his mouth the smaller Live Music Main Stage and Gospel Stage, Kids
boy sniffled. Mark reached out and put a Zone with Inflatables, Carnival Games, Food Court,
hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Mama will Beer Garden, Over 120 Craft and Retail Vendors
come back.” But neither his voice nor his
face conveyed assurance. FREE EVENT

“Where’d she go?” MUSIC SCHEDULE:
“Must’ve gone in the bushes down there. City Hall Stage
She’ll come back when she feels better. We Friday, October 5th
got on her nerves.” 7p.m-10p.m - too MUCH SyLviA
“I’ll be good. Won’t fight no more.” Saturday, October 6th
“You can have the truck. I’m too big for 11a.m.-1p.m. – Bearwallow Bluegrass
it,” Mark said, feeling ashamed for fighting 1p.m.-4p.m. – The Night Move Band
over a toy. 4:15p.m.-4:45p.m. – Miss Treva’s School of Dance
5p.m.-8p.m. –KelbyCostnerwithOpeningAct-Country
Their heads hanging, the boys turned
and walked toward the house. When St. Mark’s Gospel Stage
they were a few yards past the barn, the Saturday, October 6th
woman emerged from a stable door and fell 10a.m.-12p.m. – The Gospelaires
in behind them, taking care to step lightly. 12p.m.-2p.m. – Carolina Quartet
But the boys heard or sensed her presence, 2p.m.-4p.m. – The LeFevre Quartet
turned and ran toward her. She knelt in the 4p.m.-6p.m. – Carolina Quartet with LeFevres
path and opened her arms for them.

“I wasn’t going to leave you silly boys,”
the woman said, hugging them.

Looking over his mother’s shoulder at
the gray, weathered planks of the barn’s
face, the dark mouth-like entrance to the
loft where hay was stored, Mark felt that the
world had changed. He gazed out across
the pasture. The hillside, the fields, the two
tan jersey cows grazing in sunlight were the
same. He and his mama were not.
Kermit Turner has published two short-story
collections, A MATTER OF BLOOD and
CULTURE WARS, and a novel, FUNLAND.
These books are available from AMAZON
in paperback and e-book editions. Signed
copies of the paperbacks are available at
the Hickory Art Museum gift shop.

141

Ana Cristina Godoy In our next
issue...
Accredited Jewelry Professional
Jewelry Appraisals Spooky Foothills

Graduated Gemologist Our region is full of mystery and ghost
GIA#0010127822 stories abound. We explore several of
these stories. Brown Mountain Lights are
Custom Fine Jewelry
always a favorite!
828.493.3744
Furniture
Anacristinagodoy.com
[email protected] Hickory has always been a major furniture
hub. This is still true today. We explore
the history, the present and the future of
furniture in the Foothills.

Balloons

Look Up! Statesville Balloon Festival is
this Fall, and we’ll tell you how to best

enjoy it.

And more!

Our next issue is stuffed full of goodies,
and we can’t wait to share it with you!

If you don’t have a subscription, you can
take care of that at:
foothillsdigest.com!

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Photo by Jeff Wilhelm
143

144

Photo by SCePrhgheimoSktnoibeaybyRoSeckanStPaatevoPnaerk
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Photo by Katherine Dellinger
Info on this hike on page 102.

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(828) 322-8011

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