SummerGood2019 Flip

“Lux Lucet in Tenebris” fiercely and
proudly displays across the Waldensian
Emblem, “Light shining in the darkness”,
and shine did their light fearlessly, without
wavering, for centuries. The emblem itself
dates back to 1640, a time when darkness
seemed to envelop the Waldensian people
with no end in sight. And yet, through it all,
the Waldensian people, and their strong
commitment to their faith, continues to
shine through all darkness to this date.

Waldensian history dates back to the between France and Italy. They quickly
middle ages, predating the Reformation by became known as “vaudois” or “people of
some 400 years. Beginning in Lyon, France, the valley” because of their new homeland.
a band of brothers led by Waldensian hero It is here that the Waldensians sought to
Peter Waldo, began to preach that the way live in peace. But peace, however, was
of Christ was to give to the poor, this band not to be. Persecution followed them
became known as the Poor of Lyon. The Poor into the valleys and the hostilities with
of Lyon were soundly condemned by the the Roman Catholic Church continued.
Catholic Church, ultimately setting the base
for a hostile relationship between them and With the safety of the surrounding valleys,
the Roman Catholic Church. By 1811, the the Waldensians continued to live a relatively
archbishop of Lyon excommunicated the safe life. They continued to practice their
Waldenses, causing the pope to declare all faith, educate their children, and follow the
Waldensians heretics just three years later. principles that scripture had taught them.
Persecution of Waldensians reached its
Although many credit Waldo with the peak in the spring of 1655 with a Savoyard
beginning of the movement, the roots military campaign referred to as the
of Waldensian beliefs run much deeper Piedmontese Easter. Since the Protestant
and date back even further. In the core of movement was on the rise, the Duke of
Waldensian belief is the priesthood of all Savoy faced immense pressure to eradicate
believers, both men and women, and the the Waldensian “heresy” that was in the
right of all people to read and interpret valleys of the Piedmont. Children were
scripture for themselves. Because of this torn from their mother’s arms only to be
core belief, education has always been tortured and murdered, whole villages
central to the societal life of Waldensians. were burned to the ground, ultimately
Men, women, and children alike were all leaving approximately 5,000 Waldensians
encouraged to read the scripture in their massacred. Those who survived were
own language, and to hold the books of the forced to flee the valleys, leading them to
bible to their heart, in case their scripture join the reformed church in Geneva, and
was to ever be stripped from them. other reformation strongholds. Light in the
darkness came through international outcry.
By the 1230’s, persecution against John Milton, English poet, penned the
Waldensians was fierce. Finding light in following poem about the horrible incident:
their darkness, a large group of Waldensians
relocated to the Cottian Alps, nestled in 51

On the Late Massacre in the Piedmont
BY JOHN MILTON

“Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughter’d saints, whose bones
Lie scatter’d on the Alpine mountains cold,
Ev’n them who kept thy truth so pure of old,
When all our fathers worshipp’d stocks and stones;

Forget not: in thy book record their groans
Who were thy sheep and in their ancient fold
Slain by the bloody Piemontese that roll’d
Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans

The vales redoubl’d to the hills, and they
To Heav’n. Their martyr’d blood and ashes sow
O’er all th’ Italian fields where still doth sway

The triple tyrant; that from these may grow
A hundred-fold, who having learnt thy way

Early may fly the Babylonian woe.”

Bending under the international pressure, international assistance from William
the Duke of Savoy had no choice but to of Orange, The Invicibles continued
end his attack on the Waldenses. The the resistance. War ravaged through
refugees returned to find the burned the valleys for months, until Arnaud’s
remains of what was once their home. force was reduced to a mere 350 men.
Their light, however, shined in the Light once again broke the darkness for
darkness. Their faith remained intact. the Waldenses in June of 1686, when
Sadly, this single moment would not put an Savoy entered the League of Augsburg,
end to the persecution. In 1685 King Louis and Victor Amadeus II agreed to defend
XIV of France revoked the Edict of Nantes, the Waldenses and their freedoms. In 1689
which allowed French citizens freedom of Henri Arnaud and his soldiers marched
religion. The French King petitioned Duke from Geneva back to their homeland in the
Victor Amadeus II of Savoy to once again Waldensian Valleys, this become known as
clear the valleys of Waldensian faith. It is The Glorious Return, and glorious it was.
around this time that Waldensian pastor, After the Glorious Return, the Waldensians
Henri Arnaud, returned from exile in Holland began to pick up the pieces of their life,
with a call for his people to fight against the and rebuild their home. But it wasn’t
Duke. The Waldensians fought against their until February 17, 1848 when the Edict of
massive foe for six weeks, ending in the Emancipation was passed by King Charles
imprisonment of 12,000 and the death of Albert of Sardinia, that Waldensians were
2,000 Waldenses. In spite of this, hope was granted civil liberties. Although civil liberties
not lost and their faith remained steadfast. were earned, it wasn’t until the conclusion
A band of 1,500 Waldensian men led of WWII in 1948 that the community
by Arnaud continued to wage battles was given the freedom of religion.
across the alps against Savoyard and With the Edict of Emancipation
his followers. These 1,500 became ushering in a time of peace, Waldensian
known as “The Invincibles”. Bolstered by communities continued to thrive during

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times of hardship. Land became scarce they faced throughout that first year.
as the population grew in the valleys. As the community grew, so did the faith.
Many were starving as land plots were Just as they had done for centuries, they
divided and re-divided among families. continued to study scripture, educate their
By the 1880’s Waldensian families children, and pass their faith down to the
began to explore the idea of leaving their generations who followed them. On February
beloved homeland in Italy to start anew in 17, 1897 Waldenses saw their dream of a
foreign lands. In 1893, that journey led 29 church accomplished with the leadership
Waldensians to North Carolina, creating what of Reverend Barthelemy Soulier, as they
is now the town of Valdese. The following laid the cornerstone of the Waldensian
November, another group of 100 came to Presbyterian Church. The church was
join the ones whom traveled before them. joyfully dedicated on July 4, 1899, where it
The early days in the United States were quickly became a second home and a center
not easy. The land in Burke county was not of activity to the Waldensian families.
ideal for farming, causing the struggling The church still stands at the center of
community to almost starve to death during Valdese today as a living testament to the
their first winter. But light came this time history and strength of the Waldensians.
from their new neighbors, near and far, Throughout constant persecution, the
who generously welcomed the fledging Waldensian faith still remains. The largest
community into their land. Waldensian settlement of Waldenses still call the Cottian
women would visit nearby churches, singing Alps home; but Waldensian settlements
Waldensian hymns for love offerings so that can be found in Argentina, Missouri, and of
they could build a community bread oven. course, Valdese. The light will forever shine
Eventually, a sawmill was built to generate in the darkness for the Waldensian people. It
lumber for home building. Generous offerings will continue to prosper with the same faith
came from sympathetic believers from all that was held by those who fought before them.
over the country, who had seen the hardships

LUX LUCET IN TENEBRIS.

53



FDAHLRIAISVYOTEOFIMORNYRVCFWALOOPDVRERSAUEWL:
BY EDYTH PO t ER PRUIBt
PHOTOS BY MA t HEW AND JERI BOERGER

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56I N S P I R I N G H O M E S A R O U N D T H E W O R L D F O R O V E R H A L F A C E N T U R Y

aldese, North Carolina is a bustling little town with an amazing
history. Founded by Waldensian immigrants in 1893 the town’s
architecture and reflects its origin. It is here that stories are

Vremembered of ancestors who faced religious persecution,

triumphed over near extinction and traveled to America to become part of the
beautiful melting pot of freedom we all enjoy and hold dear. As Valdese faced
its 75th anniversary, in 1968, residents sought a way to keep the history alive,
not only for Valdese residents, but also for the greater community who may
benefit from hearing the story of the Waldenses and the founding of Valdese.
It is out of this great desire, that a small group formed to re-establish Old
Colony Players as a community theatre in Valdese. Fred B. Cranford, a local
history teacher, was approached about writing a history and script that could
be produced for the 75th anniversary of the town. “From This Day Forward”
was staged with nearly 100 people in the cast and crew. Since that time, the
show has brought delight to audiences for over 50 continuous seasons.
“From This Day Forward” portrays the sacrifices, principles and struggles of
the Waldenses to defeat poverty, to defend personal conviction and to protect
personal Freedom. This nationally recognized outdoor drama portrays the
Waldensian ancestors’ journey to create a better life for themselves and their
descendants. The first act takes the audience back to the homeland of the
Waldenses, The Cottian Alps, between modern day France and Italy, during the
dark days of the mid 1600’s. It is a story of faith amid persecution and hope
overcoming despair. The second act sees the descendants of those faithful
people set out to a new land to find the dream of America as they work together
to establish the town of Valdese. It is a story of struggle, but also a story of
hope.
The 2019 Season of “From This Day Forward” will be directed by Asheville
native, David Sebren. David holds an Master of Fine Arts in Directing from

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Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from UNCG. He
has worked professionally as an actor and director since graduating from UNCG
in 2006, and has worked with companies from North Carolina to California.
In his career he has spent six summers in outdoor drama; two at “Trumpet in
the Land”, one at “The Lost Colony”, one at “Snow Camp”, and two at “Theatre
West Virginia”. He is excited to bring his expertise to Valdese this summer and
commented, “Having worked for four outdoor dramas I am very passionate
about the art form and wish to see it strengthened. So many Americans have
lost their connection to and understanding of history. As theatre artists we
have a hefty responsibility to not only hold up a mirror to society, but to portray
those images and possible evils we witness. We are the living memory of
society.”

“From This Day Forward” will run Fridays and Saturdays from July 12 through
August 10 for the 2019 season at 8:00 PM at the Fred B. Cranford Amphitheatre
in Valdese. It is a fully outdoor amphitheatre, so patrons should be prepared
for any inclement weather. The show goes on “rain or shine” unless lightning
is in the area. The amphitheatre is fully handicap accessible. Because of the
nature of the story and because of realistically portrayed battle scenes, parents
should be advised that some scenes may be disturbing for young children.
Valdese is very proud of its heritage, and there are several historic attractions
that can also be visited this summer while attending the outdoor drama.

58

Most notable among them is the Historic Waldensian Festival which takes
place the closing weekend of “From This Day Forward” (August 9 and 10 of
2019). Other noted attractions in Valdese are the Waldensian Heritage Museum
and Church, The Old Rock School, Waldensian Heritage Winery, and the Trail
of Faith. Daytrips which include a showing of “From This Day Forward” are
also available by calling the Valdese Tourism Department at (828) 879-2129.

For more information on “From This Day Forward” please call Old Colony
Players at (828) 522-1150, log on to www.oldcolonyplayers.com or email
[email protected]. For more information on other attractions in
Valdese, call the Valdese Tourism Department at (828) 879-2129 or visit the

town webpage at visivaldese.com.

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Exhibit is open until September 1,
2019, at the SALT Block in Hickory, NC.

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The Flutterby Butterfly Exhibit at the Catawba Science Center shouldn’t be missed.

The traveling exhibit has landed there until September 1st and gets you up close and
personal with many varieties of butterflies.
There are 55 butterfly species native to Catawba County, and a provided field guide
helps you identify which has landed on your finger. Monarchs, Swallowtails, and
Fritillaries flit around, looking for nectar. Fortunately, you’ll be supplied with a bit of
nectar for your finger. Hungry butterflies will likely seek you out.
The Catawba Science Center recognizes the value of this butterfly exhibit to
photographers, and has set aside special times for photographers to shoot. These are
on June 3rd, July 1st and August 5th.
Butterflies are delicate creatures, so extreme care is taken to make sure they are safe.
You’ll want to avoid touching their wings. Remember, it’s good luck for a butterfly to
land on you, but it’s bad luck to grab a butterfly.
Did you know butterflies can be as small as 1/8th of an inch, or as large as 1 foot? There
is great variety in size and color. They are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Butterflies need their bodies to be at least 86 degrees in order for them to fly. Since they
are cold-blooded, and cannot regulate their own body temperature, this causes some
difficulties. One way that butterflies solve this problem is by migrating. Some butterflies,

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like the Monarch Butterfly, fly up to 2,000 miles a year to follow warm weather, and
they fly right through North Carolina.

Butterflies have 4 distinct parts of their life cycle, and each can be observed at the
FlutterBy Butterfly Exhibit.

1: Each butterfly begins life as an egg. The mother will lay many eggs close together
on a leaf. Most eggs need about 5 days to hatch, although this does vary from species
to species.

2: The egg hatches and a caterpillar emerges. These caterpillars are tiny when they are
first hatched, and they are also hungry. They begin to eat, which is the main focus of
this life stage. They grow so quickly that their skin cannot keep up, and they molt 4-5
times during this stage.

3: Once the caterpillar has grown large enough, it spins a sac around itself. This stage
is called a chrysalis, a pupa or a cocoon. From the outside, it seems like
not much is happening. On the inside though, the animal is rearranging
itself, while retaining its memories and life experiences. It’s old
body becomes unrecognizable. It is growing wings, which
remain tightly wrapped around itself.

4: The butterfly emerges from the cocoon that
it entered as a caterpillar. It begins the arduous
process of pumping blood into his wings so that he
can fly, then he takes off, in search of food.

Even though science can explain the process, each butterfly feels
like an every-day miracle. Butterflies are special. Who isn’t delighted
when a butterfly flits across your path unexpectedly?

We recommend taking a trip to the Catawba Science
Center this summer. There are loads of other things to do
while you are there as well, but the butterflies will delight
you. I dare you to keep a straight face when a butterfly lands on
your finger.

Admission is free for CSC Members. For Non-Members, admission is $2 plus
general admission. You can find more information on the CSC
website: catawbascience.org. or by calling (828) 322 8169.

Oakwood Dental Arts is a full service dentistry firm based in the heart
of Hickory, North Carolina in the historic Oakwood district. Our mission
is to help you thrive in our town. Whether you have a troubled tooth that
needs help or want to get that smile you’ve always dreamed about, we
are here to serve. We will work with you to create a plan to achieve the
best oral health possible. Let’s take the journey together.

828-324-6235

OAKWOODDENTALARTSNC.COM

[email protected]

66

The theme park with
distinct foothills flavor
and thrills a plenty.

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ucked into a wooded
mountainside, Dollywood’s

Tlocation is peaceful, idyllic and
temperate. Voted Friendliest
Theme Park in America year after year,
it’s a safe, family-friendly place to visit.

But don’t let the pretty scenery fool you.
Dollywood is a serious theme park full
of award-winning, truly amazing rides.

It’s also a showcase of traditional
Appalachian Crafts, as well as the music
of the Smoky Mountains. It also features
Dolly Parton’s life and music, and her fans
flock to see her at openings and events.
One fan, Kim Boyle, has seen her over a
thousand times, and moved to Pigeon
Forge so she could come to Dollywood
more often. She says “I truly believe she’s
an angel on earth, a gift from God. She
changed my life as a child, saved it in a
way, and now I feel I’m in debt to her.”

Started in 1961 by the Robbins Brothers,
the park was originally called Rebel
Railroad. You might recognize the Robbins
name, as the family owns Tweetsie
Railroad in Boone. In fact, the park was
modeled after Tweetsie Railroad, and
centered around a train that’s nearly
identical to the one heard across the
High Country of North Carolina, and
conflict between “cowboys and Indians.”

The park changed hands once and

became known as “Goldrush Junction”

before the Herschend family bought it in

1976. They renamed it “Silver Dollar City”

and invested in heavy improvements.

Soon, Dolly Parton bought shares in the

company, and a partnership was formed

that has proven to be very successful.

The park opened the 1986 season as

“Dollywood” and the park has grown

steadily in the years since. The park

68 employs over 3,000 people, and has
become the cornerstone of the community.

The park is split into many sections, each with a different theme. The park is organized around
a large loop with Showstreet being your point of entry. It’s loaded with activities and food.

One of the most impressive things about Dollywood is the food. It is high-quality and delicious,
and the price point is very reasonable. It’s also abundant, with restaurants everywhere you
look. Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse is a great choice if you are visiting with children. It’s a buffet,
which means you can be seated and eating inside an air conditioned building quickly, and it’s
tasty to boot.

The flow of traffic generally heads counter-clockwise, but if you’ve been driving from the
Foothills, you probably want to get to the rides as quickly as possible! If that’s the case, head
clockwise. This takes you on a direct path to some excellent roller-coasters.

You’ll arrive at Thunderhead first, a wooden coaster featuring a 100 foot drop and speeds of
55 mph. If you have kids with you, it’s a good idea for them to ride the next ride you’ll pass,
the Whistle Punk Chaser. This junior coaster is a good warm-up and will help you gauge which
rides they can handle. The Drop Line is next, pictured bottom left on the previous page. This
ride lifts riders 20 stories in the air, then rotates them around to give them a breathtaking view
of the Smoky Mountains, before plunging them down in a rush of excitement.

Mystery Mine will be the next coaster you encounter, and it’s got a fun surprise that will drop
your tummy down to your toes. You’ll spend some time in the dark, and you’ll never know
what’s around the next bend. Thrilling curves and terrifying drops await.

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This year marks the opening of Wildwood Grove, the largest ever expansion to
Dollywood. 11 unique attractions were added at a cost of $37 million, representing a
true upgrade to the park.

Dolly Parton spoke at the opening, saying, “When I was a little girl growing up in the
hills of the Smoky Mountains, I’d often let my imagination just run away—something
I still do now—dreaming these big dreams about what it’d be like to venture off with
a family of bears in to the woods or how fun it would be to hitch a ride with the

butterflies and dragonflies. All us kids would
splash and play in the creeks and ponds
around home and have these daydreams
about the world around us, and that’s what’s
so special about Wildwood Grove. We’ve been
able to create a new area to allow families
to experience some of those exact dreams
we all had when we were little. Wildwood
Grove is so special to me because so many of
the same daydreams and imaginations from
my childhood have now found a perfect place
at my Dollywood. I hope families will enjoy

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laughing, playing and exploring together in this great new place that truly does feel like
home for me.”
After singing a Wildwood Grove inspired version of Love is Like a Butterfly, Dolly Parton and
some children released butterflies to open the addition. The spacious area provides a nice
resting area and includes a splash pad and several rides, including an excellent new coaster
called the Dragon Flier, pictured on the opening page. Below you’ll see the Frog and Fireflies
ride, and the WIldwood Band plays at left. This addition makes the park much more friendly
for children who are under 48 inches tall, who can’t ride the larger coasters.
When you exit Wildwood Grove, you’ll wander through Wilderness Pass finding the Fire Chaser
(seen on the following page). This is a fun ride that the whole family can ride. Riders don’t
have to be 48 inches tall, but the thrills are not child-size. You’ll go forward and backward and
enjoy pyrotechnics and thrilling dips and turns. The Wild Eagle is America’s first wing coaster,
perched 21 stories above the ground. Riders are suspended from the side, with nothing but air
below and above them as they fly over the Smokies. The Tennessee Tornado is next, which
flips riders upside down three times, plunges them 128 feet and reaches speeds of almost 70
mph. The ride is silky smooth and exhilarating.
Blazing Fury is next, and this ride is a nod to the earliest beginnings of the park.
This indoor coaster is old-fashioned and full of nostalgia. Just past Blazing
Fury you will find an old schoolhouse, a rare glimpse of life in the 1890s.

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Dollywood is home to a great many rescued birds, and a world-famous show called Wings
of America which teaches viewers about predatory birds and their habitats. You can also
view Eagles in their natural habitat, and visit other birds that are on display.

As you walk through Craftsman’s Valley, you’ll see artisans performing many traditional
crafts, from glass-blowing to iron-smelting, and you can visit a large variety of shops.
Be sure to try the cinnamon bread at the Grist Mill. Go back and read that last sentence
again so you don’t forget. It’s amazing.

From there it’s a hop, skip and jump to ride the train or visit Country Fair,
which is filled with carnival rides that are fun for children and adults. This is
where you’ll find swings and bumper cars, as well as the Merry-Go-Round.

Be sure to ride the Smoky Mountain River Rampage, where you will most certainly get
wet. Kids love the Rockin’ Roadway, where they can “drive” individual cars around a track.
Be aware this ride doesn’t allow you to stow your belongings away, so you might want to
grab a locker for the length of the ride, or plan on your bag getting a little wet. A family
size dryer at the exit of the ride will get you toasty warm again for a small fee.

This is where you should take a deep breath and get ready for the most intense roller
coaster ride of your life. This isn’t hyperbole. The Lightning Rod (shown right) has been

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hailed by many coaster experts as one of the best coasters ever built. It is most certainly the
best wooden roller coaster on earth, and it is smoother and faster than you are imagining.
In fact, it is the fastest wooden coaster in the world. A word of advice: just because your
child CAN ride this ride, it doesn’t mean they SHOULD. The minimum height is 48” but you
may want to hold off with your kids until they are 8 or 9, or particularly brave about roller
coasters. This thing is CRAZY fast, and steep, with steep pitches and surprising turns and
eye-peeling speeds that top out at 75 mph. The coaster is launched and never gives you
a second to catch your breath, but it’s a ride you won’t soon forget. It’s basically amazing.
This will bring you back to Showstreet, where you should see some shows and learn about
Dolly Parton. And shop! The best gift shop is on the way out of the park, and all of the
stores will deliver your purchases throughout the day to that main location. If you are
staying at the Dreammore Resort, they will even deliver the packages to your room!
We have several suggestions to make the most of a trip to Dollywood.
You should certainly download the Dollywood App, which uses GPS to guide you through
the park and even tells you how long the wait times are for each ride.
We also whole heartedly recommend that you purchase a TimeSaver pass for each member
of your group. As another perk to staying at Dollywood’s Dreammore Resort, you receive
free TimeSaver passes. These passes hang around your neck and allow you to skip almost
every line. Dollywood is a very popular place, and during some parts of the year, it can get
very busy. During these times, having a TimeSaver pass can be the difference between

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an amazing experience and a day spent mostly waiting in lines. You can purchase the
TimeSaver passes at the park or online at dollywood.com.
When you purchase your tickets, you can buy them for one, two or three days, and you can
choose to include Dollywood’s Splash Country. There are also deals for getting season passes.
There is also a season pass option that gives you 25% off all purchases and free parking.
If you think you’ll visit several times throughout the year, it is worth the price difference.
If you do think you’ll visit several times, another thing worth the purchase price is the
souvenir cup. They allow you to get refills at any food stand for $0.99 all season.
Also, be sure you wear comfortable shoes and clothes that dry quickly. We recommend
carrying a bookbag with a lightweight change of clothes, sunscreen, and water, although
all of those things are available at the park should you need them.
Dollywood has won an impressive number of awards. The Golden Ticket Awards are
considered to be the Oscars of the industry, and Dollywood has racked up quite a few.
In fact, they dominate the industry in several categories, including: Friendliest Theme
Park (seven years running), Best Shows (ten years running), and Best Christmas Event
(11 years running). The Park often wins the Best Food category, and is ranked 5th best
theme park in the world. In short, it’s worth the drive for anyone who likes theme parks!
Dollywood’s Splash Country is a robust water park right next to Dollywood. The park
spans 35 acres and exceeds industry safety standards. In fact, their lifeguards won the
Jeff Ellis Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award. The park opened in 2001 and has

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been upgraded steadily in the years since.

The park’s theme revolves around the streams and rivers Dolly Parton played in as a child,
and the park was built into the mountainside. There are a large number of water slides, as
well as a 25,000 square foot wave pool, a lazy river (shown above) and an impressive kiddie
pool area. There is even a water coaster, called RiverRush, which features a 25-foot drop
and exciting twists and turns. You should ride this ride first, because the line gets longer as
the day goes on, and it’s very popular.

Fire Tower Falls (at left) are the fastest water slides on the property. Twin slides rise
70 feet in the air and plunge down steeply. You’re on your own, without a mat or raft
beneath you, as you slide down in what almost feels like freefall. Obviously only for
the brave, this slide tempts the most daring of riders and provides bragging rights.

Slightly less terrifying are the Butterfly Slides: 55 feet of steep descent into a butterfly
shaped pool at blinding fast speeds.

The slides and attractions vary in intensity, so there is something for everyone. With 16
attractions, Splash Country provides ample entertainment for families, and it’s a perfect
compliment to a Dollywood vacation.

Eight different dining options are available, and the layout provides a pleasant and relaxing

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experience for parents, and
a thrilling experience for
children.
You have so many options for
summer vacations, but we
hope that you’ll consider a day
or three at Dollywood. There’s no
other theme park that feels like
the foothills.
The fact that it’s positively thrilling
is icing on the metaphorical cake.
Speaking of icing on the cake...you
can rest easy knowing that money
you spend at Dollywood is returned to
the community. 3,000 locals are employed,
keeping the local economy flowing, and the company donates when they are needed.
The FBI recently awarded Dollywood and Dolly Parton for their commitment to
community. The Director’s Community Leadership Award was bestowed on the company
and it’s iconic leader because of their massive monetary donations when thousands of
people lost their homes because of wildfires. Dolly Parton’s Imaginarium Library is an
organization that helps donate millions of books to children around the world. In short,
both the company and Dolly Parton are excellent stewards of our mountains and our
communities and they’ve made a lovely theme park for us to enjoy.

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Shining Hope Farms

Shining Hope Farms opened the doors of its for shadowing and intern experiences.
third location to the Conover community Community businesses and individuals
in 2017. As a therapeutic riding center, are also encouraged to get involved
its primary focus since then has been to philanthropically. As a nonprofit, donations
serve children and adults with disabilities provide a significant source of funding
in the community who could benefit which ensures that the programs are
from equine assisted activities and accessible to all regardless of a family’s
therapies. While still its main focus, they financial means. In fact, a majority of
are now opening up new opportunities the patients have no out of pocket costs.
for the community to get involved. Some of the newest and most exciting
Their primary programs currently include 1) opportunities for the public however, are
physical, occupational, and speech therapy the opportunities to use the property’s
that utilize the horse’s movement as a extensive trail system. They consist of
treatment tool (a treatment strategy called five miles of beautiful wooded trails
Hippotherapy) and 2) therapeutic horseback with varied terrain, wrapping around
riding for individuals with disabilities. Lake Hickory as well as some creeks.
An Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy The public is invited to utilize the trails
program is also slated to begin very shortly. for trail riding at a rate of $15 per day by
Shining Hope Farms’ Conover farm is part appointment and with a negative coggins.
of a family of facilities that currently Additionally, Shining Hope Farms has
operate in the Charlotte Metro region. The begun hosting Equine Trail Sports events
original facility and administrative office for the first time in North Carolina. The
opened its doors in Mt. Holly in 2003, weekend of events consist of a trail
and was followed in 2010, by the first challenge and obstacle course. The first
satellite location in Charlotte. Together, event took place in March with two more
the three locations currently serve 185+ to follow in June and September. Shining
participants a week in their programs. Hope Farms is also currently looking for
As the only accredited organization offering sponsors for the events and encourage
Hippotherapy in the Western Piedmont any local businesses to contact them.
region of North Carolina, there has always
been great demand, with some families Details:
traveling over an hour one-way for their 1.To volunteer: Contact Kimberly Deal at
weekly therapy session at one of Shining [email protected].
Hope Farms’ locations. The Conover location 2.To make an appointment for Trail Riding:
has helped to open up the opportunity Call Kristen at 828-244-1543.
for individuals with special needs and 3.To participate in the next Equine Trail
their families in the Hickory-Lenoir- Sports is taking place June 29-30 you can
Statesville, Morganton Metro Area to obtain find information here.
Hippotherapy services in their own backyard. 4.To find out information about sponsorship
One way Shining Hope Farms is hoping opportunities contact Development Director
the community gets involved is by taking Misty Phillips at mistyleighphillips.shf@
advantage of the numerous volunteer gmail.com.
and learning opportunities that they have
available. Volunteers with any skill level
are welcome, as are students looking

78

About Shining Hope Farms
Shining Hope Farms is a
501(c)(3) organization
whose mission is to enable
children and adults to reach
their full potential through
the use of equine assisted
activities and therapies.
Programs provided include
physical, occupational, and
speech therapy utilizing
equine movement as a
treatment strategy called
Hippotherapy. Shining
Hope Farms is the only
facility offering this
treatment strategy in the
counties that they operate
in. Therapeutic Riding is
also offered to children
and adults. They are a
Premier Accredited Center
of PATH Intl. (Professional
Association of Therapeutic
Horsemanship, Int) as
well as the American
Hippotherapy Association,
and currently operate sites
in Gaston, Mecklenburg,
and Catawba Counties.
There are 20+ horses
and 35+ staff members
consisting of occupational
and physical therapists,
speech and language
pathologists, PATH Intl.
certified riding instructors,
and administrative staff,
plus many wonderful
volunteers which make
a well-rounded program.
Shining Hope Farms is
also a GuideStar Exchange
Gold participant, a leading
symbol of transparency
and accountability among
nonprofits. For more
information, please visit our
website at shininghopefarms.
org or call 704-827-3788.

79

80

Cavendish Brewing Company:
Where Geek Culture goes out

By Adam York

Upon entering the door of the door of Cavendish Brewing Company, a new
guest will see two types of people. The Regulars seem willing to engage
strangers in conversation, but never interrupt those who want privacy. If
asked, they’ll answer questions about the amazing beer, the board games,
or any subject that comes up. The Regulars are part of a community and
even help out behind the bar occasionally. The Regulars are the first type,
the second type, are those who are probably about to become Regulars.

207 North Chester Street in Gastonia was once an abandoned Studebaker
and Dodge car dealership , conveniently located near downtown Gastonia
and on Hwy 321. Now banners hang from the exterior announcing
Cavendish Brewing Company. Gastonia’s first brewery specializes in old
world recipes and American blends with a wide selection of unique recipes
made on site. For the beer connoisseur, Cavendish is a quiet place to relax.
According to owner and founder, Scott Cavendish, “On most nights the
brewery is a local hangout that is much like an external living room open to
both friends and family. It is kid and dog friendly, has couches and TVs, board
and patio games of every sort, as well as lots of options for date nights. It
is an ideal spot for chatting and laughing with members of the community.”

Scott describes sections of his Beer menu with both passion and pride.

“Ave Maria Juicy IPA – A juicy IPA that is super tasty and drinkable. It is named
after a woman who passed by the brewery, and sang an excellent rendition of
“Ave Maria” to the brew staff for a dollar. So we named our flagship IPA after her.

Social Lubrication Belgian Blonde – This Belgian Blonde is smooth and malty,
and the opposite of a hoppy IPA. It is named as the original version was a
mistake and clocked in at 8.2%. It was delicious and fun, and quite lubricating.

Dragonbane Stout – When first introduced, This Oatmeal Stout sold out in only 3
weeks. I love dragons, and wanted a name worthy of such a well-crafted stout.
No worries, we will make much more this year when Stout season rolls around!

81

Cowboy Water – Our new American Light Pale Lager. It is super drinkable
and has a name that makes you smirk each time you hear it. We named it
because it made us laugh, and everyone needs both a good beer and some fun.”

“Cavendish Brewery won Triple Gold Medals in 2018 in the NC Brewers
cup, more than any regional brewery in the Charlotte area. The brand
is well regarded in the beer nerd community, slowly gaining a regional
reputation for excellent beers. Everyone at Cavendish ensures our creations
are first class in style and the best possible example of an authentic
beer from their old world country of origin. They are quite tasty too.”

But, none of that explains the Game of Thrones décor, the trappings of
the last Harry Potter party, or why Dr. Who is on the menu. Cavendish
Brewery is more than a calm place to have a delicious draft. It’s the Cos-
play celebrations that make the Brewery unique. Cavendish delights both
the old world beer halls as well as creates a hometown touch of Dragon Con.
To plan their Cos-play events Scott explains, “ We sit down with the brewery
staff to figure out which who has a passion for a particular fandom. It could be
Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Monty Python, Game of Thrones, Big Lebowski, or
anything really. As long as we have someone really into it, that person becomes
the event leader and then we brainstorm ways to make that event fun and
cool. We haven’t announced the 2nd half of the year, but I’m sure there will
be Dr Who, a Yule Ball, a giant Halloween Costume party, and maybe another
Star Wars/Star Trek Space Mixer too. Some staff interests are Dragon Con,
Carolina Con, Renaissance Festival, Harry Potter Alliance, and we have lots
of fans of iconic geek shows – Dr Who, Firefly, every Sci-fi, and many others.”
Scott has a unique take on costumes and Cos-play as his birthday falls on October
31rst. Scott is happily a child of Halloween. One way or another his birthday
always turned into a costume party, giving him a large collection of outfits to draw
from. With so many options, the transition to Cos-play brewery was an easy one.

Scott realized great beer helped Cos-players overcome stage fright
and so created his combination of geek culture and great beer.
The brewer goes on to say, “As Gastonia’s first brewery, we
really are setting the mold as to what a brewery is. We do a
number of fun events every week, some popular ones include:
Yoga in the brewery on Wednesdays, Run club and Trivia night on
Thursdays, and all sorts of events and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
We also host new gatherings, like, World Wide Wednesdays, a language

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meet up for people that speak or want to learn any language
and chat over a beer with people from all around the world.”
“We offer free event space to charities and community groups, and
try to be a community partner and attract people to good causes
that support the area. Some examples include Boy Scouts, church
gatherings, and Animal rescue charities. Another popular happening
is the new “Ask a Pastor” day each month, where we invite local
pastors of several churches, and people can ask a pastor any
question over a beer. The questions have been quite interesting,
and are not the typical things you might hear in church!”
April 20th marks their second anniversary and Cavendish
is celebrating with the dance and musical styling of the
Flow Artists. For those unfamiliar, Flow artists perform
intricate dances set to music with glowing hula-hoops,
Drago staffs, and other objects. A Hawaiian Luau is planned
for June 15th, which promises to be a wonderful time to
meet and greet new people. More information is available
on the Cavendish Brewing Company Website, and all
events are listed on their Facebook page.
Cavendish Brewing Company welcomes
all people from all places. It promises
to become a cornerstone in the newly
evolving nightlife culture of Gastonia.
It is both a quiet nook where
people remember your
name, and a gathering
where adventure awaits.

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Fox & Hound

A CIVIL DISCOURSE

WITH JAMES THOMAS SHELL AND SARAH EVERLY

Editor’s Note: We are thrilled to welcome Sarah Everly to our Fox & Hound team, and we look forward to lively conversation.
From James Thomas Shell: To open this dialogue with Sarah, the general topic is about what it would take to get
Millennials to stay in our area. In a text, she says that her interpretation of past Fox-Hound articles: “mention “young
people” and how our community needs to evolve to keep millennials upward, but it is banter about Millennials instead
of with them.”
I think some people may misunderstand where I am coming from, if they think that my main focus is just on attracting
‘Millennials.’ My focus is upon Science and the overall vitality of our community. Local officials, around 20 years ago, laser
focused on attracting retiring ‘Baby Boomers’ because they thought the sheer numbers of that generation’s population
would bring growth to our community.

Unfortunately, retirees don’t create the economic velocity that young up and comers do and this
most likely played a huge role in the economic malaise that we experienced in the first decade
plus of this century. It threw our overall Ecosystem out of whack.
Chicken or Egg? Which comes first, the social dynamism of a community or its
Economic Well-Being? My thoughts are in these articles, as well as on my website,
hickoryhound.com. Success is defined pretty simply, because “Quality of Life”
correlates to economic growth, therefore our community’s overall “Quality of Life”
is dependent upon growth in the largest workplace and consumer demographic
-- Millennials. In other words, if young people aren’t living here or moving here,
then we aren’t succeeding.
My thought process relates to not putting all of your eggs in one basket. We don’t
need a certain generation. We don’t need a certain type of industry. We don’t
need any certain category. What we need is balance. ‘If the chickens ain’t layin’
no eggs, and no eggs are hatchin’, then soon we ain’t gonna have no chickens.’
The reason why I have said that we need young people, and haven’t just said
Millennials, is because of the demographic evidence -- lack of balance -- over
the past twenty years. Besides, Millennials are now entering middle age. We
have seen population stagnation for a generation and if we don’t stem the
tide, then we are going to see population decline. Look at the Rust Belt areas
of Western New York, Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Northern Indiana, Michigan,
if we don’t regenerate, then that is where we are headed.
I’m all about a call to action. That is how I got involved in civic engagement. At
52 years old, as a DeGeneration X’er, I have seen my family pass away and move

84

away to the point that there are only 3 of us left here. I have put ideas on my website, in this magazine, and in the
public. The only thing that politics and good government can successfully do is create an environment for people to
participate. The Millennials and iGen are going to have to buy in.
What will it take for them to buy-in? Perceived opportunity. Do they like it here? Do they want to be here? Can they
afford to stay here? Do they have a future if they stay?
I have never had a problem with listening. I’d love to hear what the younger people have to say. I’d love to know what
would make them happy, because I know that attracting these people to stay home, or to move here, is the key to the
vitality and viability of our community.
We have a lot of ingredients that make for community success, but we’re having trouble with the recipe. Is there
something missing or are we just not putting it together right?

James Thomas Shell

From Sarah Everly: In 2001 my family moved to the Hickory area. I was 9 years old and to me Hickory was a wasteland.
Empty buildings littered the roadsides, parking lots were cracked and overgrown with weeds trying desperately to
reach the light. The town was stagnant. There was a lack of youth. The youth that was here was wildly underpaid
and their children? Wildly undereducated.
Eighteen years later my peers and I have grown up. In large part, the once empty buildings are now filled with
businesses owned by the under forty population. Growing up in the recession taught our town’s youth to make their
own prosperity, to make wealth out of barren land and broken buildings. All of this makes it appear that this area is a
lively and prosperous place to settle. It makes us look like, as Hound phrased it, we have the perfect recipe, but there
is so much that isn’t seen to outside eyes.
As our under forty populations put their hours, hands, and heart into stimulating prosperity in our towns, they are
being repaid by housing markets that leave them in vicious cycles of predatory landlords and few options to find a
home they can afford. Our Boomer populations are selling their homes for four times what they paid, and anything
sold under 120k is going to investors and serving as a fifth or sixth rental property. In my own experience I have found
housing to be more affordable outside of our immediate area. Time and time again I have seen my peers move their
families to Morganton, Nebo, or Charlotte, often taking their businesses with them. Add the housing crisis to the
insurmountable student debt crisis, and public school systems that are still lagging behind and you have a recipe
that is forcing us out of the areas that we largely helped lift out of recession.
I have to earnestly agree that our ecosystem is out of whack, but it is also my belief that we are
facing another economic collapse. If housing prices do not fall, the market will crash. If interest
rates do not stabilize, businesses will waste away or leave entirely. If our younger residents
continue to work so tirelessly and only the Boomers benefit, we will burn out. If wages
continue to leave tradesmen rolling pennies at the end of the month, they will follow the
cash flow elsewhere. Plainly put, this area will be facing a drought of youthful prosperity
within the next five to ten years. Do we want to stay? Yes! This is our home. We pulled
the weeds, we paved the parking lots, we filled the empty storefronts. We had the odd
privilege of helping craft this wasteland into the beautiful and bountiful community
it appears to be. The idea of leaving is heartbreaking for many of us, but many of
us are left with no choice. Can we afford to stay? Perhaps some of us, for now, but
I’m not sure how much longer. Our recipe is lacking sustenance.
This is not to say that millennials consider Boomers to be lazily benefiting from
our hard work. Many of them will never have the chance to retire because
they too are lacking opportunity and prosperity. While eighty five percent of
our community is panic stricken over billing statements each month, the other
fifteen percent sip from wine glasses at country clubs or stand around in circles
discussing rounds of golf. Things that most of our community will never get to
do. It is bewildering to me that a town that once sought out retirees, is being
sustained and developed by a population that will never get to retire.
A call to action. In previous versions of this column the call to action has largely
been to raise wages, lower cost of living, etc…
I have to agree with those sentiments, but those things do not happen quickly. They
may take years to happen. What condition will our community be in by then? We

85

“Choose a Job to need swift actions. Actions like stimulating, or even
Transport your Career” adding more nonprofits. Non profit Microlending
has been proven to bring communities up and out
Transportation Insight is Hiring! of their stagnation. These institutions often focus
We value the attributes of professionalism on lending to minority populations such as People
and high-quality character. A successful of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, those with
candidate will value and possess these credit challenges, and those who do not have an
attributes: strong work ethic, strong established business portfolio. Adding lenders who
communication skills, motivation to grow service people that would otherwise be rejected
and learn, positive attitude, dependability, by traditional banks to our community gives every
responsibility, honesty and integrity. individual an opportunity to pull themselves up,
If this sounds like you, please apply at www. succeed, and then allow their success to benefit our
transportationinsight.com/about/careers/. community’s ecosystem.
Creating affordable access to trade certifications,
86 hiring people of color, shopping locally, opening
affordable and safe daycares, pushing our school
systems to deliver quality education to our children,
all of these things are immediate actions that
we, as a community, can do to keep our younger
populations prosperous, and upward.
Boomers to Generation Z, we all work hard. We all
deserve quality of life. We all deserve a stronger,
more united community. To borrow from Gloria
Steinem, humans should be linked. Not ranked.
When we accomplish that, we’ll know we’ve created
the perfect recipe.

Sarah Everly

James Thomas Shell’s Question: Sarah, I appreciate
very much where you are coming from with your
article. If you go back and read all of the articles that
Gabriel and I corresponded on, then you will read
about some of the very issues you elaborate on here.
I have been a big proponent of microlending and
small business generators since the inception of the
Hickory Hound in 2008. Can you further elaborate
on how we can bring this to fruition and maybe
how it might help you or someone you know on a
personal level? I understand where you are coming
from, but there are many who don’t understand and
can’t relate.
I understand your angst related to housing. Many of
the issues, related to housing in our area, stem from
the financial crisis of 2008, which had a lot to do
with lending to people who got in over their heads
buying overvalued houses. What do you believe
can be done to re-open the marketplace to lower-
income homebuyers without going back down that
path again? Maybe, as you alluded to, the market will
have to reset by allowing housing values to fall to a
level of affordability that correlates with those lower
income levels. Are you looking for a government
solution?

Sarah Everly’s Answer: While it may be tricky
to seek out Microlenders to settle here, it’s
relatively easy to educate our nonprofits about
the existence of Microlending. Institutions

like Women’s Resource Center work closely with was in recession well before it was acknowledged
programs like Work First. Knowledge of Microlending nationally in 2008 and we have never truly
and how it works could cultivate opportunity for the recovered. What some have interpreted as a recovery
jobless and underpaid women they serve. The same has actually been settling into a new normal. The
goes for Safe Harbor, Christian Ministries, etc... The Economic Innovation Group still lists us as an ‘At-
people nonprofits are serving are people that would Risk’ Community. That is a lot of what you saw in
be quickly rejected by conventional lenders. I’ve been your teenage years. That is a completely different
a housewife for seven years. I have eleven thousand experience than my own teen years.
in defaulted student loans, a sobering reality that In the 70s and early 80s, my mother was a top-notch
affects a massive portion of our community. A woman job recruiter in the Hickory area. Manufacturing
with a seven year job history gap and defaulted businesses were actually paying people bonuses
federal loans isn’t seen as a promising candidate and helping them with housing to locate here.
for living wage jobs. She’s also not a candidate for The problem was that as time went on there was
traditional financing. If I decided to run a business, resistance from our community’s hierarchy to recruit
Microlending would be my only hope. Being provided more highly skilled technical industries. Regarding
with a low interest loan from a non predatory lender technical industries, a local entrepreneur started
would help me establish a business that provides the Superior Cable Company. Corning Inc. invested
means to get my student loans out of default and and eventually took over. People flocked to those
begin a valid work history. The fact is that thousands jobs because of the compensation offered. This led
of our citizens are in the same boat. Those thousands to a Telephony Industry cluster in our area, which
of citizens would similarly benefit from access to flourished before Trade Treaties caused a major scale
Microlending. back in the early 2000s, which coincides to the era
As for my ideas on our housing crisis, my opinion you allude to.
is not favorable to investors. While having a rental The housing issue that you have faced is a National
property is a wonderful way to build financial issue. In an Associated Press article out this week, we
security, having six of them is an action of greed. learn that “In the seven years since the housing crash
My husband and I have been searching for a home ended, home values in more than three-quarters of
since February. Every home within our price range is U.S. metro areas have climbed faster than incomes...
swept off the market within hours, only to be listed Nationally, home prices since 2000 have climbed
for rent within three weeks time. These homes at an annual average rate of 3.8%, while average
would come with a mortgage that equals half of incomes have grown at an annual rate of 2.7%.” So
what they’re being rented for. I also believe Airbnb is yes, your personal experience is validated.
contributing to our housing drought. While families My personal experience? I moved back here because
are being forced out of the city, homes are sitting I was more comfortable with the family connection.
empty half the year because renting them nightly My income would definitely have been higher outside
brings in more cash flow than renting them to our of this area, but can you put a price tag on the family
residents. Cities like New York and San Francisco experience? I had to get creative and make a ton
have enacted regulations on Airbnb in response of sacrifices to buy my house and keep making the
to the cities’ rising homeless population. These payments. I’m making less than I made in 2005. I
regulations include guidelines that require hosts to haven’t been able to afford upgrades, but the good
be residents of the city that their Airbnbs are located thing is I locked in at the 2005 monthly payment.
and nightly rentals cap out at 90 days a year. If we Because of the economics of the area, the value
enacted similar regulations hundreds of homes would hasn’t risen much. You are correct about rental costs.
be available to citizens nine months a year. Investors As far as my experience versus others? That is more
and Airbnb hosts, these two populations are leaving complex than I can answer here. I will say that my life
hundreds of victims in their wake and roaming with has been built upon plenty of blood, sweat, and tears
little to no regulation and in turn the citizens that and nothing I have was accumulated through some
make our community prosperous are being forced to special privilege. I look forward to future discussions.
pay twice as much for housing or being forced out of
our community altogether. Economic Innovation Group - Distressed Communities - https://
Sarah Everly’s Question: As an individual with a focus on eig.org/dci
science, what do you think could be done to harness this Young homebuyers scramble as prices rise faster than incomes
interest and use it to benefit the younger populations in - Associated Press - JOSH BOAK & LARRY FENN - May 25, 2019
our community?
You’ve mentioned that you’ve watched your family 87
members pass away and leave. I’m very sorry that has
been the case. I am interested to know what kept you
here. What actions and/or options were available to you
that made staying in this community worth it? Do you
believe these actions and/or options are readily available
to every demographic in our community?
James Thomas Shell’s Response: Sarah, our area

Moonshine Memories
with Granny Eckard

We all have a practice of romanticizing the “good provide his meals. He would walk miles to
ol’ days.” This is especially true of moonshine. the one store in our area that sold beer, spend
Our Scots-Irish ancestors were very proficient at all his money, and before he made it back to
this cottage industry and brought the skill with the house drank it all and a passing motorist
them when they immigrated to the Foothills would pluck him from the side ditch and take
of North Carolina. Many were farmers and him home.
therefore had access to raw materials that Unfortunately, both his sons had his appetite.
might otherwise go to waste. You know, make They spent most of their adult life in jail (on the
moonshine or raise pigs. They could make more chain-gang) for driving under the influence.
money turning their corn crop into shine. They also occasionally lived at Grandma’s
There were other reasons to turn to moonshine. when home on furlough. They were always
Prohibition had stopped the flow of legal kind and respectful to us kids and we enjoyed
whiskey from 1920 to 1933 and men had to get spending time with them. One of these men
it somewhere so they took to making it down by could draw anything. His best was Dagwood
the creek under the light of a full moon. Also, and Blondie - better than the artist rendering in
the Great Depression (1929-1939) caused an the comics. The other one had learned leather
unemployment rate of 25% and times were tooling in jail and taught our brother to make
tough. belts and wallets. In 1954 there was an article
Great Granddad (1868-1951) and his boys made in the Hickory Daily Record about one of them
it for their own consumption and to sell. They being arrested for making moonshine. He
were always on the lookout for revenuers and was 20 years old and according to the Record
occasionally had to make a run for it. I don’t article had the largest and most elaborate
think they were ever caught, although one of the still (500 gallon) that the ATTU (now ATF) had
boys spent many stints in New Jersey waiting captured in ten years. He was able to alert his
for things to cool off. As soon as he felt it was partners who evaded arrest. There is no way
safe, he would return to Burke County and the a 20-year-old mill worker had the resources
cycle would start all over again. Another one to finance this operation, but he took the fall.
continued to sell moonshine until right before Another time, to avoid arrest, one lived for a
his death in the 90s. while in the crawlspace of their neighbor’s
We had another uncle (1906-1977) who worked home in the mill village until the family dog
at the Henry River Cotton Mill, and was not a gave him away. Both men perished together
farmer, so he had to purchase his whiskey. He in a house fire in 1986, they were 53, and 55.
was such a kind and gentle man whom we loved Then there was Sugg (1919-2009). His family,
and respected. He was married with a family mom and dad and ten kids, were share-
and they all worked in the mill. Drinking made croppers. The family had had an especially
it hard to keep his job and eventually, he went to hard time during the depression and had to
live with Grandma and Grandpa. He helped our leave a certain farm and go live with their
Dad with farm work and Dad paid him a small grandparents. It was a beautiful two-story
wage. Not much, because the more money he house with twin front porches and crop land
had the more he would drink. He didn’t need that in previous years had been planted in
much money though because, with needle cotton. Sugg’s family worked the farm until
and thread, he would patch his own overalls, one spring day after the crop had been planted,
Mom would cut his hair, and Grandma would an uncle connived, by hook-or-crook, how he
could acquire ownership of the farm. So the
88

family was told to leave and Grandpa Available exclusively at
was powerless to stop it.
The family was forced to move to foothillsDigest.com
another share-cropper farm where
the house was bed-bug infested and Unconventional T Find Your Wild Side T Fog & Trees V-neck
the land was rocky, neither tillable Bella + Canvas Triblend American Apparel Raglan Bella + Canvas V-neck
nor fertile. Plus they had used what
was left of their last year’s profit to
buy seed to plant at Grandpa’s. They
were not even allowed to go back and
work the crop or reap the harvest, not
even the kitchen garden. Sugg’s sister
told me several times through the
years that if her two brothers had not
made and sold liquor the entire family
would have starved that winter. The
stories of their liquor making were
tense: How they were stalked and
chased by the revenuers. How Sugg
fled through the woods with two
one-hundred-bags of sugar on his
shoulders. How he outran them to
work in a saw mill in Tennessee for a
spell. Growth of the illegal liquor trade
under prohibition made criminals of
millions of Americans. Jails were
full, courtrooms were backlogged,
allowing for plea bargains. So
when Sugg and his brother turned
themselves in, they served no time.
Poorly-made moonshine can kill,
sometimes quickly from methanol,
or more slowly from other issues.
It was estimated that 1,000 people
died every year during prohibition
from tainted moonshine. Although I
grew up in a teetotaler household and
still espouse this lifestyle, my story
is this: These men were all family
men whom we loved and respected
and we did not judge them for their
varied choices.
And who did not love Robert Mitchem
in Thunder Road, George Jones’s
White Lightning, and Junior Johnson’s
fast cars!

89

DAN SMITH

90

“Recovery of the Ball.” The ball is a symbol The art he told us about circles around and
for life, and “recovering it,” as well as around a set of themes. Native American
understanding it, is a driving goal for Dan culture seems to plays into every thing he
Smith. At left, he is tossing a ball he made does. Smith is fascinated by the directive to
by hand of buffalo hair and other natural “ recover the ball,” made by the Oglala Sioux
materials. His art, heavy on personal Spiritual Leader Black Elk shortly before
symbolism leaves us asking questions, and his death in 1950, recorded in Joseph Epes
wanting to know more. Brown’s book “The Sacred Pipe”. The number
12 recurs, with an animal representing each
Dan Smith is an artist, in the same way Van month including buffaloes, deer, salmon
Gogh was an artist,
which is to say and horses, among
down-deep in his others. The number
soul. He is prolific, 7, Mickey Mantle’s
with his ideas number, also recurs
running faster than quite often.
his hands can keep
up. His work examines
the cyclical nature of
He is driven, life, the symbolism
consumed even, of the baseball and
by the story he is ecology. In fact, he
trying to tell, and says ecology is the
as we listen to him very basis for all he
talk, we realize does.
he’s been telling
some of the same Dan’s Native
stories since 1989 American heritage
when he began plays a small part
developing his of his love of the
Master’s thesis: culture, but the way
ManLandSee. of life of indigenous
people resonates
Dan Smith has a with him deeply. He
BFA in Painting is ever fascinated
from East Carolina by the way people
University and an interact with nature,
MFA in Painting objects and art and
from the University of South Carolina. He’s these themes are
participated in countless juried shows across simplified and highlighted in the cultures he
the country and has taught art studio and is drawn to. He is innovative, always looking
humanities at galleries and colleges during for new ways to tell his story.
the past 30 years.
After researching his genealogy, Smith
We couldn’t understand the whole of his realized that he is 7% (Mickey Mantle’s
story in the limited time we had, but we were number!) Native American. While his
fascinated by what we grasped. Native American ancestors lived in
California, Smith’s art brings him all over

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the country. A map on the following We asked Smith to help us understand the
pages begins to explain how he sees themes he’s working with for this project.
each geographical area, and details the
animals that he associates with the area. “Team goals. Sacred quarters. 3 Bases
and Home Plate. The seventh rite at center
Smith is working on his next exhibition, field. A game is played to represent the
which he lovingly calls “OKOKOK”. The work course of one’s life. The Commerce Comet.
takes him to Oklahoma. Although he happily It is spent trying to get the ball which
lives in Hickory, Oklahoma feels like a bit of represents a universe. Wakan-Tanka. Lord
a homecoming. It’s
home to 39 Native of the Universe.
American Tribal The odds of finding
Governments AND your universe
it’s Mickey Mantle’s are protected by
home-state. ignorance and other
antagonists. The
While Smith has Hindu metaphor for
mounted many ignorance is a dwarf
traditional shows, on which Shiva
this will not be one dances. Balance.
of them. For this Moves Walking
exhibition, he is received the original
doing things his way, rite of Throwing a
or more specifically, Ball in a vision. It
the Native American was passed on to
way. The show must High Hollow Horn in
happen in Oklahoma a dream. I went to
because since his the mound for Black
masters’ thesis, Elk. “
Dan Smith has incorporated the theme
of radiating from a “hub.” In this case, We also asked him to help us understand
Oklahoma is the center. the symbolism of the ball. He didn’t
disappoint:
The show will center on integrating Black
Elks’ 7th ritual with baseball, geometry and “The wool and cotton guts of a baseball are
cosmology, throwing or recovering the ball one mile long. The core pill. It has a cork
that represents the earth or universe. center and a cowhide mantle. 108 stitches
times two is a double strand helix in a yin
Black Elk was a famous wičháša wakháŋ and yang figure 8 design. Monte Alban
(medicine man and holy man) and heyoka in the Oaxaca Valley of Mesoamerica is
of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). He famously the beginning of the Zapotec culture. The
converted to Catholicism, but before his capital I shapes a ball court for play. It is a
death, he issued the directive to “recover field of lost years. Imagine a nucleus that is
the ball.” the size of a baseball. It would have a three
inch diameter and be filled with 15 miles of
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called histones and folded and twisted until you get a compact shape of a chromosome.”

“I wasn’t yet born in 1951 when Willie Mays hit a pop up to center right against the
Yankees. Casey warned Mickey to go for everything so he ran full blast. He was positioned
in right field cleats. Joe DiMaggio had a bad heel playing center. The mental collapse of
stars and planets popped into being. “

Dan Smith is an unconventional artist with a LOT to say. The OK show he is currently
working on is one of twelve shows he will complete. The sprawling set of work is
comprehensive and thought-provoking, just as he intended.

Extended Sites
1. ManLandSee: SC to Smith Center KS (completed)
2. InCarNation: The Hampton Roads 400 VA (completed)
3. ManInfested Destiny: From Boone to Boon, Boone NC (completed)
4. US: A Civil War Interpretation: Columbia SC (completed)
5. OKOKOK: A Mantle of Lament: Spavinaw OK (current)

6. Pan’sphere: JerUSAlem

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This is a working schematic
for the concepts and themes
Dan Smith is working on.

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Waterfalls

all around us

Story and Photography by Kat Dellinger

One of my favorite things to do on a hot summer day is to take a hike out to one of the many waterfalls
surrounding us in the foothills. Whether it’s a quick 10 minute stroll or a 3 mile hike, there are so many
options around Hickory. Here are four of my favorites that are family friendly.

LOOKING GLASS FALLS (below) CATAWBA FALLS (at right)
60ft cascade 100ft cascade
Drive-by or short walk 3 miles round trip
Easy Easy to moderate

This “hike” is more of a park and walk than Located just 26 miles east of Asheville and right
anything. In fact, you don’t even have to get out off the interstate, the Catawba Falls trailhead is
of your car to see it! But exploring the water one of the easiest to get to. The hike is 3 miles long
at the base of the falls could lead to all day (out and back) and moderately strenuous in parts.
adventures. Located near Brevard off of U.S. If you’re bringing little kids, make sure they stay
276 in Pisgah National Forest, it’s about 2 hours close and wear some shoes w grip - the water can
away, so making it a destination on a day trip move pretty fast after a heavy rain and rocks are
with other waterfalls would be ideal. Sliding slick near the falls. There is a separate side trail
Rock and Moore Cove Falls are close by. to the upper falls that I do not recommend due to
safety hazards.

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TOMS CREEK FALLS (below) GRAVEYARD FIELD LOWER FALLS (pg 136)
80ft cascade 50ft cascade
Less than one mile round-trip 0.6 miles round trip
Easy Easy

Whenever a friend with little kids asks me where they The second shortest hike on my list, lower
can take the family on a hike, I always recommend Toms falls at Graveyard Fields is quick and easy
Creek Falls in Marion. Only 45 minutes from Hickory, it’s to get to with boardwalks to view the
a great spot to pack a lunch in your backpack and eat at falls and several trails you can access the
the base of the falls. The trail is flat and short enough, if water from. It’s at milepost 418.8 on the
you have to carry a little one on trail, it won’t be hard on Blue Ridge Parkway, and the only hike on
your back. Parking is on Huskins Branch road off of hwy my list with a restroom. If you can, plan
221 - if you time your hike in the spring, a field of daffodils your trip in August when the trail is lined
to the left of the trailhead will be in full bloom. Hike 0.4 with blueberries. If the shirt tip to the lower
miles in and your there. Seriously. The pool at the base falls isn’t enough, you can continue on to
of the falls is perfect for wading and playing in. Eat lunch Upper Falls - a little over 1 mile ahead on
on the platform deck or, if you want to be close enough to the Graveyard Fields Loop.
feel the spray from the falls, on one of the many boulders.

Notes:
Please pack out everything you take in.
Bring plenty of bug spray and sunscreen.
I do not recommend tennis shoes for any of these hikes because of
how slick the rocks can be on the trail and near the falls.
These are all dog-friendly trails, but keep them on a leash.

Bring lots of snacks and have fun.

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the end, you’ll walk with us and our amazing construction team at Steele’s Construction into your dream home.

www.steelesdesign.com (828) 322-8011

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dental implants for many area employers. No matter where your
patients live or work, they’re close to one of our offices in Hickory,
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