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Published by Carmen Eckard, 2019-06-03 07:26:29

Summerforflip

Final Proof

“Lux Lucet in Tenebris” fiercely and proudly between France and Italy. They quickly
displays across the Waldensian Emblem, became known as “vaudois” or “people of
“Light shining in the darkness”, and shine the valley” because of their new homeland.
did their light fearlessly, without wavering, It is here that the Waldensians sought to
for centuries. The emblem itself dates back live in peace. But peace, however, was
to 1640, a time when darkness seemed not to be. Persecution followed them
to envelop the Waldensian people with into the valleys and the hostilities with
no end in sight. And yet, through it all, the Roman Catholic Church continued.
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 middle With the safety of the surrounding valleys,
ages, predating the Reformation by some the Waldensians continued to live a relatively
400 years. Beginning in Lyon, France, a safe life. They continued to practice their
band of brothers led by Waldensian hero faith, educate their children, and follow the
Peter Waldo, began to preach that the way principles that scripture had taught them.
of Christ was to give to the poor, this band Persecution of Waldensians reached its
became known as the Poor of Lyon. The peak in the spring of 1655 with a Savoyard
Poor of Lyon were soundly condemned by military campaign referred to as the
the Catholic Church, ultimately setting the Piedmontese Easter. Since the Protestant
base for a hostile relationship between them movement was on the rise, the Duke of
and the Roman Catholic Church. By 1811, the Savoy faced immense pressure to eradicate
archbishop of Lyon excommunicated the the Waldensian “heresy” that was in the
Waldenses, causing the pope to declare all valleys of the Piedmont. Children were
Waldensians heretics just three years later. torn from their mother’s arms only to be
tortured and murdered, whole villages
Although many credit Waldo with the were burned to the ground, ultimately
beginning of the movement, the roots leaving approximately 5,000 Waldensians
of Waldensian beliefs run much deeper massacred. Those who survived were
and date back even further. In the core of forced to flee the valleys, leading them to
Waldensian belief is the priesthood of all join the reformed church in Geneva, and
believers, both men and women, and the other reformation strongholds. Light in the
right of all people to read and interpret darkness came through international outcry.
scripture for themselves. Because of this John Milton, English poet, penned the
core belief, education has always been
central to the societal life of Waldensians. 51
Men, women, and children alike were all
encouraged to read the scripture in their
own language, and to hold the books of the
bible to their heart, in case their scripture
was to ever be stripped from them.

By the 1230’s, persecution against
Waldensians was fierce. Finding light in
their darkness, a large group of Waldensians
relocated to the Cottian Alps, nestled in

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

52

communities continued to thrive during over the country, who had seen the hardships
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.

LUX LUCET IN TENEBRIS.

53



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

SOAK UP THE SUN THIS
SUMMER WITH ALL YOUR
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Generations of skilled
craftsmen building the
finest furniture every day.

Proudly supporting our local craftsmen, manufacturers and retailers.

www.hickoryfurniture.com | 1-800-462-MART (6278)

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 remembered of ancestors

Vwho 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 Florida State
University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from UNCG. He has worked

57

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 visitvaldese.com.

fD

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

61

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,

62

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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.

fD

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.

Children ride the Dragon Flier, a coaster in the
new addition to Dollywood, Wildwood Grove.

67

By Carmen Eckard
Photography courtesy of Dollywood

Tucked into a wooded
mountainside, Dollywood’s
location 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.

68 The park opened the 1986 season as
“Dollywood” and the park has grown

steadily in the years since. The park

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.

69

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 laughing, playing and exploring together
in this great new place that truly does feel like
home for me.”

70

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’ll find an old
schoolhouse, a rare glimpse of life in the 1890s.

71

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.

Kids love the Rockin’ Roadway, where they can “drive” individual cars around a track. Be
sure to ride the Smoky Mountain River Rampage, where you will most certainly get wet.
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

72

coaster ride of your life. This isn’t hyperbole. The Lightning Rod (shown right) has been
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.
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

73

very busy. During these times, having a TimeSaver pass can be the difference between
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

74

Jeff Ellis Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award. The park opened in 2001 and has
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.

75

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Eight different dining options
are available, and the
layout provides a pleasant
and relaxing 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 large theme park that feels like
the foothills.
The fact that it’s positively exhilerating is
certainly 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.

fD

77

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.

fD

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!

Cowboy Water – Our new American Light Pale Lager. It is super drinkable and

81

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 Cosplay 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 Cosplay brewery was an easy one.

Scott realized great beer helped Cosplayers 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 meet up for people that speak or want to learn any language

82

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.

fD

83

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 programs like Work First. Knowledge

of Microlending and how it works could cultivate recovered. What some have interpreted as a recovery
opportunity for the jobless and underpaid women has actually been settling into a new normal. The
they serve. The same goes for Safe Harbor, Christian Economic Innovation Group still lists us as an ‘At-
Ministries, etc... The people nonprofits are serving are Risk’ Community. That is a lot of what you saw in
people that would be quickly rejected by conventional your teenage years. That is a completely different
lenders. I’ve been a housewife for seven years. I experience than my own teen years.
have eleven thousand in defaulted student loans, In the 70s and early 80s, my mother was a top-notch
a sobering reality that affects a massive portion job recruiter in the Hickory area. Manufacturing
of our community. A woman with a seven year job businesses were actually paying people bonuses
history gap and defaulted federal loans isn’t seen as and helping them with housing to locate here.
a promising candidate for living wage jobs. She’s also The problem was that as time went on there was
not a candidate for traditional financing. If I decided resistance from our community’s hierarchy to recruit
to run a business, Microlending would be my only more highly skilled technical industries. Regarding
hope. Being provided with a low interest loan from technical industries, a local entrepreneur started
a non predatory lender would help me establish a Superior Cable Company. Corning Inc. invested
business that provides the means to get my student and eventually took over. People flocked to those
loans out of default and begin a valid work history. jobs because of the compensation offered. This led
The fact is that thousands of our citizens are in to a Telephony Industry cluster in our area, which
the same boat. Those thousands of citizens would flourished before Trade Treaties caused a major scale
similarly benefit from access to 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 fD
members pass away and leave. I’m very sorry that has
been the case. I am interested to know what kept you 87
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
was in recession well before it was acknowledged
nationally in 2008 and we have never truly

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 alcohol related offenses. They
money turning their corn crop into shine. also occasionally lived at Grandma’s when
There were other reasons to turn to moonshine. home on furlough. They were always kind and
Prohibition had stopped the flow of legal respectful to us kids and we enjoyed spending
whiskey from 1920 to 1933 and men had to get time with them. One of these men could draw
it somewhere so they took to making it down by anything. His best was Dagwood and Blondie -
the creek under the light of a full moon. Also, better than the artist rendering in the comics.
the Great Depression (1929-1939) caused an The other one had learned leather tooling in
unemployment rate of 25% and times were jail and taught our brother to make belts and
tough. wallets. In 1954 there was an article in the
Great Granddad (1868-1951) and his boys made Hickory Daily Record about one of them being
it for their own consumption and to sell. They arrested for making moonshine. He was 20
were always on the lookout for revenuers and years old and according to the Record article
occasionally had to make a run for it. I don’t had the largest and most elaborate still (500
think they were ever caught, although one of the gallon) that the ATTU (now ATF) had captured
boys spent many stints in New Jersey waiting in ten years. He was able to alert his partners
for things to cool off. As soon as he felt it was who evaded arrest. There is no way a 20-year-
safe, he would return to Burke County and the old mill worker had the resources to finance
cycle would start all over again. Another one this operation, but he took the fall. Another
continued to sell moonshine until right before time, to avoid arrest, one lived for a while in
his death in the 90s. the crawlspace of their neighbor’s home in the
We had another uncle (1906-1977) who worked mill village until the family dog gave him away.
at the Henry River Cotton Mill, and was not a Both men perished together in a house fire in
farmer, so he had to purchase his whiskey. He 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.
foothillsDigest.com
The family was forced to move to
another share-cropper farm where Unconventional T Find Your Wild Side T Fog & Trees V-neck
the house was bed-bug infested and Bella + Canvas Triblend American Apparel Raglan Bella + Canvas V-neck
the land was rocky, neither tillable
nor fertile. Plus they had used what 89
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!
fD

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 field.
Smith is working on his next exhibition, A game is played to represent the course of
which he lovingly calls “OKOKOK”. The work one’s life. The Commerce Comet. It is spent
takes him to Oklahoma. Although he happily trying to get the ball which represents
lives in Hickory, Oklahoma feels like a bit a universe. Wakan-Tanka. Lord of the
of a homecoming. It’s
home to 39 Native Universe. The odds of
American Tribal finding your universe
Governments AND are protected by
it’s Mickey Mantle’s ignorance and other
home-state. antagonists. The
Hindu metaphor for
While Smith has ignorance is a dwarf
mounted many on which Shiva
traditional shows, dances. Balance.
this will not be one Moves Walking
of them. For this received the original
exhibition, he is rite of Throwing a
doing things his way, Ball in a vision. It
or more specifically, was passed on to
the Native American High Hollow Horn in
way. The show must a dream. I went to
happen in Oklahoma the mound for Black
because since his Elk. “
masters’ thesis,
Dan Smith has incorporated the theme We also asked him to help us understand
of radiating from a “hub.” In this case, the symbolism of the ball. He didn’t
Oklahoma is the center. disappoint:

The show will center on integrating Black “The wool and cotton guts of a baseball are
Elks’ 7th ritual with baseball, geometry and one mile long. The core pill. It has a cork
cosmology, throwing or recovering the ball center and a cowhide mantle. 108 stitches
that represents the earth or universe. times two is a double strand helix in a yin
and yang figure 8 design. Monte Alban
Black Elk was a famous wičháša wakháŋ in the Oaxaca Valley of Mesoamerica is
(medicine man and holy man) and heyoka the beginning of the Zapotec culture. The
of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). He famously capital I shapes a ball court for play. It is a
converted to Catholicism, but before his field of lost years. Imagine a nucleus that is
death, he issued the directive to “recover the size of a baseball. It would have a three
the ball.” inch diameter and be filled with 15 miles of
DNA. The DNA has to be twisted into spools

92

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

fD

93

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

94

95

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.

fD

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All of our projects begin with a meeting...us getting to know you and your tastes and what you are dreaming of. In
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

99

One Subject You children do. We hear nothing from the story of
Can’t Talk About Enough their life except that somewhere along the way, the
human calling and vocation, the one that told us we
By Heather Davis were to care for the earth and her creation, to take
Genesis 4:1-16 care of the land and animals, somewhere along the
There’s this episode of the Andy Griffith show, where way, this meant dividing that vocation into two.
a fancy preacher from New York, Dr. Everett Breen “Now Abel was a keeper of sheep and Cain a tiller
comes to Mayberry to preach one Sunday. The of the ground.” (Gen. 4:3)
preacher goes on and on about how we shouldn’t And shepherds and farmers don’t always get along.
hurry through life and we ought to slow down—but The one needs space with no borders or fences or
people fall asleep left and right! walls to roam the herd so the cows can find the
But after the church service in the greeting line the freshest grasses. The other needs those gates and
good Mayberry towns folk gush, ‘Oh reverend, what barriers and limits so that the rainbow kale can grow
a wonderful message.’ “Yessir,” Andy nods, “you hit in between the carrots and the olives. You can see
the nail on the head with that one.” “Yep,” Barney how the tension is already building can’t you? It
pipes up, (mind you, he’s been asleep) “that’s just surely happened when they were just tots, just as
one subject you talk enough about, sin.” A shocked it does with your children and mine. One minute it
Andy side-eyes Barney saying, “the sermon wasn’t is calm and playful and the next minute there are
about sin…” tears and bite mark.
But I love that line, “That’s just one subject you talk Anyhow, they make it work these two brothers, until
enough about, sin.” Isn’t that the truth! It is the all of the sudden it doesn’t. This is of course where
subject that keeps the church up and running, isn’t the story gets interesting. They both bring the best
it? Really the good news is what keeps the church of what they have. Probably beaming with pride,
up and running, and we know it to be good news Cain puts his prize-winning pumpkin on the altar,
because we can see the effects of sin in our own, along with corn and mint, basil and rosemary. And
everyday lives. Abel, proud too of his offering, is hefting a nice cut of
From the moment Adam and Eve left the garden, beef and leg of lamb. He’s wiping his brow because
life was hard. Life was painful. Life was forever the meat is so heavy. And then there’s God. God who
out of whack. If we continue to tell the story, that every time we try to pin down, somehow escapes
is because it continues to be true for us. No sooner our grasp. Somehow even when God is revealed,
are the new couple thrust into a neighborhood of God is still shrouded in mystery. For reasons
fixers-uppers; lawns with overgrown brambles and unknown to us, God prefers the smell of barbeque
thorns would be my guess, no sooner are they trying over roasted squash.
to water the red, hard clay for the tomatoes to grow The text says that Cain’s countenance fell. And who
and repairing the broken porch steps, and well now can blame him?! My countenance would fall, and I’d
there’s the pitter-patter of toddler feet running burn with anger too if the Lord favored my sister’s
around. offering more than mine. That’s how it is, siblings
His given name is Cain—which has, down through tend to be competitive for any attention. The rub is
the years, left a rather acrid taste in our mouths that we are given nothing, not one reason for God’s
when we say it. But his name, Cain, comes from capriciousness of choice. “No reason is given in the
the word that means “to get, to create.” The name passage because there is none to give. God’s regard
was given as a praise to God. Cain is celebrated for Abel and his offering is simply a fact of life. Such
and well thought of—after all he’s a first-born male is the mysterious freedom of God.”
child—what’s not to celebrate? Well actually when And that is unnerving. We’d like a predictable God,
it comes to Genesis, first born sons—think Isaac, one that seems to have a reason to dole out divine
Ishmael, Jacob and Esau—don’t seem to fare well. favor, yet what we get is a story where God’s clear
Adam and Eve next have a son named Abel. choice falls to one brother instead of them both.
Interestingly enough, Abel’s name means, vapor, Cain is angry and God knows it. The Lord can tell;
nothingness—without the possibility of life. Which “Why are you angry?” God asks Cain.
of course is a good textual clue. They grow, as And before Cain can make his defense, before he can
stammer out the question of why did you like Abel’s
100 meat more than you liked my vegetables, the Lord
spins Cain a sort of riddle; “If you do well, will you
not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is
lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you can/
must master it.” (Gen.4:7)


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