Stories of Mountain Folk

Our July, 2018 podcast begins a series of podcasts featuring Aletha Watson Barker, 97 years young. Her grandfather was the original owner of Roper Mountain in upstate South Carolina. Born in 1921, Aletha tells her own story with the drama beginning at the age of five…a story full of bravery, love, faith, and dedication to family. Listen now to one woman’s walk through the garden of life. >

Our July, 2018 podcast begins a series of podcasts featuring Aletha Watson Barker, 97 years young. Her grandfather was the original owner of Roper Mountain in upstate South Carolina. Born in 1921, Aletha tells her own story with the drama beginning at the age of five…a story full of bravery, love, faith, and dedication to family. Listen now to one woman’s walk through the garden of life. >

Listen to the soothing sounds of Nita’s voice as she shares precious memories of the life of a mountain girl who didn’t know her family was poor. A childhood with parents who taught core values gave Nita a solid foundation, assisting her as she finishes school and expands her horizons by working for the FBI, in banking, and in insurance and investments. In retirement she has become a prolific writer. Check out csabooks.com to learn more about her book >

Listen to the soothing sounds of Nita’s voice as she shares precious memories of the life of a mountain girl who didn’t know her family was poor. A childhood with parents who taught core values gave Nita a solid foundation, assisting her as she finishes school and expands her horizons by working for the FBI, in banking, and in insurance and investments. In retirement she has become a prolific writer. Check out csabooks.com to learn more about her book >

Annie Lee Bryson, 2010 winner of Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Award, was a legend in her own time. >

Annie Lee Bryson, 2010 winner of Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Award, was a legend in her own time. >

Born in 1940, Roy Owenby grew up in Nantahala, NC. With a childhood lived in the richness of the forest, Roy learned to depend on nature and himself. >

Born in 1940, Roy Owenby grew up in Nantahala, NC. With a childhood lived in the richness of the forest, Roy learned to depend on nature and himself. >

Here is David Ammons, chair caner, who tells the story of how as a child he learned chair caning while watching his grandpa, Tom Ammons. In his words: “I watched in awe as he wove his magic piece by piece, bottoming the chair in a herringbone weave from white oak splints. I had no idea I would one day take up the craft also. Now as I weave, I can feel his presence.” >

Here is David Ammons, chair caner, who tells the story of how as a child he learned chair caning while watching his grandpa, Tom Ammons. In his words: “I watched in awe as he wove his magic piece by piece, bottoming the chair in a herringbone weave from white oak splints. I had no idea I would one day take up the craft also. Now as I weave, I can feel his presence.” >

Here is a touching rendition of old time memories of a family of 10, including mom and dad, who moved to Ellijay, NC by sled, where the children walked, helping to carry all their belongings to a small 2-room house with no windows or door. Told by a 90-year-old true mountain woman, Bessie Gertrude Coggins Stiwinter Crawford. >

Here is a touching rendition of old time memories of a family of 10, including mom and dad, who moved to Ellijay, NC by sled, where the children walked, helping to carry all their belongings to a small 2-room house with no windows or door. Told by a 90-year-old true mountain woman, Bessie Gertrude Coggins Stiwinter Crawford. >

A pioneer in the broadcast radio industry, Uncle Jimmy tells the story of his successful career. In 1992 he was inducted into the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame. >

A pioneer in the broadcast radio industry, Uncle Jimmy tells the story of his successful career. In 1992 he was inducted into the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame. >

Stedman Mitchell, 98 years old in 2014, tells his history of working in the food business with Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC. He talks about his time with the university from 1942 to 1975, when he retired. >

Stedman Mitchell, 98 years old in 2014, tells his history of working in the food business with Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC. He talks about his time with the university from 1942 to 1975, when he retired. >

> A unique look at a boy’s childhood that shaped him into the man he is today. David Waldrop tells of growing up in the mountains of Jackson County, NC, and shares his knowledge of the demise of our American Chestnut Trees. ]]

> A unique look at a boy’s childhood that shaped him into the man he is today. David Waldrop tells of growing up in the mountains of Jackson County, NC, and shares his knowledge of the demise of our American Chestnut Trees. ]]

> My Mountain Heroes Stories of Inspiration & Courage ]]

> My Mountain Heroes Stories of Inspiration & Courage ]]

>Joy Phillips Hoyle shares now how she first gets ready, and then advises how to pick blackberries in the mountains. ]]

>Joy Phillips Hoyle shares now how she first gets ready, and then advises how to pick blackberries in the mountains. ]]

>The three Ammons kids, Amy, Doreyl, and David relate their fond memories of the stories Tom Ammons, Grandpa, told them.]]

>The three Ammons kids, Amy, Doreyl, and David relate their fond memories of the stories Tom Ammons, Grandpa, told them.]]

> Rick Brogden from Cowee Mountain in Macon County. Rick’s grandfather, Tom Rickman, was the owner of the historic (1890s) Rickman General Store. Rick talks about his experiences growing up as a child in the Rickman General Store. ]]

> Rick Brogden from Cowee Mountain in Macon County. Rick’s grandfather, Tom Rickman, was the owner of the historic (1890s) Rickman General Store. Rick talks about his experiences growing up as a child in the Rickman General Store. ]]

>Story of Tobacco as told by Cherokee story teller Shawn Crowe]]

>Story of Tobacco as told by Cherokee story teller Shawn Crowe]]

>Story of Selu and Kanati as told by Cherokee story teller Shawn Crowe]]

>Story of Selu and Kanati as told by Cherokee story teller Shawn Crowe]]

>Stories about my childhood fills me with visions of yesteryear, keeping alive within me the treasures of growing up in the mountains. Today I’m sharing with you a few of my memories, with a little philosophy thrown in… just to stir up your memories.

>Stories about my childhood fills me with visions of yesteryear, keeping alive within me the treasures of growing up in the mountains. Today I’m sharing with you a few of my memories, with a little philosophy thrown in… just to stir up your memories.

>I still can see the red tar paper that wrapped around the sinister-looking house in which we lived—no electricity, no plumbing, no running water…but here is where my siblings and me, ages 7, 9 and 10, were to make memories lasting a lifetime. Contains stories: We Three; Matchbox Mountain; Daddy’s Miracle Shoots; Willie the Groundhog; My Cucumber Doll; ‘Fraidy Cat; The Hole in the Wall; Grandpa, Tell us a Story; A Twist of a Tale.

>I still can see the red tar paper that wrapped around the sinister-looking house in which we lived—no electricity, no plumbing, no running water…but here is where my siblings and me, ages 7, 9 and 10, were to make memories lasting a lifetime. Contains stories: We Three; Matchbox Mountain; Daddy’s Miracle Shoots; Willie the Groundhog; My Cucumber Doll; ‘Fraidy Cat; The Hole in the Wall; Grandpa, Tell us a Story; A Twist of a Tale.

>This podcast is dedicated to the wonderful people who have given their time to the Jackson County Arts Council.

>This podcast is dedicated to the wonderful people who have given their time to the Jackson County Arts Council.

>The gem of Dillsboro, NC, Dogwood Crafters Cooperative, is celebrating 40 years of creating space for local crafters to complete their dream of working with their hands. Over 10,000 handmade items make up the shop that only started with 12 crafters in 1976.

>The gem of Dillsboro, NC, Dogwood Crafters Cooperative, is celebrating 40 years of creating space for local crafters to complete their dream of working with their hands. Over 10,000 handmade items make up the shop that only started with 12 crafters in 1976.

>93-year old Pelham Thomas, an Alabama native, is currently a blueberry farmer in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He’s been retired from the Math Department at Western Carolina University for more than 30 years.

>93-year old Pelham Thomas, an Alabama native, is currently a blueberry farmer in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He’s been retired from the Math Department at Western Carolina University for more than 30 years.

>Barbara Sears McRae is currently an Alderman at the Town of Franklin, NC. Here Amy interviews her on her extensive history in Macon County. Although not a native of Franklin, she has devoted many years of her life documenting some of its history. As the past editor of the Franklin Press, the local newspaper for Franklin, and then freelance columnist and feature writer….she has done much research on the the local history— specifically the African American community—along with the local environment, helping to establish the Franklin Greenway. Barbara has proved herself worthy of being called a woman who cares about the local heritage of the town in which she lives.

>Barbara Sears McRae is currently an Alderman at the Town of Franklin, NC. Here Amy interviews her on her extensive history in Macon County. Although not a native of Franklin, she has devoted many years of her life documenting some of its history. As the past editor of the Franklin Press, the local newspaper for Franklin, and then freelance columnist and feature writer….she has done much research on the the local history— specifically the African American community—along with the local environment, helping to establish the Franklin Greenway. Barbara has proved herself worthy of being called a woman who cares about the local heritage of the town in which she lives.

>What a bumper crop of mountain information about preparing the ground, when to plant, old beliefs, going by the signs listed on calendars and the almanac. In this podcast we hear about mountain ways of gardening, some good, some bad…from vegetables, to flowers, to heirloom seeds; from when to plant vegetables that grew above the ground, and those that matured below the ground. We end up talking about types of fertilizer and the pros and cons of organic gardening. Included in this podcast are Reverend Robert Blanton, Jack Brown Wiggins, R.O. Wilson, Dorothy Queen Conner, and Stedman Mitchell.

>What a bumper crop of mountain information about preparing the ground, when to plant, old beliefs, going by the signs listed on calendars and the almanac. In this podcast we hear about mountain ways of gardening, some good, some bad…from vegetables, to flowers, to heirloom seeds; from when to plant vegetables that grew above the ground, and those that matured below the ground. We end up talking about types of fertilizer and the pros and cons of organic gardening. Included in this podcast are Reverend Robert Blanton, Jack Brown Wiggins, R.O. Wilson, Dorothy Queen Conner, and Stedman Mitchell.

>Cakewalks in the mountains are a traditional way to help neighbors when hard luck strikes. Within this podcast are interviews from those members of the WNC community who have been involved in producing the benefit, participating in the event by playing in the bands, by being the Master of Ceremonies, by being the recipient of the funds raised, and by baking cakes. Included are interviews with Joe Deitz, Jim Ed Powell, Mary Moody and Zara Ashe.

>Cakewalks in the mountains are a traditional way to help neighbors when hard luck strikes. Within this podcast are interviews from those members of the WNC community who have been involved in producing the benefit, participating in the event by playing in the bands, by being the Master of Ceremonies, by being the recipient of the funds raised, and by baking cakes. Included are interviews with Joe Deitz, Jim Ed Powell, Mary Moody and Zara Ashe.

>Owner of Livingston’s Photo (Main Street, Sylva, NC), Livingston Kelly shares his 45 years of history in the historic mountain Town of Sylva. He talks about the changes and lack of changes he has seen in his time on Main Street, including the Mead Corporation, Jackson Paper Company, the old police station, the banks, R.O. Vance’s Hardware, Hooper’s Drug Store, the Rebel Restaurant, Ritz Theater, Johnny Watson’s flying school, and so much more..

>Owner of Livingston’s Photo (Main Street, Sylva, NC), Livingston Kelly shares his 45 years of history in the historic mountain Town of Sylva. He talks about the changes and lack of changes he has seen in his time on Main Street, including the Mead Corporation, Jackson Paper Company, the old police station, the banks, R.O. Vance’s Hardware, Hooper’s Drug Store, the Rebel Restaurant, Ritz Theater, Johnny Watson’s flying school, and so much more..

>Decoration Day is a widespread folk tradition extending from the east of the Appalachians to west and southwest of the Ozarks. The interviewers of Stories of Mountain Folk set out to interview members of the Western North Carolina mountains about Decoration Day in an effort to forever capture and share our traditions of honoring the grave sites of our loved ones. Herewith are stories from the mountain folk, including the Cherokee, about how we celebrate Decoration Day in the mountains. People included in this podcast are: Alan Jabbour & Karen Singer Jabbour, Judy Rhodes, Shelia K. Adams, Loretta Hoxit Womack, Pamela Consign Adams, Gail Stillwell Cooper, Linda Owen Vinson and Ruth Moore Pruitt.

>Decoration Day is a widespread folk tradition extending from the east of the Appalachians to west and southwest of the Ozarks. The interviewers of Stories of Mountain Folk set out to interview members of the Western North Carolina mountains about Decoration Day in an effort to forever capture and share our traditions of honoring the grave sites of our loved ones. Herewith are stories from the mountain folk, including the Cherokee, about how we celebrate Decoration Day in the mountains. People included in this podcast are: Alan Jabbour & Karen Singer Jabbour, Judy Rhodes, Shelia K. Adams, Loretta Hoxit Womack, Pamela Consign Adams, Gail Stillwell Cooper, Linda Owen Vinson and Ruth Moore Pruitt.

>Often the old mountain stories are overlooked. As Amy mentions in this introductory piece…stories entertain, teach, record history, and give us a sense of place. As cofounder of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, producer of Stories of Mountain Folk, Amy shares some of the reasons the nonprofit endeavors to honor and preserve a sense of place in their “home place” of Western North Carolina.