Podcasts about mitchell county

Former Vice Chair, Casey Cox Kerr of Mitchell County was elected chairperson of the National Peanut Board, and in 2023 family farms accounted for about 96% of total farms, 90% of ag land, and 83% of the total production value.

This is the second in a new season of our Main Street NC series. In the coming months, we'll be visiting communities across the state to hear from local leaders about the positives going on in their towns, and the challenges they face.Mitchell County, about an hour northeast of Asheville, was hit hard by Helene in September. The storm flooded its downtown business districts, wiped out water and sewer systems and damaged homes and roads. More than two months from the storm, WUNC's Colin Campbell visited the county to find out where the recovery stands and what assistance from state and federal governments is still needed. Small business grants, private bridge replacements and infrastructure funding are among the needs, according to County Manager Allen Cook.

Carolina begins a crucial two game stretch by hosting a revamped Pitt team in Chapel Hill...we preview the match-up with the Panthers (4:37)Des Evans joins to talk the season, leadership and his art (37:00)Mike Wheless joins to talk about his visit to Western NC to deliver aid (51:02)David Biddix, the Public Information Officer for MItchell County, North Carolina joins to give an update on the current situation, info on how to help and the next steps in the process (1:00:22)Plus: 5 Second Challenge (1:08:38), a Life Well Played (1:14:02), Super League (1:33:16), and an update on the Magna Carta (1:46:02) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on America in the Morning   More Help Needed For Helene State and Federal leaders are promising help to communities impacted by the destruction of Helene, which has claimed the lives of more than 100 people, and the death toll is expected to climb. Clayton Neville reports Helene is predicted to become one of the costliest storms to ever hit the US.     VP Debate Preview Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will face off tonight in what has become a high-stakes Vice Presidential contest as the race for the White House between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is a virtual dead heat. Correspondent Steve Futterman has a preview.     Latest On The Dockworker's Strike Supply chain issues have caused a lot of angst in America when there were problems at West Coast ports, and now a dockworker's strike that began at midnight is expected to cause even worse problems affecting shipping centers from Maine to Texas, shutting down East and Gulf ports that handle half of the nation's ship cargo. Correspondent Norman Hall reports.    Georgia Abortion Ban Struck Down In Georgia, a Fulton County Superior Court judge has struck down the state's 6-week abortion ban, now making it legal to terminate a pregnancy up to 22 weeks. Pamela Furr has the details.    More Trouble For Eric Adams Another top aide to New York City Mayor Eric Adams has resigned as the mayor's attorneys are demanding a dismissal of a bribery charge against him. Correspondent Julie Walker reports.    “Rust” Conviction Upheld A New Mexico judge has upheld the conviction for the weapons supervisor on the set of the movie "Rust." The details from entertainment correspondent Margie Szaroleta.      Helene Death Toll Rising The North Carolina Department of Transportation says that all roads in the western part of the state should be considered closed. It's so bad in Mitchell County, North Carolina that officials are telling residents if they need help don't call 9-1-1, walk to the nearest fire department. In many parts of the state, no cellphone or internet service has left people cut off from making contact. Correspondent Julie Walker reports.     Trump & Harris Talk Helene Former President Trump and Vice President Harris put their usual talking points aside to focus on the relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene. John Stolnis has more on how the hurricane is affecting the candidates and the campaign trail.     Latest In The Middle East A limited Israeli ground incursion into Lebanon targeting Hezbollah soldiers and tunnels is underway as the United States is sending more troops to the region to bolster the current force. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.    Remembering Pete Rose He was baseball's all-time hit king and one of its greats who was banned from the Hall of Fame due to betting on the game. Sagar Meghani reports on the passing of Pete Rose.    Too Close For Comfort When you're a pilot and you can see what the pilot of another plane is wearing, it means you're dangerously too close. As correspondent Lisa Dwyer reports, the US is demanding answers from Russia after one of their fighter jets came within just feet of an American F-16 bomber after it strayed inside the Alaska Air Defense Zone.    Casino Evacuated Twice A casino in Tampa, Florida was evacuated twice after two explosive devices were found hidden on the grounds.     Dish Deal DirecTV will buy rival Dish to create a massive Pay-TV company. Correspondent Jennifer King reports the unusual amount DirecTV paid, and the hurdles it may face getting government approval.   Tech News Your cellular service might be returning to normal today if you're a Verizon customer, after a major outage left many customers without any bars. Here's Chuck Palm with today's Tech news.   Finally   Music mogul Sean Diddy Combs is speaking through his lawyer about what it's like to be incarcerated. Kevin Carr has the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we sat down with four similar-minded folks to talk about our personal experiences with various Food Hub models. We let the conversation go free-form like we were sitting on the front porch at one of our farms and chatting with friends. It was a great and insightful conversation for all of us and we vowed to record another episode in the future to get updates on our respective projects.  Megan Kinney- Director of Cooperative Distribution-North Coast Growers Association https://www.northcoastgrowersassociation.org/ As the director of Harvest Hub, Megan seeks to increase our community's access to local food infrastructure like cold storage and distribution systems. This includes coordinating the Harvest Box program (a multi-farm CSA-style produce box), the Farm-to-Freezer project (a freezer for use by NCGA members), and overseeing the operations of Harvest Hub. She sits on the board of Humboldt Made and is the co-chair of the Food Access Working Group in the Humboldt COAD. She is a registered and certified Trainer with the Produce Safety Alliance through Cornell University. Megan is honored to have been awarded the Community Alliance with Family Farmers 2022 Farmers' Market Champion of the Year and is a graduate of the Food Systems Leadership Cohort and Leadership Redwood Coast in 2023. Amy Neukom- Co Owner Neukom Family Farms https://www.instagram.com/neukomfamilyfarm/ Neukom Family Farms is a small family farm located along the Trinity River in Inland Northern Humboldt County. We dry farm tree fruit including peaches. pluots, plums, figs, apples, Asian and European pears. We also grow a variety of annuals such as heirloom and slicer tomatoes, melons, winter squash, and dried beans utilizing water conservation techniques. Most of our land is kept natural for the abundance of wildlife in our area. Dru Zucchino- Executive Director- TRACTOR Food and Farms https://tractorfoodandfarms.com/ Hailing from the Old North State, Dru is the Executive Director of TRACTOR Food and Farms. He has over a decade of experience in North Carolina agriculture, ranging from conventional blueberry production in Pender County to biodynamic fruit orchards in Mitchell County. He holds a BA in English Literature and a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. He lives in Mitchell County, where he, his wife, Jessica, and two children keep busy managing small fruit plots and orchards. Chris Jagger- Co-Owner Blue Fox Farm, Not Only Farmers Podcast https://www.instagram.com/bluefoxfarm/ https://open.spotify.com/show/12YRGbk9IYMh4gbR0pTkEh?si=cb16eecee40a49e5 Chris and Melanie started farming in Santa Cruz, CA in the late 90's and took the classic route of on-farm internships with several mentors until they had the gumption to start their own farm in southern Oregon in the early 2000's. Blue Fox Farm started as a 1-acre farm, scaled to 45 acres, and is now back at 5 acres in production. Chris has supplemented their farm income with his Blue Fox Ag Services consulting business, helping farmers scale efficiently and farm cost-effectively. Chris also has a labor-of-love podcast Not Only Farmers, where he chats with interesting people doing things in agriculture. 

Rhonda Gouge has done a lot. She's been a fixture in the Mitchell County music scene since the 1970s, she can play at least a dozen instruments, she's recorded multiple albums under her own name as well as with others, she's performed with legendary musicians such as Red Wilson, she's taught traditional music to more than 1,000 students, and in 2023 she was awarded the North Carolina Heritage Award. We sat down recently with Rhonda in her home teaching studio in the Ledger Community to talk about her musical journey and to do a little bit of pickin'!

Rhonda Gouge has done a lot. She's been a fixture in the Mitchell County music scene since the 1970s, she can play at least a dozen instruments, she's recorded multiple albums under her own name as well as with others, she's performed with legendary musicians such as Red Wilson, she's taught traditional music to more than 1,000 students, and in 2023 she was awarded the North Carolina Heritage Award. We sat down recently with Rhonda in her home teaching studio in the Ledger Community to talk about her musical journey and to do a little bit of pickin'!

Mike and Rufus answer all your garden questions with guests Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County and Vance County N.C. Cooperative Extension Agent Paul McKenzie.

Mike and Rufus answer all your garden questions with guests Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County and Vance County N.C. Cooperative Extension Agent Paul McKenzie.

Mike and Rufus answer all your garden questions with guests Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County and Vance County N.C. Cooperative Extension Agent Paul McKenzie.

In today's episode of Artsville, you'll hear from Gina Phillips, a dear friend and someone who has played an integral part in the growth and development of Mitchell County, North Carolina. Gina's commitments to the Penland School of Craft, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and rural education efforts in Mitchell County helped birth the idea for Hilloween, a countywide event that unites several areas over something we all love: spooky season! Hilloween is a natural expression of Gina's love for the theater and her years of performing and producing in New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Join us as she shares how the event leverages the county's strong arts heritage and introduces a new generation of Mitchell County residents to the magic and beauty of the arts. We also discuss what to expect from the 2023 edition, how Hilloween acts as a “mechanism for unity,” and Gina even sings us a few bars of 'Good Old Mountain Dew' from Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman, plus so much more!Key Points From This Episode:An introduction to Hilloween and the annual Halloween party that inspired it.Gina's goals for economic and cultural development in Mitchell County.How art brings people together (and attracts outsiders to underserved communities).Insight into Gina's collaboration with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.Ways that Hilloween leverages Mitchell County's strong cultural heritage.What you can expect from the 2023 edition of Hilloween!Why Gina refers to this year's event as the “Bringing Dale McCurry Home Tour.”Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Gian Phillips on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-phillips-a848a616/Hilloween – https://www.hilloweennc.org/University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) – https://www.uncsa.edu/Samuel L. Phillips Family Foundation – https://www.wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/phillips-family-foundation/Artsville — https://www.artsvilleusa.com/Artsville Podcast — https://www.artsvilleusa.com/tag/podcast/Scott “Sourdough” Power — https://www.notarealartist.com/Louise Glickman — https://www.louiseglickman.com/Daryl Slaton — http://www.tailsofwhimsy.com/Crewest Studio — https://creweststudio.com/Sand Hill Artists Collective (SHAC) — https://sandhillartists.com/

In the early part of the 19th century, a woman was arrested for the gruesome murder of her husband in what's now Mitchell County, North Carolina. Some said she acted in jealousy, others say she reacted to ongoing spousal abuse to protect herself and her baby daughter.Today we tell the story of Frankie Silver, the first woman to be hanged in North Carolina.

Mike answers all your garden questions with guest Horticultural Specialist Gerald Adams, Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County, and Dan Stern, Director of Horticulture at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

Mike answers all your garden questions with guest Horticultural Specialist Gerald Adams, Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County, and Dan Stern, Director of Horticulture at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

Mike answers all your garden questions with guest Horticultural Specialist Gerald Adams, Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County, and Dan Stern, Director of Horticulture at the North Carolina Botanical Garden.

This 130-year-old farm spans just three generations. The Bateses are the third generation to farm this place in Mitchell County near Beloit, Kansas, and they are relative newcomers to the operation. They moved to Beloit in 1998 to raise their family, and Jeff and Jeri began helping her parents on the operation. They never missed a chance to learn from Bill and Louise, who were just one generation from the hardships and toil of first-generation farmers. Successful Farming's Bill Spiegel talks with the Walter family about the early days of the farm and where they intend to take it today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on DIEOWA, we're discussing Mitchell County. A young principal goes for a walk but is found dead from a gunshot wound the next day. 

Mike and Rufus answer all your garden questions with guests Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County and Johnny Coley, Extension Agent of Person and Granville County.

Mike and Rufus answer all your garden questions with guests Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County and Johnny Coley, Extension Agent of Person and Granville County.

Mike and Rufus answer all your garden questions with guests Andrea Laine, Master Gardener of Mitchell County and Johnny Coley, Extension Agent of Person and Granville County.

This episode features Robbie Dewberry, CEO of Mitchell County Hospital District. Here, he joined the podcast to talk about how he's tackling staffing challengings and thinking about future growth.

Today on the show, we have the President of the Mitchell County CTA, Carol Shriver! Carol shares her tennis story, some of her best tennis memories, and gives us an update on Mitchell County's latest projects. She also answers some rapid fire questions, talks about running 3 marathons as well as her love for the Hallmark channel! https://youtu.be/nJ24jNH9_fg

Welcome to the South Georgia Insider Podcast. In this episode, we're getting an insider's look at the tech side of agriculture from Chris Chammoun, director of AgTech at the Center of Innovation, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) What you'll discover in this episode:· When Max Manufacturing had an idea to improve poultry composting, the Ag-Tech center connected the Mitchell County business to University of Georgia scientists doing similar research. The collaboration helped Max Manufacturing expand its product distribution and provided new technology for poultry farmers. · Through a multi-year process, the Center of Innovation and GDEcD helped bring indoor agriculture production to Georgia. In 2021, Pete's, a California-based company, announced an $18 million investment to open the company's first eastern U.S. indoor, controlled environment agriculture facility in Peach County. · Family-owned Sweet Grass Dairy, located in Thomas County, came to the Ag-Tech center to help extend its U.S. distribution, but first, they needed to determine the shelf-life of their award-winning cheese. Through the Ag-Tech center, Sweet Grass Dairy was connected to the UGA Food Product Innovation & Commercialization Center, which provided the research needed to expand the company's distribution footprint. The Ag-Tech center works within four primary areas: Integrated Precision AgricultureControlled Environment Agriculture Food Production Innovation Food System Technology IntegrationOn March 2, 2022, the Center of Innovation and the Georgia Research Alliance will host the inaugural Georgia AgTech Summit at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. This event aims to gather industry, academia, and government to present current research, discuss the current state of the ag-tech sector, and plan for the industry's future within the Peach State. There is no cost to attend. Click here to register.Thanks to our sponsor Smalltown Broadcasting and WDDQ, home of the Scott James Matheson Show, where you can listen to live from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday on Talk 92.1 http://talk921.com/. South Georgia Insider is produced by Spencer Van Horn, Smalltown Broadcasting.       

In this episode of the Pelham Coach's Show, ITG Next's Phil Jones talks with head coach Lamar Landing about the Hornets' victory over Mitchell County last week, players that stood out and more.

What do you think the most valuable characteristic is to have in practice right now? My answer might surprise you.  I think it's being really amazing at coping with change! Practice and life as we know it, is changing so rapidly right now that at times it's hard to keep up. What used to work yesterday, doesn't today. If you don't like change or if you're stubborn in your ways and like to do things the way they always used be done then I'm guessing that life is probably quite tricky for you at the moment. My guest on the podcast today is Yoda of change.  His name is Miguel Cruz and he's in his 40th year as a chiropractor and he's continuing to break practice records…amazing! When most of us are thinking about slowly down Miguel is just getting started. In todays episode I talk with Miguel about what's allowed him to have such tremendous success and enjoyment in his life. This episode is a keeper. Enjoy the show Thanks for all you do. Keep saving lives Angus Links https://cruzlifecenter.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/cruzlifecenter Bio Dr Miguel Cruz is a chiropractor practicing in Burnsville NC.  Dr. Cruz also is very active in his community, having served on the board and as Chair of the Mitchell-Yancey Mountain Friends Program, Healthy Yancey, Centro De Enlace in Yancey and Centro Latino in Mitchell County. He was recognized as the Family Practice Chiropractor of the Year in 2007 and has served on the board of the North Carolina Chiropractic Association and on the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Dr. & Mrs. Cruz have together coached youth league baseball and softball and have served as elders in their church See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adriana PackAlex Michael ValverdeAlexis Nicole JonesAlexus PeeteAudrey FrenchDedra PhillipsElija Nyah Williams JonesGavin PhillipsGrace DoeJeremy Samuel VealJesus Carlos Quinones FloresJustice McGheeKirstyn MillerLamaryah BrockmanLarry ShortLisa Marie McKinneyMichael YoungRhonda Tribue EasleyTrinity FieldsWaylon Patrick FortNew cases every weekFollow us on fb and twitter.Email: kansasmissingandunsolved@yahoo.comInstagram: @kansasmissingandunsolvedSupport the show by visiting https://www.patreon.com/kmupodVisit us on the web: www.backhomemedia.comThis is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ. If you know something, Say something. KBI- 785-296-4017Crime Stoppers: 816-474-8477

Adriana Pack Alex Michael Valverde Alexis Nicole Jones Alexus Peete Audrey French Dedra Phillips Elija Nyah Williams Jones Gavin Phillips Grace Doe Jeremy Samuel Veal Jesus Carlos Quinones Flores Justice McGhee Kirstyn Miller Lamaryah Brockman Larry Short Lisa Marie McKinney Michael Young Rhonda Tribue Easley Trinity Fields Waylon Patrick Fort New cases every week Follow us on fb and twitter. Email: kansasmissingandunsolved@yahoo.com Instagram: @kansasmissingandunsolved Support the show by visiting https://www.patreon.com/kmupod Visit us on the web: www.backhomemedia.com This is a Back Home Media production, recorded and produced in Phoenix, AZ. If you know something, Say something. KBI- 785-296-4017 Crime Stoppers: 816-474-8477

Cherokee County has been one of the rural hotspots for COVID-19 in North Carolina. The lone hospital there - Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Murphy - cut back employee's hours because of the crisis. Blue Ridge Public Radio spoke with two doctors to see how the hospital is holding up in the face of the pandemic. Dr. Stephen Rubendall started working in Murphy just last week. He moved from Mitchell County, Georgia, where Rubendall says the COVID-19 spread is much different. "Where I was practicing is just south of Dougherty County in Georgia and they have had a remarkable number of cases per percentage of the population," says Rubendall. "I think it's just behind New York and some of the worst places in the world unfortunately." Right now, in Mitchell and Dougherty Counties, there are almost 2,000 COVID cases and over 100 deaths. Those counties are about six hours away from Cherokee County, North Carolina where he is now. There are about 20 cases and one death in there as reported

Coach Pinkins breaks down the revenge win over Mitchell County, and looks ahead to the semifinals and Marion County.

Pelham knocks off Wilcox County in an instant classic. Coach Pinkins breaks it down and looks ahead to the quarterfinals rematch with Mitchell County.

Coach Pinkins breaks down the tough loss to Mitchell County, as the Hornets fall just short of a region title. He also looks ahead to the playoffs, and a potential game with Wilcox County.

Coach Pinkins breaks down the big win over Seminole County. Then he looks ahead to the showdown against Mitchell County, with a regional title on the line.

The beauty of the virtually untouched wilderness that the Overmountain Men saw as they marched through the Toe River Valley on their way to King’s Mountain must have been quiet stunning. One of these soldiers, Major Jonathan Tipton, returned to the valley after the war and made it his home for 27 years. The Tipton Hill community of Mitchell County was named for him and thousands of his descendants still live in the valley to this day.

The Mitchell County, North Carolina Historical Society presents the story of a ragtag group of backwoodsmen from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia who, after threats made to their homes and livelihood by British Major Patrick Ferguson and his army, took up the challenge and pursued Ferguson, trapping him and his army atop Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Footsteps of Freedom celebrates these backwoodsmen and their achievement which Thomas Jefferson declared was the turning point in the American Revolution.

On this episode of Expanded Perspectives the guys start the show off talking about how recently two women in Kansas say they came across a Bigfoot creature. According to the article, one of the two sisters claims they were driving on Interstate 24 when they spotted the being. They said “Around 9:35 pm I was telling my sister, who was driving, to be careful about deer running across the road, cause we had seen a few. Some did not even look at the truck we were in. Most were focused on the corn fields,” she told the BFRO about the August 2017 alleged encounter in Mitchell County. Suddenly, she says, a “big buff gorilla-looking man hopped out on all fours” out of the corn field. The woman described it as 8-feet-tall with an ape-like body. Its hair was reportedly about 3 inches long, with some bald areas on the chest and face. Then, scientists have found evidence that plants can actually hear the buzz of passing bees and produce sweeter nectar in response to entice the flying insects in. And flowers are technically their 'ears'. Based on observations of evening primroses (Oenothera drummondii), the team behind the new study discovered that within minutes of sensing the sound waves of nearby bee wings through flower petals, the concentration of the sugar in the plant's nectar was increased by an average of 20 percent. The flowers even seemed able to tune out irrelevant background noises, such as the wind. Next, the researchers want to look at how plants might respond to other sounds and animals, including humans. After the break, Kyle discusses a new book he just read called "Strange Tales of the Sea" by Jack Strange. What lurks beneath the waves, and onboard the most mysterious of ships? This book explores the lore and lure of the sea with myths, legends and true stories. Centuries-old folklore and tales of haunted vessels. Sea monsters and ghosts. Cannibalism at sea, and mysterious disappearances. Included are also tales of sailors ashore, and the prostitutes and crimps that preyed on them. Find out what happened to stowaways, how they were treated, and about the myth that women were not welcome on ships. All of this and more on this episode of Expanded Perspectives! Show Notes: Two Kansas Motorist Encounter Bigfoot Plants May Not Have Ears, But They Can "Hear" Way Better Than We Thought Strange Tales of the Sea by Jack Strange Sponsors: Mack Weldon Music: All music for Expanded Perspectives is provided by Pretty Lights. Purchase, Download and Donate at www.prettylightsmusic.com. Songs Used: Pretty Lights vs. Led Zeppelin Always All Ways Color of My Soul Rainbows and Waterfalls

On this episode of Expanded Perspectives the guys start the show off talking about how recently two women in Kansas say they came across a Bigfoot creature. According to the article, one of the two sisters claims they were driving on Interstate 24 when they spotted the being. They said “Around 9:35 pm I was telling my sister, who was driving, to be careful about deer running across the road, cause we had seen a few. Some did not even look at the truck we were in. Most were focused on the corn fields,” she told the BFRO about the August 2017 alleged encounter in Mitchell County. Suddenly, she says, a “big buff gorilla-looking man hopped out on all fours” out of the corn field. The woman described it as 8-feet-tall with an ape-like body. Its hair was reportedly about 3 inches long, with some bald areas on the chest and face. Then, scientists have found evidence that plants can actually hear the buzz of passing bees and produce sweeter nectar in response to entice the flying insects in. And flowers are technically their 'ears'. Based on observations of evening primroses (Oenothera drummondii), the team behind the new study discovered that within minutes of sensing the sound waves of nearby bee wings through flower petals, the concentration of the sugar in the plant's nectar was increased by an average of 20 percent. The flowers even seemed able to tune out irrelevant background noises, such as the wind. Next, the researchers want to look at how plants might respond to other sounds and animals, including humans. After the break, Kyle discusses a new book he just read called "Strange Tales of the Sea" by Jack Strange. What lurks beneath the waves, and onboard the most mysterious of ships? This book explores the lore and lure of the sea with myths, legends and true stories. Centuries-old folklore and tales of haunted vessels. Sea monsters and ghosts. Cannibalism at sea, and mysterious disappearances. Included are also tales of sailors ashore, and the prostitutes and crimps that preyed on them. Find out what happened to stowaways, how they were treated, and about the myth that women were not welcome on ships. All of this and more on this episode of Expanded Perspectives! Show Notes: Two Kansas Motorist Encounter Bigfoot Plants May Not Have Ears, But They Can "Hear" Way Better Than We Thought Strange Tales of the Sea by Jack Strange Sponsors: Mack Weldon Music: All music for Expanded Perspectives is provided by Pretty Lights. Purchase, Download and Donate at www.prettylightsmusic.com. Songs Used: Pretty Lights vs. Led Zeppelin Always All Ways Color of My Soul Rainbows and Waterfalls

A crowd of people line up on the street waiting for the doors to open. They huddle with neighbors and friends until the doors are unlocked and everyone rushes in. It’s not a movie premiere. It’s not even concert tickets that they’re after. These people are waiting for local food at the Asheville City Market. Farmers markets went quiet for a few weeks after the holidays, but indoor winter markets are finally here. Piles of kale and towers of turnips are ready for the community to take home to their dinner tables. Though the range of produce is limited during the winter months, there are plenty of greens, root veggies, meat, eggs, and crafts for winter shoppers. These markets are a gathering place for farmers and members of the community who might not otherwise see each other until spring. This past Saturday at the Asheville City Market and the YMCA Indoor Winter Market, the room echoed with vibrant conversations about everything from soil temperature to ways to cook mustard greens. Winter markets are going strong throughout Western North Carolina. Spruce Pine in Mitchell County has an indoor market the first Saturday of the month at Dry County Brewing Company. Boone keeps its winter market running on the first and third Saturdays of the month at the Agricultural Conference Center. And a few of the regular vendors from the Transylvania Farmers Market sell on Saturday mornings in on East Main street in Brevard. Does your community have a winter market? ASAP keeps a running list of markets throughout the region in its Local Food Guide, and weekly updates on what’s fresh at the market at www.fromhere.org

We all stood on the bank of Mitchell County’s North Toe River, watching as the track hoe chipped away at the old, decrepit Spruce-Pine dam. Removing the crumbling dam allowed fish to move upstream and take advantage of that habitat, and removed a safety hazard for local paddlers. The dam’s removal was paid for in part by Partners for Fish and Wildlife, a program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designed to help private landowners improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Most of the kids entered the water with eager anticipation, net in hand, happily getting their shoes and shorts wet while adult not only looked on, but encouraged them to explore the river. It was the second annual Toe River Valley Festival, an event that brought nearly every 5th grader in North Carolina’s Yancey and Mitchell County’s out into a river in their community.

A little bit of river history was recently made in western North Carolina as a decrepit dam was removed from the North Toe River in Mitchell County.

It’s the telephone call a biologist never wants to get – the chemical spill, the fish kill, the accident that makes you stop everything else. The most recent was a train wreck along the North Toe River in Mitchell County. Fortunately no one was hurt.