Hi, Folks! Most of us have a love of Appalachian Barns. You cannot drive down any road in Appalachia without spotting some type of barn. They serve as silent reminders as to how people made their living and in many cases still do. However, absolutely no structure throughout Appalachia offers…
Hi, Folks! Years ago in Appalachia, before the introduction of Civil engineering, there were these things known as “Foot Logs”. Simply put, foot logs were logs that were usually hewn flat on one side and placed across creeks, allowing people to travel onward by foot without having to wade the…
REVELATIONS Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. Hi, Folks. As many of you know, I did a story last month on my mamaw, Edna Holt Shetley. The story revolved around her father killing her mom in 1932…
Hi, folks! In 1792, a young Peggy Neely was pregnant out of wedlock so she left Belfast, Ireland for America. Accompanying the pregnant Peggy Neely was William Tweed and his young son, James. The mystery surrounds as to whether William was paid to accompany Peggy to America or not. This…
Hi, Folks! As I was riding around the Shelton Laurel Community in northern Madison County today, I was taken back to a more simple and straightforward time. Most folks didn’t live to work there is absolutely no doubt that most worked to live. The biggest clue to that fact was…
Hi, Folks! It is almost certain that every individual has or has had at least one individual in their lives who leave a mark on their lives that cannot be erased by time. Sometimes an individual can be a benefactor of an individual’s work(s) without ever knowing it. For my…
Hi, Folks! This week, I decided that I would do something a little different. Most folks still like to get out and ride country roads, although the Sunday Drive does not dominate families leisure time as it did in the past. When riding country roads, most people enjoy the serene…
Hi, Folks! As most of you know, Appalachia has a rich & vibrant musical heritage; particularly where Folk, Gospel, Bluegrass & Ballad music are concerned. In 1916, noted folks song revivalist Cecil Sharp came to Madison County, North Carolina in order to notate and record old English Ballads which were…
Hi, Folks! Growing up, I wasn’t much different than most other boys in the western mountains of North Carolina. I loved fishing and the outdoors, spent a lot of time learning how to work with tobacco & hay and was expected to go to school and make good grades. To…
