From the Desk of Mr. James Byrd: Special Joy and Surprises for Thanksgiving
Special Joy and Surprises for Thanksgiving One morning when Willie was twelve, he heard a scratching noise at the door. When he went to look, a small black and tan hound was there. The thin dog, wanting to be fed, jumped on Willie, and wagged its tail. Willie went back into the house and got [...]
Need to burn off that turkey?
Head on over to the Riverside Story Trail in Spruce Pine! Get a photo with Piney the Squirrel. We promise, it'll make you smile. Be sure to tag us!
From the Desk of Mr. James Byrd: The Temptations of Dried Apples, Apple Pies, and Just Plain Apples
The Temptations of Dried Apples, Apple Pies, and Just Plain Apples Grandmother Ann lived over the ridge from Rocky Hollow. Like the other women in the neighborhood, she dried sweet sliced apples in summer. She used white cloth sacks to hang them in an unfinished upstairs room to keep for winter. By doing that, the [...]
From the Desk of Mr. James Byrd: Fall Brings Thoughts About Apples
Fall Brings Thoughts About Apples Apples date back to ancient times as a valued source of food. When settlers came to America from Europe, they brought seedling apple trees and seeds. They were wise in doing that, because the land had only crabapple trees. Widespread planting of trees and seeds helped keep people from starving. [...]