Carolina Mountains Literary Festival begins! September 8-10
The Carolina Mountains Literary Festival begins today! Click here to meet the authors and click here to see the schedule!
From the Desk of Mr. James Byrd: Farewell to Singing on the Mountain
When Joe L. Hartley organized the first Singing on the Mountain in 1924, he had no idea that it would grow and grow and last almost a century until it ended this past weekend. Much about the annual event caused it to become one of the largest and longest running gospel singings of its kind [...]
Home Remedies Virtual Panel Session: a digital resource with local roots! Sign up today for the session on Sept 1, 6-7pm
Sign up for this online course to manage pain and stress at Home Remedies
Making a Splash with Smithsonian Water/Ways
Kids, ages 8-12, in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties can participate virtually in the Wonder of Water series, sponsored by the North Carolina Humanities and AMY Regional Library, on behalf of the Smithsonian Water/Ways traveling exhibit happening now at Yancey County Public Library. Each week, educator and photography Sue Wasserman, accompanied by videographer Martha Moore, [...]
From the Desk of Mr. James Byrd: Remembering Old Christmas
Remembering Old Christmas When the change was made from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian one in 1752, eleven days were dropped. December 25th became the date to celebrate Christmas instead of January 6th, which came to be known as Old Christmas. It notes the date that the Three Wise Men arrived at the manger [...]
From the Desk of Mr. James Byrd: Christmas Traditions of Yesteryear in the Valley
Christmas Traditions of Yesteryear in the Valley As elsewhere, Toe River Valley had its Christmas traditions that were continued each year. Among them were: Going to the woods to select a Christmas tree that was either a cedar, hemlock, or white pine Bringing in the tree and decorating it with an angel on top, long [...]
From the Desk of Mr. James Byrd: Judge Martin and His Outdoor Bathtub
Judge Martin and His Outdoor Bathtub The first hand-hewn outdoor bathtub in the Toe River Valley was in the vicinity of Spruce Pine and was the idea of a judge. Judge Spencer A. Martin, a North Carolina native, became a soldier and a federal prisoner during the Civil War. When the war ended, he went [...]
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 [...]