John Dilbeck Musings

I want to thank my friend, Jerry Chautin, for alerting me to an article in the New York Times, A Basket Case in North Carolina, written by David Rakoff, and published on May 20, 2007.

In this article, the author talks about taking a week-long class at the John C Campbell Folk School, in Brasstown, NC.

Originally, like most men, he wanted to experience the thrill of blacksmithing, of smiting hot steel and shaping it into new forms with fire, hammer, and anvil, but (for reasons he details in the article) he changed to taking a basket weaving class.

As a true lover of the Folk School and all that goes on there, I felt the resonance of reading what I know to be true about the Folk School experience, not just what happens when taking a class and learning a new skill, or improving your ability to create pieces of art in your chosen craft.

Mr. Rakoff talks about the unexpected moments of silence and “getting into the zone” that artists strive for while transforming the vision in our minds into the item in our hands.

This is one of the best articles I’ve read about the Folk School, and I recommend it to you. I don’t know how long the New York Times keeps these articles archived, so maybe you should read A Basket Case in North Carolina, now.

(For more information about the John C. Campbell Folk School, its classes, crafts, and events, call 828-837-2775 or 1-800-FOLK-SCH (800-365-5724) or visit www.folkschool.org.)

Appalachian Heritage Crafters, a non-profit arts and crafts cooperative, is holding a yardsale on Saturday, November 20, 2004, starting at 8:00 am and going most of the day.

A wide variety of items will be available, some at bargain prices.

The members will be selling snacks, coffee and hot chocolate.

Proceeds go to the cooperative to help offset expenses.

Appalachian Heritage Crafters, founded by craftspeople in and around Cherokee County, North Carolina, is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Appalachian crafts and heritage.

The specific purpose of the corporation is to preserve and promote the Appalachian heritage of quality hand-made crafts. This goal is achieved through training programs, educational programs in the schools and senior centers, programs providing outreach to youth and homebound seniors, and programs enabling crafter members to create, market, and sell handmade Appalachian crafts.

You are invited to our yard sale, which will be held at our crafts store, located a couple of miles west of Murphy at 2016 Highway 64 West, Murphy, NC 28906. While you’re there, browse through the items in our store to find great gifts for the holidays.

For more information, visit their website at AHCcrafts.com or call 828-835-3500.

Admission Is Free To September 4 Heritage Walk and Festival in Murphy, NC

What began in 2001 with fewer than 100 souls braving the pouring rain to take a “heritage walk” through historic Murphy has blossomed into a 4th annual series of events coming Saturday, September 4, 2004.

Last year over 3,000 people turned out for a day long celebration of traditional mountain music, arts and crafts, blue ribbon memories of the county fair, and the heritage walking tours with characters from times past. Produced by Heritage Partners of Cherokee County in collaboration with a host of volunteers and sponsoring organizations, this year’s Heritage Walk and Festival features:

• The Heritage Walk — historic trade and commerce tours departing at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.; pyramid tours departing at 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. from the Old LandN Depot

• The Cherokee County Heritage Fair — blue ribbon competitions in the traditional home survival skills, special events and community exhibits on display at the Old L and N Depot and outdoor county fair tent (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• The Appalachian Heritage Crafters Show — area artists and crafters on the Railroad Street festival grounds, behind the Old LandN Depot and Hackney Warehouse (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• Mountain Song — all day live stage performances feature traditional bluegrass, old-time and more on the Railroad Street festival grounds, behind the Old Hackney Warehouse (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• Becky and the Robber of Buckhorn Ridge — one act play performances by the Murphy High drama students, based on Jean Bravick’s story of pioneer life in Cherokee County’s 1840 Valleytown (First United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 1:00 p.m.)
• Cherokee County Historical Museum’s Heritage Day — a celebration of pioneering history and Cherokee Indian culture, on Peachtree Street
• Farmers Market
• Food Vendors
• Pocket Parks Collectibles Fair
• rides and activities for children
• and more.

And, it’s all free.

The public is invited to come out, and all festival guests are encouraged to park in town and walk to all events. Visit heritagepartners.org for more information.

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of seeing Ben Utley, owner of the NC Mountain Made website, again. It’s always fun being around Ben, who has a cheerful and optimistic personality.

NC Mountain Made is a heritage database of authentic music, authors, storytellers, and handmade arts & crafts of western North Carolina. In the not-too-distant-future, Ben will be helping artisans in western North Carolina sell their products over the Internet.

He came to the monthly meeting of Appalachian Heritage Crafters and updated us on the progress he is making getting his new venture organized.

A number of our members expressed interest in working with Ben and we’ll probably see some of their art on his site, soon.

Ben’s added a calendar covering Western North Carolina Heritage and Cultural Events. Be sure to check it out!

Don’t forget. If you’re interested in what he’s doing to promote and preserve our Appalachian heritage, you can sign up for his announcements list and he’ll keep you informed.

I hope you have great success with this, Ben!

Yesterday, for the first time in a couple of months, I attended the monthly Heritage Tourism Roundtable meeting in Andrews, NC. This meeting is held the first Tuesday of each month from 10:00 am until approximately 2:00 pm at the St. Andrews Lutheran Church.

I enjoyed seeing friends and catching up on what’s happening in the four western-most counties of North Carolina and on the progress we’re making for promoting heritage tourism in our area.

One of the guests at the meeting was Ben Utley, a lifelong educator who is now residing in western North Carolina.

He announced the upcoming debut of NCMtnMade.com, “A Heritage Database of authentic music, authors, storytellers, and handmade arts/crafts of Western North Carolina.”

If you’d like to be informed of what’s happening at this site, there is a preview page up and running and you can subscribe to their mailing list to be informed when it goes live.

Ben has some great ideas about promoting our heritage of fine art, crafts, toys, music and food, and I’d like to send my best wishes for success with this project.