"Those first years, I exclusively used the Langstroth hive, but I was aware that alternative bee-housing existed. One option that I found intriguing was a horizontal hive with standard Langstroth deep frames." - Jim Rash
Deep South Co. Outfitters
By Tim Gardner
"I greatly enjoy getting people into fly fishing. And it’s fun to witness clients be successful. It's sometimes tough to always get that 'catch' I all but guarantee with my guide service. Still, I know that there is always a spot where fish are biting. As a guide and instructor, I’ve just got to help my clients find it." - Greyson Stafford
Booze & Bouquets
By Kris Testori
"Seeing the joy on people's faces when they walk away with my flowers is incredibly fulfilling. The emotions they express, like happiness and joy, really resonate with me. Bringing a bouquet I've created to a bride and seeing her moved to tears melts my heart every time. It's a powerful feeling to evoke such emotions in people." - Devin Lacey 30
Ashe County's Breweries and Cideries
By Joshua Biggers
"The West Jefferson water is some of the best the country has to offer, and it allows us to give patrons a true taste of Ashe County." - Greg Hershner
Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery
By Zenda Douglas
"I feel like everyone who walks in the door becomes a friend to us. We treat everyone the same, with respect and we’re grateful. It’s a privilege to be in business for thirty years and have as many friends as we have." - Tim Miller
Two Hoots Styling
By Layne Hendrikson
"That’s the nice thing about our business. We get to meet interesting people and learn about their lives and help them to achieve their goals for their homes or rental properties. It never gets boring because we do have so many avenues that we can go down. Our day is switched up all the time. It’s never boring." - Tammy Walker 16 22 46 54 64
Making the Most of the End of Summer
Welcome to the August issue of High Country Magazine!
One of the best parts of summer is spending time with your family. My hope is that you find opportunities to spend time with family throughout the summer and beyond.
We are delighted to present a collection of stories that capture the essence of life in the High Country, from the art of beekeeping to the craft of brewing.
We begin with an enlightening piece on keeping honey bees, written by Master Beekeeper Dr. Jim Rash. His insights and expertise offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of these vital pollinators, highlighting the importance of bees in maintaining the balance of our ecosystem.
Next, we cast a line into the serene waters of our region, exploring the joys and techniques of fly fishing with guide, instructor and owner of Deep South Co. Outfitters, Greyson Stafford. This timeless pastime connects us to the natural beauty and tranquility of the High Country, inviting both new and seasoned anglers to experience the thrill of the catch.
Adding a touch of creativity and elegance, we feature Booze & Bouquets Floral Designs and its founder Devin Lacey, who provides a unique service that combines floral design with bartending. His passion for flowers and sustainable farming showcases the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and appreciation of environmental conection in our community.
Our journey continues with a spotlight on Ashe County's breweries and cideries. These establishments are not only crafting exceptional beverages but also fostering a sense of camaraderie and local pride. Whether you prefer a crisp cider or a robust ale, there's something for every palate to savor.
We also celebrate a milestone with Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery as they mark their 30th anniversary. This beloved gallery has been a cornerstone of our artistic community, nurturing and showcasing the talents of countless artists over the decades.
Finally, we are excited to introduce you to Two Hoots Styling, an interior design company that transforms spaces with their innovative and personalized approach. Their designs reflect the unique character of the High Country, creating beautiful and functional environments that inspire and delight.
As you dive into this issue, may you be inspired by the stories of innovation, tradition, and the enduring spirit of the High Country. Here's to savoring the last days of summer and embracing the beauty and creativity that surround us. Thank you for reading and supporting High Country Magazine!
Sam Garrett - Publisher
A Public Ation o f
High Country Press Publications
Publisher /editor
Sam Garrett design
Ashley Poore
Advertising d irector
Michelle Harrell
MediA d istribution coordinAtor
Ashton Brumfield
contributing Writers
Joshua Biggers
Zenda Douglas
Tim Gardner
Layne Hendrickson
Jim Rash
Kris Testori
cover Photogr APher
Ashley Poore
High Country Magazine is produced by the staff and contributors of High Country Press Publications, which serves Watauga, Avery and Ashe counties of North Carolina.
High Country Magazine publisher, Sam Garrett enjoying dinner with his family at Label in Johnson City, TN. Left to right: Clint, Madi, Gunner, Sam, Cooper, Madison, and Kennedy.
Devin Lacey, also known as the Tulip Guy, is the founder of Booze and Bouquets Floral Design. Photo by Ashley Poore.
mountain echoes
Cranberry Middle School students compile stellar finishes at SkillsUSA Championships
STORY BY TIM GARDNER
Students at Cranberry School in Avery County have achieved much success in varied endeavors. One of the most recent came at the 2024 National Skills USA Championships, which highlights the achievements and downright prowess of Career and Technical Education (CTE) students.
The SkillsUSA Championships is the premier showcase of America’s most highly-skilled CTE students. It’s also one of the largest hands-on workforce development events in the world. The SkillsUSA Championships program lists its philosophy and mission as to reward students for excellence, to involve industry in directly evaluating student performance, and to keep classroom training relevant to employers’ needs. The program assesses and recognizes CTE students by testing their skills against standards for entry-level positions in the skilled trades through authentic demonstrations. Students are evaluated by expert representatives of business, industry, and organized labor.
Held annually at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia in conjunction with SkillsUSA’s National Leadership and Skills Conference, the SkillsUSA Championships is the national culmination of a year-long process that begins in local chapters across the country. Local winners advance to regional competitions, testing their skills against competitors from other schools. Those winners then advance to state competitions each spring, and state gold medalists earn the right to compete nationally at the SkillsUSA Championships. Along with gold, silver, and bronze medallions, competitors may earn scholarships, tools of the trade, and even job offers right off the competition floor.
This event features more than 6,000 state champions from across the United States competing head-to-head in 115 trade, technical, and leadership competitions, which are created, overseen, and judged by nearly 2,000 expert representatives of business, industry, and organized labor. All are committed to helping build the next generation of skilled professionals, careerready leaders, and responsible community members on which America’s future depends.
Cranberry Middle School students earned the right to compete in the 2024 National SkillsUSA Championships held June 25-28, in which they also excelled.
They competed in six team or individual events, winning one championship gold medal, three championship runner-up (second place) silver medals, and compiled two fourth-place finishes. Those students and categories included:
• Lacey Ray Manis, Saunders Stephenson, and Macie Turner won the Gold Medal for Outstanding Chapter.
• Hailey Jo Triplett, Lila Holtsclaw, and Arionna McGirt won the second-place Silver Medal for Chapter Display.
• Hayden Cordell, Deacon Holtsclaw, and Hudson Manis won the second-place Silver Medal for American Spirit.
• Brandon Ashley, Emma Thomas, and Jose Velazquez won the second-place Silver Medal for Community Service.
• Noah Earnhardt finished in fourth place for Extemporaneous Speaking.
• Emma Broadway, Daisy Lyerly, Eliza Ledford, Amy Heaton, Darby Evaul, Josie Hurtado, and Tenley Hodges finished fourth in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Six other Cranberry Middle students also competed in North Carolina SkillsUSA regional and state competitions, while three more of its students were also involved in the SkillsUSA program this year. Those students are Kadence Russell, Novalee Hoilman, Tatum Cooke, Roan Singleton, Jackson Zazenski, Shekinah Jay, Brook Sparks, Mason Taylor, and Elijah McPhail.
Mason Morris, Cranberry Middle School’s CTE teacher and SkillsUSA Chapter advisor of the past three years said about the program: “Truly, SkillsUSA changes the lives of students for the better and all of our students who have been active in it are winners because of the many positive experiences it provides them. They are all due congratulations.”
Those who may be concerned in Avery County about the future of skilled trades workers being produced there should think of these 29 students who have supplied proof that it’s in promising and zenith-skilled hands! t
Twenty
Students representing Cranberry Middle School at the 2024 SkillsUSA National Championship. Photo submitted.
mountain echoes
Blowing Rock welcomes FireLight Book & Candle
STORY BY HARLEY NEFE
In a heartwarming celebration of community and creativity, FireLight Book & Candle officially opened its doors, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew book lovers and candle enthusiasts from near and far.
This unique store, which opened in June and beautifully combines a love for literature and artisanal candles, was founded by local residents Pat and Lucy Strickland. The couple, passionate about books and handcrafted goods, envisioned a space where people could find both literary inspiration and cozy ambiance.
As they say, “Books and candles make the perfect pairing!”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a significant event attended by members of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, along with a supportive crowd of friends, family, and community members. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation as everyone gathered to celebrate the opening of this charming new addition to the town.
“The store features an array of books and exquisite candles that were revealed to a gathered crowd of well-wishers,” the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce stated. “We extend our best wishes to owners Lucy and Pat Strickland for a successful business venture.”
In response, the Stricklands shared, “A big thank you to everyone who came out for the FireLight Book & Candle Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! We couldn’t have opened our doors without our friends and family who have been helping us behind the scenes from the beginning. We are grateful for the encouraging words and community support we have received these first few weeks of business – you guys showed up in a big way! This little store is now filled with lots of love, and we are ready to share it with all who pass through our door.”
Located on Sunset Drive, FireLight Book & Candle offers a carefully curated selection of books across various genres, from contemporary fiction to timeless classics. In addition to their impressive literary collection, the store boasts an array of handcrafted candles, each designed to enhance the reading experience with their warm glow and delightful scents.
The Stricklands have thoughtfully created a space that
invites visitors to linger and explore. With comfortable reading nooks, visitors are encouraged to relax with a book and enjoy the calming ambiance created by the flickering candles. The store also features unique gifts, including many local artisan goods, making it a perfect destination for finding special presents.
One of the highlights of FireLight Book & Candle is their handcrafted soy candles, made in-house by Lucy Strickland. These candles are available in a variety of scents, each carefully blended to evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation. The process of making these candles is a true labor of love, with each one being poured and labeled by hand to ensure the highest quality.
For those looking to engage in a fun and creative indoor activity, FireLight Book & Candle offers candle-making workshops hosted by Lucy Strickland. These monthly classes are scheduled outside of regular business hours and can also be booked privately for special occasions. Participants in the workshops get to learn about the art of candle-making, experiment with different scents, and create their own custom candles to take home. It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with friends or family while learning a new skill and creating something beautiful. For more information or to sign up for a workshop, interested individuals can call 828-372-9372.
The opening of FireLight Book & Candle is not just a business venture for the Stricklands, but a realization of their dream to foster a sense of community through shared passions. They hope that their store will become a beloved gathering place for residents and visitors alike, where people can discover new stories, enjoy the tranquility of candlelight, and connect with one another.
“FireLight Book & Candle has officially been open for over a month,” the Stricklands said. “Thank you to all of our new and faithful FireLight customers! Your support has made our first month a great success, and we are still pinching ourselves!”
The Blowing Rock community eagerly embraces FireLight Book & Candle, a place where literature and artisanal craftsmanship come together to create a haven of warmth, creativity, and connection. t
FireLight Book & Candle officially opened its doors in June in downtown Blowing Rock. Photos courtesy of FireLight Book & Candle.
The Road Less Traveled Carolina Gal
By Jan Todd
Back in the olden days, folks used to get in the car on Sunday afternoons to just ride around. They found it “relaxing.” They’d drive through the countryside, looking at cows, maybe stopping someplace for an ice cream cone along the way. Gas was about thirty-five cents a gallon, and an ice cream cone cost a dime, so the whole endeavor was pretty affordable as a family outing.
One recent Sunday afternoon, I found myself on the interstate with four or five billion people in Charlotte, and there was nothing “relaxing” about the experience. Cars either zipping around, cutting in front of one another, or at a near standstill in response to an “incident.”
We were not on a pleasure drive, of course — just trying to get back home after a weekend visiting family. As soon as we were able, we jumped off the interstate and hit the backroads. I immediately felt my breathing slow down and my blood pressure return to normal.
I grew up with a father who was an engineer — and efficiency was always the name of the game. He’d set his stopwatch as we left on any journey, and upon arrival, he’d announce the hours and minutes it took to get there. He was always proud if he was able to shave a minute or two off his previous record.
My mom packed sandwiches and snacks so we didn’t have to stop for food, and my dad never, ever stopped unless it was absolutely necessary. He often drove late at night when the traffic was lighter, so we could “make good time.”
Now as an adult, I’ll take the road less traveled wherever I go, given the choice. And the rewards are rich!
On the way to the beach, you can swing by the world’s largest chest of drawers in High Point, then visit a park in Wilson featuring dozens of giant whirlygigs. Closer to the coast in Supply, you can stop by an entire village made of bottles and recycled junk, appropriately named “Mary’s Gone Wild.” It is a sight to behold.
Up here in the mountains, we have our own share of oddities, with the giant cow milk tanks in West Jefferson, the gravitational anomaly at Mystery Hill, a house made of coffee mugs near Collettsville — and plenty of roadside stands offering life-sized statues of Big Foot along with a selection of canned possum. You may never want to get back on an interstate in your life.
Off the beaten path, you’ll find the inevitable yard art outlet, with an acre or two of concrete statues, fake deer, and maybe even a triple decker seahorse birdbath.
However, it’s best to see yard art in its natural habitat, especially when you find the home of someone who buys into the “more is better” philosophy. Such a site cannot be enjoyed at 65 mph. A backroad pace is necessary.
One time, my husband and I were deep in the country of the Carolinas and spotted a yard with dozens of clawfoot bathtubs, each serving as a planting bed for summer vegetables. We had to pull over and marvel.
In the Land of the Backroads, ordinary people are often allowed to name the roads. Some honor their families: Hodges Gap, Baird’s Creek, B.H. Duncan Road. Others choose a distinguishing feature: Rhododendron Drive, Timber Ridge or Sunset View Lane. These road names are endorsed and approved by real estate agents, painting a picture of idyllic scenery and charm.
Imagine, though, trying to sell a piece of property on a road entitled Agony Acres, No Trespassing Lane, or Firing Range Road.
Speaking of marketing gone sideways, out in the wilderness of Tennessee we once stumbled upon a choose-and-cut tree farm named “Hard Luck Christmas Trees.” I am not making this up. Maybe they were going for the pity sale.
As the summer winds down and you try to squeeze in another road trip or two, see what treasures you can find along the way. Just leave the stopwatch at home. t
Tony Todd, taking a rest break at Mary’s Gone Wild, a roadside gem near Supply, NC. The owner/artist has created a village made of glass bottles and recycled junk. Photo by Jan Todd.
TKEEPING HONEY BEES
STORY BY JIM RASH
he western honey bee, Apis Mellifera, shows a remarkable adaptability in home site selection. Honey bees are cavity dwellers, whether that is a hollow tree in the forest or the soffit of your house. However, managing honey bees as livestock requires accessibility to the treasures of the hive: the honey and the wax. But more importantly, considering the contribution of honey bees to agricultural production, managing honey bees requires the ability to move a colony for pollination purposes.
The hives that are in common use today are named after the Reverend L. L. Langstroth. The Langstroth hive, patented in 1852, had moveable frames, which allowed the beekeeper to harvest honey without damaging the brood nest and destroying the hard work of the bees. Being able to remove individual frames from the hive simplifies inspections as the beekeeper is assessing the health of the colony and looking for evidence of disease or the presence of pests.
My beekeeping journey began in 2014 with the Beginning Beekeeping Class offered by Wilkes Community College and taught by Shelley Felder of the Honey Hole in West Jefferson, NC. This class was my introduction to the Langstroth hive, and the techniques required of a beekeeper to manage and care for honey bees. Those first years, I exclusively used the Langstroth hive, but I was aware that alternative bee-housing existed. One option that I found intriguing was a horizontal hive with standard Langstroth deep frames. (A Langstroth deep frame is typically a wooden frame holding either a sheet of wax or plastic foundation measuring 8 ½ by 16 ¾ inches and embossed with hexagonal cells.) The concept of horizontal bee hives has been around for centuries; ancient Egyptians housed honey bees in clay cylinders stacked horizontally. Although this concept was not new, I found that few of my beekeeping peers deviated from the industry standard.
With great excitement, I shared my vision for a horizontal hive using Langstroth frames with local beekeepers only to be told: “Since we are in the mountains, bees will never survive the winter in that!” And the nay-sayers also reminded me: “Honey bees are hard-wired to move vertically in the nest, not horizontally!” Although this was not the response that I expected from fellow beekeepers, I continued to research this concept. My research led me to Dr. Leo Sharashkin’s Horizontal Hives. Dr.
A smoker is kept nearby in case it becomes needed. Photo by Sue Rash.
A rotating horizontal hive. Photo by Rickey Roark.
Sharashkin’s website https://horizontalhive.com/ is a wealth of information on natural beekeeping and offers free plans for the construction of horizontal Langstroth hives.
With my initial inspiration and now a blueprint, I constructed my first two horizontal hives in the early spring of 2018 and in 2019 constructed two more horizontal hives for use in my bee yard. Each hive is made to accommodate 32 deep Langstroth frames. The side walls of the hive are two and one-quarter inch thick with rough sawed lumber on the inside, which encourages the bees to coat the rough surface with propolis as they would in a tree cavity. The entrance is a one-half inch slot without a
Those first years, I exclusively used the Langstroth hive, but I was aware that alternative bee-housing existed. One option that I found intriguing was a horizontal hive with standard Langstroth deep frames. - JIM RASH
landing board and located on the end, rather than the side, of the hive. Positioning the entrances on the end of the hive allows the bees to build comb and expand the colony as they would in a tree cavity. The brood, frames with eggs, larvae, and baby bees, is closer to the entrance and then the pantry, the frames with nectar, honey, and pollen. This arrangement enables the bees to move laterally to access their honey stores during the winter months. With entrances on each end, and a follower board used as a divider in the center of the hive, two colonies can be housed in one horizontal Langstroth hive.
Bees building wax comb following a starter strip. Photo by Jim Rash.
Jim Rash inspecting a deep frame from a vertical Langstroth hive. Photo by Ruth Roark.
The bees adapted to the horizontal hive moving laterally as easily as vertically. It was easy to work, especially from the beekeeper’s perspective—the only lifting required is one deep Langstroth frame at a time! - JIM RASH
In May of 2018, my first hive received a five-frame nucleus colony and by late summer had expanded to eighteen deep Langstroth frames. (A nucleus colony is a five-frame colony of bees with resources: a laying queen, worker bees, brood, and honey.) The bees adapted to the horizontal hive moving laterally as easily as vertically. It was easy to work, especially from the beekeeper’s perspective—the only lifting required is one deep
My involvement with horizontal bee hives was limited to the basic horizontal hive, which is the equivalent of three Langstroth deep boxes side-by-side. Over the years, these colonies produced some surplus honey; however, the primary benefit was that of resource colonies allowing me to use frames of honey, or bees and brood, to strengthen the colonies used for
My perspective and appreciation for horizontal hives changed dramatically after my introduction to Rickey and Ruth Roark. In 2021, I met Rickey and Ruth, at the Ashe County Beekeeper’s Association monthly meeting. They were surprised to find another beekeeper in Ashe County that was not only familiar with this style hive, but also using horizontal hives in the bee yard. And I was intrigued by their knowledge of and experience with horizontal Langstroth hives. After meeting Ruth and Rickey, no one can forget their enthusiasm for honey bees.
Rickey’s beekeeping journey began six years ago when a neighbor asked him to help with his bees. With the experience of helping a neighbor with his bees, Rickey reasoned that honey bees would be a beneficial addition to his farm. That thought was shared with Ruth, and she was all in. However, there was one major problem, lifting wooden boxes (supers) filled with bees, brood, wax, and honey. To save his back and avoid lifting boxes weighing between 45 to 90 pounds was Rickey’s incentive to find a better way to keep bees. Looking back to his childhood, he reminisced that his paternal and maternal grandfathers were both avid beekeepers and their hives of choice were top bar hives. After his experience stacking heavy Langstroth boxes, he remembered his grandfather inspecting a hive and how easy it was to move only one frame at a time.
The childhood memory of top bar beekeeping grandfathers and his experience helping a neighbor stack heavy supers revealed to him the potential advantages of a horizontal hive design. Top bar hives are similar in principle to a horizontal Langstroth with the top bar hive allowing the bees to attach the wax comb to a wooden strip and build the comb down conforming to the triangular shape of the box. Whereas the horizontal hive can accommodate the standard Langstroth deep frames making them fully interchangeable with the vertical style Langstroth hives commonly used by backyard beekeepers.
The gallery on display at the Horizontal Bees website showcases Rickey’s innovative horizontal hive designs and craftsmanship as a woodworker.
A queen with a green dot of paint on her thorax to identify her as a 2024 queen. Photo by Jim Rash.
Horizontal hive showcasing Rickey Roark’s craftsmanship. Photo by Rickey
Rickey Roark inspecting a colony. Photo by Jim Rash.
And when requested by the customer, Ruth adds the finishing touches with her art work.
For the beekeeper interested in honey production, Horizontal Bees offers a hive with the addition of a honey super (a box with smaller frames) in the center of a horizontal hive. This basic setup is a two colony, two queen design allowing two separate colonies working independently of each other to fill this smaller box with honey for the beekeeper to harvest. Each end of the horizontal hive houses a colony of bees and when the deep frames are full of brood and honey, the worker bees can go through a queen excluder to store excess honey in a medium super, a smaller box placed between the two hives. The queen excluder is a wire grid allowing worker bees to pass through but too small to allow the queens to enter the center box and without the queens having access to the center, there is no competition or fighting among the worker bees. With the necessary environmental conditions of abundant blooming plants and favorable weather, the horizontal hive, with a honey super, provides the place for the bees to store excess honey for the beekeeper to harvest at the end of the nectar flow.
A horizontal hive, with minor modifications, is suitable for beekeepers with physical disabilities. Rickey has designed a horizontal hive that allows the entire hive to rotate to a 45-degree angle, making it accessible to someone in a wheelchair.
Jonathan Bennett is a beekeeper who is benefiting from the rotating style hive. Mr. Bennett grew up in rural Missouri where all things agriculture were his passion, and
Ruth Roark and Kim Pitts inspecting a super horizontal hive. Photo by Jim Rash.
keeping honey bees allows him to connect with his roots. However, with his physical disabilities, managing bees in a vertical Langstroth hive was a challenge for him and the bees. A routine hive inspection was a slow laborious process removing one frame at a time and placing that frame
in an empty box. The procedure was the same for each box inspected and to get the hive back together the process had to be reversed. Such extensive manipulations were stressful for both the beekeeper and the bees!
Mr. Bennett was introduced to the horizontal hive in a YouTube podcast by Rickey Roark. He was interested in Rickey’s design of a horizontal hive that would tilt 45 degrees making the hive easily accessible and allowing him to work from his wheelchair. After the hive was constructed, Rickey volunteered to make the eleven-hour drive to deliver and setup the hive. Routine inspections and pulling frames from a tilting horizontal hive, according to Jonathan Bennett “…is as easy as pulling a book off of a shelf at a 45 degree-angle.”
Depending on the beekeeper’s goal for keeping bees, there are some disadvantages to the horizontal hive. The hive by design is stationary, and a full hive is heavy and difficult to move. This style hive is perfect for the benefit of having honey bees supplement the native pollinators in your vegetable garden; but if a pollination contract is your goal, this
Our professional care team has provided quality hospice and palliative care to Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties since 2014—originally as Caldwell Hospice Serving the High Country and, since 2021, as AMOREM. We are still your local, non-profit hospice and palliative provider—more resources and a new name, but still right at home in the High Country.
“My job is an act of love.”
DONNA TATE , MSN, FNP-C
Jonathan Bennett and Rickey Roark with a tilting horizontal hive. Photo by Ruth Roark.
hive is not for you. If your objective is gallons of honey for sale at the farmer’s market, a horizontal hive is not the best choice. However, if you are looking for some honey for your own use and enough to share with family and friends, then this style hive is perfect.
There are several advantages to a horizontal Langstroth hive from the beekeeper’s perspective. This style of hive allows the beekeeper to use standard Langstroth frames, which are fully interchangeable with another Langstroth hive. Frames can use either commercial wax or plastic foundation. However, if plastic foundation is used, it is best to cut off a small triangular section of each lower corner of the foundation before installing it in the frames. Open corners provide communication holes, allowing the bees easier access to both sides of the frame and facilitates lateral movement during the winter. To avoid the possible contamination of commercial wax foundation, use a frame with no foundation—let the bees do it. If your choice is no foundation, it would be a good idea to cut a one-inch strip of foundation and install that as a guide showing the bees the way you want them to build the comb. Without a guide, the bees may build the comb horizontally across frames rather than vertically within each frame. When completing routine inspections, I keep the smoker on hand, but it is not often used. An inspection that is less stressful for the bees is most definitely less stressful for the beekeeper.
The horizontal hive is a simple and bee-friendly version of the standard Langstroth hive. A horizontal hive is a great choice for the honey bee, taking them one step closer to a more natural environment, and surely, for some beekeepers, a horizontal hive is a superior way to keep bees.
- JIM RASH
supers that must be moved out of the way.
Just as in a tree cavity, a horizontal hive provides a dry chamber with protection from the weather and the wind. This style hive has the volume, providing the bees with adequate space to rear brood, and extra space to store honey. Furthermore, this is a sturdy home with a defensible entrance and a home not easily accessible to predators.
The horizontal hive is a simple and bee-friendly version of the standard Langstroth hive. A horizontal hive is a great choice for the honey bee, taking them one step closer to a more natural environment, and surely, for some beekeepers, a horizontal hive is a superior way to keep bees. t
Traditional top bar hives require the new beekeeper to start with a commercial three-pound package of bees or a local swarm of honey bees. Starting with a nucleus colony instead of a package is no problem with a horizontal Langstroth hive. With a horizontal hive, the heaviest lifting required is one deep Langstroth frame of honey, which is approximately six pounds. Who really enjoys lifting a 90-pound deep brood box full of bees and honey? And to get to that bottom brood chamber, there are 40-to-60-pound honey
Jim Rash is a retired Baptist minister and has a PhD from North Carolina State University. Jim is also certified as a Master Beekeeper by the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, an active member of the Ashe County Beekeeper’s Association, and teaches the Beginning Beekeeping Class and the Intermediate Beekeeping Class for Wilkes Community College.
Horizontal hives to be shipped to Washington State. Photo Jim Rash
FISHING ON THE “FLY” IN THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGH COUNTRY
STORY BY TIM GARDNER
One of the most popular pastimes for residents here, and a reason why visitors flock to the North Carolina High Country, is fly-fishing.
Unquestionably, it’s due to the seemingly endless list of picturesque mountain streams that can be found throughout the region.
"For sure, fly-fishing is alive and well in these parts," agrees Greyson Stafford, owner of Deep South Co Outfitters in the Avery County town of Elk Park. Stafford is also a fly-fishing instructor and guide.
While fly-fishing is the most noted method of choice for catching trout in the North Carolina Mountains, it can also be used for a wide variety of species including bass, panfish, and carp, as well as saltwater species, such as redfish, snook, tarpon, and bonefish. However, this article will focus on fly-fishing for trout.
Many credit the first recorded use of an artificial fly to the Roman Claudius Aelianus near the end of the second century.
American anglers began using fly tackle to fish trout-rich streams in the late nineteenth century. Many of these early American fly anglers also developed new fly patterns. They wrote extensively about their sport, increasing the popularity of fly-fishing in the region and across the United States.
The development of inexpensive fiberglass rods, synthetic fly lines, and monofilament leaders in the early 1950s revived the popularity of fly-fishing, especially in the United States.
In recent years, interest in fly-fishing has surged as baby boomers (those born shortly after the end of World War II in 1945) have discovered the sport. The emergence of a competitive fly-casting circuit has added to fly-fishing’s visibility and popularity.
Fly-fishing can be done using any of the various methods and
Greyson Stafford (left) and his brother, Stetson, who is holding a brown trout, were joined on this fishing excursion by Travis Kiriluk (back). Photo submitted.
I greatly enjoy getting people into fly fishing. And it’s fun to witness clients be successful. It's sometimes tough to always get that 'catch' I all but guarantee with my guide service. Still, I know that there is always a spot where fish are biting. As a guide and instructor, I’ve just got to help my clients find it.
-
GREYSON STAFFORD
any of the general types of flies. Many of the techniques and presentations of fly-fishing were first developed in fishing for trout. There is a misconception that all fly-fishing for trout is done on the surface of the water with “dry flies”.
In most places, especially heavily fished trout areas, success usually comes from fly-fishing using flies called "nymphs" that were designed to drift on the bottom of the water. This is called "nymphing”. A trout feeds below the water's surface approximately ninety percent of the time. Trout usually only come to the surface when there is a large bug hatch (when aquatic insects grow wings and leave the water to mate and lay eggs). There are exceptions to this rule, however, particularly during the summer months and on smaller mountain streams.
If you just have to try your luck, you can fish year-round in the High Country, a refreshing hamlet of the State of North Carolina, as trout try to find cool waters, and the water temperatures are accommodating to the beautiful and bountiful rainbow, brown, and brook that inhibit our rivers.
Fly-fishing is considered by its devotees to be the most challenging yet rewarding kind of fishing here. It sometimes can be quite a task to catch trout that, according to Wildlife Resources Commission experts, are among the smartest of the fish species making them the hardest to catch. Even if they bite on your fly, you still have to reel them in. That’s not always easy. No fisherman or fisherwoman wants the distinction of being the leader of hooking the most trout and letting them get off the hook and escape.
Once hooked, a small trout can be easily retrieved "on the reel" or by simply pulling in the fly line with the reel hand while pinching the line between the rod handle and the index finger of the rod hand. It is important to keep the rod tip high, allowing the bend of it to absorb the force of the fish's struggles against the line.
Larger trout will often take line in powerful runs before they can be landed. Unlike spin fishing where the line is already on the reel, playing a large fish with a fly line and a fly reel can present a unique challenge. Usually, when a fish is hooked, there will be extra fly line coiled between the reel and the index finger of the rod hand. The challenge is to reel up the loose fly line onto the reel without breaking off a large fish (or getting the line wrapped up around the rod handle, one's foot, a stick, or anything else in the way).
With experience, really large trout can be put on the reel simply by applying light pressure on the outgoing line using the fisher's fingers. Once
Brittany Wells celebrates the catching of a rainbow trout with her fishing guide-instructor Greyson Stafford. Photo submitted.
Deep South Co Outfitters officially opened its doors in June of 2022. Photo courtesy of Deep South Co Outfitters. August 2024
the extra line is on the reel, an angler can use the reel's drag system to tire the fish. It is important to use heavier tippet material if it won't spook the fish. This is important because an exhausted fish can easily die if released too soon. Heavier tippet material enables the angler to land the fish while not over-exhausting it.
Dozens of people of various ages in the High Country learn the intricacies of fly-fishing from Stafford or the various other professional instructors and guides located in Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Mitchell, or nearby counties, who are eager to talk about fishing and offer their expertise. It’s the desire of consummate fly-fishing instructors and guides like Stafford to treat every client alike—as if he or she is the most important student they have ever had and that they think every student can become one of the best fly-fishers ever to fish here.
Stafford declares he gets an intangible thrill each time he teaches someone how to fly fish—much like he’s doing it for the first time. "I greatly enjoy getting people into fly-fishing. And it’s fun to witness clients be successful. It's sometimes tough to always get that 'catch' I all but guarantee with my guide service. Still, I know that there is always a spot where fish are biting. As a guide and instructor, I’ve just got to help my clients find it."
Holston River, and Elk River to name a few, to test their equipment. Ultimately, it’s most fulfilling to fly-fishers when they cast with their equipment, which can only be exceeded by netting a big rainbow, brown, or brook trout.
Stafford adds that those who begin to fly fish usually soon want to learn about fly tying: “The craft of fly tying can be very enjoyable and many who start flyfishing want to learn all about it, too. It also can be meticulously challenging. Fly tying is for the perfectionist. It's hard to be satisfied with the fly until it looks perfect when in reality the fish don’t pay attention to detail.”
One of the first things Stafford teaches as a fly-fishing instructor is how to cast as well as what he calls “rig the rod.” Then, it’s how to fish. For casting, it’s all in the timing. While conventional fishing uses a lot of wrist action when casting, fly-fishing requires the elbow and forearm to move in unison to do most of the work.
The craft of fly tying can be very enjoyable and many who start fly fishing want to learn all about it too. It also can be meticulously challenging. Fly tying is for the perfectionist. It's hard to be satisfied with the fly until it looks perfect when in reality the fish don’t pay attention to detail.
- GREYSON STAFFORD
And when fashioning their rods, fly-fishers conjure up images of what it will be like when they get on a river after their handiwork is complete. They then can wander over to nearby streams such as Toe River, Wilson Creek, Harpers Creek, Lost Cove, South Toe River, Watauga River, Linville River, Helton Creek, South
“Many beginners want to use all of their upper body and it takes the momentum away from the line and the rod,” Stafford shares. “For some reason, it seems to be second nature to do so. Sometimes I have to break that down. It’s just the way the rod is designed to load and unload. With fly-fishing, the rod unloads itself and presents the fly, so long as you don’t help it. So, the way you don’t help it is to stay mostly stationary and you implement your forecast and backcast.”
In conventional fishing, it is the hook and bait that is cast and pulls the fishing line along. In fly-fishing, it is the opposite. The line is cast, and it carries the fly along.
From fishing gear to apparel, Deep South Co Outfitters has every sportsman covered. Photos courtesy of Deep South Co Outfitters.
Two important tools for fly fishing -- waders and fishing packs-can be purchased in the Deep South Co Outfitters shop. Photo submitted.
“The energy transfers from the line to the fly,” Stafford notes. “The cast unrolls. Casting is in, and of, itself.”
There can also be more casting in fly-fishing than conventional fishing. Stafford maintains it requires “more active involvement.” Another big difference is the use of a reel. The only time it is used in fly-fishing is when a fish is caught. For recasting, it’s just pulling the line and fly out of the water, and sending it back in without doing any reeling in.
“I don’t teach to wind the reel much,” Stafford explains. “Fly-fishermen and females who fly fish shouldn’t use the reel except to land the fish, and even then, it isn’t always necessary.”
Fly-fishing is more than a hobby to those who do it, it’s a downright passion.
The river is the perfect place for families to make lasting memories. Photo courtesy of Deep South Co Outfitters.
Deep South Co Outfitters apparel such as hats and shirts can be found inside the shop. Photo courtesy of Deep South Co Outfitters.
“Fishing in all venues is a deep love for me and all other males or females who fly fish,” Stafford declares. “For almost an entire majority of those who fly fish, the more you do it, the more you enjoy it. And trout live in majestic and clean streams in the most beautiful places you could ever hope to find. I’ve loved to fish ever since I could walk. My father, Eddie Ray Stafford, and my maternal grandfather, Joe Thomas, made sure to get me on the water as early as possible in life. I’ve been fly-fishing for more than twelve years, and I consider it an art. It is something I like as much as anything.”
I’ve loved to fish ever since I could walk. My father, Eddie Ray Stafford, and my maternal grandfather, Joe Thomas, made sure to get me on the water as early as possible in life. I’ve been fly fishing for more than twelve years and I consider it an art. It is something I like as much as anything.
- GREYSON STAFFORD
Stafford describes the peace he finds while fishing in this way: “When you’re on a river fishing, you’re not thinking of anything except mending your line and looking for the fish and what they’re biting. It’s a total escape from all your problems for at least a while. And it makes it special with each fish you catch. I’ve caught far more fish fly-fishing than I ever have using conventional fishing tackle.”
According to Stafford, “For anyone who fishes, the tug is what it’s all about. Just that hook up (no pun intended), you can’t do anything but smile and proudly know you’ve caught what you’ve been after.”
The North Carolina High Country provides picturesque mountain streams, perfect for fly fishing. Photo courtesy of Deep South Co. Outfitters.
High Country Fly Fishing Guide-Instructor Greyson Stafford (right) and client Jarrett Wells with a rainbow trout. Photo submitted.
Stafford also notes that fly-fishing’s popularity is growing “every day,” and it is “especially increasing among females.”
Depending on the river or stream being fished, Wildlife Commission representatives often encourage the release of trout after they’re caught rather than eating them as releasing them helps preserve the quality of a fishery.
Trout are more delicate than most fish and require careful handling. When a trout has been caught but the hook is still embedded, wet your hands before handling the fish. Dry hands stick to the adhesive slime coating the fish and can pull off its scales. It is preferred for the fish to remain in the water when removing the hook, but holding the trout out of the water will not be lethal, provided the hook is removed quickly and the trout is returned to the water quickly.
Small trout caught on a barb-less hook can be released simply by grasping the eyelet of the fly and rotating the eyelet toward the bend (the U-bend). This pulls the point back through the way it entered. Push the eyelet directly toward the bend until the point is removed from the fish. Large trout can be grasped gently, and forceps can be used to grip the bend and push backward, away from the direction the hook currently points. If necessary, squirming trout can be held on their backs. This often subdues the fish and provides enough time to remove the hook.
Once the hook has been removed, return the trout to the water. Support the trout until it stabilizes. This includes holding the fish in water deep enough to submerge its gills. After long fights, it may be necessary to manually move water past its gills. This can be done either by holding the trout in moving water with its head facing upstream, or, in calm water, by moving the trout backward and forward repeatedly. Once stabilized, the trout will swim off on its own. If released prematurely, the trout,
Fly fishing displays at the Deep South Co. Outfitters shop include these fly boxes and cups. Photo submitted.
Greyson Stafford (right) and his client Travis Kiriluk display a brown trout that Kiriluk caught while fly fishing during a High Country snowfall. Photo submitted.
not having enough energy to move, will sink to the bottom of the river and suffocate. Therefore, take however long is necessary to revive a trout.
It's simple to get into fly-fishing. There are no special skills or requirements needed. It takes a few basic supplies, including a rod, waders, a few flies, a fishing license, and time. "Fly-fishing guides often teach on the water, as you go," Stafford says. "With a few over-the-shoulder practice casts, even a beginner can have a successful day on the river fishing.”
Fly fishing guides often teach on the water, as you go. With a few over-the-shoulder practice casts even a beginner can have a successful day on the river fishing. - GREYSON STAFFORD
Though local fly-fishing seems to follow the “tourist season” that falls between May through October, Stafford added that fly-fishing is good year-round in the High Country, stating: "With temperatures here cooler than most places and our rivers mostly clean and remaining cold, it’s usually an excellent and productive time to fly fish every day of each year here in the mountains. And it’s been one of the best years for it that I’ve ever witnessed so far in 2024, and also regarding how well and quickly those using my instructional lessons and guide service have learned what they need to master fly-fishing.”
Deep South Co Outfitters is located at 8335 North US Highway 19-E, Elk Park, NC 28622. For more information, please visit deepsouthcooutfitters.square.site or call (828) 260-5963. t
From beginners to those more experienced, everyone can have a successful day on the river. Photo courtesy of Deep South Co. Outfitters.
The sport of fly fishing is one that is enjoyable for all ages. Photos courtesy of Deep South Co. Outfitters.
Cultivating Community and Connection with the Tulip Guy
STORY BY KRIS TESTORI
Meet the Tulip Guy
Devin Lacey, affectionately known as the Tulip Guy among locals, has garnered admiration with his stunning tulips that herald the start of every growing season. While tulips are his hallmark crop, he also excels in cultivating a diverse range of seasonal flowers. Lacey's nickname, the Tulip Guy, originates from his dedication to growing tens of thousands of tulips throughout the year.
As the founder of Booze and Bouquets Floral Designs, Lacey crafts elegant floral arrangements and provides bartending services for weddings and special occasions throughout the High Country. Beyond floral design, Devin is also a talented musician, contributing his skills to the harmony-driven, Appalachian folkgrass band, Handlebar Betty. In addition to the farmer’s markets, where he first earned his reputation and nickname, you can find his blooms featured in his creative collaborations with brides for bouquets and floral centerpieces. His tulip arrangements also grace the settings of florists, coffee shops, and restaurants where a selection of blooms are offered as an option to upgrade a traditional picnic to a luxurious and elegant experience. Devin's dynamic presence and range of talents make him a uniquely engaging figure in his community.
Reflecting on the journey he has undertaken to learn how to successfully cultivate flowers and other plants, Lacey notes, "I've been growing plants and flowers on and off for about a dozen years. It started with vegetables, but the deer were just obliterating all my dreams, row by row. But I'm slowly figuring out what they don't want to eat.” Visitors to his farm can observe the strategically planted garlic and garlic scapes placed at various locations aimed at deterring deer from damaging crops. His foray into tulips began with a random purchase. "It happened at the end of the season when a friend who worked at a garden center, along with his manager, offered me a killer deal,”
With its longer growing season and warmer climate, Lacey’s field in Happy Valley helps produce variety and creates multiple harvests throughout the year.
Photo by Ashley Poore.
Devin Lacey, also known as the Tulip Guy, is the founder of Booze and Bouquets Floral Design. Photo by Ashley Poore.
he explains, “That's how I ended up buying 4,000 tulip bulbs. It was pretty spur of the moment.” The following spring, in 2020, everything shut down due to COVID-19 just as the tulips were blooming. “I hit this moment of uncertainty,” he confides, “I was wondering how the hell I was going to sell all these tulips, what's going to happen? Then I teamed up with a couple of restaurants and coffee shops, and luckily, the farmer's market still happened despite the challenges. I had such a killer crop that it got me a lot of attention from the community, hence why a lot of people now refer to me as the Tulip Guy."
Lacey fondly recalls one of his favorite memories from 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when his fiancée, Danielle, stepped in to help him through a particularly challenging time with his flowers. "I really fell in love with how much she was there for me," he shares. Lacey recalls another cherished memory associated with growing flowers when he captured a swarm of bees on a locust tree standing right above his garden's fence line He observes, "It felt as if the bees were meant to be there, contributing to the vibrant life of the garden by feeding off of my flowers."
and sustainable development. "I was drawn in by the hiking trails and outdoor scene," he reveals, noting, "I hiked from Georgia to North Carolina on the Appalachian Trail and loved being outside and backpacking. When I found a city surrounded by those trails, I said, “Yes, absolutely. After living here, I had no desire to return to Atlanta or [any] other Georgia city because I prefer cooler climates."
A Creative Journey with Flowers
I've
been growing plants and flowers on and off for about a dozen years. It started with vegetables, but the deer were just obliterating all my dreams, row by row. But I'm slowly figuring out what they don't want to eat.
- DEVIN LACEY
How Lacey Came to Call the High Country Home
Lacey grew up in Atlanta and came to Appalachian State University to attend school, where his studies focused on biology
Lacey's journey into the world of flowers began as a casual, enjoyable pastime rather than a structured business plan. “At first, I'd grow some dahlias, pick wildflowers, cultivate different varieties, and create bouquets to have at the farmers' market stand to attract people to buy vegetables," he recalls. During that time, his primary focus was selling vegetables at the markets and bartending to supplement his income. "I used to bartend to support myself and pursue my dreams, so to speak. Two years ago, I transitioned to full-time farming, and now I get to do this all day,” he explains.
When asked about the possibility of creating a bouquet inspired by a famous movie or book, Lacey's response is delightfully imaginative: "How about a combination of both? A collection of mini hobbit bouquets, drawing inspiration from the Shire in Lord of the Rings, would be perfect. After all, Boone feels like one giant 'Shire' itself." The Shire, in the context of Lord of the Rings, is the homeland of the
Flowers of all colors, shapes, and varieties can be found all throughout Devin Lacey’s fields. Photos by Ashley Poore.
A diverse array of flowers can be found on all of Devin's farms. Photo by Ashley Poore.
hobbits, known for its picturesque landscapes and quaint, pastoral charm. This comparison beautifully reflects Lacey's creative approach to tulips and underscores his deep affinity for the High Country's natural beauty and tranquility.
Lacey's flower fields are a sight to behold, with rows of vibrant blooms stretching across the land. The primary farm, nestled on a friend’s family property off Aho Road in Blowing Rock, spans about an acre. Here, Lacey meticulously cultivates his stunning variety of flowers. Just across the street, there's another plot of land Lacey farms, measuring about a quarter to half an acre. This spot is particularly special because it’s where Lacey plans to host "Pick-Your-Own Flowers" events in the fall. Located on the beautiful Blue Ridge Conservancy campus, right off Aho Road, it provides the perfect setting for this community-focused activity.
So I start with cold-hardy plants that can withstand frost. Their foliage will come up regardless of the cold, and they start blooming in early spring. From there, it’s a cascade of planting new things as temperatures rise. Once we’re past the frost stage, it’s wide open— you can plant almost anything.
- DEVIN LACEY
This year, Lacey expanded his growing operations to include a third location in Happy Valley, NC, taking advantage of its longer growing season and warmer climate compared to higher elevations. Happy Valley is situated at the base of the mountains between Lenoir and Blowing Rock, within the Upper Yadkin River Valley spanning Caldwell and Wilkes counties. NC Highway 268 winds through the valley, showcasing historic homes and barns. With an altitude of approximately 1,200 feet, Happy Valley enjoys an earlier growing season than higher-elevation areas like Blowing Rock, which sits at approximately 3,500 feet.
“I started growing down in Happy Valley to extend the growing season on either side of the year as our growing climate's pretty limited up here," Lacey remarks, explaining the reasoning behind his decision to add a third growing location. In the foothills, the milder temperatures and fewer frost days allow plants to start growing earlier in the spring and continue thriving well into the fall. This extended growing season is a significant advantage, enabling Lacey to cultivate a wider variety of plants and enjoy multiple harvests throughout the year.
Crafting elegant floral arrangements for weddings and special occasions is just one of Devin’s many talents. Photos courtesy Devin Lacey.
There is a remarkably diverse array of flowers on his farms. From classic favorites like snapdragons, foxgloves, and peonies to vibrant blooms such as dahlias, cosmos, zinnias, and amaranth, his fields are a vivid, rich tapestry of color and variety. He also grows delphiniums, bachelor buttons, cornflowers, and larkspurs, offering a wide selection that appeals to both casual flower enthusiasts and those seeking specific varieties. Of course, tulips remain a standout favorite, reflecting his passion and expertise as the "Tulip Guy."
From Seeds to Blooms
Lacey starts sowing his tulip seeds in January. “You can even overwinter seeds from the previous fall, which I’m starting to do now that I am down the mountain,” he says, noting, “This will allow me to sow nearly every month of the year.” Overwintering seeds refers to the practice of planting seeds in the fall so they lie dormant during the winter and begin to grow in the spring, taking advantage of the natural cycle of the seasons. By planting in the fall, the seeds go dormant during the cold months and come back in the spring.
“So, I start with cold-hardy plants that can withstand frost,” he explains. “Their foliage will come up regardless of the cold, and they start blooming in early spring. From
Tulips are Lacey’s hallmark crop, with a dedication to growing tens of thousands of tulips throughout the year. Photo courtesy Devin Lacey.
there, it’s a cascade of planting new things as temperatures rise. Once we’re past the frost stage, it’s wide open—you can plant almost anything."
I prefer my flowers to be field-grown, using the sun's energy efficiently and keeping overhead costs low. Keeping things simple is a guiding principle in my life.
- DEVIN LACEY
The tulips start blooming in March in Happy Valley, benefiting from its lower elevation. As April arrives, the blooms progress up the mountain slopes toward higher elevations. Lacey attributes this natural progression to the varying altitudes, allowing for a longer blooming season that spans from March into April.
"I prefer my flowers to be field-grown, using the sun's energy efficiently and keeping overhead costs low," he explains. "Keeping things simple is a guiding principle in my life."
Devin first earned his reputation and nickname as the “Tulip Guy” at local farmers' markets. Photo courtesy of Watauga County Farmers' Market.
Lacey employs various methods for harvesting and planting his flowers. One approach involves harvesting a row and then immediately replanting behind it. For snapdragons, he starts with an initial cutting, allowing for a second flush later. Alternatively, for flower varieties like tulips, he clears out old rows in fenced-in areas, creates new planting rows, and plans to replant them soon. These strategies help him manage his fields efficiently while ensuring continuous bloom cycles throughout the season.
Lacey replants new tulip bulbs each year because the bulbs used for cut flowers bloom once and often lack the energy reserves to reliably produce new blooms the following year. Lacey explains that to achieve consistent blooms, most farmers treat tulips as annuals or biennials, opting to replant new bulbs each year.
Sustainable Practices
Lacey employs entirely organic and natural methods for growing, utilizing blood meal, bone meal, chicken manure, cow manure, horse manure, worm castings, and Harmony (a natural, eco-friendly fertilizer). “I don’t spray or use herbicide, pesticide, or anything like that,” he emphasizes. “Everything's naturally grown, unlike what you find at the grocery store.”
“The flowers you buy at the grocery store often have a film coating of pesticides and other chemicals,” he explains. “To appear perfect, they're heavily sprayed and shipped [in] from overseas. Handling these flowers can introduce harmful substances into our homes and bodies without us even realizing it.”
Lacey aims to have sunflowers and other blooms available to choose from at his “Pick-Your-Own Flowers,” set to debut this fall. Photo by Ashley Poore.
Tulips: A Storied History
Tulips, with their vibrant hues and graceful forms, celebrate a fascinating history that spans centuries. Tulips originated and grew wild in regions of Central Asia, including parts of modern-day Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus. These wild tulips were later cultivated by various civilizations in the region, such as the Ottoman Empire, who greatly appreciated their beauty and began growing them in gardens and parks. This growth eventually spread across Asia and into Europe, where the tulip gained popularity, achieving iconic status during the Dutch Golden Age, where the flower came to symbolize wealth and prosperity.
Tulip mania is a term used to describe an era during the Dutch Golden Age [1634-1637] when a speculative economic bubble developed and spread causing prices for tulip bulbs to reach extraordinarily elevated levels, driven by an unprecedented demand for rare and exotic tulips. Historians agree tulip mania is one of the most famous examples of speculative economic bubbles ever to occur.
At the peak of tulip mania, in early 1637, tulip bulbs were traded for prices that exceeded the annual income of a skilled craftsman, several times over. The market eventually collapsed in February 1637, leading to a rapid devaluation of tulip bulb prices. Many investors and speculators faced financial ruin as a result. Despite the short-term negative impact caused by tulip mania, the flowers remained popular and continued to be cultivated and enjoyed by gardeners and individuals not only in the Netherlands but around the world.
Tulips found their way to the United States through European settlers and traders during the colonial period. In the early 17th century, the Dutch were instrumental in spreading tulips to their colonies including those in North America. Early historical records suggest that Dutch settlers brought tulip bulbs with them as part of their agricultural and botanical interests.
By the late 18th century, tulips had firmly established themselves as popular garden flowers across various regions of the United States. Their presence in American garden culture during the American Revolution is evident from their frequent mentions in Thomas Jefferson’s Garden Book. Over time, American horticulturists and gardeners experimented with cultivating different tulip varieties, adapting them to local climates and conditions. This period saw the diversification of tulip species and hybrids, further embedding the flower into American gardening traditions.
Tulips remain quite popular in the United States today, cherished for their vibrant colors and variety of blooms. They are commonly planted in gardens, parks, and landscapes across the country, especially in regions
with temperate climates suitable for their growth. Tulips are also widely used in floral arrangements for weddings, and other special events, and as cut flowers in homes and businesses. Their popularity is sustained by their beauty, versatility, and the range of colors and shapes available, making them a favorite among gardeners, florists, and flower aficionados alike.
Tulips are categorized into distinct species based on their flowering characteristics and shapes. The most common types of tulips include:
• Single Early Tulips: These are short-stemmed and bloom early in the season with single flowers in assorted colors.
• Double Early tulips: These also bloom early and are distinguished by their densely packed petals, which give them a fuller appearance compared to single early tulips.
• Triumph tulips: Known for their strong stems and large, traditional tulip shape, this variety blooms midseason in a wide range of colors.
• Darwin hybrid tulips: These are tall with large, classic tulip-shaped flowers and bloom mid to late season. They are known for their durability and vibrant hues.
• Fringed tulips: Characterized by fringed or serratededged petals, this trait gives this variety a distinctive appearance. They bloom in mid-season.
• Parrot tulips: These have ruffled and twisted petals, often in bold and vibrant colors. They bloom midseason and are known for their striking appearance.
• Viridiflora tulips: Recognized by their bi-colored petals with streaks or flames of green, these tulips bloom in the mid to late season.
• Rembrandt tulips: Originally, these tulips featured streaks of assorted colors caused by a virus. Modern growers have learned to mimic this pigmentation pattern while producing flowers that are virus-free. They bloom in mid-season.
• Lily-flowered tulips: These slim blooms have long, pointed petals that curve gently and gracefully back, resembling the shape of a lily flower. They bloom in mid-season.
• Greigii tulips: Known for their mottled foliage and wide, open flowers with bold colors, these tulips bloom in the early to mid-season.
• Kaufmanniana tulips: This type of tulip features large flowers with pointed petals that open wide in the sun. They bloom early in the season.
• Fosteriana tulips: Also known as Emperor Tulips, these blooms are recognized by their large, wide blossoms and sturdy stems. They bloom in early to mid-season. t
Seeing the joy on people's faces when they walk away with my flowers is incredibly fulfilling. The emotions they express, like happiness and joy, really resonate with me. Bringing a bouquet I've created to a bride and seeing her moved to tears melts my heart every time. It's a powerful feeling to evoke such emotions in people.
- DEVIN LACEY
When asked about the soil conditions on his farm, Lacey asserts, "It's very rocky and pretty acidic out here. I have to add a bunch of lime and use a lot of manure and natural fertilizer to improve it."
Reflections
Lacey finds deep fulfillment in creating moments of joy and emotion through his floral creations, making every interaction and delivery a heartfelt experience for both himself and his customers. When reflecting on the most rewarding aspects of running a flower farm, Lacey shares, "Seeing the joy on people's faces when they walk away with my flowers is incredibly fulfilling. The emotions they express, like happiness and joy, really resonate with me. Bringing a bouquet I've created to a bride, and then, seeing her moved to tears melts my heart every time. It's a powerful feeling to evoke such emotions in people."
Starting out with vegetables,
and
for
12
and
Lacey has been growing plants
flowers on
off
around
years. Photo by Ashley Poore.
Keep growing until I can't walk anymore or I can't physically do it. It's like, I don't even think I'll like to completely retire unless I'm convinced otherwise. Just because I enjoy doing what I do so much. Yeah. I know that’s awesome. I know a lot of people can't say that.
- DEVIN LACEY
He also fondly recalls another rewarding experience related to growing flowers: "Oh man, so when I first started farming, I would volunteer at Springhouse Farm in Vilas. I'd bring home baskets of extra produce or squash that had grown too big. It gave me this feeling of wealth, being able to give that food away, to feed people and [know they were being] nourished by something locally raised. It was about rejecting that big farm mentality of Monsanto, and I really got into it,” he declares. Springhouse Farm in Vilas, North Carolina, actively involves Appalachian State University interns and offers volunteer programs for community service projects.
Future Blooms
Lacey is set to debut a new “Pick-Your-Own Flowers” program this fall at the Blue Ridge Conservancy land off Aho Road in Blowing Rock. This hands-on experience will allow visitors to select and harvest fresh flowers directly from the fields, promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting local conservation efforts. Guests can enjoy picking vibrant sunflowers, zinnias, and more, amidst the scenic backdrop, fostering a deeper connection to nature and locally grown products."
For Lacey, the “Pick-Your-Own Flowers” initiative is a labor of love—a way to share his passion for flowers and sustainable farming with the community. By opening his farm to the public, he aims to create memorable experiences and foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world, encouraging appreciation for locally sourced products and environmental stewardship.
Another business idea Lacey has in the works involves a mobile farm stand. "I'm actually working on a plan where I will have a pull-behind trailer that I am going to convert into a mobile farm stand. I will have all my farming friends help supplement what I am growing, including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and other things I like to eat."
When asked about his long-term plans, Lacey replies, “Oh man, keep growing [things] until I can't walk anymore, or I can't physically do it. It's like, I don't even think I'll like to completely retire unless I'm convinced otherwise, just because I enjoy doing what I do so much. Yeah, I know that’s awesome; I know a lot of people can't say that.” t
Lacey hopes to foster a deeper connection to nature and locally grown products for guests with his “Pick-Your-Own Flowers” later this fall. Photo courtesy Devin Lacey.
By opening his farm to the public, Devin will share his labor of love and passion for flowers and sustainable farming with the community. Photo by Ashley Poore.
The Rise of Ashe County's Breweries and Cideries
STORY BY JOSHUA BIGGERS
Ashe County is emerging as a hidden gem for craft beverage enthusiasts. This region, known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is now making a name for itself with its brewery and cidery scene. Anchored by Molley Chomper Cider, Boondocks, and New River Brewery, Ashe County offers a variety of craft beverages that cater to both traditional tastes and adventurous palates. Each establishment not only crafts exceptional drinks but also weaves local stories and community spirit into every pint and glass, making Ashe County a must-visit destination for those looking to explore authentic Appalachian flavors.
Molley Chomper
Molley Chomper is not your typical brewery. In fact, it's not a brewery at all! Molley Chomper is a unique cidery, and its
distinctiveness makes it worthy of a spotlight. So, where did this quirky name come from? It turns out, the name Molley Chomper emerged through a delightful mix of small talk, some cider, and a shared love for goats. It’s that simple and charming.
The story of Molley Chomper began in the fall of 2015, when Kate and Tim Arscott, avid outdoor enthusiasts with a passion for kayaking up and down New River, decided to embark on a new adventure. By 2016, they had released their first cider, and Molley Chomper quickly became a beloved local treasure. As the only cidery in Ashe County, this year marks their 8th anniversary, a milestone they are thrilled to celebrate.
Curious about what makes Molley Chomper's cider so irresistible?
Kate Arscott shared, “We know our fruits. We choose each fruit tree specifically for what we are trying to create.”
This thoughtful approach to selecting fruits is evident in every sip of their cider. Molley Chomper prides itself on using a variety
of local fruits, including blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins, and even lavender. With over 1,000 apple trees, they are leading a new frontier of cider making in Ashe County, attracting tourists from near and far who are eager to experience the unique flavors.
We know our fruits. We choose each fruit tree specifically for what we are trying to create.
- KATE ARSCOTT
Imagine if you combined the best elements of a brewery with those of a winery – out comes a cidery, and Molley Chomper exemplifies this perfectly. Their commitment to quality and innovation sets them apart in the world of cider making. Each bottle of Molley Chomper cider is a testament to the care and expertise that goes into the crafting process, from the careful selection of fruit to the final press.
As Molley Chomper celebrates its 8th anniversary, there’s never been a better time to discover what makes this cidery so special. Whether you're an Ashe County local or a curious traveler, a visit to Molley Chomper promises a delightful experience filled with delicious ciders and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Make sure to stop by and taste the passion and creativity that Kate and Tim Arscott pour into every bottle. Here’s to many more years of exceptional cider and outdoor adventures! Cheers!
Kate and Tim Arscott released their first cider in 2016. Photo courtesy of Molley Chomper.
As the only cidery in Ashe County, this year marks Molley Chomper’s 8th anniversary, a milestone they are thrilled to celebrate. Photo submitted.
New River Brewery is located in West Jefferson. Photo submitted.
Boondocks opened its doors on August 1, 2012. Photo courtesy of Boondocks.
Boondocks
Boondocks Brewing stands as a testament to passion, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence. Since opening its doors on August 1, 2012, Boondocks has become a cherished local institution, blending great beer with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Founded by former veteran Gary Brown, Boondocks is more than just a brewery – it’s a community hub where everyone feels at home. Gary Brown has shown his commitment to the community with various community projects and working with multiple veteran organizations throughout the years.
“We’re not here to just make a living, we are here to make a difference,” Gary Brown emphasizes.
Boondocks takes customer satisfaction to the next level with their unique ‘Boondocks Experience’ a six-step process designed to make every visit memorable. Here’s what you can expect:
1. Welcome Home: From the moment you step through the door, you’re greeted with a warm and friendly welcome that sets the tone for your visit.
2. Personalized Seating:Your comfort is a priority. Boondocks ensures that you’re seated in a spot that suits your needs and preferences.
3. Knowledgeable Service:
We’re not here to just make a living, we are here to make a difference. - GARY BROWN
Molley Chomper is a place where music, community, and exceptional cider come together to create something truly special. Photos courtesy of Molley Chomper.
An inside look at Boondocks. Photo by Joshua Biggers.
The staff at Boondocks are not only friendly but also well-informed, ready to guide you through their extensive menu and beer selection.
4. Expert Preparation: Each dish and drink is meticulously prepared to ensure the highest quality.
5. Engaged Interaction: The team at Boondocks loves to engage with their customers, sharing stories, answering questions, and creating a lively, interactive experience.
6. Thankful Goodbye for Now: As you leave, you’re sent off with a heartfelt thank you and an invitation to return soon.
At the heart of Boondocks’ brewing operation is Jacob Cullon, the talented brewmaster who combines a background in chemistry with a passion for beer. Jacob’s journey from studying chemistry in college to brewing in his basement has culminated in a role where he can explore the science and art of brewing.
“Why not? It's an adventure,” Jacob Cullon says confidently, capturing the spirit of his approach to crafting beer.
Joining Jacob Cullon is Don Westbrooke, a former chemistry professor, adding another layer of expertise to the brewing team. Together, they create beers that are not only delicious but also meticulously crafted. One fascinating aspect of their process is the attention to water quality. Boondocks models their water to match the specific characteristics of the regions their beer styles originate from. For instance, their Irish Stout uses water
Boondocks founder Gary Brown and Brewmaster Jacob Cullon. Photo by Joshua Biggers.
modeled after Ireland’s water, and their German Lager replicates the water of Munich, Germany. Gary Brown’s vision for Boondocks extends beyond great beer. He is committed to building a legacy that empowers his employees. He has initiated a comprehensive 5-10 year program for his managers, Kristen Hodges and RJ Bowers, allowing them to eventually take over the brewery. “I really wanted to build something I could leave to my employees,” Gary shares, emphasizing his dedication to the future leaders of Boondocks.
As Boondocks celebrates over a decade of brewing excellence, it continues to be a place where both locals and visitors can enjoy expertly crafted beer in a friendly, inviting setting. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or new to the world of craft brewing, Boondocks offers something special for everyone.
I really wanted to build something I could leave to my employees. - GARY BROWN
Next time you’re in Ashe County, make sure to visit Boondocks. Experience their exceptional service, taste their meticulously crafted beers, and become part of a community that feels like family. Cheers to Boondocks – where great beer and great people come together!
New River Brewery
In the delightful setting of West Jefferson, New River Brewery stands as a beacon of
community spirit and exceptional brewing. Opening its doors in January 2017 in Lansing, New River Brewery moved to its current location two years later and quickly became a favored local gem. Owned and operated by Greg and Jan Hershner along with their children Adam and Britany, New
New River Brewery’s storefront. Photo submitted.
Mountain Grounds Coffee & Tea Co.
River Brewery combines passion, family values, and a dedication to quality that shines through in every pint served.
Greg Hershner, a practicing family physician in Ashe County, is set to retire. His journey into the world of brewing began back in 1978 when President Jimmy Carter made it legal to brew beer at home.
“Well, in ‘78, President Jimmy Carter made it legal to brew beer, so in ‘83 when I entered medical school, I decided to start learning brewing as well,” Hershner shares. This early interest in brewing has now blossomed into a thriving family business.
New River Brewery is not just about making great beer; it’s about making a difference. The Hershner family is deeply committed to working with various programs throughout Ashe County. They’ve collaborated closely with the Ashe County VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), as well as contributing to ALS research and supporting the New River Conservatory. Their dedication to community involvement underscores their mission to give back and support the people who support them.
The West Jefferson water is some of the best the country has to offer, and it allows us to give patrons a true taste of Ashe County. - GREG HERSHNER
The Brew Master team at New River Brewery, Adam Hershner and Chad Dampier, is the heart of the brewing operation. Both Adam Hershner and Chad Dampier have a profound passion for the science of brewing and a keen understanding of what it takes to create a quality brew. Their innovative approaches and meticulous attention to detail ensure that every batch is a masterpiece, offering something special for every beer lover.
Looking to the future, Greg Hershner envisions New River Brewery remaining a family-run operation.
“It’s our plan to always keep it in the family,” he notes.
The next generation of leadership is already being groomed, with a focus on
instilling the same values and dedication that have made New River Brewery a success. Much like brewing a great beer, the process of developing future leaders takes time, care, and proper guidance to achieve an incredible result.
For those seeking a blend of community spirit, family warmth, and outstanding beer, New River Brewery is a must-visit destination. Whether you’re a local or a visitor to Ashe County, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and a diverse selection of brews that reflect the passion and expertise of the Hershner family.
“The West Jefferson water is some of the best the country has to offer, and it allows us to give patrons a true taste of Ashe County,” Greg Hershner said.
From the rich history behind each brew to the meaningful community connections, every aspect of New River Brewery invites you to become part of their story.
Raise a glass to New River Brewery – where family, community and exceptional brewing come together to create something truly special.
Conclusion
Ashe County’s craft beverage scene is a testament to the area’s creativity, community spirit, and dedication to quality. From the crisp, refreshing ciders of Molley Chomper to the innovative brews at New River Brewery and the welcoming atmosphere of Boondocks, these establishments offer more than just drinks — they provide a taste of Ashe County’s heart and soul. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor seeking new experiences, the breweries and cidery of Ashe County promise a memorable journey through rich flavors and warm hospitality. Embrace the opportunity to explore this incredible region, where each sip tells a story, and every visit feels like coming home. t
New River Brewing provides a welcoming atmosphere and a diverse selection of brews that reflect the passion and expertise of the Hershner family. Photo courtesy of New River Brewing.
B lowing R ock F R amewo R ks & g alle R y
c ele BR ates 30 th a nnive R sa R y
STORY BY ZENDA DOUGLAS
In 1994, Tim Miller had a ‘light-bulb’ moment realizing that Blowing Rock needed a fine art outlet. He set out to establish one and delivered in spades. Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery, LTD (BRF&G) has firmly established itself as the preeminent provider of mountain landscape and wildlife paintings in the Southeast.
Initially, Miller focuse on using the gallery as a forum for displaying the work of reputable local artists. BRF&G has evolved and now represents internationally recognized artists, including more than twenty-five of the most highly regarded artists who have worked or continue to work in the Southeast. One of these is Elliott Daingerfield, a Hudson River School artist who was a preeminent painter in his day and famously chose to make Blowing Rock his home for decades.
It’s just been a privilege, an honor, to have been in business for thirty-plus years. I want the gallery to continue for thirty-plus more years.
- TIM MILLER
In following his passion, Miller now shares his expert knowledge with thousands of art seekers. Having grown up in nearby Boone, it is perhaps only natural that Miller has an affinity for the work and skill of High Country artists and enjoys promoting their creations. Commenting on the gallery’s success, Miller proudly notes, “Thirty years on, we’ve sold a little more than 10,000 paintings. We're the leading gallery in the world for selling [paintings by] Elliott Daingerfield.” To date, BRF&G has sold two hundred compositions by Daingerfield. Expressing what his time and energy spent building the gallery into the landmark for the arts it has become means to him, Miller shares, “It’s just been a privilege, an honor, to have been in business for thirty-plus years.” Miller hastens to add, “I want the gallery to continue for thirty-plus more years!”
In celebration, the gallery will welcome visitors for a special month-long exhibition featuring new paintings by watercolorist Wes Waugh, an artist who has been with BRF&G since its inception. Miller maintains the choice to showcase the works of “our longest [active] gallery artist” whose paintings have been represented by Miller and his gallery since it opened more than 30 years ago “is only fitting.”
The exhibition will be on display from August 12 through 23. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, August 17 from 3-5 p.m. A fine selection of wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres will be provided for guests.
BRF&G offers fine art sought by both private and commercial collectors: the gallery’s curated
Tim Miller started framing artwork as a business from his basement in 1991 before starting Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery three years later in 1994. Photo courtesy of Wes Waugh.
selection and viewer-friendly display are designed to appeal to all, from first-time visitors and beginning collectors to seasoned connoisseurs of fine art.
The Selection Process
Most of the gallery’s inventory is on display. In addition to paintings, glass art and sculpture also have a presence. Miller explains his method for choosing art in this way: “We have a variety of paintings, but North Carolina mountain
paintings are what we really love to put in the gallery,” Miller elaborates, stating his clientele appreciates “unique paintings that are true mountain landscapes, picturesque scenery of North Carolina towns and places such as Blowing Rock [and] Linville Gorge” to name a few.
“Not all of the paintings for sale are related to mountain landscapes,” Miller explains, “We have antique paintings, paintings from Italy, paintings of the South Carolina Lowcountry as well as Virginia” — offering patrons a variety of styles and subject matter from which to choose.
The selection of art for display in the gallery is ongoing. Each February, new artists may apply to have their work featured. No more than three artists are invited to join each year. “Artists who are established in the gallery will bring us new work throughout the year and we’ll decide which pieces will go on display,” Miller says, detailing the process. A list of artists affiliated with the gallery can be found on the BRF&G website. All of these artists are represented by the gallery yearround.
“Aesthetically, it’s an easy gallery to walk through. We don’t have paintings from floor to ceiling; we like space around the art. We want customers to have room to view the art without being distracted by what’s beside it,” Miller notes. The gallery has interior designers on staff to help
"A Cold Front Grandfather Profile" by Wes Waugh.
"Hawksbill Sunset - Mabry's Daisies" by Wes Waugh.
First day of business May 1, 1994. Photo courtesy of BRF&G.
Our art customers come from as close by as the High Country, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh or as far away as Charleston, England, Brazil and Japan. We’ve sold paintings in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, to customers educated in art and to average income families and folks who may have never before come into a gallery.
- TIM MILLER
customers consider the environment where the art will be placed once purchased so that each piece is thoughtfully displayed in patrons’ homes or businesses in a way that shows them to the best advantage. As Miller puts it, “If you like a painting enough to buy it, you will make a [proper] space for it.”
BRF&G schedules art shows in the summer months that include a reception where visitors can meet the artists and view a selection of their most recent works.
A Vast Regional, National, and International Clientele
“Our art customers come from as close by as the High Country, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh [and] as far away as Charleston, England, Brazil, and Japan,” says Miller. He adds, “We’ve sold paintings in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, to customers educated in art and to average-income families and folks who may have never before come into a gallery. We have billionaire customers and minimum wage customers.”
From the inspiration to the final framing of an original watercolor by Wes Waugh,“Bald Head Light.” Tim Miller works closely with artists like Waugh to help complete pieces such as this with a beautiful custom frame. Photos courtesy of Wes Waugh.
The cutting and assembling area of the frame shop where Tim Miller has created thousands of custom frames over the years. Photo courtesy of BRF&G.
In the thirty-plus years, we’ve made incredible friends in the art world, framing world and socially. I get a great enjoyment when customers come into our gallery and see a painting or a glass piece and fall in love with it. It makes us really happy that we’ve allowed someone to take something home that is close to their heart; it’s actually a real joy.
- TIM MILLER
In the last three-plus decades, the staff at BRF&G have had the pleasure of “[making] incredible friends in the art world, framing world, and socially,” observes Miller, noting, “I get great enjoyment when customers come into our gallery and see a painting or a glass piece and fall in love with it. It makes us really happy that we’ve allowed someone to take something home that is close to their heart; it’s actually a real joy.”
“We are not a website seller, generally,” Miller explains, “Our online presence is a marketing tool to encourage people to come in and look [around],” Miller notes, emphasizing that sales made through the website are a rare occurrence.
Elliott Daingerfield paintings in the gallery. Photo courtesy of BRF&G.
Tim purposely leaves space around the art so that customers have room to view the art without being distracted by what’s beside it. Photos courtesy of BRF&G.
The Art of Framing
Under Miller’s guidance and direction, Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery creates custom picture framing — a distinct form of art in its own right. This small percentage of the overall business has become the leader in picture framing in Western North Carolina. Miller has acquired advanced education in framing, earning the distinction of Certified Picture Framer through the Professional Picture Framing Association in 1997. The following year, Miller became a Guild Commended Framer certified by the Fine Art Trade Guild in London, England. He is one of only five people who have earned such recognition. Miller also studied at the Roanoke Moulding Design Company, the Gold Leaf School in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Abe Munn Carving School in New York City.
“We’ve framed more than 35,000 pieces, serving customers nationwide and abroad,” acknowledges Miller. Proper and skillful framing complements and protects artworks, according to Miller. “The education we’ve received allows us to do beautiful work that lasts, hopefully, ‘til
12 through August 23.
"Summer Color, Linville Gorge” by Wes Waugh. Wes Waugh’s show at BRF&G will be held from August
“Table Rock From Brown Mountain Overlook” by Wes Waugh. Waugh’s paintings have been in the Gallery for all of the thirty years BRF&G has been in operation.
"Rising Full Moon" by Elliott Daingerfield became the 192 painting by Daingerfield that was sold by Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery
"Morning in the Woods” by Elliott Daingerfield was one of the hundreds of paintings by Daingerfield displayed at BRF&G over the years. Photo courtesy of BRF&G.
"An Arcadian Huntress" by Elliott Daingerfield is currently on display in the gallery and is available for purchase. Photo courtesy of BRF&G.
"Rising Full Moon" by Elliott Daingerfield became the 192 painting by Daingerfield that was sold by Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery
infinity,” Miller claims.
BRF&G has a vast selection of sample frame designs on display, from the simplest to those that are exquisitely ornate. “The Italian designs are the best sellers,” Miller observes, sharing his opinion that “Italians are the finest framers in the world.”
Customers can choose from a wide range of specialty options including gold leaf, French matting, hand-wrapped liners, and more. The shop also provides frame replacement and restoration services. “For art sold from the gallery, some customers prefer to choose a different frame,” explains Miller.
Customers also bring in artworks they have created or collected through the years for custom framing. “We frame paintings for other galleries, artists, non-profits, and corporations. We’ve framed everything from fourth-century paintings to ‘in-thebattlefield Civil War cutouts, needle art, newspaper clippings, shadowboxes, and master paintings by Picasso, Juan Moro, and Modigliani,” says Miller.
Miller’s journey into art began when he left the High Country to work for an oil company as a navigator on large tankers. For twelve-and-a-half years, while in his 20s and
30s, his job took him around the world, to fortythree countries in all. “We saw places you would not see as a tourist – places in Bangladesh, Pakistan. We would go to Singapore and Hong Kong,” shares Miller, “It was better than any [formal] education I could have ever gotten.”
“I would always go to museums in these different places – in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Norway, and Italy,” notes Miller. As someone who at that point “had only read or seen movies about famous art,” Miller credits the experience with opening up a fascinating new world for him.
On a 1987 trip to Shanghai, China, Miller purchased three antique scrolls. “I loved them and got them at a very inexpensive price,” Miller recalls. “They were very small, about four inches wide and twenty-four inches long, unrolled.” When he returned home, he brought the scrolls with him. “I wanted them to look nice, but framing was very expensive; so, I decided to give it a try myself.” With wood materials from the hardware store and his woodworking tools, Miller completed his first framing project. “Getting raw wood and turning it into a finished product that’s pleasing to the eye was very rewarding to me,” Miller shares,
Over the years, Miller had made trips back home and bought a house in Blowing Rock. He started framing artwork as a home business from his basement in 1991. He learned about the many manufacturers who have perfected the process of making finished frame sticks, called molding. Miller carried over his framing business when he started Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery three years later. “I have big saws. I take the order, cut, glue, and nail the molding, and then put the artwork inside the frame. With top-of-the-line materials and state-of-the-art technology, it’s gotten simpler over the years.”
Community Outreach and Support for Local Artists
Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery is active in community outreach. “There are about three hundred different organizations, including schools, which we deal with from the High Country to across the world,” Miller notes. “We donate to organizations by way of money, materials, and labor. Many upcoming artists don’t have the funding for art supplies,” explains Miller. “We feel strongly about helping those who are maybe down on their luck with interests in art...” To
demonstrate support for the arts and local artists, BRF&G regularly donates to businesses — both non-profits and forprofits.
“I feel like everyone who walks in the door becomes a friend to us. We treat everyone the same, with respect and we’re grateful,” says Miller, “It’s a privilege to be in business for thirty years and have as many friends as we have.”
“I plan to work at the business for as long as I’m alive. I have [an] incredible staff and contributors who love the business that probably would move it forward like I have.”
Blowing Rock Frameworks & Gallery is located at 7539 Valley Boulevard, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605. For more information, please visit www.blowingrockgalleries.com or call (828) 295-0041. t
I feel like everyone who walks in the door becomes a friend to us. We treat everyone the same, with respect and we’re grateful. It’s a privilege to be in business for thirty years and have as many friends as we have.
- TIM MILLER
Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery's oldest customer was 107, pictured here talking with Tim Miller. Photo courtesy of BRF&G.
IT’LL BE A HOOT! TAMMY WALKER & TUDY FLETCHER OF TWO HOOTS STYLING
STORY BY LAYNE HENDRICKSON
Tammy Walker and Tudy Fletcher of Two Hoots Styling know how to have a good time. With even a moment spent in their presence, you immediately feel as if you have stepped into a real-life buddy comedy. Witty banter collides mid-air with acerbic wit as the jokes and gibes fly in all directions. But it’s not all about fun for these two fashionable femme fatales, they have a job to do, and that job is to make our world absolutely fabulous, one home at a time.
“Where are y’all from?” I ask.
“I was born in San Antonio, Texas,” Tudy begins, “But I lived in Lubbock, Texas and Plainview, Texas. And then we moved here to Shelby, North Carolina. And then I lived in Gastonia, and then we bought a place up here in Blowing Rock. I’m up here a lot because we’re so busy. I think we came to Blowing Rock in 1999.”
“And how about you Tammy?” I enquire.
“I was born in Dallas, Texas,” Tammy responds. “But I lived all over. My dad was in power plants, so we lived all over Texas and Puerto Rico. He was the “starter upper.” Then he became a general contractor. Then my husband and I moved to Houston and lived there for years. We were planning on growing old there, but Tudy called me one day, we go back almost 30 years; she called me and said, ‘Come on up, and let’s have a girl’s weekend!’ So, I came up to Blowing Rock. At the time, I thought, I could afford to live up here and not have to make a lot of changes. I went home and told my husband, ‘Guess what?! We’re moving to North Carolina! [laughter] Tudy and I are going to be in business together and we’re going to go from there.’ So, it’s been over four years ago now.”
“So, y’all are both Texas gals! So, could you tell me a little bit about your business Two Hoots Styling, please?’ I ask.
“We do home staging and interior decorating,” Tammy responds. “We also do something called ”redesign”, but we’re not interior designers. We do not have that degree or certification. We are certified in color, home staging, and redesign. But we can come in and help pick your tile out, paint color, do all of your furniture, all of your accessories. We do vacation rentals.
Tudy, Rocky, and Tammy always manage to have a fantastic time. Photo by Layne Hendrickson
Tudy and Tammy are certified in color, home staging, and redesign. Photo courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
And we do packages, so that when a person buys it, all they have to do is get all their licenses and everything lined up, and it’s ready to rent out to people, whether it’s Airbnb, Vrbo, or whatever. So, that’s what we do!”
“Fantastic! How did that idea come about? How did you come to that point?” I ask.
“Well, we both have always enjoyed interior decorating and putting things together,” Tammy replies. “Tudy is actually very magical with it! It’s something that we enjoy. And we thoroughly enjoy each other and have had so much fun throughout the 30 years we’ve known each other. We’ve just laughed so much. People have actually thanked us for coming to their restaurant and say, ‘You made it fun!’”
Well, we both have always enjoyed interior decorating and putting things together. Tudy is actually very magical with it! It’s something that we enjoy. And we thoroughly enjoy each other and have had so much fun throughout the 30 years we’ve known each other. We’ve just laughed so much.
- TAMMY WALKER
“The Best Cellar restaurant here in Blowing Rock called us one night,” Tudy elaborates. “They said, ‘That was one of the most fun evenings. You two girls were crazy!’ I think we got everybody involved in our conversation!”
“We did!” Tammy concurs. “We got everybody laughing and having a great old time!”
“Well, that’s the reason I’m sitting here talking to you now because I had such a great time when I met y’all at the Blowing Rock Chamber’s Home show. How did you get into styling in the first place? Did you have any prior experience?” I ask.
“Not formal training,” Tudy replies. “I was more involved in apparel. But I always loved home décor as well. So, actually my training was more in the apparel line. But I was always doing friends’ houses, I did churches and stores. They would come to me
Two Hoots provides ready to rent packages for owners of vacation properties in the High Country and beyond. Photo courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
A cozy nook is always a welcome sight. Good design follows function. Photo courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
Color, form, and function are always kept in mind.
Photo courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
and bring all their merchandise in, and I would set up their stores. So, I’ve done a little bit of everything. I really loved it. Tammy loved it. So, we started talking about it and thought, ‘Well, let’s do it together!’”
“And I have a business background,” Tammy explains. “So, I’ve had several businesses.”
“I don’t know about that, but we do balance each other out very well,” Tammy observes. “We really do. But I’d had a travel agency with my mother for 25 years. Then we had businesses in Amarillo which was a home décor store, and apparel, and gifts. Then a vendor mall also. So, for years I had done different things.”
“It all just came together,” Tudy reports. “And we knew it was the right thing to do because the phone started ringing and we thought, ‘Wow! So, we were right on point with this.’”
“I have my theories, but could you tell me about your name Two Hoots, please?” I ask.
“It comes from my previous business, Two Hoots and a Holler,” Tammy explains. “And so, we decided that we would fall underneath that for the time being, but people tell us we’re a hoot all
the time. [laughter] And so we just felt like we needed to keep it. We just became Two Hoots with no holler. We have so much fun in what we do and hopefully, it’s contagious to other people. And we’re very Southern people, so it kind of brings up those roots.”
“So, did you have a big launch when you started your business?” I enquire.
“Well, I purchased our house the week Covid shut everything down!” Tammy shares with no small sense of relief. “Thank goodness I bought it then or otherwise; I probably wouldn’t be here. And the people rented it back from us until their house was done in Virginia. So, in June, we moved in. It was a little slow at first, because at the time, because of Covid, nobody knew what any of their businesses were doing. Staging was not needed at that time, like it is now. So, people started thinking, ‘Now’s the perfect time for me to redecorate. I need to redo my bathroom. What tile do I need to do? Can we get some new hardware? We want to make it nice because we’re stuck inside.’ And that’s how we started, that’s where it began.”
“I know that seemingly everyone was trying to ”nest” during Covid,” I observe. “I know it took us a year to get a hot tub delivered.”
Staging was not needed at that time, like it is now. So, people started thinking, ‘Now’s the perfect time for me to redecorate. I need to redo my bathroom. What tile do I need to do? Can we get some new hardware? We want to make it nice because we’re stuck inside.’ And that’s how we started, that’s where it began.
- TAMMY WALKER
After photos of recently redecorated properties by Two Hoots Styling. Photo courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
Tudy Fletcher climbs the redecorating ladder of success. Photo courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
“It did take forever to get furniture,” Tudy agrees. “It was so slow! So, we tried to get everything, pretty much, from Hickory display floor pieces.”
“What is the single largest segment of your customer base? Is it the rental business? People getting ready to sell, or individual homeowners?” I ask.
“At this point, I’d say individual homeowners,” Tudy answers. “At this point. It’s been different earlier when
we were more working with realtors and going in and staging, but right now, I’d say it’s more for homeowners.”
“So, is this people doing this simply for themselves, or in preparation to try and sell?” I ask.
“A couple are getting ready to sell, but mostly for themselves, I would say,” Tudy replies.
“And then quite a few of them are second homes,” Tammy adds. “And we’ve
Tammy Walker and Tudy Fletcher of Two Hoots Styling were a hit at the recent Spring Home Show in Blowing Rock. Photo by Layne Hendrickson
Chetola
When it’s occupied, we normally use their items because they are going to be living with it, and their pets or whatever. But with our inventory, we keep it to vacant staging. And in vacant staging, we come in and we just pick so many rooms to decorate, and that could be the master, master bath, the kitchen, the den, and the dining room a lot of times, and then maybe a study or a guest room.
- TAMMY WALKER
done a lot of vacation rentals and preparing for that. But I would say that it’s a lot of individuals who want their retreat.”
“So, tell me about the process. I call you up, ring-ring, and then what happens next?” I ask.
“Depending on what you want,” Tammy responds. “If you’re needing to see what you need to do to put your house on the market, we do a consultation, those are usually two hours or less. And then we can either tell you right then, ‘You need to move this, this needs to be taken out…”
“You need to burn that with fire!” I joke.
“Exactly!” Tammy agrees with a laugh. “Or we come in and look at everything and process what we need to do, and then we give you a price for what it would cost for us to come in and to prepare it to go on the market. And that would be for home staging. If it’s for vacation rental, it depends on if it already has stuff in it or are we just updating it. Do you want to completely redo the furniture and things? Then we put together proposals for packages and what needs to be done. We know general contractors and different subcontractors that we can bring in. If it needs to be painted, we’ll tell you what color it needs to be. We’ll come out with a color palate for you.”
“And sometimes, if it’s already occupied, we’ll just go in and use their stuff and make it look better,” Tudy adds. “If not, we’ll bring in things and make it look really good!”
[laughter]
“And that’s in staging,” Tammy adds. “We can do vacant and occupied. When it’s occupied, we normally use their items because they are going to be living with it, and their pets or whatever. But with our inventory, we keep it to vacant staging. And in vacant staging, we come in and we just pick so many rooms to decorate, and that could be the master, master bath, the kitchen, the den, and the dining room a lot of times, and then maybe a study or a guest room.”
Two Hoots provides stylish staging services for rental properties, second homes, businesses, as well as for the individual homeowner looking for a change. Photo courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
“So, it sounds to me as if there is a wide range, from simply using their items to better advantage, to complete remodels with new tile, furniture, or whatever?” I ask.
“Exactly!” Tudy agrees. “Actually, tomorrow, we’re doing one with just their stuff and stage it. It goes live on the market on Monday, and we’re just going in and making it look good for the photographer. That’s what we’re going to do tomorrow.”
“That’s very interesting. Now, do you have offices?” I ask.
“We have an office at my home in West Jefferson,” Tammy responds. “That’s where we work. We funnel everything through my house, but we do have a warehouse for storage with our inventory in it.”
“I know that y’all do work all through the High Country, but is there a preponderance in one place or another?” I ask.
“When we first started, went to Virginia,” Tammy explains. “We’ve done the Charlotte area. And that’s the good thing about our business, we don’t really have to have an office because we’re going into the peoples’ homes to meet with them. Some, we’ve even done where it’s strictly communication via phone and not meeting them. One of the vacation rentals we did, we did the package for them and set everything up, but it was all done through telecommunication.”
“We did this one for a lady,” Tudy interjects. “It was set up for her to rent it, and after we got through, she said, ‘This is just so pretty, I’m not going to rent it anymore, I’m going to live here!’” [laughter]
“So, she’s up here all the time living in it!” Tammy pronounces with pride. “And she’s loving her life! That’s the nice thing about
Even children’s rooms can benefit from a style upgrade. Photo courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
- TAMMY WALKER
our business. We get to meet interesting people and learn about their lives, and help them to achieve their goals for their homes or rental properties. It never gets boring because we do have so many avenues that we can go down. Our day is switched up all the time. It’s never boring.”
“And we do apparel too!” Tudy adds. “We redecorate people as well! [laughter] But, the main thing is just how much fun we have together when we work. We cut up constantly. It really always is a hoot.”
“We really are two hoots!” Tammy agrees. Step up your style by visiting Two Hoots Styling on Facebook or Instagram …and if you really want to liven up your day, holler at twohootsstyling@gmail.com. t
Whether your home is going on the market, setting up a vacation rental or just want your house to feel like home, Two Hoots Styling can help. Photos courtesy of Two Hoots Styling.
Style is the name of the game for Tammy and Tudy of Two Hoots Styling. They not only redecorate homes, they also help people step up their personal apparel and accessories.
Photo by Layne Hendrikson.
ADVERTISERS
Parting Shot...
App State’s Frontline to Farm In-Person Training Completes Another Successful Year
COURTESY OF FRONTLINE TO FARM
Appalachian State University’s Frontline to Farm program has been serving Veterans since 2020. To date, 78 participants have completed its in-person training. The program also provides online resources, as well as internships and scholarships for specialized training across the US – all focused on supporting veterans’ transition to farming and promoting sustainable farming practices that mitigate climate change, promote food security, and build community.
Funded by a NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant and supported by the Boone community, the 1-week Beginner Training and 2-day Alumni Training included classroom sessions on Appalachian State University’s campus and afternoon farm tours around the High Country. Participants worked with national and regional experts in topics including agricultural law, soils, strategic communication and marketing, farm business and planning, and sustainable agriculture and took a closer look at successful operations including cattle farms, a goat dairy, and a range of crop production and sales.
Beginner Training participant, US Air Force veteran, and co-owner of Riggin Farm in Talking Rock, Georgia, Ashley Riggin noted that the training connects veterans no matter
their branch of service and provides a look beyond “Instagram farms” to the real challenges that small farmers face. Katie Mills, who attended the training with her husband and US Marine Corps veteran, Jacob Mills, summed up her experience: “this training has changed our lives, our children’s lives, and maybe someday our grandchildren’s lives.”
Frontline to Farm, a program of Appalachian State’s College of Fine and Applied Arts, focuses on sustainable farming in the region and is intended to support veterans transitioning into farming as a livelihood. According to Anne Fanatico, Co-Director of Frontline to Farm and Professor in the Department of Sustainable Development, “localizing training is critical because that’s central to sustainability – the local food systems are rooted in geography, watershed, culture, and the needs of the community. Any training like ours must respond to these needs.”
Those who’d like to support Frontline to Farm, Farmer Veterans, and sustainable farming can contact Lynn Gibbard, Co-Director of Frontline to Farm and Professor of Communication at frontlinetofarm@appstate.edu or visit frontlinetofarm.appatate.edu to donate and become part of our mission. Follow Frontline to Farm on Facebook and Instagram for updates and to join our community. t
Frontline to Farm staff and 2024 Beginner Training participants, speaker Lee Rankin owner of Apple Hill Farms, and Brown’s Farm Ridge host Daniel Brown. Photo courtesy of Frontline to Farm.
