September 2023 Edition

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Parkway Rangers

By Peter Morris

“One of the many things I love about my job is working together with other rangers. It is truly a team effort, everyone working towards keeping the Blue Ridge Parkway pristine and enjoyable for all." - Olivia Burke

Tarpestry

By Harley Nefe

"We are proud of our Colorado roots and are excited for our future in the mountains of Appalachia. Tarpestry is officially built in the Blue Ridge."

- Ted and Carrie Swartzbaugh

30 Years of Autumn at Oz

By Harley Nefe

"I know all of us are very thankful that this has been a long lasting event. It speaks volumes of the love for the park, everyone involved past and present who have built it up to this point, and The Wizard of Oz as a whole.” - Sean

Barrett

Keeping Music History Alive

By Tim Gardner

"I’m thankful for having the opportunities I’ve had in the musical profession, and I’m excited about the possibility of experiencing more in it in the future." - Rhonda Gouge

Coffey Family Farm

By Sherrie Norris

"Daddy and Mama would be amazed with how science and technology have changed things, even though some things remain much the same. Apple trees still have to be pruned, and crops still have to be harvested. - Nancy Moretz

High Country Heroes

By Harley Nefe

“Being a veteran means we've proven ourselves in our commitment to our country. Now back home, we continue to prove ourselves to our community." - Tim Hudak

Jerry Corn's Testimony

By Tim Gardner

"We are real people, and we have hearts, even though it might not seem like it when someone is abusing drugs." - Jerry Corn

A Salute to Our Soldiers

By spending more time on military bases across Asia and Europe than in the United States before the age of 18, I have developed a special appreciation for the armed forces. For months following September 11, 2001, people came together to grieve family, friends, and strangers. More than 20 years later, we still do. Sometimes called “Patriots Day” or “Day of Remembrance”, September 11 has become an annual day for many Americans to remember, reflect, honor, and mourn. As the 22nd anniversary of 9/11 comes around, High Country Magazine wants to pay tribute to the victims of the terror attacks and commemorate the sacrifices that were made that day as well as the united service that continues to be done by community members, first responders, and members of the armed forces and their families.

In this issue of High Country Magazine, we pay homage to our High Country Heroes by recognizing our local veterans, service organizations, and nonprofits. Included in this acknowledgement is the deep appreciation for our local first responders – law enforcement, firefighters, and EMT personnel – as well. On September 23, Ashe County will be supporting those who keep our community safe by celebrating its second annual Hometown Heroes Day. We at High Country Magazine invite you to participate in events around the area like this one honoring those who choose to serve our country.

As the first day of fall approaches, there are many other events to look forward to too. New River Conservancy is sponsoring the 41st Annual New River Canoe Race and Family Float – a long lasting tradition in Jefferson. And in speaking of traditions, the Autumn at Oz Festival on Beech Mountain is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Community members from near and far always coming together to support great causes is a part of what makes this area so special, not to mention the rich history of the region. Standing the test of time since first being settled in the late 1800s, the Coffey family farm in Boone has been designated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture as one of the few “Century Farms.”

This month, High Country Magazine places a large focus on the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains by featuring the national park service rangers, who are dedicated to environmental education, as well as Tarpestry, a family-owned small business that was made for outdoor enthusiasts. No matter the adventure – camping, picnicking, or attending music festivals – bringing one of the company’s waterresistant, decorative blankets is always a good idea.

We also put the spotlight on Rhonda Gouge, North Carolina Heritage Award recipient. As an accomplished musician, Gouge contributes to the rich music history of the High Country. Avery County resident Jerry Corn also shares his story with us – one that provides readers with advice for restoration.

I hope you enjoy the diverse content of this issue of High Country Magazine. Our team could not achieve what we do if it wasn’t for our supporters – advertisers and readers – as well as our subjects who give us the greatest honor of sharing their remarkable stories.

Thank you!

Sam Garrett - Publisher

Publisher

Sam Garrett

editor

Harley Nefe

design

Ashley Poore

Advertising d irector

Michelle Harrell

contributing Writers

Tim Gardner

Peter Morris

Harley Nefe

Sherrie Norris

cover Photogr APher

Josh Floyd

contributing Photogr APher

Josh Floyd

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 P.O. Box 152, Boone, NC 28607 828-264-2262

Copyright © 2023, All rights reserved

Sam Garrett (left) and retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant Garry Garrett (right) visiting the 10th Mountain Division distillery in Vail, CO.

Alac Wall and her family enjoy using their Tarpestry to lay out in the grass.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

mountain echoes

Ashe County’s Back 2 School Blast Sees Huge Turnout

STORY BY HARLEY NEFE

Thousands of Ashe County community members and families came together on August 5 to participate in the third annual Back 2 School Blast and Deputy 4 a Day event located in the parking lot areas of the Ashe County Government Center.

As a partnership between Ashe County Schools and the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, the recurring event is dedicated to celebrating the children and preparing for the new academic year.

“Welcome to the Back 2 School Blast,” announced Sheriff B. Phil Howell. “Thank you all for being here!”

As Sheriff Howell kicked off the event, a school bell sound rang over the speakers before students and their families began to visit the many booths present outside of the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office.

Over 65 vendors registered for the event offering a variety of services and activities for attendees.

“I think the most important thing is that the kids have fun,” shared Ashe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Eisa Cox. “So, anything that you do – let’s put a smile on their face, and let’s help our families have a great kick-off to this school year.”

The event had three distinct goals: to provide the Ashe County community the opportunity to socialize and interact with the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement and Ashe County Schools teams, to relieve some burden on parents to provide school supplies and other needs for their students, and

most of all – to have fun.

Parents and students had the opportunity to meet their school’s staff, pick up schedules and lists, grab supplies like backpacks, shoes, and more, as well as receive fresh new haircuts.

“The shoe and hair stations are the hottest items,” Sheriff Howell said. “They are definitely the most appreciative stations that we have. It is awesome.”

Students of all ages from preschool to college age could be found taking part in the festivities – whether it was enjoying free hotdogs, snow cones, and cotton candy or playing giant Jenga, cornhole, and submerging Ashe County Schools and Ashe County Sheriff's Office staff in a dunking booth.

“It’s a wonderful event that many of you, especially my staff and the school staff, have spent the last month everyday working on,” Sheriff Howell described. “We are out here out of the goodness of our hearts.”

The free event for all Ashe County students could not have been possible without the support from many local businesses and organizations including Shoes 4 Kids, Orion Baptist Church, Appalachian Church, Badges of Ashe, Highland Church, Smethport Baptist and many others.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here,” Dr. Cox emphasized. “When we ask Ashe County to show up, look what happens. Give yourselves a round of applause and a pat on the back.” t

Ashe County's Back 2 School Blast is all about celebrating students and preparing for the academic year. Photos courtesy of Ashe County Schools.

mountain echoes

New River Conservancy Sponsors 41st Annual New River Canoe Race and Family Float

STORY BY HARLEY NEFE

The 41st annual New River Canoe Race and Family Float will be held on Saturday, September 23, in Jefferson, come rain or shine.

This Ashe County tradition has typically been sponsored by Friends of High Country State Parks in previous years; however, this year is New River Conservancy’s first time organizing the event.

“Friends of High Country State Parks loved doing it, but it was time for them to move on, and they needed to focus on other obligations,” explained Stella Cybulski, Operations Coordinator for New River Conservancy. “They reached out to us, and they were like, ‘This is the perfect fit for you. This is a very important community event, and we want to make sure it’s still continuing.’”

The New River Conservancy team spent a lot of time talking to Friends of High Country State Parks as well as Zaloo’s Canoes to aid in the transition.

The race used to always take place the first weekend in June, and this year will be the first time it is occurring in September.

“We are big advocates of preserving nature and getting our youth outside,” Cybulski said. “Moving it to September opened our availability to work with Ashe County Schools, Watauga County Schools, and App State – providing more of a useful energy involved in this community event.”

As planning and preparations are underway, everyone is encouraged to get involved. Whether people compete, float for fun, volunteer, or just spectate, families and friends are invited to enjoy a beautiful day on the banks of the New River.

Participants can bring their own canoe or kayak, or rent one from Zaloo’s for a discounted rate. Zaloo’s also provides a free shuttle on the day of the race.

“Zaloo’s Canoes is amazing as they have been in the

community for a long time,” Cybulski said. “They are always really big supporters of any good work on the river.”

Proceeds from the race support the restoration work at the Wagoner Access being done by the New River Conservancy.

“We’re hoping for around 120 racers,” Cybulski said. “That’s about the average number.”

The average time for new paddlers on this five-mile stretch of river is around one hour. Many contestants with advanced skills have completed the race in less than 45 minutes.

“You can register up until the day before, and then from 9-1 p.m. you can be put on the water,” Cybulski explained. “Some people will properly race it and try to get under an hour, and some people will float more leisurely.”

At the takeout point of the river, there will be festivities for all to enjoy.

“I’m working on confirming a live band; we have the Boondocks food truck coming; we’re hoping to get an ice cream cart; there will be ranger-guided activities and fly fishing demonstrations,” Cybulski described. “We are in search of more volunteers, and we are inviting other nonprofits and vendors who do good work for the outdoors to get involved.

Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to Stella Cybulski, Operations Coordinator, at stella@ newriverconservancy.org. For more information about this event, please visit newriverconservancy.org.

“I’m so excited,” Cybulski shared. “This is an event that I heard about for so long, and we are so honored and glad people thought of the conservancy to take over – that we have the capacity to keep such an important tradition happening in Ashe County. It’s going to be absolutely incredible. I’m so excited to see families back out on the river continuing this amazing tradition.” t

The New River Canoe Race is an annual Ashe County tradition. Photo courtesy of New River Conservancy.

Carolina Gal Tailgate Season

By Jan Todd

September is here, the leaves are starting to change color and there’s a nip of excitement in the air on Saturday mornings. That means one thing: time to tailgate.

Oh, I know most people call this football season, but my husband, Tony, looks forward to pre-game activities most of all. He loads up his pickup truck (you did picture him with a pickup truck, right?) with a 400-pound commercial grill, a 12’x12’ custom App State canopy tent with matching fold-up chairs, a cooking table and serving table, coolers of food and beverages, and heated serving dishes along with a generator to keep everything hot.

We look like the Beverly Hillbillies pulling out of the driveway. All that’s needed is me sitting on top of the whole pile in my rocking chair. Don’t give Tony any ideas.

Tony likes to theme his tailgate food according to App State’s opponent. Hot wings if we’re playing the Beach Chickens, bison burgers for the Thundering Herd, Jambalaya for the Ragin’ Cajuns or Louisiana Monroe. Sometimes the game time or weather dictates the menu, with chili or chicken stew for the colder games late in the season, or a pancake breakfast with mimosas prior to a noontime kickoff. Plenty of bacon, too, of course. Bacon is Tony’s love language.

We may have only a dozen or so folks planning to join us for the pre-game party, but Tony always cooks for at least 50. He’s wired that way. He has made many friends passing around some of that crispy bacon or whatever comes off the grill to nearby tailgaters who showed up with no more than a tiny box of cold fried chicken.

As much as Tony loves tailgating, one of his biggest pet peeves

of the universe is — tailgating. That is, the kind of tailgating when people drive six inches from his bumper. Isn’t it weird how we use the same word to describe one thing so beautiful, and one thing so annoying?

With his job in sales, Tony spends a lot of time on the road — enough to feel personal ownership of the highways and byways. So when others violate motoring etiquette on “his road,” he feels obligated to school them on proper driving techniques.

If, for instance, someone drives too slowly in the left hand lane and holds up traffic for miles, Tony might pass their car on the right, pull back in the left land and turn his right blinker off and on, off and on, hoping it might occur to the slow driver to move to the right lane, where he clearly belongs.

If someone starts tailgating Tony, he has over the years developed (what he thinks) is a sure-fire way of dealing with such a transgression. He waits until they get really close to his bumper, then turns on his windshield washer. The overspray splashes all over the offender’s car, and they are forced to turn on their own windshield wipers, which brings Tony great delight.

Tony washes his windshield again and again until it dawns on the offender this is a passive aggressive signal to either pass, back off or just depart from Tony’s road altogether at the nearest exit. Rinse, repeat. Rinse, repeat.

So next time you’re at an App State game, if you’re the first type of tailgater but not the second, stop by for some grub and share a bit of football cheer. Tony will be the guy behind the massive griddle on the back of the pickup truck with a really, really clean windshield. t

Tony Todd (right) prepares a pizza to grill prior to an App State football game. Jan Todd’s husband, Tony, likes to call fall “tailgate season.”

Photo by Jan Todd

Parkway Rangers: A Dedication to Environmental Education

STORY BY PETER MORRIS

“One of the many things I love about my job is working together with other rangers. It is truly a team effort, everyone working towards keeping the Blue Ridge Parkway pristine and enjoyable for all, and I am lucky to work with and learn from the most wonderful rangers.”

Every year, over 15,000,000 people visit the Blue Ridge Parkway, making it the most visited stretch of National Park Service highway in the nation. At 469-miles long, it connects the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, making the route one of the most pleasant and beautiful of all our nation’s scenic drives. Along its way, visitors can stop at a wide variety of attractions, such as The Cone Manor House; Julian Price Park, lake, and campground; and the Linville Falls visitor center.

Whether you prefer adventurous hikes or family picnics, boredom simply isn’t a word in the Blue Ridge Parkway lingo.

Integral to the enjoyment of parkway facilities is a host of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s National Park Service rangers. From Interpretive Rangers who lead wildflower and nature hikes to those who demonstrate traditional Appalachian crafts or present children’s programs

Got a question? Rangers have the answers!

That’s not to say that rangers don’t take on more serious work. There are even Law Enforcement Rangers to watch over those exceeding the parkway’s 45 mile-perhour speed limit, oversee emergency situations, or render aid.

Olivia Burke, Lead Park Ranger, Interpretation for the BRP’s Highlands District, explained her reasons for working with the NPS.

“National Parks are important to my family; I grew up road-tripping across

the country exploring the treasures this country has to offer. These are all special places, and I love being able to take part in preserving and protecting them. My parents met while working at a national park together!” she emphasized.

“Working with the public is so rewarding because we can help them

Rangers give a talk for children at Price Park. Photo by Peter Morris.

- Olivia Burke, Lead Park Ranger

connect with the Parkway. This is a very special place for so many people; if I can help someone grow an appreciation for it and connect with the Blue Ridge Mountains in any way, whether it's by showing them a new hiking trail, or teaching them about bears, then I have done my job,” Burke continued.

According to Burke, “One of the many things I love about my job is working together with other rangers. It is truly a team effort, everyone working towards keeping the Blue Ridge Parkway pristine and enjoyable for all, and I am lucky enough to work next to and learn from the most wonderful rangers.”

While the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited national park, the entire NPS region nationwide includes 424 areas covering more than 85 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

“I grew up camping on family vacations as far back as I can remember. We camped in national parks across the United States, and I loved going to fireside ranger programs in the campgrounds. Before I applied to the National Park Service, I spent several years traveling around the country solo and working odd jobs to make ends meet. I had the goal of finding my favorite area of the country to settle down in and visited as many national parks as I could in the process,” explained Greg Adams, a ranger overseeing the BRP’s Price Park Campground. “This country has a lot to offer, but I ended up back in the Blue Ridge Mountains where I spent a lot of my childhood. I realized that I was spending all my free time wandering around in the woods anyway, so I figured I should try to make a career out of it.”

Like all NPS rangers, interacting with the public is a highlight of their positions.

“I like to chat with people from different walks of life and share with them what I love about the natural world. Some people are new campers who grew up in cities, while others grew up camping with their grandparents and are now here with their own grandchildren, but everyone has something new to experience,” he added. “The station where I work is one of the most visited on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so I make contact with hundreds of people every day.”

Adam’s emphasized his enjoyable work by observing his ranger

National Parks are important to my family; I grew up road-tripping across the country exploring the treasures this country has to offer. These are all special places, and I love being able to take part in preserving and protecting them. My parents met while working at a national park together!

- OLIVIA BURKE

A Ranger gives visitors an upstairs tour at Moses Cone Manor. Photo by Peter Morris.

the campground, or hike one of our trails, it's easy to remember why I wanted to move back here. It seems like every week there is something new to see in the forest. Hikers and campers are always excited to see a ranger on the trail to answer questions about something they found. It's always a good feeling when I can get someone excited about experiencing nature. We need all the allies we can get. Maybe one of the children I talk to will become a ranger someday.”

The local Highlands District covers all High Country regions.

“The Watauga, Avery, and Ashe County areas of the parkway are contained within the park’s Highlands Management District, which runs from the Virginia state line to North Carolina’s Linville Falls. The Highlands District is one of four similarly sized and managed districts along the entire 469-mile route,” noted Leesa Sutton Brandon, External Affairs Specialist with the National Park Service in Asheville.

“There are maintenance, interpretation and education, law enforcement (which includes campground operations), and resource management staff organized similarly from district to district on the BRP. Staffing levels along the Parkway include approximately 150 permanent and 90 seasonal ranger positions.”

According to Brandon, “The Blue Ridge Parkway has the opportunity – given its length and narrow boundary – to work collaboratively with many other organizations and communities across western North Carolina and southwest Virginia. While many of my colleagues are working with visitors and resources inside the park boundary, my work is primarily external. The External Affairs office works with the media, non-profit organizations, community leaders, the tourism industry, volunteers, and more across the 29 counties through which the Blue Ridge Parkway passes. It is a privilege to see the

passion that park neighbors have for the parkway.”

Rangers Taylin Spurlock and Olivia Burke. Photo by Peter Morris.

Ranger Taylin Spurlock is there to help visitors with any questions they have about the park.

Photo by Peter Morris.

When I get the chance to get out of the kiosk and rove around the campground, or hike one of our trails, it's easy to remember why I wanted to move back here. It seems like every week there is something new to see in the forest. Hikers and campers are always excited to see a ranger on the trail to answer questions about something they found. It's always a good feeling when I can get someone excited about experiencing nature.

- GREG ADAMS

Taylin Spurlock, an interpretive ranger at the Cone Manor House in Blowing Rock, was also inspired to join the NPS by personal experience

“I grew up beside a National Wildlife Refuge down in Georgia, and my best friend's dad was a ranger. I thought his job was so cool, so when I got to college, after changing my major multiple times, I eventually landed in geography, and I've been studying it ever since. I specifically wanted to be a ranger because it combines a few of my favorite things: being outside, talking to people, and teaching!”

She noted, “I really adore it! I learn so much from all the visitors I’m able to talk to, and it's been really fun to teach them about the history of the Moses Cone family.

Ranger Sharon Robertson gives a talk on quilts. Photo by Peter Morris.

In 2021, the state granted AMOREM’s request to build a hospice patient care unit for residents of Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. Please consider a tax deductible donation to make this a reality.

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“Our

—Family

Teaching programs are all about what you have an interest in, and I've been able to work on some cool programs for kids, like teaching them how to use compasses or navigation techniques.”

Sharon Robertson, an interpretive ranger who gives quilt presentations at the Cone Manor House, began a new career with NPS rangers after previous retirement.

“I decided to become a seasonal NPS Interpretive Ranger when I retired from my career as a paralegal, which I now refer to as my ‘prior life,’ and needed something to do.  Because I had volunteered at the Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center and the Cone Manor House for four years, I had a very good idea of the

PIERCE WITH FATHER

Visitors listen in while a Ranger gives a wildflower talk. Photo by Peter Morris.

What I enjoy the most is what I learn from the visitors who come explore the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Their questions about the cultural and historical history behind the Moses Cone Manor, Julian Price Lake, and the Blue Ridge Parkway inspire me to continue learning as I dig a little deeper to understand as much as I can about these special places along our section on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

- SHARON ROBERTSON

type of work I would be doing as a ranger and what would be required of me.”

She explained, “What I enjoy the most is what I learn from the visitors who come explore the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Their questions about the cultural and historical history behind the Moses Cone Manor, Julian Price Lake, and the Blue Ridge Parkway inspire me to continue learning as I dig a little deeper to understand as much as I can about these special places along our section on the Blue Ridge Parkway.”

Later she elaborated, “The most exciting and the best part of my job is when I see a visitor (of any age) experience that same special feeling I have for the Moses Cone Estate, and when I have a visitor tell me that I have inspired them to look further.”

“If whenever you’re inside you dream about being outside, you may have already considered a job in the national parks. For nature lovers, it's a win-win: getting paid to learn new skills and be out amongst the country’s vast open spaces while actively helping to conserve them and educate the public. It’s even a draw for fashionistas; who wouldn’t want to wear the iconic wide-brimmed hat?” notes an NPS website. “Park Rangers have a visible and tangible desire to protect and promote our national parks and our natural and cultural history. Park Rangers excel at fostering curiosity and

providing educational opportunities for all park visitors” adds another.

In addition to an overwhelming desire to be an NPS ranger, other qualifications include a college degree (a minimum of an Associate of Arts) with a preferred emphasis on courses dealing with nature. Rangers must also be physically fit as they will likely walk many miles over mountain and lowland terrain leading the public to new adventures. t

Ranger Julie Mullis gives Moses Cone Manor tour. Photo by Peter Morris.

With the mountain scenery that surrounds the area and the breathtaking views that can be enjoyed by all, the High Country is a hub for outdoor opportunities. Hiking, camping, and picnicking are just some of the ways nature enthusiasts can experience the environment. And with all of these activities, there is one product available that can take one’s adventure to the next level.

Whether you’re going to a live music festival or catching a sporting event at the park, Tarpestry tarps make a statement no matter the occasion.

Built in the Blue Ridge TARPESTRY

Ted and Carrie Swartzbaugh are the owners of Tarpestry, a local business that offers American-made water-resistant outdoor blankets and decorative tarps that put a beautiful buffer between people and the elements, allowing everyone to get closer to earth.

The raw majesty of the outdoors and the relaxing and refreshing pleasure of being immersed in it is the driving force behind Tarpestry, a company that has been around for 13 years. Invented by two music festival lovers who wanted a dry seat, Tarpestry combines the functions of a

tarp with the softness of a tapestry. The versatile products provide protection from the occasional unpleasantries outside –moisture, dirt, sand, itchy foliage, and insects – so that everyone may enjoy nature with ease.

Tarpestry’s journey began during the summer of 2010, when Ted and Carrie were vending at music festivals across the country.

“We were working for a screen printer in Denver, Colorado,” Carrie explained. “And actually – the screen print shop started in Boone. We were working for them, and they had a t-shirt line with different art prints. So, we went to festivals to sell their t-shirts, and we were vending for a year when the Tarpestry idea came about.”

Ted and Carrie stopped at a festival near their hometown, and Carrie’s stepdad, Tom,

Carrie and Ted Swartzbaugh with their children, Sol and Zephyr, enjoying their Boho Tarpestry outside of The Cone Manor off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo by Carrie Swartzbaugh.

STORY BY HARLEY NEFE

from festival

- CARRIE SWARTZBAUGH

visited and shared his “million dollar idea.”

Carrie continued, “My stepdad came and said that he really wanted a quilt with a tarp on the bottom because he loved going to lawn concerts, but didn’t like a wet butt.”

Ted and Carrie agreed that the idea was genius, and their imaginations went wild as they pictured the many places to use a blanket with a tarp attached to the bottom. They also thought about their own tendencies.

“We realized that we would usually go to shows and put down a crunchy blue tarp, and because it was sweaty and uncomfortable, we would put a tapestry on top of it,” Carrie said. “So, just from driving from festival to festival, we thought, ‘Actually, that would be a really cool product to do.’ And we were just messing around with it at first.”

Carrie further described how they snapped together a tapestry and a tarp, which worked, but it wasn’t comfortable.

“So, then we went to a fabric store and sewed up the first one,” she reflected.

“Everything was crooked about it,” Ted said, laughing.

However, the idea clicked. Tarp plus tapestry equaled Tarpestry.

The Swartzbaughs realized that they couldn’t just add a tarp to a tapestry to get the effect they wanted, and that led them to seek out new materials that had the best qualities of both. Combining the waterrepellent, UV-resistant properties of a tarp with the intricate designs of a tapestry, the Tarpestry outdoor blanket is a soft and durable weather-resistant ground tarp that widens comfort zones.

Tom, Ted, and Carrie were all ecstatic and enthusiastic about the endeavor.

“It’s our honor to dedicate the Tarpestry concept and product to Tom. He was a strong fireman and amazing storyteller with a triumphant laugh,” the Swartzbaughs shared. “Most of all, he was a devoted father to three girls. Tom gave his all, everyday, to his

We realized that we would usually go to shows and put down a crunchy blue tarp, and because it was sweaty and uncomfortable, we would put a tapestry on top of it.So, just from driving

to festival, we thought, ‘Actually, that would be a really cool product to do.’ And we were just messing around with it at first.

The local business has created custom designed products for a variety of events and organizations. Photos by Carrie Swartzbaugh.

family and to his fire department. While he never got to see a finished Tarpestry product, we know he is with us in strength, love, and courage everyday.”

For the rest of the summer, Ted and Carrie brainstormed on long road trips and got feedback from festival-goers and other music-lovers along the way.

“Once we were on the road doing festivals, we realized we didn’t want to go back to working for other people if we didn’t have to,” Carrie said.

Ted added, “We kept going, and we kept pushing through, and we ended up coming to a point where we had to make a decision of going all in or not. So, we just went for it. It’s been up and down and sideways and backwards – a true adventure.”

Returning to Colorado that fall, the Swartzbaughs buckled down to make Tarpestry happen. In early 2011, they created the prototype, and the first product line was on its way to market.

“It took a while to find the right materials,” Carrie explained. “Then we eventually found a manufacturer in Denver.”

All Tarpestry products were hand cut and sewn just outside of the city by Stryker By Design.

“They were the shop managers for Madden backpacks,” Ted said.

The base fabric of each Tarpestry is heavy duty and is similar to duffle bag materials. Built to last, the products are made out of polyester and poplin.

Every spring and summer, the Swartzbaughs would hit the road for their Tarpestry Tour and set up shop at music

festivals across the country.

“We continued on with festivals because it’s the perfect music festival product,” Carrie shared. “For camping, you can hang it up like a tarp, and then you can take it to shows and put it on the grass.”

Each Tarpestry has grommet rings, so people can choose to

Ted and Carrie Swartzbaugh appreciate the views of the Grand Canyon while using their Sunflower Festival Tarpestry. Photo courtesy of the Swartzbaughs.

hang them up for privacy, weather protection, or decoration. Or they can use the holes to stake down the Tarpestry on a hill or when it’s windy.

In 2016, after a few years of deliberation, the Swartzbaughs decided to move back to Boone in their home state of North Carolina.

“We wanted to have kids and be closer to family,” Carrie explained.

“And we both went to school at App State, so we knew the area here. If we were moving back to North Carolina, this would be where we would live – in the mountains,” Ted added.

From first being run from the garage, then the basement, to a bedroom, Ted and Carrie have now set up their office in a barn on their family’s farm outside of Boone.

They eventually found a local manufacturer, Tsuga, to produce Tarpestry.

“It didn’t take us too long to find Tsuga,” Carrie said. “It was a pretty easy transition.”

Ted added, “I think the transition from the festivals is interesting because when we lived in Denver, we mostly did west coast festivals and events, and it felt like almost starting over when we moved here. The festivals here were like, ‘What is this?’ And we had already spent six years building that repertoire, and it was like brand new again.”

“Our shop in Denver was still making them when we first moved here,” Ted further explained. “They sent them on pallets to Kingsport, outside of Johnson City, because that’s where the Yellow freights drop off was.”

Therefore, Ted began asking around about other partnership opportunities.

“I went to three or four different embroiderers and seamstresses, and nobody wanted to do it,” he described. “And finally someone was like, ‘Why don’t you go and check out Tsuga?’”

Founded in 2008 by outdoor enthusiast and industry vet Jimi Combs, Tsuga was born out of a desire to build gear that fused bomber durability with unique functionality, according to the website. Tsuga began building high-end canopy systems, designed to “make time spent outdoors even more enjoyable and trouble-free.”

“We looked them up online, and then went there,” Ted described. “They were making canopies, and we were like, ‘This makes sense. This is exactly what we are looking for.’”

As Tsuga started to grow, so did their product line – utility bags, totes, and custom gear for companies throughout the community.

“They were at the very early stage of getting ready to accept outsourced third-party orders like us,” Ted explained. “So, they decided to take us on, and since

Music fans sit comfortably on their Tarpestries at FloydFest. Photos by Jude Arsenault.

then, it’s been a great fit.”

In early 2017, Tsuga completed the first “made in NC” Tarpestry line.

“We are proud of our Colorado roots and are excited for our future in the mountains of Appalachia,” the Swartzbaughs shared. “Tarpestry is officially built in the Blue Ridge.”

Born in Colorado and built in North Carolina, Tarpestry can still be found at many of the festivals the business started at.

“We go back to Colorado once a year for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival,” Carrie said. “We’ve done that one every year we’ve been a business.”

Apart from going out west, Ted and Carrie will also travel south to Asheville for some events.

“We’re affiliated with Mountain BizWorks and the Outdoor Business Alliance, which are both based in Asheville,” Ted said. “We have some variations of those groups here in Boone. We’ve also done some networking events and gear swaps.”

Ted continued, “The Outdoor Business Alliance used to be called the Outdoor Gear Builders. They recently changed names a few months ago. They’ve been pretty influential because it’s a network of 70-plus outdoor gear organizations and companies in Western North Carolina, from Eno to Tsuga. It’s been influential for us to network with those people and do custom work for some of those companies as well. There’s other

We are proud of our Colorado roots and are excited for our future in the mountains of Appalachia. Tarpestry is officially built in the Blue Ridge. - TED & CARRIE SWARTZBAUGH

organizations we’ve worked with, like Airstream Life magazine and Certified Master Home Inspectors – they use the products in crawl spaces during home inspections.”

Tarpestry is also a member of Startup High Country, an organization with local entrepreneurs that support businesses of all shapes and sizes.

“Something we have worked on the past couple of years is networking with different giveaways and brands and organizations,” Ted said. “There was a PR company tha we worked with that got us some cool channels. It was kind of lucky, but somebody from Men’s Journal wanted to do a write-up in exchange for a Tarpestry, and Men’s Journal ended up putting our product on the Today Show.”

“I like the [products Tapestry] makes because they have the grommets at the corner. You can stake them out so everything stays nice and neat, and it’s water resistant, so when you have dewy grass, you’re not going to have any moisture coming up when you’re sitting there hanging out,” Clint Carter from Men’s Journal described on the tv segment.

Other press Tarpestry has received came from The Manual, BigLife Magazine, Outside magazine, Gear Institute, Gear Junkie, Wide Open Spaces, Condé Nast Traveler, Field Mag, and a plethora of other media outlets.

Tarpestry has also done some custom work and fundraising efforts with Blue Ridge Conservancy.

Tarpestry has taken hands-on action in the community by initiating a river clean-up event.

“It was for the business community to get together to help clean up the river and to make it fun because we are trying to make a collaborative business,” Ted explained.

“Sometimes I reach out to organizations, and other times people reach out to us and are interested,” Ted said. “We’ve had a couple of wedding parties order them. Some people use them for internal promotion. Some festivals will order an extra 5-10 to give out to management or staff. Clean Vibes – They are an organization that clean up the grounds of festivals every morning of the event. They have given Tarpestries out as prizes for volunteers who pick up the most trash.”

Other fundraisers have been with Conscious Alliance.

“It’s a food drive at concerts,” Ted explained. “They sell posters and other items for food donations to give to community shelters. Backline is another organization we fundraise with. They connect mental health therapy avenues for people in the back of the house of the music industry – musicians, light people, sound guys, production staff.”

He added, “Something that is really important to our company is that we do feature artists a lot. That’s a big drive for us. We try to reach out to artists in the music industry in the community because it’s cool to collaborate that way.”

Being connected with music festivals and artists is a common thread that has always been woven into Tarpestry’s history. The company has done

Something that is really important to our company is that we do feature artists a lot. That’s a big drive for us. We try to reach out to artists in the music industry in the community because it’s cool to collaborate that way.

- TED SWARTZBAUGH

Carrie and her baby like to use the Blue Ridge Parkway Tarpestry for sun protection.

Photo by Ted Swartzbaugh.

Right photo: A Tarpestry is the perfect accessory for an afternoon spent laying in the grass with family. Photo by Josh Floyd.

A custom-made Tarpestry for the band Widespread Panic holds a lot of sentimental value for the Swartzbaughs. Photo by Carrie Swartzbaugh.

a lot of custom work for bands, such as Widespread Panic, Leftover Salmon, and the Infamous Stringdusters.

When asked what their favorite Tarpestry ever made was, Carrie said, “We love the band Widespread Panic, and they wanted to do a custom one, so that was a really big deal for us. That one is my favorite because it means so much.”

Ted shared his thoughts: “Mine is kind of on the same sentimental level. It was the first custom we did for Telluride Bluegrass, and it’s a cool design. It’s a bunch of cowboys riding instruments to the river in Colorado. It’s an old western style poster; it looks like a classic.”

For a while, Ted and Carrie kept one of every Tarpestry they ever made; however, it eventually got out of control, as they have produced over 200 different designs.

The variety of designs is a distinctive quality of the business. Ted and Carrie hand select prints for customers to choose from, but they also partner with local and national artists to create unique displays.

“You can make anywhere between one and a billion with a high resolution image or graphic,” Carrie said. “It’s digitally printed on poplin fabric. We can do photographs, art files – really anything with high resolution.”

For the business, Ted tends to serve as the point of contact.

“Once I get some of the details and imagery, I send it all to Carrie, who is the graphic designer extraordinaire who does all the editing,” he described.

With a background in advertising and experience with Photoshop and InDesign, Carrie reviews all of the files.

“Then we take the files and send them to the fabric printer,” Carrie explained. “All the materials are sent to Tsuga. They cut it and sew it, and we pick them up and roll them. One of the great perks is them being made locally.”

For folks who are interested in the products, visiting the company’s website at Tarpestry.com is the best and easiest way to place an order.

“Unless you find us at an event,” Carrie said. “We’re here and there and everywhere.”

Networking efforts and word of mouth seem to bring in the most business.

One of Tarpestry’s valued customers, Alac Wall, heard about the company in 2021 before she moved to the High Country.

“A friend of mine had one lying across

A My kids and I take our Tarpestry everywhere – parks, concerts, festivals, bonfires, and picnics. We also go to the beach, river, and lake with it as well as camping, hiking, and sporting events. The list goes on! We use it all year round to sit on or for hide-and-seek. We also use it as a rain, sun, wind, privacy shield or a rug or tablecloth, and much more!

- ALAC WALL

Whether picnicking, camping, or relaxing by the lake, It’s always a good idea to bring a Tarpestry. Photos by Ted Swartzbaugh.

the floor of her minivan for car camping, and at first, I thought it was just a really pretty tapestry, until she explained that it was actually a functional tarp, and then my mind was blown!” Alac exclaimed. “I immediately ordered two in different sizes.”

Deemed “the best outdoor blanket on the market” by Forbes magazine, Tarpestry products come in different styles and sizes.

“We offer a mini version, dog bed covers, bandanas, as well as accessories for them like stakes and rope,” Carrie listed.

Ted and Carrie also sell Crazy Creek Chairs, which are described as the perfect pairing with Tarpestry. The chairs are lightweight, and customers can take comfort to the next level by adding chairs to their outdoor blanket setup for all kinds of adventures.

Alac shared, “My kids and I take our Tarpestry everywhere – parks, concerts, festivals, bonfires, and picnics. We also go to the beach, river, and lake with it as well as camping, hiking, and sporting events. The list goes on! We use it all year round to sit on or for hide-and-seek. We also use it as a rain, sun, wind, privacy shield or a rug or tablecloth, and much more!”

“Who doesn’t love art mixed with functionality?” she asked.

“They are so much more fun than a boring plastic blue tarp and far more durable.”

Alac noted, “Ted and Carrie are a lot like their products – fun, funky, unique, and reliable! Supporting Tarpestry is so much more than buying a tarp with a little pizzazz. You’re also supporting sustainability, artists, the local community and economy, and best of all – an awesome, local, family-owned business.” t

A custom printed Tarpestry for Fifth Element Camping showcases lots of vibrant colors.

Photo by Carrie Swartzbaugh.

30 YEARS OF AUTUMN AT OZ FESTIVAL

STORY BY HARLEY NEFE

Travel over the rainbow to Beech Mountain and celebrate the annual Autumn at Oz Festival – one of the world’s largest Wonderful Wizard of Oz events!

Taking place only three select weekends in September, this exclusive one-of-a-kind festival immerses visitors into the magical Land of Oz on the site of the original 1970s theme park where the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion are ready to perform on their journey to meet the Wizard.

This year’s event is a little more special, as it marks the 30th anniversary.

“The 30th anniversary is super exciting because this is going to be our biggest year yet,” shared Riley Jenkins, who stars as Dorothy. “The park has really grown in popularity over the past few years, and it’s been such an honor to see that and be a part of it.”

According to its recorded history, The Land of Oz, a theme park inspired by the Wizard of Oz, operated from 1970 to 1980 under the ownership of Carolina Caribbean Corporation. It was designed by Jack Pentes and built by Grover, Harry, and Spencer Robbins. Despite facing a financial crisis and a fire in 1975, the park rebounded under new ownership and continued its operations until 1980.

“I first learned of The Land of Oz when I was a child,” reflected Mark Jones, who plays Professor Marvel, a traveling magician Dorothy runs into before her trip to Oz. “I was born in Asheville in 1973, and as a child, I would see the billboards advertising the park. I was a huge Wizard of Oz fan!”

“I used to recreate the entire movie in my backyard,” Mark Jones described. “I even had my own cardboard ‘Yellow Brick

Road.’ My family was never able to go visit the park, due to many different reasons, but I had friends that had visited, and they would tell me all about it. Skip ahead many years after the park had closed, when it started opening for one day only events, I was determined to go, but the dates would always fall on days when I had something going on. I was still determined.”

In continuation of its history, after 1980, The Land of Oz fell back into the hands of its original landowners, the Leidy family, with plans to build a gated community around what remained of the park. Several areas were demolished due to decay and vandalism, but many features were preserved.

“I have known about The Land of Oz ever since I can remember,” Riley Jenkins recalled. “My dad visited the park when he was a child and has great memories of it. Whenever I was about eight years old, he took my family up to The Land of Oz so that we could experience the magic of the Yellow Brick Road, and ever since that day, I have been in love with the park.”

It is said that a reunion of the park’s original employees, the “Ozzies,” in 1988 sparked the idea of public visits. This led to the inception of the Autumn at Oz Festival in 1993, an annual event in September that drew thousands of nostalgic visitors and continues to this day. The funds generated from this event and other public activities have been used to restore and maintain the park. Currently, while Land of Oz is not a fully functioning theme park, it offers many public events that celebrate the magic and legacy of all things Oz.

The Land of Oz is owned and maintained by the Leidy family and brought to life through the collaborative efforts of Artistic Director Sean Barrett, along with a dedicated team of industry

It’s such a milestone year. I know all of us, including the Leidy family, are very thankful that this has been a long lasting event. It speaks volumes of the love for the park, everyone involved past and present who have built it up to this point, and The Wizard of Oz as a whole.

- SEAN BARRETT

professionals and countless employees.

“It’s really incredible that this event has been going for so long,” Sean Barrett said. “I remember the 10th anniversary! But before I start aging myself, I will say that everyone is very excited for this year. It’s such a milestone year. I know all of us, including the Leidy family, are very thankful that this has been a long lasting event. It speaks volumes of the love for the park, everyone involved past and present who have built it up to this point, and The Wizard of Oz as a whole.”

Over the years, many people have played a role in making The Land of Oz what it is today. Even the current staff includes a mix of returning members as well as new faces.

Riley Jenkins said that she was fortunate enough to get involved with the park when she was 19 years old in 2018.

“My first year at Oz I worked as an usher,” she described. “In 2019, I was given the opportunity to be an Emerald City girl, and in 2021, I was cast for my dream role – Dorothy.”

Riley Jenkins continued, “I was thrilled when I got an email from Sean letting me know that I would be playing Dorothy for the 2021 season of Autumn at Oz. I had lived on Beech Mountain for a few years, but when September finally came around and rehearsals started, it was like being in a different world within my own home. One of the first things that I noticed was that all of the new hires were quickly welcomed into the Oz family by the returning cast and crew.”

This year is Rick Kopecky’s first season with Autumn at Oz. He has been cast as Scarecrow, and he couldn’t be anymore excited to visit the property for the first time and meet the others.

“I had been familiar with The Land of Oz theme park for quite a while and had always been interested in visiting for the Autumn at Oz festival,” he explained. “I always just assumed my involvement with

the event would be as a visitor; I never thought I’d be playing a character and working there.”

Rick Kopecky added, “I am a performer through and through. I have been performing in stage productions since I was seven years old – Wizard of Oz being my first show. I have such a passion for the arts and sharing my talents where I can. This opportunity came to me when I was doing a production of The Wizard of Oz for a theatre in Lancaster, and the Artistic Director for Land of Oz, Sean Barrett, reached out to gauge my interest.

Join Dorothy and her friends – Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion – as they skip down the Yellow Brick Road.

Photo courtesy of The Land of Oz.

Dorothy Gale is ready to greet visitors outside of her farmhouse. Photo by Curtis Brown.

- RILEY JENKINS

It was impossible not to pursue.”

“I was very surprised when I was offered the job,” he continued. “Again, I never thought it was a possibility to be a part of the magic that is The Land of Oz. But I couldn’t be more excited to get into it all. It’s terrifying because I’ve never done anything like this before, but I’m ready for the challenge.”

Mark Jones is one of the returning members who has been with the cast for a few years.

“In 2019, I was watching a TV special called “Collector’s Call” that featured Walter Krueger (who plays the Wicked Witch for The Land of Oz) and Sean Barrett talking about Walter’s Oz collection,” he reflected. “I discovered that Sean was the Artistic Director at The Land of Oz, so I reached out to Walter and Sean via Facebook Messenger and introduced myself.”

the park in July of 2019 on a ‘Journey With Dorothy’ tour. I was very emotional because I had wanted to go for so many years. After that visit, I was determined to work there. I kept messaging Sean, and the rest is history. I was offered the role of Professor Marvel for the 2021 Autumn at Oz, and I am now going on my third year playing that role. I'm very excited about this year, because I will also be playing the Wizard at Emerald City.”

Being a part of the magic behind The Land of Oz has been deemed as a rewarding opportunity by the cast and crew because of the many special moments that take place.

“Some of my favorite moments are the interactions with the guests,” Mark Jones described. “They all come up with such

excitement in their eyes. I think back to the first time I saw The Land of OZ, and the Yellow Brick Road. If you are a fan of the movie, then it can be tear inducing. I love seeing people in matching t-shirts and costumes. I love posing for photos and videos, and then finding them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Just knowing that you are helping to make

It’s hard to pinpoint my favorite moments, because every experience at Oz is so special. It’s such a unique experience to be a part of, and I do my best to try and never take that for granted.

Land of Oz events wouldn’t be possible without the staff. Photo courtesy of The Land of Oz.

granted. However, I will have to say that the friendships that I have made there will forever be one of my favorite parts about The Land of Oz. We are only together for about three to four weeks out of the year, but most of us keep in touch and try our best to visit one another throughout the time that we spend apart. I have gained some of my dearest friends in my time at Land of Oz.”

One thing the cast, crew, and customers all have in common is a deep appreciation for The Wizard of Oz.

“My connection with The Wizard of Oz is a bit different than most of the people that I work with up there,” Riley Jenkins said. “I never really went through a stage where I was enthralled by the movie. However, at a very young age I had a small obsession with Dorothy. I dressed up as Dorothy for Halloween on five different occasions. Then, when I was nine years old, the dance company that I was a part of started doing a production of The Wizard of Oz every other year. I had the chance to play almost every role possible in The Wizard of Oz while being a part of that company. When I moved to Beech Mountain my sophomore year of

college, I became obsessed with the park and the characters all over again. Now, Oz is definitely a part of me. I love just about anything associated with The Wizard of Oz or Land of Oz. I've even bought a few collectors items during my time as a cast member. I always joke about Oz just making its way into my life one way or another, but in all honesty, I wouldn't change it for the world because the world of Oz has given me so much to be grateful for. The movie really highlights the value of friendship, and everything Oz related that I have been a part of has definitely gone hand-in-hand with that lesson.”

Mark Jones labels himself as a huge fan of the movie.

“I have seen it so many times that I can play the movie, turn the sound down, and say all the lines,” he explained. “I have had the pleasure of playing the Tin Man on stage in a production of The Wizard of Oz at a theater in Asheville in the Fall of 2019. I also have a small collection of books, ornaments, and toys from the movie. My favorite character is The Wicked Witch of the West. When the musical Wicked came out, I went to NYC to see it right after it opened. I have always loved the journey

that Dorothy takes to find herself and the brains, heart, and courage to discover that she has what she always needed. I also love the quote, ‘A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.’”

Rick Kopecky also sees himself as a big fan.

“The Wizard of Oz was my first stage show ever and really instilled in me my love for theatre,” he said. “I have been collecting memorabilia since I was around four years old and have built up quite the collection. The Wizard of Oz is very important to me. It’s the thing in my life that I know can put a smile on my face when I’m feeling down. It’s so hard to pick just one take away from the film. Aside from the obvious ‘there’s no place like home’ message, my takeaway would be a sense of community. So often people feel as though they don’t belong, or that their differences or ‘shortcomings’ alienate them from finding a place to exist. But The Wizard of Oz shows that no matter who you are, what you think you lack, or no matter how different you look, you will always have someone to be by your side. It is our differences that strengthen the community. It’s how we lift each other up that allows us to defeat our own personal Wicked Witches. You have the power, you always have.”

Even though it will be his first season with Autumn at Oz, Rick Kopecky said he has been preparing for the role since he first watched the 50th anniversary Wizard of Oz VHS.

“Right now, I’m focusing on finding the right balance between my own originality and respect for the original source material,” he explained. “The Wizard of Oz is such a familiar and important piece of cinema to the guests who will visit The Land of Oz, that you want to make sure you are giving a performance that pays homage to the 1939 film, while still allowing creative liberties.”

Rick Kopecky further stated, “I am most looking forward to seeing the faces of the kids who come through. I remember being young and seeing holiday parades with the Oz characters and just being overwhelmed with excitement and joy. I want to replicate those feelings for the kids who skip down the Yellow Brick Road. I want to help create incredible memories for young Oz fans and their families. I know that when I first step into The Land of Oz I will be overcome with emotions. The kid in me will be jumping (or should I say skipping) for joy at the sight of the Yellow Brick Road.”

Riley Jenkins also has a lot that she is looking forward to: “I'm really excited to see everyone that is returning this year, to meet the new cast and crew members, and just create new memories alongside the guests. It's really cool because while we create memorable experiences for our guests, they create special moments for us that we can carry with us forever.”

In order to create these special moments, the cast and crew work hard during the rehearsal process.

“Our schedule indicates that it’s a very fast-paced process,” Rick Kopecky said. “Two days and then we are ‘off to see the Wizard.’ I am very comfortable with fast rehearsal processes. I like to get into things quickly and allow for organic performances, rather than a stiff or over-rehearsed show.”

Back in the early years of the park, costumes and designs looked a lot different.

Photo courtesy of The Land of Oz.

Appearances of characters have changed over the years. Photo courtesy of The Land of Oz.

Many of the costumes have now been designed by Austin Scarlett from “Project Runway.” Photo by Curtis Brown.

Riley Jenkins reflected on how she was very nervous when she attended her first rehearsals.

“Not only was I going to be around new people, many of whom had worked together in the past, but I had never done any sort of performing like we do up at Oz,” she shared. “The rehearsals were very intense, but I quickly learned that everyone up there is more than willing to help one another. There is no competition between performers, but instead a family that loves the park and wants to make the production as seamless as

possible so that the guests can have a superb experience.”

Preparations for this season have been underway and “coming along great,” as Sean Barrett described. New additions have been in the works like usual to give guests an even better experience.

“We’ve been going full force for a few months during pre-production with our usual bits of casting, maintenance and renovation projects, planning, and merchandise orders and designs,” he said. “We’re adding a bunch of new products this year as well as updating older

Dorothy Gale in Emerald City.

Photo by Curtis Brown. Guests must be careful as they may encounter the Wicked Witch of the West and her henchmen on their journey.

Photo by Curtis Brown.

The Wizard of Oz is such a familiar and important piece of cinema to the guests who will visit the Land of Oz, that you want to make sure you are giving a performance that pays homage to the 1939 film, while still allowing creative liberties.

- RICK KOPECKY

The

so I’m really excited to have all of this introduced this year.”

“We always like to add new things each year,” Sean Barrett noted. “Emerald City will get a new layout and an updated set design for the stage show. We are working with Studio Displays on this project. It’s a family owned business right outside of Charlotte, and their father actually worked with Jack Pentes, the park’s original designer, in the 1970s, so it has come full circle for them. It’s been really awesome to have them involved this year.”

Riley Jenkins added, “I am really looking forward to this season. As with years past, there are going to be changes made for the betterment of the park and those that attend Autumn at Oz.”

Sean Barrett continued, “There will be a few other surprises I

don’t want to spoil just yet! Austin Scarlett (from Project Runway) will be creating a few more costumes this year – I can let that cat out of the bag.”

Guests can discover the new additions for themselves when they visit. The dates of the Autumn at Oz Festival this year fall on

Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion are ready to perform for a live audience. Photos by Curtis Brown. merchandise,

The 2022 cast, crew, and staff of Autumn at Oz.

Photo courtesy of The Land of Oz.

Whether you are given the opportunity to be an usher, a performer, a stage hand, etc., every experience at Oz is magical in its own way. Experiencing the pure joy that the park guests share is so worth being a part of the production. There really is no place like Oz.

- RILEY JENKINS

well as

September 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24.

“Our sales this year have been the best yet!” Sean shared. “I am still in shock. We’ve already surpassed last year’s numbers. The first day of ticket sales broke our previous record within the first hour and a half of going live. All Saturdays are completely sold out, and Sundays are very close behind. Fridays are catching up, too.”

For ticket sales and other information, such as an in-depth look at the history of the park, please visit https://landofoznc.com/. For people who are interested in getting involved with the festivities, they are encouraged to reach out.

“To anyone that wants to be a part of the Land of Oz, all I can say is reach out and do it,” Riley Jenkins advised. “Whether you are given the opportunity to be an usher, a performer, a stage hand, etc., every experience at Oz is magical in its own way. Experiencing the pure joy that the park guests share is so worth being a part of the production. There really is no place like Oz.”

“Reach out; talk to someone at the park,” Mark Jones said. “I did that, and now, I’m working there. I’ve gotten a few fellow actor friends a job up there, and they have all enjoyed it very much. If you haven’t skipped down the Yellow Brick Road yet, you need to get a ticket and come visit us!”

“We want to thank everyone who has supported and loved this park and has helped to keep it operating all these years,” Rick Kopecky stated. “There are so many incredible people working tirelessly to make this festival a reality, and without their endless dedication to this park and its legacy, we couldn’t have Autumn at Oz. Continue to support these

creators and continue to support Oz. We are so excited to see everyone over the rainbow!”

He continued, “I think it is incredible to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of this festival. It goes to show that Oz is still so loved and cherished by people. I am truly so honored to be a part of this magical experience, and I’m excited to see what the next 30 years bring.” t

The Wicked Witch of the West as

a Winged Monkey and Winkie Guards may get in your way of seeing the wonderful Wizard of Oz. Photos by Curtis Brown.

Rhonda Gouge

Keeping Music History Alive

STORY BY TIM GARDNER

The North Carolina High Country has had a long and rich musical history spun by many talented musicians and teachers. One of these contributors, a woman by the name of Rhonda Gouge, has made music in this region special while working to keep its history alive.

This gifted lady has established a groundbreaking presence as both an innovator and tradition-bearer of sacred and secular music in the High Country. For her efforts, she was recently honored with The North Carolina Heritage Award — one of the state’s top honors bestowed upon traditional artists across all mediums.

In regards to musical talents, Rhonda has been blessed with

many gifts. She’s highly accomplished in the profession and can play a dozen instruments. Rhonda produces some outstanding guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, piano, dobro, dulcimer, and autoharp music in Southern gospel and bluegrass genres. But her talent doesn’t stop there. Rhonda also has an endearing singing voice at alto or lead. And she has taught music to aspiring musicians and singers for more than 50 years.

Born in McDowell County, North Carolina in 1955, Rhonda has lived most of her life in the small hamlet of Ledger in Mitchell County. She shared her earliest musical recollections: “I was initially exposed to music through my mother, Sena Mae Gouge, who sang in the Gospel Melody Quartet and her family.” Rhonda’s

Rhonda Gouge is an accomplished musician, contributing to the rich music history of the High Country. Photo courtesy of PineCone, Piedmont Council of Traditional Music

mother was a shape-note singer and could play piano by ear. With brothers and sisters who were also musically gifted, the Gouges were a whole family of performers. At a young age, Rhonda became fascinated with guitar music while watching Arthur Smith and Fred Kirby perform during the Arthur Smith Shows broadcast on WBTV in Charlotte. She laughed, recalling that “WBTV was then the only television channel that the antenna at my home would receive when I was growing up.”

Rhonda asked for a rhythm guitar for Christmas when she was only five years old, but her mother wanted Rhonda to learn to play piano first. Eventually, her father, Everett Gouge, bought Rhonda a Roy Rogers guitar, but it broke, so she did as her mother insisted and focused on learning how to play piano. She did so for a few years before she learned how to play a rhythm guitar. She said the piano lessons she took helped her learn about musical keys and timing. Still, Rhonda remained fascinated with guitar music, and

in 1967 her father took her to the Western Auto store in Marion and bought her a guitar for Christmas. An instructional pamphlet that accompanied that guitar helped her determine how to tune the instrument and play a couple chords on it. Rhonda’s father told her that if she learned to play that guitar, he would buy her another musical instrument the next year, which she said was a promise that he kept.

Rhonda also spent many days visiting Oscar “Red” Wilson, an Avery County native and expert fiddle player, who was her great-uncle by marriage. Red taught her the traditional fiddle tunes of the area, and Rhonda played guitar accompaniment.

She told of that experience: “When I first got a guitar and could put two or three chords together, I would go to Red's house. He would take his old fiddle down and play his old-time tunes. I would play guitar with him, and he would always say, ‘That’s just wonderful,’ and he would tell me, ‘You’re going to be a fine musician.’ He was an excellent musician and so very encouraging and good to me.”

Red’s daughter, Anne Wilson Castro, who lives in Bakersville, North Carolina, only a few miles from where she was raised, shared her father’s thoughts and comments about Rhonda: "When my dad first heard Rhonda play a guitar, he told my family that she was so talented and that he was so happy to play with her! He later repeatedly said he was very proud to have her in his band, record her music and songs at Mayland Recording Studio, and sing and play with her at various functions. He always smiled when someone told him about her musical talent and career. He loved Rhonda."

Red Wilson’s group, the Toe River Valley Boys, was one of Rhonda’s favorite bluegrass bands, and Red eventually invited her to fill in for bandmates when needed. She most enthusiastically accepted, and she played with them for many years.

Red also helped her with her first recording, which was done in the local Mayland Recording Studio he owned. And Rhonda also eventually worked with Red for many years in his studio as a recording session musician and also performed with him as a duo many times at community functions.

Rhonda began playing bass guitar in

Rhonda Gouge with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper in the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh before the 2023 Heritage Awards ceremony. Photo courtesy of Holli Greiner

Noted North Carolina High Country Musicians Oscar "Red" Wilson and Rhonda Gouge performing on stage. Photo courtesy of Holli Greiner

When I first got a guitar and could put two or three chords together, I would go to Red's house. He would take his old fiddle down and play his old-time tunes. I would play guitar with him. And he would always say, ‘That’s just wonderful.’

- RHONDA GOUGE

I’ve loved singing and playing musical instruments with every singer, musician, and group with which I’ve traveled and recorded songs. All are good singers, musicians, and are good people, and each group has a good collective sound

RHONDA GOUGE

every singer, musician, and group with which I’ve traveled and recorded songs,” Rhonda shared. “All are good singers, musicians, and are good people, and each group has a good collective sound. I also particularly liked singing with Janie Jarrett in the Rebels Creek Quartet. She is a wonderful singer,

Rhonda Gouge playing a rhythm guitar. Photo courtesy of Holli Greiner

Rhonda's passion is sharing her love of music with others. Photo courtesy of PineCone, Piedmont Council of Traditional Music

musician, and friend and is so much fun to be around.”

Like everyone else, Rhonda has her favorite singers, musicians, and singing groups. She lists the True Gospel Quartet of Barnardsville, North Carolina as one of her all-time favorite gospel groups, which consisted of Herman Burleson singing tenor, his wife, Lucille, singing alto and playing piano, S.B. Deaver, singing lead, and Kye English, singing bass.

Rhonda said she especially enjoys the Primitive Quartet from Candler, North Carolina, and the McKameys of Clinton, Tennessee. Like the True Gospel Quartet, the Primitive Quartet and The McKameys are retired. During their heyday, the Primitives consisted of Norman Wilson, tenor and mandolin; brothers Reagan Riddle, lead and rhythm guitarist; Mike Riddle, baritone and acoustic guitarist; and Larry Riddle, bass singer.

Rhonda commented: “The True Gospel Quartet sang for many years and was very popular and outstanding with very close harmony and blend. It was as good as it gets. Lucille Burleson has the absolute best and most beautiful alto

singing voice, and she is a very smooth piano player. I was fortunate to sing with Kye in the Principles. He is a great bass singer and the best at performing recitations.

“I also love the Primitives. They are excellent musicians and wonderful singers, too. I’ve been friends with them for years. Mike Riddle is one of my all-time favorite gospel guitarists. I also like the McKameys a lot. They were so sincere and real in their Gospel music work.

“Another gospel group I like is the Chuck Wagon Gang. The group usually used only a guitar for musicianship and has a very good and distinctive sound. I also consider the Good Shepherd Quartet and The McGlothins as among my favorites.”

Besides the Primitives, other bluegrass gospel groups that Rhonda most enjoys include Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and The Isaacs. She declared: “Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver is outstanding, and the Isaacs are excellent, too. Both have made strong marks in the music business.”

She added that she has many regular bluegrass music favorites, which include the Country Gentlemen, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Kenny Baker, Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss, and Emmylou Harris.

Rhonda’s interest in music kept growing, and others took notice. Friends started asking her for music lessons, and thus her teaching career was born. She eventually opened her own music studio in Ledger, where she began teaching music full-time to aspiring musicians. In 2009, she relocated to another studio that she named The Pickin’ Parlor, also located in Ledger. She has taught music to more than 1,000 students, some of whom have traveled hundreds of miles to learn from her.

Her students have come from many High Country counties including Avery, Watauga, and of course, Mitchell. She keeps a regular waiting list for students interested in guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, fiddle, and learning the rudiments of singing — shape notes, harmony, blending, and more. She earned a master’s degree in Appalachian studies, with a concentration in music and religion, and has become a widely-acclaimed musical instructor. And she expects to teach music to many more students during the next several years.

Rhonda achieved one of the most

Rhonda Gouge (right) with her fellow trio members, Kathy Khune (middle) and Sam McKinney (left). Photo courtesy of Holli Greiner

Rhonda has taught music to students for over 50 years. Photo courtesy of PineCone, Piedmont Council of Traditional Music

It is an honor for the North Carolina Arts Council to be able to recognize extraordinary artists from across our state and document their unique skill sets and cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations. This group of Heritage Award recipients tells a remarkable story of the diversity of North Carolina's cultural heritage.

- JEFF BELL

noteworthy and cherished honors of her musical career this summer when North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced that she is one of six traditional artists from across the state chosen to receive a North Carolina Arts Council Heritage Award.

Since 1989, the Heritage Awards have recognized people who have contributed significantly to cultural life in their communities, have made a significant contribution through innovation or teaching, or are among a very few to perpetuate a tradition.

Besides Rhonda, the 2023 North Carolina Arts Council Heritage Award recipients are muralist Cornelio Campos, white oak basket maker Neal Thomas, champion old-time fiddler Richard Bowman, and Cherokee white-oak basket maker Louise Goings

remarked. “I am very humbled and I’m deeply appreciative for it. It’s definitely a milestone in my life. The other awards

recipients were all so nice to me. And Governor Cooper was most kind to me and the other recipients. He told me when I was at the Governor’s mansion as part of the awards program that it is my house and to make myself at home as I’m a citizen of the state and the mansion belongs to the people of North Carolina, while he just lives there for a few years. That was most impressive.”

The 2023 Heritage Awards ceremony featured performances and demonstrations by each recipient held at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh, and Rhonda brought the house down with her stirring performance. PineCone, the Piedmont Council on Traditional Music, partnered with the Arts Council to produce the ceremony as part of its Down Home concert series.

“The Heritage Awards are an opportunity to celebrate exceptional people who keep and nurture traditional

creative practice, but through them, we also honor the cultural contributions of their entire communities,” said Zoe van Buren, the Arts Council’s Folklife director. “With each new cohort, we can witness the changing seasons of our state’s dynamic cultural life, see traditions emerge and adapt, and learn how North Carolinians use the arts to know who we are, where we came from, and where we are going.”

Other details about the 2023 North Carolina Heritage Award recipients are available at ncarts.org. Van Buren will host a new season of the Arts Council’s podcast, Arts Across North Carolina, which will

The 2023 North Carolina Heritage Awards Recipients with Governor Roy Cooper are (left-to-right): Neal Thomas, Rhonda Gouge, Butch Goings, Louise Goings, Governor Roy Cooper, Cornelio Campos, and Richard Bowman. Photo courtesy of Holli Greiner

Rhonda Gouge displays her 2023 North Carolina Heritage Award. Photo courtesy of Holli Greiner

feature intimate conversations with each 2023 recipient and reflections on the history of the Heritage Awards with past Folklife directors Sally Peterson and Wayne Martin.

The biennial awards were last announced in 2018, but because of the pandemic, were postponed several cycles.

“The 2023 Heritage Awards were our first since the COVID-19 pandemic began,” Van Buren added. “As we reintroduced this wonderful event, we had a chance to look back on its impact and that of the North Carolinians it has honored over the years.”

Incidentally, Rhonda's most colossal musical influence, Oscar “Red” Wilson, received the award in 2003. And Goings is the first descendant of a prior Heritage Award recipient to receive an award. Her mother, basket maker Emma Taylor, received the award in 1989.

The Arts Council is part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR), a state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. The NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in arts, history, libraries, and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

In addition to the Arts Council, the NCDNCR includes 27

I’m a blessed person — as much as anyone ever has been and a primary reason why is because of music. It’s my life, my ministry, and my deepest passion. It’s also a powerful way in which I can serve the Lord. I’m thankful for having the opportunities I’ve had in the musical profession, and I’m excited about the possibility of experiencing more in it in the future.

- RHONDA GOUGE

Rhonda Gouge can often be found on stage showcasing her talents. Photo courtesy of PineCone, Piedmont Council of Traditional Music

COFFEY FAMILY FARM HOME TO FIVE GENERATIONS

As one of the few area “Century Farms,” designated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the Coffey family farm on Ridge Road in Boone has stood the test of time since first settled in the late 1800s.

Five generations of Coffeys have lived on, labored, and lovingly cared for the Coffey Grounds, once known as the Old Buffalo Trail. Current caretakers — the four children of the late Walter and Cleo Coffey — Nancy Moretz, Kent Coffey, Judy Coffey, and Jane Campbell have raised not only their families in close proximity, but also cattle, various crops, and especially apples, for which they are perhaps best known.

It’s truly a family affair with the siblings and most of their children helping to work the land they live on. Never wavering from the hard work and sacrifice they learned early in life, they have passed their knowledge and skills down the line to their children and, now, to their grandchildren.

In the early years, Walter grew a variety of crops, including cabbage, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, and apples, much of which he hauled off the mountain with a horse-drawn wagon. He was one of the area’s tobacco farmers and also one of the first local Christmas tree growers in the early 1960s, the latter a tradition carried on for many years mainly by his daughter, Judy.

Kent has kept alive the love for livestock, with cattle and horses grazing contentedly over the ridge, a passion that he has passed on to his oldest grandson, Rylan.

Today, a major family focus overseen by Nancy and Jane is the apple orchard, where a year-round operation annually produces 32 varieties of apples. Among the family’s favorites is the Coffey seedling, which was first introduced by their great-grandfather, decades ago.

Currently, apples grow on 306 trees around the orchard, at least four of which are “well over 100 years old,” Nancy said. In the last few years, several standard trees have been replaced with smaller dwarf and semi-dwarf trees, which are somewhat easier to maintain.

The apples ripen at different times, so some apples are ready to pick in July, several fall varieties ready around Labor Day, and most varieties usually ready in late September and October. Most of the apples are sold on the farm, with faithful, longtime customers returning each year. The basement level of the apple storage building has been recently upgraded to provide a cooler space for the apples, increasing their longevity.

For nearly 40 years, scheduled tours have taken local students through the orchard on a wagon, starting at the apple house where they learn about the life cycle of the fruit — from the planting of the trees to the pruning, clearing, spraying,

A rare family photo of Cleo and Walter Coffey, their children, spouses and grandchildren. Photo submitted

If you see this sign, you have arrived at the Coffey family orchard, located at 833 Ridge Road near Boone.

Photo by Sherrie Norris

STORY BY SHERRIE NORRIS

grafting, and actual picking, sorting, processing, and storing. They also learn about apple pests and pollinators, as well as other critters that love the fruit, including wild turkeys, raccoons, and deer.

The hosts always share tidbits of local history during tours and guide their guests to other points of interest in the area.

“We always tried to include information about farming, in general,” Nancy said, “Not only about where their food comes from, but also about the origins of their clothing fibers and materials for their homes.”

Around 2005, they applied for and received mini-grants for weekend sales opportunities at the orchard, called Fall Farm Weekends, during which they displayed the products they had for sale, including fresh produce, Indian corn, Jane’s fiber arts products, and more.

In 2010, the three sisters, Nancy, Judy, and Jane, shared the “Women in Agriculture” award given annually at the Watauga County’s Farm-City Banquet. Earlier, in the ‘80s, the Coffeys had received the coveted “Conservation Farm Family of the Year” award.

Through the years, each of the Coffey siblings had other interests around the farm and community, but they all still share a love for the land and all it produces.

History of the Coffey’s Century Farm

The current Coffey Grounds farmland has been in the Coffey family since 1880, over five generations, and in the Walter and Cleo Proffitt Coffey family since Walter purchased it in 1938 from his brother, Robert.

Daddy and Mama would be amazed with how science and technology have changed things, even though some things remain much the same. Apple trees still have to be pruned, and crops still have to be harvested.

- NANCY MORETZ

Nancy shared, “When Daddy purchased Coffey Grounds, the house was in the process of being rebuilt following a fire. Robert and his wife, Bertie, decided they would rather start fresh, so they sold out and moved to Fleetwood.”

When Walter and Cleo were married in December 1938, the rebuilding was not complete, so they lived with Walter’s parents for a short time. Walter was the son of Dell and Mary Bodenhammer Coffey. Cleo, his wife, was the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Mae) Norris Proffitt. Walter and Cleo both had numerous siblings, most of which still have multiple generations of descendants living in Watauga County today.

The land where Coffey Grounds is located originally belonged to Mary’s side of the family, which came to Watauga County in a covered wagon in 1880, when she was four years old. Farming was harder, and life, in general, was very different in those early days.

“Daddy and Mama would be amazed with how science and technology have changed things, even though some things remain much the same,” Nancy mused. “Apple trees still have to be pruned, and crops still have to be harvested.”

Walter was known for his hard work ethic and his strength, despite his small stature.

“We were told that he could do push-ups with Mama sitting on his shoulders. We were also told that Mama was always out in the field working with him, until I came along,” Nancy added.

There was life beyond the farm, for special occasions, for Cleo and Walter Coffey, shown here in their Sunday best. Photo submitted.

“She was out there afterward, too, as child rearing and housework allowed.”

Their mother was an exceptionally good cook, and she never worked at a public job.

“The only paycheck she ever received was for her one time of jury duty,” Nancy shared. “She was in her mid 40s at that time. She joked that she might frame the check.”

She never learned to drive, but she kept busy cooking for work hands and taking care of the house and kids.

Walter was a truck farmer, meaning he grew crops and hauled them “off the mountain” to sell in Lenoir, Hickory, and areas around Charlotte. For several years, he provided all of the cabbage for Ruth’s Salads, a popular restaurant chain, in Charlotte. Over the years, he commercially grew cabbage, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and tobacco, in addition to apples and Christmas trees.

In the 1940s and ‘50s, the Coffeys had a truck, but none of their neighbors had an automobile. Most everyone walked, rode horses, or used wagons or sleds pulled by horses to get around.

“On Saturday afternoons, most everybody would clean up and go to town,” Nancy recalled. “Daddy, Mama, Grandma, and at least the younger of us kids rode in the cab of the truck; Grandpa and neighbors rode in the truck bed.”

However, there wasn’t much at the grocery store the community couldn’t produce for themselves.

Everybody had gardens and canned most of their vegetables. Many people had cows, chickens, or pigs they used for milk, eggs, or meat. Many people hunted squirrels and rabbits for food because there were no deer around in those days.

The kids often fished in the late afternoons, and their mother would fry their catch.

Horses were necessary for disking, plowing, and farming as well as cultivating and hauling in the harvests.

In their earlier years, the Coffeys had a good team of horses, Jim and Prince, but eventually much of their work would be done

Currently, apples grow on 306 trees around the Coffey Grounds orchard, at least four of which are “well over 100 years old. Photo by Sherrie Norris

Nancy Moretz is shown demonstrating an antique potato grader that had been loaned out years ago and recently returned to the farm and refurbished by her brother, Kent. Photo by Sherrie Norris

by tractor.

Electricity did not come to Ridge Road until 1948; it made it to the Big Hill area earlier, but some who lived on what became Tom Jackson Road would not readily sign for power poles to go across their land. Without power, there was no running water or electricity, so like everyone else, the Coffeys carried water from a spring and had an outhouse. Heat came from a fireplace in the living room and a wood cook stove.

“Shortly after power came to our area, the house was wired for electricity by our uncle, Clint Miller, who was married to Mama’s oldest sister, Edith,” Nancy shared. “Soon after, a well was drilled, the house was remodeled to add a bathroom, and we got an electric stove.”

After the wood cook stove was removed, an oil circulator heater was placed in the kitchen. They got their first TV in the late ‘50s.

During Nancy’s first year in school, she attended a two-room school in Rutherwood, with big classrooms and several grades in the same room. By her second year, a new Green Valley School had been built on Big Hill Road. Her siblings attended that school all through elementary.

Nancy also attended and graduated from Appalachian High School, a rock building adjacent to Appalachian State Teachers College.

Other high schools in Watauga County were consolidated into one in 1965, known as Watauga High School. Kent’s first three years of high school were at Appalachian,but he would later be moved into the first class that graduated from Watauga High. All of Judy and Jane’s high school years were at Watauga High.

As they were growing up, the siblings were expected to help in the fields in the summers, but not a lot during the school year — unless there wasn’t much homework, or it was completed.

Sometimes, especially when they were younger, they played games to make it seem easier.

They helped hoe, take care of the plants, and harvest the row crops. They didn’t help prune apple trees or shear Christmas trees

Two of the Coffey sisters are hard at work planting new apple trees in the orchard. Photo submitted

until their daddy’s health deteriorated.

In the late 50s and most of the 60s, they grew tomatoes — the most labor-intensive row crop of all, they admitted. While some of the tomatoes were sold off the mountain, many were sold locally at Goodnight Brothers.

Walter bought an apple grader, a device that can sort fruit by color, weight, size, or condition, from a South Carolina peach orchard in the early ‘60s. It came in sections so it could be

dismantled and hauled. The grader is still in use at the farm today. It has a belt on which apples are placed, and as they move along, they are polished by soft bristles, rolled onto the sizing chain/belt and carried to the correct size bins from which they are boxed.

Before the apple grader, tomatoes were washed and laid out to dry before they were packed into boxes. The grader’s bristles were soft enough so that tomatoes could also be run through it.

All of the siblings have memories of going with Walter on his trips to haul fruits and vegetables off the mountain.

He followed a set route, selling produce to restaurants, grocery stores, and institutions like Belmont Abbey College.

One stop was at City BBQ in Granite Falls, where the kids

School children always loved their wagon rides through the orchard during their field trips to the Coffey Grounds. Photo submitted

A gifted weaver and fiber arts expert, Jane Campbell demonstrates how she spins wool to create her products. Photo submitted

usually enjoyed a ham sandwich for lunch with their dad. As they became teenagers with driver’s licenses, they often drove the truck back home from Lenoir.

According to the Coffey siblings, Walter was the first person on the east side of the county to plant Christmas trees. In the early ‘60s, he started setting white pines on the steep hillsides, saving the flatter acreage for row crops. Many were sold for $2 per tree in Virginia.

Walter eventually grew Fraser firs, too; most of which were sold wholesale.

Life As Adults For The Coffey Siblings

The Coffey siblings helped in the fields more as they got older, especially in the summers and on Saturdays.

Following the deaths of their parents, they all planted their own fields of trees, but Judy, primarily, expanded on what their parents had started.

“Both parents, particularly Mama, discouraged us from farming,” Nancy said. “They hoped we could find easier vocations; they wanted us to have easier lives.”

The fall of 1962, after Nancy graduated high school, she commuted to Appalachian State Teachers College, but still lived at home and helped on the farm. She married Jerry C. Moretz the summer between her junior and senior years of college. Obtaining her degrees in ’66 — double majors in math and Spanish — she taught seventh and eighth grade math at Miller’s Creek Elementary School.

Shortly after she and Jerry married, Jerry’s father was diagnosed with lung cancer. By the end of Nancy’s third year of teaching, his health had declined to the point that he needed full-time care; Nancy gave up teaching, and taking 3-year-old daughter Tina with her, helped care for him until his death.

Afterward, Nancy (and Tina) returned to help her parents on the farm, and she also began volunteer work in the community. A gifted seamstress, Nancy made clothing for herself, her family, and others. She and Jerry welcomed their son Bradley, born in 1972.

After high school graduation, Kent lived in Hickory during the week, coming home on weekends while pursuing his degree in machinery at Catawba Valley Community College and Technical Institute. Following graduation, he moved to Clarksville, Tennessee., and welded for his Uncle

Pete, until he was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. Specialty training for him was at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

One weekend in 1969, Nancy recalled, her family, along with Walter and Cleo, went to visit Kent. “It happened to be the weekend of the moon landing, and the soldiers were given a day off. Kent went with us to Clarksville, where we stayed with our Uncle Pete and Aunt Nell and watched the moon landing on television.”

While in Vietnam, Kent worked in the motor pool. On Halloween of 1970, honorably discharged and back home, he helped on the farm for a while and started welding at local shops.

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On December 24, 1971, he and Marlene Wilson were married. Farming some on the side, they grew Christmas trees of their own, grew the tobacco allotment, and had some cattle, in addition to helping with apple picking. He became a partner at Triplett and Coffey Machine Shop. He and Marlene have twin sons, Shane and Shawn, both of which followed in Kent's footsteps and became skilled welders.

Following high school, Judy worked

for eight years as a bookkeeper for Northwestern Bank, during which time her daughter April stayed with her parents. She left the bank for a job at the District Engineer’s Office, North Carolina Department of Transportation in Boone, from where she retired after 20-plus years.

Simultaneously, Judy continued to help with the farm and eventually partnered into Snowy Ridge Tree Farm, a successful Choose and Cut and wholesale operation, for 40 years.

When Jane was in sixth grade at Green Valley School, her teacher Florence Greene taught every student in her class to knit.

She had already become interested in fiber and textiles by watching other relatives who were weavers and crafters.

Following high school graduation in 1973, Jane married Mike Campbell, who had recently completed the National School of Broadcasting in Atlanta, Georgia. They moved away for a few years while Mike worked at various radio and television stations. They came home in 1976, helped on the family farm, and started their own fields of Fraser firs. They built their log house in the “little orchard” in 1980 and welcomed to the world their children, Cole and Ivy.

Since 1984, Jane and Mike have hosted craft and historical presentations at Hickory Ridge Museum, in schools, and to groups on the farm. Jane can knit, crochet, spin, weave, and now concentrates mostly on

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Coffey family members are pictured here harvesting pumpkins, one of the many crops that has been grown on the farm. Photo submitted

Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Stayman-Winesap, Rome Beauties — just a few of the variety of apples that are available at Coffey Grounds. Photo by Sherrie Norris

They are a force that still has a presence in this family. They left all of us with a deep appreciation of the land and community — and love of family.

felting. For many years, she demonstrated felting and sold her products in the Village of Yesteryear at the NC State Fair in Raleigh; she was named Craftsman of the Year there in 2016. She still has a booth at MerleFest each year and has her handcrafted products available at the Hands Craft Gallery in downtown Boone, Crossnore Weavers and Gallery in Crossnore, and Florence Thomas Art School in West Jefferson, where she also teaches classes. In July, she was a featured artist at the Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock.

The older grandkids, Tina, April, and Bradley, helped on the farm and got to spend a lot of time with their grandparents when they were younger, as did Shane and Shawn. Sadly, Cole and Ivy never met their grandparents, but they’ve heard about them their whole lives, as have all of the great-grandchildren of the Coffeys.

Speaking of her parents, Nancy surmised: “They are a force that still has a presence in this family. They left all of us with a deep appreciation of the land and community — and love of family.”

For More Information

Coffey’s Orchard, located at 833 Ridge Road in Boone, is not a pick-your-own orchard, but has apples for sale in season, September through October.

To learn more about the Coffey family orchard and/or to purchase apples, call

A bird’s-eye view of the Coffey family farm, one of the area’s few designated as a “Century Farm” by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Photo submitted

STORY BY HARLEY NEFE

September 11, 2001 remains a haunting testament to the indomitable spirit of resilience that defines humanity in the face of tragedy. On that fateful morning, the tranquil skies above the United States of America were abruptly shattered by the terror-driven impact of commercial airplanes plummeting into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The reverberations of those devastating moments reached far beyond the physical structures that crumbled; they echoed through the hearts and souls of millions across the nation and around the world.

In the aftermath of the attacks, a profound transformation took root. A nation divided by superficial matters united under the unbreakable bonds that connect individuals in times of crisis. The spirit of service that emerged from the ashes of 9/11 ignited a flame of inspiration that continues to burn brightly to this day 22 years later.

The armed forces saw a surge of enlistments. People from all walks of life felt a renewed call to serve their country, recognizing that the defense of freedom and the preservation of unity are responsibilities shared by each individual.

The legacy of 9/11 is not solely one of destruction and despair, but of a renewed resolve to stand up and serve. The events of September 11, 2001 act as a solemn

reminder that in the face of adversity, ordinary individuals can rise to extraordinary heights, united by a shared commitment to service and a determination to shape a better world.

Many people can distinctly remember that day.

“My school teacher, Mrs. Williams, yelled out, ‘What the heck?’” U.S. Army retired veteran Dr. Joshua Biggers recalled. “We all stopped taking our quiz as the TV was turned on, and we saw the towers falling down. It was a moment, even at my young age, where I knew the world was changed forever.”

Dr. Biggers enlisted on September 20, 2003 – two years and nine days after 9/11, which played a huge part in his decision. Much like Dr. Biggers, Tim Hudak can also recollect the impact of the attacks.

“I was a sophomore in high school when we watched the twin towers come down right after gym class,” reflected Tim Hudak, Commander of VFW Post 7946 in Ashe County. “It made me feel helpless but comforting to know we were already mobilizing our military. I wanted to help others feel protected by joining the military.”

Being inspired to serve, Mr. Hudak originally went to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for the Illinois National Guard, but a friend of the family who was a Vietnam Air Force veteran steered him in a different direction.

Tim Hudak recalled, “He said, ‘You have two choices: be treated the best and join the Air Force or be the best and become a Marine.’”

Mr. Hudak served five years from 2004 to 2009 in the U.S. Marine Corps as an intelligence analyst. He went to Iraq twice and toured other countries in the Pacific, leaving as a Sergeant. Once out of the military, Tim Hudak continued his education in college.

“I recommend that everyone getting out of the military use the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and go to college,” he advised. “It's there to help you get an education you earned, but also helps you transition.”

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill helps soldiers pay for school or job training.

Veterans may be eligible for education benefits if they served at least 90 days on active duty, received a Purple Heart and were honorably discharged, or served for at least 30 continuous days and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability.

“While I had a clear advantage while in college, I also had to work some things out – truly being on my own without a support system like I had when I was growing up or in the Marines,” Mr. Hudak said. “I immediately banded together with other veterans in college, and we created a veteran support group. I made great friends, and I had time to get ready for the real world, and yeah, I had a lot of fun.”

Tim Hudak and his family moved to North Carolina in 2020 – first only being able to find a rental in Beech Mountain as it was during the pandemic.

“We explored the area and settled on the High Country as where we wanted to raise our family,” Mr. Hudak explained. Shortly after moving to the area, Tim Hudak joined the VFW.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a nonprofit organization in the United States that was founded in 1899, serving military veterans who have served in combat zones overseas.

“I saw it as a way to be part of our community and give back,” Mr. Hudak said. “I don't see VFWs and other veteran service organizations as a support group. While it has that bonus, we are coming together to lead our community. Veterans vote more, volunteer more, and engage in their community more. Veterans understand the cost to preserve our communities and American

Veterans present the American flag, folded 13 times, symbolizing many patriotic principles.

Photo by Ashley Poore

The VFW and other local veteran organizations are a fantastic way to continue your service and be a leader. Military service is not a roof for you to hide under, it's a foundation for you to build on.

- TIM HUDAK

The VFW Post 7946 and DAV Chapter 80 meet at 446 Ashe Park Rd.

Photo by Ashley Poore

way of life – so they take pride in where they live. The VFW and other local veteran organizations are a fantastic way to continue your service and be a leader. Military service is not a roof for you to hide under, it's a foundation for you to build on.”

As the newly elected Commander of VFW Post 7946, Mr. Hudak believes the Ashe County VFW needs to focus on serving local veterans, their families, and the community as the primary objective.

“Our members in the Ashe County VFW are the best our community has to offer,”

Mr. Hudak noted. “Our specific post is mostly Vietnam veterans, but we have more and more veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan joining. As a younger veteran compared to most of our members, I really value learning from our wiser veterans’ experiences. They came back from Vietnam, raised families, built a community, and kept their VFW going. I hope we can make them proud but also adapt to meet the needs of our veteran community today.”

Serving alongside Mr. Hudak at the Ashe County VFW is David Rodriguez, Post Adjutant.

“As the Post Adjutant, I am the official corresponding officer for the Post,” Mr. Rodriguez explained. “Post Adjutants are responsible for reviewing the applications of prospective members to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements to join the VFW. I also format the Post’s meeting minutes and maintain copies of all VFW orders and correspondence. I also validate officer eligibility to ensure they can hold a Post office.”

David Rodriguez served in the United States Air Force

and the North Carolina Air National Guard. He enlisted in 1982 as an Airman (E-1) and served until he retired as a Command Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) in 2021.

“Quite frankly, I initially enlisted to avoid going to college,” Mr. Rodriguez said. “Enlisting to avoid going to college worked well for me until the Air Force started requiring Senior NonCommissioned Officers to attain an associate’s degree in their respective career fields. When I decided to pursue more responsibility and higher rank, I knew I would have to earn a bachelor’s degree. I did not stop there and earned my master’s degree. In short, I enjoyed learning, and higher education was a means to ensure that I was continuously developing myself to serve the Air Force better.”

Mr. Rodriguez further stated, “Serving in the United States Air Force is one of the greatest honors I have experienced. Even though I am retired, I still strive to live by the Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. I would not take anything for the experiences that I have attained through my service. I am also grateful for my family’s support during my Air Force career. I could not have served our country without their support.”

Mr. Rodriguez joined the Ashe County VFW last year.

“I joined the VFW because I wanted to impact the veterans’ community and show my appreciation for the VFW’s services to servicemembers and their families,” David Rodriguez shared. “I believe that veterans positively influence our communities through the personal and professional development experiences they have experienced during their military careers. The VFW

Tim Hudak, Commander of VFW Post 7946.

Photo by Ashley Poore

Local veterans can be found volunteering at many community events.

Photos courtesy of the VFW

enables veterans to unite to make a more considerable impact within our communities.”

“Being a veteran means we've proven ourselves in our commitment to our country,” Tim Hudak added. “Now back home, we continue to prove ourselves to our community. Together – veterans and those who served in other ways can work in tandem to build a better community. Interestingly, I never hear any veteran talk about it as volunteering; it's just continued service. We're all working to build a better community and take care of our fellow veterans and their families in the process.”

Mr. Hudak is also a member of the Marine Corps League. He used to be Sergeant at Arms of

Serving in the United States Air Force is one of the greatest honors I have experienced. Even though I am retired, I still strive to live by the Air Force Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. I would not take anything for the experiences that I have attained through my service.

- DAVID RODRIGUEZ

An Ashe County veterans memorial representing the different branches of the U.S. military. Photo by Ashley Poore

A piece of a veterans memorial outside of the historic 1904 Ashe County Courthouse.

Photo by Ashley Poore

Tim Hudak talking to another member at a VFW meeting.

Photo courtesy of the VFW

the High Country Marine Corps League, but he stepped down when he was elected Commander of the VFW.

Marine Corps League

The Marine Corps League is a veterans organization dedicated to fostering camaraderie among Marine Corps veterans and preserving the traditions and values of the United States Marine Corps.

“I joined the Marine Corps League soon after finding West Jefferson,” Tim Hudak recalled. “I saw a sign in the window of the Loghouse at Lansing.”

Mr. Hudak added, “The Marine Corps League is very similar to the VFW, but the difference is that we are much smaller and tend to watch out for each other in our community.”

Thomas “Tugboat” Northrop is another Marine Corps League member. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 1966 in Auburn, New York.

“I went to Parris Island for boot camp and arrived in Vietnam in November 1967,” Tugboat recalled. “I was assigned to Bravo Company 1st Battalion 1st Marines. While in Vietnam, we were constantly on the move. We started out at Con Thien on the DMZ, moved to Quảng Tri, and then to Huế city for the Tet Offensive. After Tet, we went to Khe Sanh to man the hills around the Fire Base. We were the last Marine unit to leave Khe Sanh on July 12, 1968. I spent my last month back at Con Thien, and on October 7, 1968, I was discharged from the Marine Corps with the rank of Corporal.”

After being discharged, Tugboat spent the next couple of years moving around until he ended up in Florida in 1971.

“I remember going to the American Legion and the VFW, and they did not give me a warm welcome, so I did not pursue joining either group,” Tugboat reflected. “Around 1980, a friend of mine and brother Marine asked me to join the American Legion. It had changed its recruitment policies, so I enjoyed being a member for the next several years until I moved to North Carolina.”

Tugboat served in the Marine Corps between 1966-1968. Photo by Ashley Poore.

A bench outside of the Museum of Ashe County History displays the armed forces seals. Photo by Ashley Poore

Thomas “Tugboat” Northrop is a Vietnam veteran and proud member of the Marine Corps League.

Photo by Ashley Poore.

I feel this is where I belong. The members here are all dedicated veterans and do so much for the local veterans and the community.

- THOMAS “TUGBOAT” NORTHROP

Tugboat moved to Ashe County in 1994.

“I was working in Boone, and a coworker told me about VFW Post 7031, and it had a canteen,” Tugboat described. “So, I went there with him and joined the Post in 1995. The Boone Post was very active with several fundraisers each year and gave back to veterans and their families in need. I was never an active member because I lived in Ashe County, but I did support the Post with my canteen attendance and various functions.”

He continued, “When I learned about the Marine Corps League around 2008, I was very much interested in forming a detachment in Boone. So, I and some other Marines applied for a chapter. Then a couple of years later we formed a chapter here in Ashe County. I have been an active member ever since, holding several offices including Commandant for three years.”

Tugboat also transferred his VFW Life Membership to Ashe County last year.

“I feel this is where I belong,” he explained. “The members here are all dedicated veterans and do so much for the local veterans and the community.”

American Legion

Founded in 1919, the American Legion is another veteran organization that engages in a wide range of activities, including community service, youth development programs, and initiatives that promote patriotism and civic engagement through a network of local posts and chapters.

Donnie Houck is the Commander of the American Legion Post 271 in Lansing, located in Ashe County.

He served in the U.S. Army for two years from September 7, 1967 to September 7, 1969 after being drafted.

“It was very difficult to transition from combat to civilian life,” Donnie Houck described. “When I got home, people weren’t proud, and they didn’t treat us well. It was almost as if we had done something wrong instead of serving our country.”

The Vietnam War is documented as one of the most controversial events in American history. Veteran organizations, like the American Legion, helped soldiers with the transition by being a place where they could come together and form lifelong friendships.

“I joined the American Legion in 1982 because I thought it was a good thing to do,” Donnie Houck shared. “I appreciate the American Legion. I’m hoping to see the continued growth and camaraderie between veterans and the local community.”

He added, “I am proud to have served my country, and I am proud to be a Vietnam veteran. Without all of our veterans, we would not have a free country. God bless American veterans and all their families.”

Donnie Houck’s wife, Betty Houck, has served in the American Legion Auxiliary for 25 years. The American Legion Auxiliary is a volunteer organization that operates in conjunction with the American Legion. It is primarily composed of family members of veterans or individuals who are eligible for American Legion membership based on their relationship to a veteran.

“When I married a Vietnam veteran, I learned more about the military and the life that veterans have,” she shared. “So, I wanted to help them in any way that I could. I love working with the veterans and helping them.”

One way auxiliary members help is by making and serving meals for American Legion Post members before meetings.

“I think the guys are great,” Betty Houck said. “I appreciate what they are doing, and I look forward to working with them a lot more.”

As the youngest member of the American Legion Ashe Post, Dr. Joshua Biggers said, “The American Legion is a great group of veterans who are welcoming to all veterans from any branch. My first meeting was an experience in itself. The members showed me nothing but respect and welcomed me into the group. Joining any group can be nerve wracking, but if you give it a chance, I am confident you will be very happy you did.”

The Ashe County American Legion Post 271 meets in Lansing. Photos courtesy of the American Legion

Donnie and Betty Houck. Photo courtesy of the Houcks

When I married a Vietnam veteran, I learned more about the military and the life that veterans have. So, I wanted to help them in any way that I could. I love working with the veterans and helping them.

- BETTY HOUCK

Disabled American Veterans

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of disabled veterans and their families. Established in 1920, the DAV focuses on providing vital support, advocacy, and services to veterans who have sustained injuries and/or disabilities as a result of their military service.

Having served in the U.S. Army as a Calvary Scout, Aerial Radar Surveillance, and Military Intelligence, Dr. Joshua Biggers is a Life Member of the DAV.

“I come from a family of soldiers,” Dr. Biggers said. “My grandfather was a World War II fighter pilot, and my father was a Navy Seabee Desert Storm veteran. Joining the military just seemed like the logical first step before college. Little did I know that would lead to missions in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, and then multiple tours at the Pentagon – changing my life for the better.”

While serving abroad in multiple combat zones, Staff Sergeant Biggers was awarded two Army Commendation Medals, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, a NATO Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Overseas Service Ribbon, and a Combat Action Badge.

Dr. Biggers stated, “The United States Army is an incredible branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Army provided me with discipline, guidance, and the knowledge I needed at the time to find my way. I’m proud to call myself a combat veteran and honored to know many other veterans and be a member of several veteran organizations.”

Dr. Biggers joined the DAV after he retired because he was looking for guidance while he was going through the veteran disability process.

“The veteran disability process can be quite a daunting and nerve-racking task, and the DAV has resources that help veterans get through this intense task,” Dr. Biggers said. “Each veteran faces unique challenges in their years serving their country, and many of them need help. The Ashe DAV provides an environment where veterans can interact with one another to help work through everyday challenges.”

According to the DAV, the mission statement is to “provide free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies of government.”

However, Dr. Biggers sees the Ashe County DAV to have an even more instrumental role in soldiers’ lives.

“I believe the Ashe DAV empowers veterans by giving them the chance to make friendships and networking connections that can help them conquer any challenges that they may need to overcome,” Dr. Biggers explained.

He added, “The group is incredible; they are welcoming and just downright great people. We all look out for one another because we know what it's like going through a lot of these obstacles alone. Most of us started out alone until we found these veteran groups. Now, we have each other, and we collaborate and help one another.”

Members of the Ashe County American Legion Post 271 Photos courtesy of the American Legion

Veteran David Fox (left) with Grey Hawks (right), a member of a youth soccer team the VFW sponsors in Ashe County. Photo courtesy of the VFW

Stand Up and Serve

While the various veteran service organizations, including the VFW, Marine Corps League, American Legion, and DAV, can be viewed as similar, they each have their distinct qualities. Despite this, all of the groups are beginning to experience a season of change.

“All of the veteran organizations are looking for younger members to begin passing the reins to,” Tim Hudak described. “Just like with our World War II veterans when Vietnam veterans took a more active role, the Post9/11 veterans are starting to trickle in and learn from the veterans who came before us.”

The High Country is home to many veteran soldiers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Watauga County has around 3,500 veterans, Avery County has around 895, and Ashe County has around 1,715 documented veteran residents. It is shown that the average age of Ashe County residents is 49.1, while the average age of veteran organization members is upwards of 64. Less than 15% of active members are between the ages of 25-45.

Veteran organizations are utilizing new recruiting tactics to attract new members, and existing members are embracing the process.

“I think it is a great benefit for young veterans and their wives to step into leadership roles,” Betty Houck said. “They can learn from the older members, and then they can bring new ideas that help the other members. That is one of the things we are trying to do.”

Welcoming and incorporating new perspectives does not come without challenges, as the future depends on younger generations getting involved.

“Recruiting younger members can be a real challenge,” Tugboat explained. “It is a problem across the board with all veteran groups. Times have changed since I became a veteran, so we must use the tools available to recruit new members. It is hard to teach old dogs new tricks, but some of the younger vets are bringing new ideas, and we all need to listen.”

For example, the Ashe County VFW recently voted and implemented the policy this summer that the first year of membership fees will be paid by the Post.

“I see Ashe County veteran groups moving ahead in the future if they continue to be a force in the community,” Tugboat said. “We cannot stand back and take all the ‘thank you for your service’ without giving back to the people that support us.”

Prospective members are encouraged to

The American flag flies atop Mt. Jefferson. Photo by Ashley Poore

Joshua Biggers, Life Member of the DAV.

Photo by Ashley Poore

reach out if they are interested in joining any of the veteran organizations. Specific meeting times of local chapters and posts can be found by visiting AsheVets.com. The Ashe County American Legion Post 271 meets in Lansing across from Molley Chomper Hard Cider, and the rest of the veteran organizations – VFW, Marine Corps League, and DAV – meet at “The Hut,” a white building next to Ashe County Park.

“Serving in the military is an absolute honor for most veterans, but not all veterans have the same story,” Dr. Biggers shared. “The military changes you, and that’s okay. Just know that every veteran made their decision to serve for one reason or another. We need to support each and every veteran regardless of why or when they choose to serve because they choose to serve!” t

I see Ashe County veteran groups moving ahead in the future if they continue to be a force in the community. We cannot stand back and take all the ‘thank you for your service’ without giving back to the people that support us.

Biggers, Northrop, and Hudak stand together, showing the camaraderie between veterans.

Photo by Ashley Poore

Everyone Deserves a Second Chance

Asoldier finally comes home after several years serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Kyrgyzstan. Upon returning stateside on military leave for less than 24 hours – eight to be exact – he is blindsided and run over by an 83-year-old driver. He is taken by air ambulance from the accident scene to HCA Florida Blake Hospital’s Level II Trauma Center. With 22 broken bones, two collapsed lungs, scalp lacerations, fractured facial bones, a crushed jaw, shattered right wrist, as well as significant damage to his peroneal nerve, this soldier enters an unresponsive state later to be followed by a medically-induced coma for several weeks. He wakes up 31 pounds lighter, with 2.5 inches of fresh facial hair, and a haircut he does not recognize. After completing a year and a half of physical therapy, the soldier then does the unthinkable … he starts a veterans nonprofit.

“I saw an opportunity on how I can give back to the veteran community and bring light to the misfortune of fellow veterans,” shared Ashe County resident Joshua Biggers. “I learned firsthand the difficulties veterans can go through at a moment's notice, and your life can be changed forever.”

Dr. Joshua Biggers, U.S. Army retired, is the founder of Operation Restart Now, Inc., a multi-state nonprofit organization that connects veterans to resources and benefits many are unaware they are entitled to. Operation Restart Now, Inc. was founded in January of 2019.

“The nonprofit started with several veterans pitching in and buying mobile homes for fellow veterans who could not be approved for the [Veterans Affairs] home loan,” Joshua recalled. “Everyone thinks that when you get out of the military you will receive a VA home loan guaranteed, with no questions asked, but that couldn’t be further from the truth; you have to meet certain guidelines including minimum annual income, or you are denied.”

“We saw that happening – so many veterans couldn’t qualify for a VA home loan,” Joshua continued. “We saw an immediate problem and decided to start there. We took out personal loans, and we bought eight mobile homes and put veterans and their

Joshua Biggers is the founder of Operation Restart Now, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Biggers

A scene from Joshua Biggers’s time in the service.

Photo courtesy of Biggers

STORY BY HARLEY NEFE

families that had fallen into hard times in each one. We put them on rent-to-own payment plans, and within a year, all of the veterans were on schedule to pay off their new accommodations the following year. Next, we helped them find better jobs by working on their resumes and showing them that they have soft skill sets that many other applicants do not. We helped them through the entire process of getting back on their feet.”

While Operation Restart Now, Inc. was off to a great start, the second year got very interesting when the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by surprise. Life as they knew came to a screeching standstill, and their real estate efforts came to an abrupt halt. Where some may have seen these circumstances as a glass-half-empty predicament, Joshua and his team saw this as a glass-half-full situation, which then propelled the nonprofit into offering a wider selection of services.

Suddenly, Joshua had a lot of time on his hands regarding the nonprofit because the real estate market had basically paused, and people were being instructed to not leave their homes. Joshua reached out to various local veteran organizations to see how they were handling the dilemma. Fortunately, Timothy Richardson reached out during this same time, and the timing was perfect.

“We saw a young man standing up and fighting to help his fellow veterans through times of transition and hardship when no one else was, which told us all we needed to know,” said Timothy Richardson, former Wounded Warrior Project Ambassador.

According to the nonprofit organization, WWP began in 2003, providing simple care and comfort items to hospital bedsides of wounded service members returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As post-service needs evolved, so have WWP’s programs. Through mental health, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care along with advocacy efforts, WWP strives to improve the lives of millions of warriors and their families.

With the support of WWP and other veteran organizations, Joshua started focusing his efforts on soldiers transitioning from combat to the civilian sector as

well as soldiers discharging out of the military.

“There just aren’t enough transitional programs available to soldiers once we leave the military,” Joshua stated. “Soldiers should have unlimited resources available to them after they have fought for their country and returned home, and that just isn’t reality. The VFW, DAV, American Legion, Marine Corps League, and the Wounded Warrior Project are an excellent start, but there needs to be more. The transition from soldier to civilian can be quite a strain on the mind. Mental health awareness is real, and it needs to be brought into the light that it is not a weakness but a

The definition of a patriot. Photo by Josh Floyd

We saw a young man standing up and fighting to help his fellow veterans through times of transition and hardship when no one else was, which told us all we needed to know

- TIMOTHY RICHARDSON

Joshua Biggers, U.S. Army retired. Photo courtesy of Biggers

strength to see it, address it, and ask for help.”

The transition from combat life to civilian life is not an easy one for many veterans, Joshua included.

“It was extremely difficult,” Joshua described. “Military service overseas in a combat zone is intense to say the least. There are moments of chaos that can’t be described. After which, soldiers are left with painful experiences and traumatizing memories that we must live with forever. When we are being discharged from our military service, the only priorities we are thinking about are returning home, our families, and what it will be like to no longer have to go to bed at midnight and wake up at 5 a.m. We are not thinking about how we will feel and what challenges we will face once we are discharged. Once you’re separated from military service, it is easy to feel alone if you aren’t around fellow veterans, and that can lead down a path no one should have to visit. Feeling alone can be something that sneaks up on you without a moment’s notice. Surrounding yourself with fellow veterans can help you avoid the dark path with no return.”

While reflecting on his personal transitional period, Joshua remembers how his fellow soldiers and himself were feeling mentally disoriented throughout the discharging process.

“What you have to remember is once you’re out, you’re just out,” Joshua said. “There isn’t a check-in period a couple of months down the line or anything. It’s just you and the civilian world, and that world can be quite intimidating to say the least.”

In the fall of 2020, Operation Restart Now, Inc. began offering services in addition to housing procurement, including transitional help, disability eligibility, educational benefits, and one-on-one mentorship. During this same time, the first client of Operation Restart Now, Inc.’s new program direction was none other than Joshua Biggers’s father.

John Biggers was a retired Navy Seabee and Desert Storm veteran.

“My father was 10% disabled for 28 years,” Joshua shared. “Disability financial assistance for veterans is based on criteria that sorts different ailments into percentages. My father lost the back half of his right hand and had scalp lacerations covered with 29 staples. Many people may be able to relate when I say we never really talked about our experiences in combat to one another. It’s just something that never came up between a father and a son. Fortunately, he saw what I was trying to do with my nonprofit and really loved that direction and thought it could be very helpful for soldiers of his generation – Desert Storm, Korea, and Vietnam era. So, he volunteered to be our first client in the new direction.”

“I didn’t know you could file a reconsideration claim,” John Biggers stated. “I thought I was stuck with what I received, and that

Once you’re separated from military service, it is easy to feel alone if you aren’t around fellow veterans, and that can lead down a path no one should have to visit. Feeling alone can be something that sneaks up on you without a moment’s notice. Surrounding yourself with fellow veterans can help you avoid the dark path with no return.

- JOSHUA BIGGERS

was the end of it.”

Joshua helped his father with his claims, and now he’s at an equitable percentage, and he has the healthcare coverage he deserves going forward.

“The injuries soldiers accumulate during their years of service will age just as a soldier does,” Joshua explained. “That means with time they can get worse. This is why they need to be documented so the VA can offer care throughout the soldier’s life.”

Additionally, Joshua helped his father re-enroll back in school. There's a VA program called “Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment” that can be used by veterans that are 30% or more disabled that will help them complete college or be trained in various job programs. This can be used even if veterans have exhausted their Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and/or Montgomery G.I. Bill (used by soldiers before 2001).

At 59 years old, Joshua’s father graduated with his bachelor’s degree in logistics & management and graduated magna cum laude.

“This was quite the accomplishment and could have been completed so much sooner if he would have known this educational program existed,” Joshua said. “That’s what we do –find programs that veterans can utilize and go from there. There are so many that veterans are qualified for, and they don't even know they are available.”

The primary objective of the nonprofit has since grown to spreading awareness of available resources, connecting veterans to the services, and assisting clients throughout the entire process.

“Once they come to us, we scour our resources and figure out the best path to help each veteran,” Joshua said. “Veterans trust other veterans, and we take that seriously.”

Hearing about Operation Restart Now, Inc. through a local American Legion chapter, James Cook became a client of the nonprofit.

Mr. Cook is a retired Navy Desert Storm veteran who served during the 1980s through 1990s.

“It was about loyalty to our country,” Mr. Cook shared. “It was an honor and privilege for my generation to graduate high school and serve.”

After being seriously injured during Desert Storm, Veterans Affairs gave Chief Petty Officer Cook a minimal disability percentage, which he lived with for around 20 years.

“We showed him what forms to file and helped him with the process,” Joshua said. “It took us nearly a year because a lot of his medical paperwork was scattered in various

databases. The current VA medical records system is nearly all digital. It wasn’t computerized in the 80s and 90s, and many of the documents were only kept in paper copies. So, a lot of these veterans don’t have adequate documentation of their injuries. If you don’t have documentation – some see it as if it didn’t happen.”

“James had limited documentation, so we had to go to the DAV, and they had to use their resources to dig deep into records

Joshua Biggers served several years in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Kyrgyzstan. Photo by Josh Floyd

- JAMES COOK

to find documentation of some of the issues that he had,” Joshua further explained. “It took almost a year to get his documentation, and then it took nearly another year to file his claims and get them approved.”

It was a long, strenuous process, but well worth the effort. Now, Mr. Cook has a healthy disability percentage that has led him to receiving many of the medical benefits that eluded him for so many years.

“I was very nervous that I wouldn’t be able to afford health care that I may need after I retire due to some of the injuries,” Mr. Cook shared.

“By helping him get his disability that he rightfully deserves, now he will be able to retire and have the care needed for him to live comfortably,” Joshua stated.

Operation Restart Now, Inc. also helped Mr. Cook enroll in school as he stopped having aspirations to finish his bachelor’s degree after he was medically forced to separate from the Navy. He had around 60 credits and needed to get to 120 credits total. The nonprofit connected him with his local Veterans Service Officer and used the same Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program through the VA that Joshua’s father utilized.

Mr. Cook enrolled at the University of Southern New Hampshire. Over the next two years, he received all of his credits, and he just recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications.

“There’s no way I would have been able to accomplish this without Operation Restart Now, Inc.,” Mr. Cook shared. “Completing my bachelor’s degree has always been a personal goal, but I never thought it would be possible. I can't express enough love and admiration for Joshua Biggers and his incredible team. Working with Operation Restart Now was an absolute life changing experience. It altered my entire life and everything I was doing and made me realize it is never too late. Now I can retire in two years, and I know my health care will be there if I need it. I can also focus on doing things that I’ve always wanted to do, and that’s the greatest gift I could have received.”

Daniel Malecke, an Army veteran, is another client of Operation Restart Now, Inc.

There’s no way I would have been able to accomplish this without Operation Restart Now, Inc.. Completing my bachelor’s degree has always been a personal goal, but I never thought it would be possible. I can't express enough love and admiration for Joshua Biggers and his incredible team.

As a proud veteran, Joshua Biggers gives back to fellow soldiers. Photo by Josh Floyd

Mr. Malecke completed four tours with Operation Enduring Freedom. In response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, former President George W. Bush initiated Operation Enduring Freedom in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The events of 9/11 are what inspired Mr. Malecke to serve his country.

Mr. Malecke was injured on an annual mission, and he heard from his uncle about Operation Restart Now, Inc. The nonprofit connected Mr. Malecke with the proper channels and guided him through each of his processes step by step.

When asked what he found to be the most beneficial about Operation Restart Now, Inc., Mr. Malecke said, “The straightforwardness. There were no games. They told me what I needed to do, and then it was on me to do them. They were there if I needed help, but let me put in the work, which made it all the better once it was completed.”

“Operation Restart Now is a nonprofit that really addresses the soldier’s needs first and foremost, without putting them through the wringer,” Mr. Malecke added. “A lot of programs put soldiers through the wringer, and after months and even years of nothing getting accomplished, they give up. I didn’t want to find myself in that same situation, so I took a chance.”

Mr. Malecke graduated in 2021 from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in communications, and he gives ample credit to Operation Restart Now, Inc.

While working with so many veterans, Joshua became inspired and decided to write his doctoral dissertation on the “Perceptual differences between civilian & veteran employees: A study on the value of veteran soft skill competencies.”

“I saw a working population of people that were being overlooked, and I wanted to bring it to the light any way I could,” Dr. Joshua Biggers explained.

“I interviewed hundreds of veterans on their combat experiences and transitional experiences,” Dr. Biggers continued. “Basically, I was trying to highlight that the military veterans population can offer so much to the civilian workforce if given the chance. I had seen this first hand during the beginning years of the nonprofit. Veterans are extraordinary people that have skill sets that aren't seen in most. They are instilled with discipline, loyalty, responsibility, and ambition that could run circles around others. This was another opportunity to try and give back to the community that had given so much to me during my years of service.”

“As I was going through

my physical therapy after the accident years ago, I would often question if I would ever be able to get back to where I was before the accident,” Dr. Joshua Biggers reflected. “Unbeknownst to me, my life was completely altered and was going to be more fulfilling and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. My father gave me some words of wisdom during this time that I have never forgotten: ‘Your life is not measured by what you have done, but by what you've done for others.’ Each and everyday I will continue to move forward and help as many as I can and hope that my actions can inspire all those around me to do the same. All veterans deserve more; all veterans should be treated as heroes.”

For more information about Operation Restart Now, Inc. as well as to connect to local veteran services and resources in Ashe County specifically as well as in the broader High Country region, please visit HelpingHeroesToday.org and AsheVets.com. t

Another moment from his time serving. Photo courtesy of Biggers

Part of the Ashe County Veterans Memorial located in front of the new Ashe County Courthouse. Photo by Ashley Poore September 2023 HIGH COUNTRY

A Living Miracle

Jerry Corn Shares His Testimony and Advice for Restoration

STORY BY TIM GARDNER

61-year old Jerry Corn, who is a resident of Avery County, said he lives each day to the fullest through the Lord. He has every reason to. He spent 26 years — almost half of his life — abusing drugs. It's truly a miracle that he is still living considering that the drugs he abused included cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, sometimes taking over 600 pills per month.

He's now in long-term recovery, having been clean for eight years.

When asked what clicked that prompted his total recovery, Corn said he's learned that "life is difficult, but that no matter what happens, you can't give up."

He shared how he became addicted to drugs: “When I was in my early teens, I started drinking alcohol, partying, and going to clubs. Soon after, not only was I abusing alcohol, but I also started taking pills, cocaine and another illegal drug called crank marijuana. But I quit taking them a few years later. Then when I was about 30 years old, I injured my back and had to have surgery on it. That’s when I got strung out on three painkillers — Vicodin, Lorcet, and Percocet. I was taking anywhere from 8 to 10 pills at a time every few hours. I would go doctor shopping and to emergency rooms at several different hospitals just to get pills from doctors at them, too. Finally, doctors put me on methadone.

“I started out taking the 40 milligram tablets, and they were time release pills, but I would crush them up to break the time release so they would kick in quicker and give me a ‘fix.’ I started fairly slowly consuming them, but just in a short time I was taking two to three of those tablets at a time, and over the course of many years, I was taking more than 200 and even up to more than 600 methadone pills a month. Both were, of course, far too many, and I eventually got an appointment with my doctor to try to help me get off of them, which I finally did. I had been working on horse farms, but eventually lost those jobs because of my addiction. But I did take good care of the horses, although I’m not sure how because I was so strung out during that time period.”

Corn revealed that he had contemplated suicide at some points during his battle with addiction: “Although I was abusing drugs, I started attending church at the urging of some of my family members. In 2009, the one I was attending had an ongoing revival that lasted for about 13 weeks. On the last night of the revival, I felt the Lord dealing with my heart, and I went to the altar and asked God to save me. He did so and forgave me of all my sins and started changing my life. I thought I had overcome drug abuse, but I hadn’t. My long-time doctor had refused to be my physician anymore. I couldn't get pills from

A younger Jerry Corn before speaking outdoors to a group about the dangers and horrors of drug and alcohol addiction and how to recover from both. Photo submitted

emergency room doctors either. So, I started trying to get them on the streets from dope-pushers, but couldn’t find them there either.”

“The withdrawals from the methadone were so bad that I came to a point where I wanted to end my life. I got a gun and was going to kill myself with it, but the Lord wouldn't let me. I had the gun under my chin, but couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger. My second cousin, Keith Russell, who is my pastor at the church I attend now in Avery County, came to visit with me often, because he knew that I was in bad shape because of my drug abuse. My sister, Kathy, also knew how I abused drugs, and she also checked on me regularly as did some of my other cousins. One time, Keith and his mother and my first cousin, Phyllis, and Keith’s daughters, Kailey and Kelsey, came by and saw what bad physical and mental shape I was in from my addiction. They then began making calls to find me a detoxification center to be admitted to so I could recover from my drug abuse. They found one to admit me, and I stayed there three weeks.”

“I endured horrible pain there, suffering from withdrawals of not having any drugs. Seemingly every part of my body hurt sometimes. Occasionally, the nurses had to hold me down because of my body cramping so badly. Thankfully, my family and friends came to visit me there. My brother, Jackie, and Keith, and Keith’s wife, Tammy, and their daughters prayed for me and with me when they came to visit me, and kept me encouraged throughout all my struggles.”

“Although the doctors got me physically over that drug-abuse episode, I still struggled for more than six months emotionally and even had crazy dreams from the medicine the detox doctors put me on. I eventually got very frustrated taking that medicine, and I threw it all away and ended up back in the hospital, very sick. But again, my doctors got me over that. I had briefly quit church, but I started attending it again, and I had finally started feeling better physically and emotionally.”

But Corn relapsed a third time with drug abuse before he finally triumphed in the battle against it: “I realized that not only did I want to, and had to, overcome abusing drugs, but that I wanted to help others beat it, so I started telling other addicts what the Lord had done in my life.”

“I even went on a couple of mission trips that I should have never gone on, because I just wasn't ready, and coming back from the last trip, I got myself in another mess by hanging out with the wrong crowd. I quit attending church yet again, and I relapsed abusing drugs again. That time it was the absolute worst period of my abuse as I started taking meth and heroin. I had moved back to Hendersonville, NC where I had grown up and started living with my sister, Kathy, who took very good care of me. But I moved back a year later to Columbus, NC and went back to working on a horse farm. I was still strung out on meth, having horrid nightmares and many instances of breaking out in cold sweats. I ended up losing everything I had so-to-speak. I had spent all my money on dope and women with whom I should have never got involved with.”

“But Keith kept encouraging me to attend church again. I finally started doing so at Stateline Baptist Church in Columbus. Keith asked me to live on his property; he helped me get enough

I realized that not only did I want to, and had to, overcome abusing drugs, but that I wanted to help others beat it, so I started telling other addicts what the Lord had done in my life.

- JERRY CORN

Jerry Corn's family shown (from left to right): Jerry; his wife, Letha Corn; his sister-inlaw, Lisa McGuire; his daughter Tabitha Honeycutt; his son-in law, Stacy Honeycutt; his grandson, Scarlett Honeycutt; and relative, Bubba Clawson. Photo submitted

Jerry Corn (left) of Avery County, with another recovered drug and alcohol addict he mentored, Evan Eggeston. Photo submitted

money to buy a camper, and we set it up. I lived there four years, and I did not leave the property the entire first year unless someone took me somewhere as I had lost my driver’s license after I had been arrested because of my alcohol and drug abuse. He and his family helped me so much. I had lost a lot of weight from doing drugs. So, they fed me well and helped me build my weight back up. They also did my laundry and helped me with any other needs I had.

“I had a sister pass away from an accidental drug overdose. She had various health problems. And like me, she had been taking methadone and other prescription medications. And I had a brother die from a massive heart attack, which was not drug related. I knew because of my drug abuse and with two siblings dying that I needed to get my heart right with God and get over my drug abuse or I could be the next family member passing.”

“One particular night I was still struggling with nightmares and the cold sweats, so I started praying, and I begged the Lord like I never had before to forgive me of all the pain and the shame that I caused myself and my family as well as all my sins. That’s when I finally won out over it as I have not had another nightmare, cold sweat, and best of all, not abused any drugs since. That was in 2015.”

Corn admitted that he is still occasionally tempted to abuse

drugs again, but prayer has helped him overcome the urge to relapse.

"Sometimes when things get really rough in certain situations, and even when I go out and try to help other folks struggling with addiction, I have gotten the urge of wanting to use dope again. But each time I have, I've immediately prayed and asked the Lord to help me remain drug-reformed, and He always has. And everyone who has ever been tempted to relapse should do the same. That’s the key to maintaining sobriety.”

"I believe in freedom through Jesus Christ and that living in Him will result in an abundant life, and in my case and others like me who have suffered with addiction, a restored life. As Proverbs Chapter 3, Verses 5 and 6 in the King James Bible reads: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not into thy own understanding, but in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path. Just remember that there's always hope!"

Corn wants to lift up others who struggle with drug addiction and help them recover and forever refrain from it as he has. He worked two years with Wayne Stafford, pastor of Pilgrims Way Baptist Church in Spindale, NC at a recovery house there, now known as Pilgrims Pathway House of Refuge, for addicts who have been released from jail and need a place to stay. Corn also took to the streets many times witnessing to others about God. Then a few years ago, he founded the Addiction Recovery Through Jesus Ministry, based in Avery County. Through this venture, Corn counsels others about the horrors of drug addiction and helps them recover from it. He also helps addicts and homeless people in any way they need such as getting them into detox or general living facilities and helping them obtain clothing and other daily necessities.

"I try to let my personal testimony of my recovery from drug addiction shine for others through my ministry," he explained. “Besides my family members I mentioned, I have many more

Now sober from drug and alcohol addiction for several years, Corn works with others who are experiencing, or have endured some of the same such problems as him, to help them return to a normal state of health, mind and strength. Left: Jerry Corn with recovered client Justin Lyles; Right: Evan Buchanan with Jerry Corn. Photos courtesy of Jerry Corn

I try to let my personal testimony of my recovery from drug addiction shine for others through my ministry. Besides my family members I mentioned, I have many more people to thank for all they’ve done to help me and help my ministry.

- JERRY CORN

people to thank for all they’ve done to help me and help my ministry. I deeply appreciate every one of them. My entire church family at Big Meadows Baptist has been so good and helpful to me in my personal life and ministry. And I want to pay a noted tribute to Tim Singleton, who is a Deacon at my church and well-known in Avery County. He has a heart of gold and has been so helpful to me and my ministry, too.”

And for any addicts reading this who think they're too far gone, Corn had this to say: "No matter what, whatever your rock bottom is, you can come up from it. If you feel like you are too far lost, please understand that you are not. There is always hope."

"People just get really jaded against people who they know are active in their addiction," Corn noted. "But what they really don't know is how bad those people hate themselves. And that they are really so ashamed of themselves.”

"Don't give up on that person. But don't enable them either. There's a very fine balance between being there for somebody you love and enabling them in their addiction. It's necessary sometimes to love somebody from afar. And that is really important. It is hard to do, but people can recover."

Corn said he doesn't think people realize how much work goes into recovery.

"We really spend a whole lot of time deeply looking into ourselves and looking into all of our flaws and what makes us the way that we are, what makes us function, what makes us mess up, and why we self-destruct," he declared. "I'm talking hundreds of hours of counseling I've spent just talking about my flaws and how I can fix those things and how I can stop hurting people I love."

Corn suggested family and close friends check out groups like Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, 12-step support groups for people who care about someone in addiction. But he said not to expect rational behavior from a drug-addicted individual.

"You just cannot expect somebody who is in addiction to ever act rationally at all about most things," he said. "I love my family more than anything in the entire world, but during my addiction, I could not be counted on at all to be there for them."

There are many different paths to recovery. For some, it's medical and mental programs. For others,it might be living in a recovery house. Some might find sobriety when having to face a court judge.

"It could take somebody one time to try to get clean, and maybe it will work," Corn said. "It could take somebody 10 or more times, and they could go through five different treatment programs, go through other things before finally something stuck. But again, don’t ever just give up on somebody. And most importantly, a drug addict should never give up on themselves. There are all kinds of help available, including the ultimate help, and that comes from God."

People who have substance abuse disorder are still people, although unfortunately and unfairly, some look down on them.

"We are real people, and we have hearts, even though it might not seem like it when someone is abusing drugs," Corn shared.

When asked what he would say to others who believe in the saying "Once a druggie, always a druggie" and who consider those who suffer or have suffered from addiction undesirable characters, Corn replied: "I would say shame on them. As a reformed drug addict, I didn't wake up and say I want to be a drug addict or an alcoholic. There’s a reason why people choose to abuse drugs or alcohol, whether it's peer pressure or something traumatic has happened in their lives. They want to escape the pain from that

Jerry Corn addresses Big Meadows Baptist Church about his mission work. Photo submitted

Jerry Corn (front) with his relative and pastor at Big Meadows Baptist Church, Keith Russell. Photo submitted

trauma instead of seeking help from God or elsewhere.”

“They don't realize all the pain, heartache, and struggles when they get hooked on abusing drugs. It doesn’t take but one time, and they can become hooked. Fortunately, some have tried it just once and never touched it again. However, others get hooked on it, and it destroys their lives, or like myself, it takes years to overcome and rebuild your life from it. Sadly, some people think drug addicts or reformed ones are awful people. I've even had people tell me, ‘Why don't you just go kill yourself and put you out of our misery?’ And I've visited other churches and other religious-related meetings and some of the people attending them wouldn't even speak to me or shake my hand. But God knows my heart, and He is the ultimate judge of us all; not those who look down on drug addicts or reformed ones."

He added that addiction does not discriminate. Though he could

not function as an addict, Corn noted that there are functioning addicts everywhere.

"There are people in many places who are going to work every day and are paying their bills, and you would never ever know in a million years that they were an addict," he said. "This disease does not discriminate. It could be anybody. Unfortunately, it usually robs you of the important parts of your life though. It becomes your life and consumes every breath that you take. But I can honestly say that I'm a good person now, and anyone who suffers from addiction can be healed and be a good person, too.”

To contact Corn about his ministry or to make donations, write via U.S. Mail: Addiction Recovery Through Jesus Ministries, C/O Jerry Corn, 1918 Horney Road, Newland, NC 28657 and/or call (828) 4478252.t

Big Meadows Baptist Church in the Pyatte community of Avery County is Jerry Corn's home church and the base for his "Addiction Recovery Through Jesus" ministry. Photo submitted.

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2021 & 2022 BEST THEATRE IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

Local First Responders to be Recognized on Hometown Heroes Day

STORY BY HARLEY NEFE

Ashe County Hometown Heroes, Inc. has been preparing for their second annual event supporting and honoring local first responders of law enforcement, fire, and medic.

The nonprofit began in September 2020 after Ashe County resident Renee Collins said she saw a need to recognize the personnel who keep the community safe.

“That was a really tough year for a lot of people, and that was the year there was a lot of rioting in some of the major cities,” Collins reflected. “It was also the summer where a lot of police officers were being vilified for the mistake of a couple of officers. A lot of officers were being attacked; some were killed.”

“I started thinking to myself, ‘It's really sad that people are thinking that all officers are this way,’” Collins shared. “They really need to be appreciated.”

These thoughts led to Collins reaching out to the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office to speak to some of the personnel.

“I found out that they really didn’t have a day here in Ashe County that shows appreciation towards them or any first responders,” Collins said. “That’s what sparked the idea for the nonprofit. I wanted to do something for them.”

Collins went to Facebook to gauge community interest in the potential organization, and she was happy to see responses and feedback regarding forming a committee.

Planning began for the inaugural event – Ashe County Hometown Heroes Day – in 2021, and a year later, the first celebration was deemed a success.

“We had about 150-200 people attend,” nonprofit founder Collins recalled. “More than half of those were first responders, and that’s primarily who it’s for.”

The second annual Hometown Heroes Day will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Ashe County High School Gymnasium beginning at 11 a.m.

“It's an event where the public can show their appreciation towards all the first responders in the county – specifically law enforcement, firefighters, and EMT,” Collins described.

The day will be filled with a variety of festivities including food trucks, kids’ activities, a first responders’ cornhole tournament, a silent auction, an awards ceremony, and more.

“We give away four awards – Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, EMT of the Year, and an overall Hometown Hero of the Year,” Collins explained.

The different departments and members of the community can nominate individuals for these awards, and then the committee reviews and selects the winners.

There are prizes for the winners of the awards as well as the cornhole tournament.

“All first responders that attend the event – we give them money towards getting lunch and dessert, so they all get fed,” Collins said. “We have reached out to local restaurants, who are giving us coupons or vouchers. We put these in envelopes to hand out so first responders can use them with their family.”

As a community effort, Hometown Heroes is made up entirely of volunteers. The organization welcomes new members who would like to get involved. They are encouraged to contact Renee Collins by phone at 336-620-4449 or by email at asheheroes@ gmail.com. For more information about the nonprofit or event, please visit https://ashehometownheroes.org/. t

The second annual Ashe County Hometown Heroes Day will be on September 23. Photo courtesy of Ashe County Hometown Heroes, Inc.