42nd Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival September 23-25
September 18, 2011
PAGE 20
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
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Revolutionary War demonstrator Matt Vinstead, of Richmond County, will return to the Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival. During all three days at the festival, Vinstead will be firing an 18th-century three-pound cannon that he made himself, while wearing clothing authentic to a North Carolina civilian during the Revolutionary War.
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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 19
Kiddie Kritterz Petting Zoo Will Provide Smiles and Fun BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON
those wishing to feed the animals. There is a $1 fee to enter the petting zoo, but once inside, the animal cuddles are free. Bunnies and donkeys and cows, oh my. This will be the second year the Kiddie Children and adults alike will have plenty of Kritterz has opportunities to brought its get up close petting zoo to and personal the Malcolm with a wide Blue Festival, variety of aniand Hooker mals during the says the festival 42nd Malcolm is “fun and Blue Historical exciting. The Crafts and kids just loved Farmskills it last year.” Festival, Sept. Kiddie Kritterz 23-25. will also be Kiddie bringing ponies Kritterz, of Pilot for children to Mountain, will ride. There is be bringing 35 an additional to 45 animals, PHOTOS BY HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot fee for the ranging from regular farm The petting zoo gives youngsters the chance to feed pony rides, which will animals to and pet a variety of farm animals and exotics. consist of four exotics, says ponies on a carousel. Sherri Hooker, who along with her husband, Roy, owns and operates the 13-acre farm the animals call home. “We bring the zoo to you,” Hooker says. “Each and every animal has its own name and personality. Our animals are very friendly, love attention, rubbing, feeding and being talked to. “The petting zoo give children a chance to see animals that a lot of the kids would never see.” Among the animals Kiddie Kritterz plans on bringing to the three-day festival are a miniature cow and miniature donkey, sheep, lambs, alpacas, goats, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, baby pigs, snakes, lizards, a hedgehog and a tortoise. In addition to petting the larger animals, visitors to the petting zoo will be able to pick up and play with the smaller ones. Feed will be available for purchase for Special Sections Editor
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Skills From Page 17 helpers over to the gristmill for freshly milled corn in order to make cornbread. The eggs she will use will come from the farm’s hen house. The made-from-scratch lineup of food, which will be available for tasting, will include pinto beans (a staple in the days when Malcolm Blue was a working farm), collards, baked pies and lots of biscuits. Jelly made from wild grapes will provide the perfect topping for the piping hot biscuits.
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. for about 35 years,� Thomas says. “These dogs can do the work of five men when it comes to herding livestock.� The dogs are fully trained and respond to voice command or shepherd’s whistle, Thomas says. How the border collies react to the various commands will be part of the demonstration at the festival. Thomas and the dogs also will show herding, which, Thomas says, is the management of putting livestock where they
The border collie herding demonstrations will take place in the meadow behind the ClaytonBlair History Museum. Thomas and his dogs have been a familiar attraction at the annual festival for nearly 16 years.
Historic Craft
For Moore County potter Phil Hewett, his craft offers him a strong connection with the past. His choice to use a traditional kickwheel (the format of which dates back to the 12th century) when throwing his pottery reinforces the historical/ spiritual aspect of the craft to him. A production potter when he first started giving demonstrations at the Malcolm Blue Going to the Dogs Festival in 1976, Hewett now One of the festival’s most does what he wants. And not popular demonstration teams just with his choice of equipwill once again be putting on a ment, but also with what he show. Donald Thomas returns to creates at his kickwheel. the festival, bringing several of CONTRIBUTED Using a blend of local clays his registered working border Leonard Bergey and Lester Ray will be bringing two teams of Percheron from Okeeweemee in collies to the Malcolm Blue horses and plows to work a half acre of the Malcolm Blue farm. Montgomery County, Hewett’s farm, Saturday and Sunday, ware is primarily functional. Sept. 24-25, to give demonstrations of herding, need to be. While his favorite form is a jug, Hewett says he wearing, penning and other techniques. Other demonstrations will include precision does everything from coffee mugs and pie No fancy show dogs here. The border collies driving, which is when the dogs drive the sheep plates to bowls and vases. Thomas will bring to the festival are true around obstacles; wearing, which is when the Hewett says he is influenced by traditional working dogs on his Jackson Springs farm. shepherd walks ahead and the dogs keep the Moore County potters as well as by 18th and “We raise cattle, sheep and goats on our sheep following behind the shepherd; and 19th century English and German potters. farm, and we’ve been using dogs on the farm penning and loading of the sheep.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 While demonstrating his craft, Hewett will offer basic explanations and answer questions throughout the three-day event. He also will have a number of pottery pieces available for purchase.
Encampment The Sons of Confederate Veterans Scotch Riflemen Camp 2001, Moore County, will set up an encampment during the festival. Festival-goers who visit the encampment will have a chance to understand what life would have been like for a soldier during the Civil War. The camp, which will include tents, cooking over open fires and musket firing demonstrations, will offer visitors living history. Dressed as Civil War-era Confederate soldiers, members will be available to answer questions and share their insight on soldiers’ lives. The Sons of Confederate Veterans Scotch Riflemen is a heritage organization that began in 1986. Its mission is to carry on Southern heritage. Members must have an ancestor who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces. Visitors to the encampment are invited to sample some hardtack. A forerunner of saltine crackers, hardtack is made from water, flour and salt. Extremely hard, it could be soaked in grease or milk to soften enough to eat. Hardtack was a staple of Civil War soldiers’ diets
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Skills From Page 16
old tractor, will be used to grind 1,000 pounds of white corn during the festival. Although he lives in Stantonsburg today, Probst grew up by the Malcolm Blue Farm. He says he fell in love with the farm and enjoys sharing his experiences and interests with others during the festival. In addition to demonstrating the gristmill’s operation, Probst will be available to explain the grinding process and answer questions. When talking about the gristmill, Probst says that although it is not a hands-on exhibit, visitors can get close to it to see how it works. “It’s neat to see when it’s running.”
Steam Engines
Helping keep the gristmill running during the festival will fall to Ken and Patti Eder, of Carthage. The Eders will be bringing a Baker steam engine as well as other engines for visitors to see how the steam engines work and how they were used. “I’m not sure what we’ll bring there,” Patti Eder says, “but we will have something big enough to run the gristmill.” This will be the Eders’ first time at the festival. The couple is known for their own farm equipment show, which showcases their collection of farm equipment, including the
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. steam engines. The show is held on the first weekend in November.
Working the Field
Bergey says, turns the soil over, leaving the sod or grass underground. Harrowing then works the ground, preparing it for seeding. Ray will be using his team of black Percheron
PAGE 17 and harrowing are typical of how the Malcolm Blue farm would have been worked, Bergey says “yes and no.” Yes, in the technique used with animals and a single walking plow, but no in the number of horses used. In the Southeastern United States, most field work was done by a man and a single mule. In the larger farms of the Midwest and West, teams of horses, even multiple teams of horses, were used. Multiple teams never caught on in this area, he says, like it did in other areas. Bergey encourages people to watch the demonstrations, then to stop and talk to himself and Ray, who will be available to answer questions. The horses will also be available for petting.
What farm would be complete without a horse or two plowing in the field? Leonard Bergey and Lester Ray, of Orange County, will be bringing two teams of Percheron horses and plows to work a half acre of the Malcolm Blue farm. Percheron horses, named for the French province where the breed originated, are a draft horse breed used for pulling and for heavy work in the fields. In the past, Bergey says the breed, which have a high and pretty fast step, was also used to pull fire wagons in the cities. Cooking Demonstrations While they have worked Throughout the festival, the together at a number of events, scent of fresh baked biscuits, this is the first year Bergey and homemade pies, pinto beans Ray will attend the festival. The and collards will waft through the duo will be giving demonstrawindows of the Malcolm Blue tions off and on from 10 a.m. to LISA SAUDER/Special to The Pilot 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Pam Dannelley, left, and a young helper baked biscuits, pies and farmhouse kitchen. Malcolm Blue “Old-timers say it typically took other edibles in the Malcolm Blue farmhouse kitchen during last Historical Society president Pam a day to do an acre, but since year’s festival. Dannelley will be baking and cooking again this year. Dannelley will be in the kitchen giving cooking demonstrations we’ll have two teams working a using ingredients from the farm. half acre, we won’t be working horses to pull a riding plow, which Bergey says Dannelley says she will send one of her little all the time,” Bergey says. is “a little more modern.” The work will consist of plowing and When asked if the demonstrations of plowing harrowing, using a spike-tooth harrow. Plowing, see SKILLS, page 18
PAGE 16
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
Skills From Page 15
LISA SAUDER/Special to The Pilot
Woodwright Tommy Tucker helps a youngster work with wood during last year’s festival.
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the super is where they store the honey, Lathan says. As part of his demonstration, Lathan will take the frames out to show visitors the honey, the brood and the bees. “We might get lucky and find the queen,” Lathan says. Lathan’s 35 years of experience working with bees will be on display when he gets into the bee cage with the bees. Shaped like a bee cell, Lathan says the bee cage lets people see just what a bee hive is like inside. He will be available to answer questions in addition to showing the honey and bees. Honey from Lathan’s hives also will be available for purchase, including jars and the very popular honey sticks, which festival organizers says, “sell like wildfire, especially on Schoolchildren’s Day.”
The buzzing visitors will hear as they walk the children who crowd around him during around the Malcolm Blue farm will be comhis wood-working demonstrations is part of ing from a hive of bees Bill Lathan will have what draws traditional woodwright Tommy on display. Lathan, who has several hives at Tucker to the Malcolm Blue Festival. his Aberdeen home, as well as hives in For more than one year, but less than 20 years, Tucker has been traveling from his Locust, N.C., home to demonstrate wood-working techniques and lathe turning, common in the 1700s and 1800s. “The festival is fun. I enjoy it,” Tucker says. “It can be pretty tough on Friday, but it is interesting to watch the kids’ faces as they realize stuff doesn’t all come from Walmart.” During the three-day festival, Gristmill Tucker will be making small, traditional pieces of furniture. He will The Malcolm Blue farm’s utilize a great wheel lathe and a original gristmill will be up and LISA SAUDER/Special to The Pilot spring pole lathe, as well as a running during all three days of Lance Probst fills a bucket with freshly milled corn from the festival. number of other wood-working the Malcolm Blue farm’s gristmill. tools, to provide the children and Former Malcolm Blue Junior crowds with hands-on demonstraHistorian Lance Probst will be tions. both Moore and Hoke counties, says he will operating the gristmill, which was “We get the tools in their hands, which is refurbished back in the late 1980s. have between 30,000 to 35,000 bees in better than just watching,” Tucker says. Probst says the gristmill, powered by an the high body and super he is bringing to “They’ll actually make wood chips as they the festival. help create bench legs and chair parts.” A high body is where the bees live, and see SKILLS, page 17
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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 15
Artisans, Re-Enactors and Craftsmen Demonstrate Period Skills and Trades BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON Special Sections Editor
the life of a Civil War soldier at an encampment on the farm.
Thanks to a stellar lineup of artisans, crafters and demonstrators, visitors to the Utilitarian Art 42nd Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Master basket weaver Bonnie Roberson Farmskills Festival will be transported back will be demonstrating her artistry on the to a time when crafting items by hand was porch of the Malcolm a necessity and not a hobby. Blue farmhouse during As they have in the three-day festival. years past, event Visitors will be able to organizers will bring watch as the together a diverse Pinehurst artisan collection of artisans, creates reed baskets. re-enactors and Roberson says she craftsmen to display will be crafting their skills, ware and simple basket styles talents at the three-day during the festival, festival, Sept. 23-25. which don’t require ED UT CONTRIB Artisans and crafters as much concenn berso will demonstrate skills o R ie n n tration, allowing o B y A basket b and trades that were her to answer once a necessary part of questions from her audience. 19th-century life, including wood-working, Roberson got interested in basketry 20 pottery-making, basket-making, years ago when she took a class in order to blacksmithing, weaving and more. decorate her home. Re-enactors will present a glimpse into “I just loved basketry,” Roberson says. “It’s
a messy craft, but it’s fun. I became addicted.” Today, Roberson is known not only for her baskets, but also sells her patterns. Roberson says, in the past, baskets weren’t made to look pretty. Baskets were utilitarian pieces, made to be used. Describing her baskets, which are works of art, Roberson says, “Mine look like little pieces of furniture.” Roberson demonstrates her craft on occasion and teaches classes on basketry, including a classes at the N.C. Basket Works warehouse in Vass, which is a basket supply house. In addition to demonstrating how to make simple baskets, Roberson will have a few baskets available for sale. She also will have an example of a Nantucket basket, which has a wood base with cane wrapped around a mold, on display.
Traditional Woodwright Watching the expressions on the faces of
see SKILLS, page 16
LISA SAUDER/Special to The Pilot
Bee man Bill Lathan will bring a hive of between 30,000 to 35,000 bees to the festival this year.
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PAGE 14
Vendors From Page 13 take turns throwing cornhole bands (canvas or duck cloth filled with 14-16 ounces of cracked corn) at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. While the game, which is thought to have come over with immigrants from Germany, was rediscovered in Ohio within the last century, some American scholars believe a game similar to cornhole was played by Native Americans. The Seven Lakes company builds custom cornhole boards and sets. The design and paint schemes can be customized to whatever theme or style the customer requests, Atherton says. Past designs 7 Lakes Custom Cornhole has created include UNC, Dallas Cowboys, Harley-Davidson, Grateful Dead, American flags and a custom set of boards for the Railhouse Brewery in Aberdeen. Lighted holes are available, which provide illumination so play can continue after dark.
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. While it won’t have cornhole sets available for purchase during the festival, 7 Lakes Custom Cornhole will be accepting orders for custom cornhole sets. Another new vendor at this year’s festival will be folk artist Justin Mabry, who will be bringing his whimsical lighter gnomes, created from the kindling or “lighter-knot” of old pine trees. After collecting the “lighter-knot” pieces of pine in the woods of the Sandhills, Mabry then whittles and chisels until the “character” of the piece begins to appear. He then uses pieces of recycled materials, such as leather, glass, stones and copper to embellish the gnomes and bring his unique, one-of-akind pieces of art to life. “Taking a piece of wood and bringing it to life is addicting,” Mabry says. “The first few came out pretty ugly, but the more I experimented, the more it all came together.” Mabry’s lighter gnomes bring smiles to all who see them, making them great gifts to share with a friend.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
Hunger Management Festival-goers who get hungry while wandering the grounds of the Malcolm Blue Farm will find plenty of goodies to satisfy their hunger or snack attack. Sugar Rush fudge, homemade baked goods, six penny snacks, lollipops, funnel cakes and ice cream from Two Scoops, snow cones and Italian ice are just some of the tasty treats that will be available throughout each day of the festival. A familiar sight at the Malcolm Blue Festival is Talbert’s Catering, which will once again be serving food each day of the festival, from opening to closing. Everything will be cooked fresh at the festival. Talbert’s Catering will have four cookers fired up as the staff prepares a wide variety of foods, including chopped barbecue, back loin ribs, pork tenderloin, kielbasa sausage, chicken breasts, hamburgers and all-beef hot dogs. The meats are available as sandwiches or plated with baked beans, cole slaw and a roll on the side. David Talbert with Talbert’s Catering also will give demonstrations to students during Schoolchildren’s Day, explaining the anatomy of the pig and showing them different cuts of meat, using one of the pigs he will be cooking during the festival. Contact Martha J. Henderson at mjhenderson@thepilot.com. Newsroom intern Kate Smith contributed to this article.
CONTRIBUTED
A lighter gnome created by Justin Mabry
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 13
Festival Always Attracts a Wide Array of Vendors BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON Special Sections Editor
LISA SAUDER/Special to The Pilot
A family takes a break during last year’s festival to enjoy some Talbert’s barbecue.
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the festival. “For those who think they know what they’ll find, this is not the same ol’, same ol’,” Blue says. “There are a lot of new vendors and twice the amount.” Other items scheduled to be available include pine needle baskets, cornstalks, mums and pumpkins, needlepoint, ornaments and much, much more.
Organizers of the Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival work hard to offer festival-goers a fun, interesting and a nearauthentic look into what life was like on a farm in the 1800s. This dedication extends from the artisans, crafters and demonstrators invited to the festival to the wares offered by the vendors. New Vendor A wide array of Jim Atherton’s 7 handmade items will Lakes Custom be available for Cornhole is a new purchase during the vendor coming to three-day festival, Malcolm Blue this Sept. 23-25. The CONTRIBUTED year. Atherton says selection of handAn example of a custom cornhole set crafted he will have two or made items will three cornhole sets by new vendor 7 Lakes Custom Cornhole range from handup at the festival so dipped candles and handmade quilts and visitors can learn and try out the game. bonnets to honey, homemade peanut brittle “Cornhole is a lot of fun. It’s like horseshoes, and jellies. except it can be moved easily,” Atherton says. According to Lara Blue, one of the festival Cornhole is a lawn game in which players organizers, there will be twice the number of vendors as in past years, including many new to see VENDORS, page 14
PAGE 12
Relics From Page 9 Festival Re-enactors
At designated times on Saturday and Sunday, Civil War re-enactors of both the infantry and mounted cavalry units on horses will conduct drills and skirmishes. The artillery cannon will also have scheduled demonstration firings. The Civil War camp is open to the public at all times for informal discussions on camp life, fighting tactics and equipment maintenance.
Donations Welcome
Supporting Civil War re-enactors and their horses and equipment costs money. Any persons wishing to assist with expenses associated with the re-enactors can send a tax-deductible gift payable to MBHS, P.O. Box 603, Aberdeen, NC 28315 or contact Paul Brill at (910) 692-8317. Gift increments of $25 will receive two three-day passes to the festival.
Civil War Relics on Display
This year marks the beginning of the 150th American Civil War initiation with historical study and commemoration taking place around the country over the next four years. Some of the Civil War relics to be shown from the Carolina Boys of 1861 will include: I North Carolina Confederate 1863 — dated Fayetteville Arsenal rifle and bayonet — 8,700 guns were made between 1862 and 1864. I The soldier-marked, Confederate-made cartridge box and shoulder sling of Jeremiah L. Moore from the 7th N.C. State Troops, who was from Iredell County. I Slain Confederate militia officer 1st Lt. James T. Weir’s (23rd S.C. Volunteers) leather sword belt captured in 1862 at the Battle of Kinston, N.C., can be viewed. I A Model 1851 Colt Navy pistol engraved “G. E. Manigault” on the butt strap will be on display. Gabriel Manigault was from the noted and wealthy Manigault family of Charleston and was a member of the Charleston Dragoons and adjutant to Col. Rutledge of the 4th South Carolina Cavalry. I Palmetto Armory musket used by a soldier of the 11th S.C. Regiment, H.L. Infinger found in the Cheraw area. I 1873 pure silver copy of the Great Confederate Seal, one of 1,000 copies made to raise money for Southern widows and orphans. The original seal resides in the Richmond Confederate Museum. I The Port of Charleston/CSA Custom Clearance form for the first commercial ship to leave the harbor following the surrender of Fort Sumter. I Various militia waist belt buckles, soldier photographs, South Carolina Palmetto Armory weapons and wooden canteens, one of which was probably taken from a 33rd N.C. soldier killed at Gettysburg. The public is warmly invited to the Malcolm Blue Farm Festival and to begin the 150th commemoration of the American Civil War.
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
South Carolina Goes to War The Attack and Surrender of Fort Sumter of Charleston BY PAUL BRILL Special to The Pilot
The attack of federal-owned Fort Sumter in the Charleston harbor by forces of South Carolina was a curious mixture of good planning and luck, as well as comical miscues. Following is a list of sequential events and actions that lead the United States of America into a civil war. But the loss and sacrifice of the Civil War eventually guided our country to become the world leader of freedom, democracy and industrial might. Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14, 1861: On Friday, April 12, 1861, at 4:30 a.m., a mortar battery on James Island fired the first round. Lt. Henry Farley pulled the cord. Gen. Beauregard ordered 43 guns Fort Sumter around the harbor to fire in counterA chance shot from a Confederate clockwise fashion at two-minute cannon hit the magazine copper doors, intervals. making them permanently shut. The flag There was no return of fire from staff was also hit. commander Maj. Anderson at Sumter The American flag was retrieved, until 6:30 a.m., when Lt. Doubleday tacked to a spar and nailed to a gun directed shot to Cummings Point. At 9 a.m., the Confederate command at carriage. But when the flag fell, Louis Wigfall, a Montgomery received a telegram, “The Texas fire-eater, on his own accord deed is done.” rowed out to the fort to request surrenUnion forces at Fort Sumter were der. While rowing, the U.S. short of powder bags for flag was raised again and the cannons — only about shelling was restarted. 500. Another 200 were Wigfall climbed through prepared by hand. an embrasure and By noon, several wood announced to surprised buildings were on fire from Union soldiers he wanted to continuous bombardment. see Anderson and talk surUnion fleet ship reinrender. forcements could not come A vessel carrying to Sumter’s rescue because authentic messengers from of rough seas. Gen. Beauregard left from At 7 p.m., Sumter Charleston but stopped batteries ceased firing, but when the U.S. flag was Southern forces used two COURTESY OF PAUL BRILL raised. batteries to fire every 15 Louis Wigfall This group of men was minutes to harass the fort sent to help fight the fires during the night. — not make peace. The American people were learning Texan politician Wigfall negotiated that war had started. with Anderson that Union forces could On Saturday, April 13, cannons firing 1.) salute the flag at lowering, 2.) keep from both sides had slowed to conserve their belongings, 3.) have safe transport powder and rounds. Food was short at north, 4.) give the fort to the Sumter. Confederacy. A cease fire was initiated Giant clouds of smoke billowed from by Anderson. Fort Sumter. Fire spread to the main While Wigfall rowed back to report to gate and the carriages of cannons on the Beauregard, a white flag was raised at parapet. Sumter and the U.S. flag lowered. Fire also threatened the magazine — Finally Beauregard’s official messen300 barrels of powder.
COURTESY OF PAUL BRILL/Special to The Pilot
gers arrived at the fort, unaware of Wigfall’s visit and return. Things became confused and Maj. Anderson was mad and embarrassed. Anderson told them of Wigfall’s negotiations, but the messengers said Wigfall had not seen Beauregard for any terms. The messengers first said the Union soldiers could not salute the flag, but later another messenger who rowed back said it was OK. No one had been killed but approximately 1,000 Union rounds were fired from Fort Sumter while about 3,300 shots were released at the fort by Confederate forces. On Sunday, April 14, a Union steamer docked at Sumter to load soldiers and their belongings. On Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., the 100-gun salute and flag lowering was started, but at the 50th round, Pvt. Daniel Hough was ramming a cartridge bag into the cannon muzzle when it exploded, killing him — the first casualty of Civil War. The exploded cannon ignited a pile of powder bags nearby, injuring more gun crews. No more salute rounds were fired. The garrison boarded the steamer but low tide held departure until Monday, April 15. The new Confederate flag was raised within the fort. The Civil War had started, and during the next four years, more than 620,000 soldiers from both sides would die as well as an undetermined number of civilian casualties.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 9
Carolina Boys of 1861 Relics Mark 150th Civil War Anniversary at Malcolm Blue Festival BY PAUL BRILL Special to The Pilot
The 42nd Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival, held at the historic Malcolm Blue Farm in Aberdeen, on Friday through Sunday, Sept. 23-25, will feature an expanded dosage of Civil War re-enactors, consisting of members of the 26th North Carolina Infantry and Cavalry and the 1st N.C. Artillery. Elements from the Moore County Scottish Rifles and the N.C. Naval Squadron will also participate. There will be a fine COURTESY OF PAUL BRILL Fayetteville rifle lockplate display of Civil War historical relics from North and South Carolina soldiers presented in the Clayton-Blair Historic Museum. The Malcolm Blue Farm is an official site of the North Carolina Civil War Trails. In addition to the Civil War re-enactors, a special exhibit of Civil War items and relics used and associated with specific soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies will be on display in the museum.
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Slain Confederate militia officer 1st Lt. James T. Weir’s (23rd S.C. Volunteers) leather sword belt
North Carolina and South Carolina Civil War belt buckles that will be on display during the festival.
Crossroads. The Battle of Monroe’s Crossroads museum exhibit gives a detailed review of the battle and events leading into the battle, including General Jordan’s cavalry encampment of about 1,000 men at the old Bethesda Church and the Malcolm Blue farm on March 9, 1865. The battle was fought on March 10, between the cavalry forces of Confederate Gen. Joseph Wheeler and Union
Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, about eight miles from the farm on the present-day Fort Bragg reservation. The Union Cavalry was part of Gen. Sherman’s army that was moving through Georgia and the Carolinas en route to the Fayetteville Arsenal that was eventually destroyed.
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PAGE 8
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
Performers
The Cane Creek Cloggers will light up the festival stage at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.
From Page 7
Longtime Favorite
bluegrass music. Abby plays the bass and Joe the guitar. When asked how long the couple has been playing together, Abby says that they’ve been married 50 years, so they’ve been playing at least that long. “In the past, we’ve played with Bob Hensley and Marvin Frye,� Abby says. This year, the McDonalds will be joined on stage by their daughter Laura Hill, and her friend, D. Lovejoy. In addition to singing, Hill will play the guitar and Lovejoy the banjo.
Kicking off the entertainment on Saturday will be longtime festival favorite, Marvin Gaster. Gaster, who organizers describe as “one of the purist native folk musicians in the area,� has
Gaster describes the type of music festivalgoers could expect to hear him perform at the Malcolm Blue Festival as “old-time music.� The musical style features the banjo, fiddle and guitar, as well as vocals. “Now, I’ve been trying to define that [old-time music] for 40 years. That’s just what it’s called. Old-time music,� Gaster says. “It’s an old music style that was played before bluegrass.� Gaster, 76, has been playing music for more than 60 years. He got his start playing a banjo when he was around 13 years old. Over the years, Gaster has performed at many musical festivals and workshops in addition to the Malcolm Blue Festival.
Play Your Fiddle Hard
Despite their youthful age, the Cox sisters, Sarah, 17, and Charlotte, 11, are longtime performers at the festival. Their Clogging is a rich dance tradition that musical talents will be showcased on the celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of festival’s stage on both Friday and the American South. Bringing this tradiSaturday. CONTRIBUTED tional dance to the Malcolm Blue Festival Daughters and students of Valerie Cox, stage are the Cane Creek Cloggers. Marvin Gaster is returning to Malcolm Blue this year. these home-schooled violinists will A performing dance troupe that speperform a variety of selections, including fiddle, been delighting music lovers throughout the cializes in Appalachian clog dancing, the Cane Celtic, and early American tunes with a bit of area for many years. He has been a long time Creek Cloggers choreograph their own routheir classical repertoire mixed in as well. Cox performer at the Malcolm Blue Festival, first tines, keeping their innovations within the realm may also join the girls onstage to play some having performed at the festival in 1978. of old-time steps and figures. The routines are chords with them. “I’ve been there from the very beginning, set to the old-time music of the Southeast. Cox says her daughters started playing when nearly as long as Martha [Swaringen, Malcolm Together, the group exudes the joyful energy they were 4 years old and have been Blue Historical Society founder] has,� Gaster and infectious rhythms at the root of old-time performing for 13 years, including at the says. clogging, flatfooting and buckdancing.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 Malcolm Blue festival for several years, and always look forward to it. “Malcolm Blue is a wonderful festival. It is about preserving our history,� Cox says. “Our history is important and Malcolm Blue is a great way to remember. We are excited to be a part of it, the history and heritage.�
Bang a Drum Children will have the opportunity to express their own musical talents as they perform along with percussionist Matthew Bahr, who is returning after his very successful first appearance at last year’s festival. “Matthew was so great with the kids,â€? says Pam Dannelley, president of the Malcolm Blue Historical Society. “They loved him.â€? The Aberdeen resident uses a washboard and a cajĂłn, a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, to create his own brand of laid-back folk music with a percussion rhythm. In addition to performing, Bahr will share a brief history of washboards and how they would have played a part in the musical history of the Malcolm Blue Farm. He will have a number of washboards and box drums, as well as tambourines, shakers and noisemakers for children to play. Bahr says he also may bring in jugs for kids to blow as well as spoons for playing. Contact Martha J. Henderson at mjhenderson@thepilot.com.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 7
Variety of Performers Set to Take Festival Stage BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON Special Sections Editor
Family fun is the focus of the 42nd Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival, Sept. 23-25, and the lineup of performers set to take the entertainment stage offers something for everyone. From clogging to traditional bluegrass music, the stellar lineup of entertainers is sure to have audiences’ toes tapping and hands clapping. Well-known for offering some of the area’s best traditional bluegrass, old-time and country music, festival organizers have once again rounded up a wide variety of entertainers guaranteed to live up to musical performances of years past. Some of the performers who will be taking the stage include:
Historical Program Visitors to the festival on Schoolchildren’s Day will be treated to a historical program that showcases hits of the ’60s — that’s the 1860s. Performing the music of the period and punctuating those songs with stories that explain the background of the songs will be songwriter and musical historian Stan Clardy. Because it’s Schoolchildren’s Day, Clardy says his performance will focus on the flags of the Union and Confederacy and how they evolved, as well as music from the period. But, he adds, there’s no telling what you’ll see and hear. The Statesville DAVID GODWIN/Special to The Pilot performer says it has Musical historian Stan Clardy been several years since he has performed at the Malcolm Blue Festival due to scheduling conflicts, but he is happy to be returning this year. “It is nice to be back,” Clardy says. “Malcolm Blue is a neat place, like stepping back in time.” Clardy’s lifelong interest in history focused on the Civil War when he was asked by a re-enactor to participate in a ceremony. “I became fascinated and had to find out as much as I could about it,” Clardy says. “I like to make history personal. I tell the children, ‘Your history teacher only has you for one hour. It’s up to you to dig and find out your history. Talk to your grandparents. History is a treasure. Everyone has a history to be proud of. Look up your history.’”
CONTRIBUTED
The Cane Creek Cloggers will be performing at 2 p.m. Saturday during the Malcolm Blue Festival. Clardy, who will be dressed in period attire, says his wife, Cathy, may be joining him on stage. Clardy plays the guitar, while Cathy plays the washboard and is learning the washtub bass, which he hopes she’ll bring along. He will definitely be accompanied by his assistant, Mr. Bobby Lee O’Possum. The puppet was first introduced as a way to connect with young children, but has grown so popular with all ages that Mr. Bobby Lee has his own Facebook page. Clardy invites the whole family to come prepared to have fun. For those who enjoy his program, Clardy’s CDs and book will be available for purchase.
Old-Time Bluegrass Abby McDonald says she’s not real sure when she and her husband, Joe, first began performing at the Malcolm Blue Festival. “We’ve been there for years,” she says. “It’s fun. We’ve always donated our time to Malcolm Blue. It’s good to support the farm.” At 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, the Moore County natives will once again delight audiences with their mixture of old-time and
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PAGE 6
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot
Free Wagon Rides Popular Attraction
BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON Special Sections Editor
One of the most popular attractions each year at the Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival is the wagon rides around the farm. The wagon rides will once again be offered at the festival, but with a new
man at the reins. Larry Morrison, of Eagle Springs, will be providing the wagon rides to every festival-goer, young or old, who would like to climb aboard for a ride around the Malcolm Blue Farm. Morrison will have two wagons drawn by Belgium horses. The larger
team are geldings Ben and Bruce. Mares Dixie and Dolly also will be called into service to help ferry riders around. The horse-drawn wagon rides are provided free of charge with the price of admission to the festival all three days of the festival.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 5
A Map of the Malcolm Blue 42nd Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival
Illustration by Dan Hayes, 1989
PAGE 4
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
Schoolchildren’s Day:
It’s All About Kids, History and Fun
HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot
A trio of girls dance during last year’s schoolchildren’s day. BY MARTHA J. HENDERSON
About This Issue C o v e r P h o to g r a ph y: Hannah Sharpe, The Pilot, and Lisa Sauder, of Lisa Anne Photography Cov er Des ign Martha J. Henderson, Special Sections Editor S e ct i o n P h o to g r a p h y Hannah Sharpe, Paul Brill, Lisa Sauder and David Godwin S u p p l e m e nt D e s i g n/ La y o u t Martha J. Henderson, Special Sections Editor C o n t r i b u t i n g Wr i t e r s Paul Brill, Pam Dannelley, Martha J. Henderson and Kate Smith Special Thanks to Pam Dannelley and Lara Blue of the Malcolm Blue Historical Society. For advertising information, contact Johnsie Tipton at (910) 693-2515 or e-mail advertise@thepilot.com.
145 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387 (910) 692-7271 thepilot.com
getting a glimpse into the life their great-greatgrandparents would have lived. Traditional artisans will be on hand to demonstrate the skills and crafts that were an everyday part of life in the 19th century. The skills on display
Civil War encampment, and see Civil War and Revolutionary War demonstrations. From stilts, hoops and corn husk dolls to “Every kid deserves a farm.” writing with quill pens and more, children will When Malcolm Blue Historical Society founder also get the chance to experience what it was Martha Swaringen first uttered those words like to be a child in more than 35 the Sandhills in years ago, there’s 19th century no way she could Moore County. have imagined the There also will be impact her words nonstop entertainwould have on ment provided by generations of a variety of children. performers, Local teachers including storyteller concerned about Rose Highlandthe lack of tradiSharpe, percustional family farms sionist Matthew had approached Bahr, the Sandhills Swaringen to see if Community the Society could College hand bells use the Malcolm group, fiddlers and Blue Farm to help more. educate children. Admission to Swaringen then schoolchildren’s determined that day is $5. There the Society would are several make sure children additional activities, throughout the as well as concesSandhills and sions, that aren’t surrounding counincluded in the ties were offered price of admission. the opportunity to Schools or see what daily life teachers interested would have been in attending the like on a 19thfestival on Friday century farm. can call the Her determinaMalcolm Blue tion led to the Farm at (910) 944creation of the first 7558 to make Malcolm Blue reservations. Historical Crafts From the initial and Farmskills schoolchildren’s Festival. Every year, day, the festival has more than 1,000 PHOTOS BY HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot grown into an children take part Left: A volunteer helps a youngster walk on stilts. Right: A girl gives a hoop a toss last year. annual three-day in the annual festival that is one schoolchildren’s of the largest and most popular traditional day. Today, many of the parents who bring their during the schoolchildren’s day will include basket making, candle dipping, weaving, wood festivals in the region. The festival continues children to the festival remember attending working, pottery, blacksmithing, leathersmithing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, Schoolchildren’s Day when they themselves and more. and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, with were in school. In addition to the many demonstrations, plenty of activities and entertainment to capture Schoolchildren’s day kicks off the 42nd festichildren can tour the 1825 Malcolm Blue the imagination of festival-goers of all ages. val this year on Friday, Sept. 23. Festival hours farmhouse, view exhibits in the Clayton-Blair on Friday are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. History Museum, take horse-drawn wagon Contact Martha J. Henderson at Children from Moore County, as well as mjhenderson@thepilot.com. several surrounding counties, will spend the day rides, watch border collies herd sheep, visit the Special Sections Editor
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
PAGE 3
Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival Entertainment Schedule September 23, 24 and 25
Entertainment Stage Friday, Sept. 23 9 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 11 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 12 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 1 p.m.
Cox Sisters, Fiddlers Stan Clardy Rose Highland-Sharpe, Storyteller Sandhills Community College Choir Matthew Bahr, Box Drums and Washboards Stan Clardy Cox Fiddlers Matthew Bahr, Box Drums and Washboards Rose Highland-Sharpe, Storyteller
Saturday, Sept. 24 11 a.m. 12 p.m.
Marvin Gaster and Friends Matthew Bahr, Box Drums and Washboards
12:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 4 p.m. 5 p.m.
Stan Clardy Cox Sisters, Fiddlers Cane Creek Cloggers Cousin Amy and the Rattlesnake Wrastlin’ Champions of the Mysterious South Crawley Creek Company The Ingrams
Sunday, Sept. 25 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 4 p.m.
April Fools Joe and Abby McDonald Quicksilver Cloggers The Echoes
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Don Thomas will present border collie herding demonstrations. Civil War re-enactors will hold a skirmish and cannon demonstrations after the herding demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday. Bagpiper Tim Cole will play the bagpipes throughout the festival on both Saturday and Sunday.
PAGE 2
THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.
HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot
Frontiersman Chris Kibler talks to a group of children about how life was on the frontier.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011
HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot
Dot Rock plays the dulcimer for an attentive audience during last year’s festival.
Labor of Love Malcolm Blue Festival Offers Three Days of Family Fun BY PAM DANNELLEY Special to The Pilot
The Malcolm Blue Historical Society is proud to bring back the annual Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival for the 42nd year! As always, we are excited to plan and bring together all the events, vendors, demonstrators and entertainment for all of the attendees to enjoy. It is truly a labor of love. Visiting Malcolm Blue Farm is a wonderful experience and allows visitors to take a step back in time and really understand what life in the Sandhills of North Carolina might have been like in the late 19th century. Attending the festival allows you to experience a less-complicated and simpler time period through various historical demonstrators, crafters and entertainers. Friday, Sept. 23, is the first day of the festival and Schoolchildren’s Day; however, everyone is welcome to come. We typically have up to 1,000 school-age children, teachers, parents and chaperones on this day and expect to see even more this year. Some of what the children will enjoy are horsedrawn wagon rides, a farm animal petting area, traditional games like hoops and stilts, a blacksmith, potters, Grandma Lou-Lou’s homemade lollipops, woodwrights, cooking demonstrations in the farmhouse, and so much more. We are also proud to be bringing back Stan Clardy, an amazing storyteller, musician and puppeteer. Stan will be performing on Friday for the schoolchildren and again on
PHOTOS BY HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot
Scenes from last year’s Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival. Saturday. He will be joined on Friday by various other musicians and stage entertainment. Saturday and Sunday are highly attended family fun days. Both young and old alike will enjoy all that we have to offer at this unique festival. There will be a continual round of musical entertainment and storytelling on the main stage. The Cane Creek Cloggers are back! Try and keep your toes from tapping while they are on stage. It’s just not possible! Donald Thomas will have the meadow behind the museum occupied with his highly entertaining border collies, who perform herding demonstrations on
both Saturday and Sunday. The lower fields will have the Confederate re-enactors, complete with cannons, horses and skirmishes. We have more than 60 vendors, crafters and demonstrators on the venue this year, some of which are new to the festival and are really excited to be coming. All of the vendors we are bringing in have the highest standards of craftsmanship and are bringing only handmade items, all in keeping with the historical theme of the festival. We even have some new surprises! As always, the Clayton-Blair Historic Museum and the 1825 Malcolm Blue farmhouse will be open for visitors with docents on hand to answer your questions. We will also have old-time music in the parlor of the farmhouse, provided by festival favorites Paula Caddell and Fran Brafford. The gristmill will be up and running with plenty of fresh cornmeal to purchase by the bag. Although we are still busy with painting a couple of the barns, every other building on the Blue Farm has been painted and is looking beautiful
and ready for visitors. We have repaired several areas on the farmhouse, replaced the house over the water well and finished repairs on the pack house, all within the last six months. All of these repairs have been made possible by a generous grant we received and by the support we receive from membership and sponsors. In order to maintain and preserve the Malcolm Blue Farm property, we also rely a great deal on our annual festival as our largest fundraiser. Although these are difficult financial times for everyone, we hope you will please join us at the farm for the annual festival. Not only will you be completely entertained, you will help the Malcolm Blue Historical Society continue to provide quality educational and cultural opportunities to all of our visitors. Support from our local community is crucial and so greatly appreciated and we would all like to thank you in advance for all that you do. On behalf of the entire board of directors, thank you and come on down to the Blue Farm! The 7.5-acre Malcolm Blue farm is located at 1177 Bethesda Road in Aberdeen. Festival grounds will be open for the 42nd Malcolm Blue Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Admission is $5 on Friday, and $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under with preschoolers admitted free on Saturday and Sunday. Active military families are free on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call the Malcolm Blue Farm at (910) 944-7558, email malcolmblue@ windstream.net or visit the farm’s website at www.malcolmblue farm.com. Pam Dannelley is the president of the Malcolm Blue Historical Society.