Amid the aroma of home-baked turkey, dressing and Thanksgiving fixings, George Frizzell, 20-year veteran of the Special Collections of Hunter Library at WCU, will provide the keynote address for Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s 15th year celebration. The celebration begins at noon on Sunday, November 21, at the Community Services Building in Sylva, on Scotts Creek Road.
A native of Jackson County, Frizzell received his B.A. in Anthropology and History and his M.A. in American History from Western Carolina University. His Master of Library Science degree comes from UNC-Greensboro. Frizzell’s expertise in the Special Collections department of WCU has enhanced the university’s endeavors to collect, arrange, and make accessible manuscripts, photographs, books, and other documentation on the history of our region. While eating a slice of homemade pecan or pumpkin pie, well-fed attendees will watch as Frizzell presents a selection of slides featuring scenes and people in Jackson County from the 1890s to the 1950s. The images, drawn from old books, postcards, and original photographs, feature Jackson County communities, institutions, and physical features.
People attending the program are encouraged to ask questions and to comment on what they notice in the pictures. Since Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s (CSA) main thrust is to draw attention to the need to conserve, protect and save the natural and human heritage of the local mountain people in our region, the program will accent the non-profit’s mission: to accomplish it’s goals through environmental and cultural education in the primary grades and by involving the community in honoring and preserving the local heritage lifestyle.
Wrapped around Frizzell’s program and the scrumptious meal prepared by Gail Stillwell Cooper, Vera Holland Guise, and Jeff Gibbs, will be readings by local authors, an art exhibit from the creativity of local artists, readings from some of the 2004 Greening Up the Mountain essay winners, harp and bagpipe music by Joshua Bulla, harp by 6-year old Shelby Ray Meyer, songs and guitar by Karen Barns, mountain music by the Fiddling Dills Sisters, a silent auction, and handmade crafts for Christmas by local crafters.
Ticket price at the door: $12 adults; 6$ for children 12 and under.
Advance ticket price: $10 adults; $5 Children 12/under.
Come celebrate Catch the Spirit of Appalachia’s 15th year and hear about plans for the Spirit of Appalachia Folk School and the Appalachian Homestead Farm & Preserve.
Tickets are available at the JC Chamber of Commerce or by contacting
Vera Holland Guise 293-1013 veraguise@aol.com
Amy Ammons Garza 631-4587 v.ammons@mchsi.com
Hunter Library News
