tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23327410656662695142012-01-21T13:24:00.489-05:00A collection of people, places and things to do with the American Revolution and the Southern Campaign in North CarolinaDonnanoreply@blogger.comBlogger2561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-73602726329739929342011-04-17T13:35:00.000-04:002011-04-17T13:35:36.212-04:00

I'm working hard on a new website for the Yadkin Valley Craft Guild.  It's almost ready.  Calling all artists in the YVCG,  I  need images!  You can join us if you live in one of the 18 counties in the Yadkin River Watershed. And, of course, I am so looking forward to the Royal Wedding at the end of the month.  It's a positive thing. I'm taking off from Merlefest to watch it. I wonder if they

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-28191781850046363372010-12-08T19:31:00.000-05:002010-12-08T19:31:07.751-05:00

There are no words I can add to that.  I am so sorry to see her go so fast. She did not deserve all the terrible circumstances she found herself in.  My love to the children.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-20669647363462121172010-11-22T09:48:00.002-05:002010-11-22T09:59:02.371-05:00

I am pleased to report the bill establishing the Carolina Revolutionary Road National Heritage Area has been introduced in this session of Congress and we are off and running again!! Yay!Why didn't I think to just call him up during this lame duck session. But, thank-you Blog readers, Facebook friends and others for delivering this dispatch. I think we can carry on from here.Meanwhile, I had an

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-54572821987867871322010-11-17T11:10:00.005-05:002010-11-17T12:34:42.989-05:00

I can't believe I haven't talked to you since July. I really thought life would be a little empty as I am taking only one graduate course and still job-hunting. But, a lot has happened.The Yadkin Valley Craft Guild has determined its relationship with Surry Community College and as in my experience with automotive interior concepts, it is "refined" until the innovation part of the idea is

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-47928242435850036842010-07-17T16:12:00.003-04:002010-07-17T16:17:08.714-04:00

Okay, he's back. He played the fiddle on the Giant's Causeway as predicted. Sigh. But I am having a good time with my sister in law in Lynchburg. I have facebook friends searching for my son's ancestor's grave in Gaston County. The BBC is coming to North Carolina at least for one day it appears.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-20975366019282945332010-07-04T20:18:00.003-04:002010-07-04T21:51:27.999-04:00

It's true. Some weeks ago the British Broadcasting Company called my house! We thought we were on our way to Northern Ireland for July. That is a very long story I'll let you in on at a later date. For now, just so you will know, ********** RG is on his way to Northern Ireland tonight***********with other OVTA members to bring the story of the American

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-55129671176481297282010-06-07T09:36:00.004-04:002010-06-07T10:44:46.127-04:00

National Trails Day was a WONDERFUL day in Elkin on Saturday, June 5th. Duke Energy donated land which we were able to get paved as a road-side pull off, with Stimulus funds if I am not mistaken, so that tourists have "someplace to go" to see the Surry Muster Ground and the wayside exhibit on the trailhead of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.Check out this video from one of our

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-36798711163016897882010-04-11T16:53:00.006-04:002010-04-24T13:09:06.144-04:00

Comedy: Jeanne Robertson "Don't go rafting without a Baptist in the boat." More fun in the River with funny and famous, a former Miss North Carolina and our Friend Jeanne Robertson.I have to say I like these too. Jeanne opens the show in Burlington and at another she takes a vacation in Canada. Lastly, this trip to the grocery store can't be beat.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-10326429401007704092010-04-06T21:43:00.003-04:002010-04-11T16:53:24.116-04:00

Everywhere up and down the Yadkin River, people are beginning to take about our Revolutionary story including people I don't even know yet. That is a good thing. There was a meeting in Elkin recently and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail was discussed as an INCREDIBLE asset for Elkin by the invited speaker and as far as I know no one from our area was even there.We are bound to the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-90876538395471692232010-04-04T21:30:00.003-04:002010-04-04T22:52:28.391-04:00

The Moravians had a beautiful service today. I heard this on the news. I was hoping there was a video for you, but I'm still looking. They have been in the Winston-Salem area since the mid-1700s. This sunrise Easter service has been presented and attended by people from all over the world.We had a lovely day today too. We had a church-wide Breakfast, Sunday School was packed and with new

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-88888489105358165642010-03-26T13:20:00.005-04:002010-03-26T13:39:40.630-04:00

I found this great video series for you from Ft. Dobbs. It discusses the French and Indian War which ended in 1763. At this time all soldiers and militia were English citizens. This war though gave the King of England an excuse to raise taxes in the 1760s-1770s. Corruption by officials in the colonies led to rebellion, particularly in Alamance. More people moved to the backcountry to escape the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-1240147729565712782010-03-25T16:26:00.003-04:002010-03-26T09:21:51.835-04:00

SxSW keeps coming up in the techsphere. I'm doing three papers. One on social networking, one on project management and one on 2nd generation biofuels. Oh, and the grants!!So today, on my facebook came this link to a filmmaker, David Gordon Green who went to the NC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem being interviewed at South by Southwest. He made George Washington and he made Pineapple

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-60804411144611498762010-03-24T00:54:00.003-04:002010-03-24T01:42:13.855-04:00

OVTA will meet in Marion for the annual meeting on Mar. 27th. There the Pepsi Refresh Idea will likely be hacked to death. I am disturbed by this old thinking. Too much loyalty to Coke. To little willingness to communicate on-line about this unlike all the on-line communication about a book to be published...sigh. I don't know where I will get funding for October at this point and many

Donnanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-62766154798884441882010-03-22T21:32:00.003-04:002010-03-22T21:40:45.819-04:00

Two cool sites. Podcasts of readings from Thomas Jefferson's writing. and Stamp Act info from the western counties about Brunswick and the coast.I'm keyed up about my Pepsi Refresh Project for OVTA . Please go vote to help us get to the roll over position. I've had trouble engaging the troops. It's not my war or I don't believe it can be done. Sigh. Same old Same old. But look! at the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-40864925221825905392010-03-21T20:36:00.003-04:002010-03-21T21:21:06.795-04:00

We spent the afternoon at the Senior Play, Little Shop of Horrors. Those kids have lungs! It's good to have a great script and then even better when they sing on key. AND that plant!!! Great job on that. Hey, and that is Steve Martin being the dentist in the movie!! I had forgotten that. He is coming to Merlefest the last weekend in April. I'm getting his autograph. Well, its a goal. I've

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-36631590590416885722010-03-18T00:02:00.004-04:002010-03-18T00:07:54.529-04:00

I am looking for another paper to write for school. We have been discussing ethical and legal issues given the internet, creative commons etc. I found this talk by Jaron Lanier, the inventor of the term Virtual Reality. He is talking above my head almost. But he is concerned about people not being paid for what they create in their brain - artists and musicians, etc. He discusses rhetoric (

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-23473488327402077942010-03-12T22:36:00.001-05:002010-03-12T22:40:34.113-05:00

GO (NC)STATE!!! I found this cool new experiment which starts April 1st - its an online reenactment of the American Revolution in Real time. It will last eight years from 1775 - 1783. http://patriotcast.wordpress.com/Sign me up!!

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-61140220488031993472010-03-11T13:50:00.004-05:002010-03-11T14:38:05.239-05:00

On vacation from my other favorite school, East Carolina! www.refresheverything.com/ovtaDid you know Sandra Bullock went to ECU? She's an oscar winner now!! for that wonderful "The Blind Side" movie based on a TRUE story.Which leads to this observation.....Zach Galifiankis, local boy made good, went to NCSU. He will be an Oscar winner someday and don't you think he would make a GREAT OVERMOUNTAIN

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-63331604438177575642010-03-11T13:22:00.003-05:002010-03-11T13:34:01.751-05:00

Spring break is slipping away. I'm exhausted promoting my Pepsi request. But, I'm remembering how much I like to write to you. The ACC tournament is on TV. It is definately a Greensboro kind of month.2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament Site Broadcast Information TV: RAYCOM (XM 190/191)GO WOLFPACK!! Know this athlete from Cary won an award from the Sons of the American Revolution.OH! Pepsi

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-76309689580789536062010-03-09T12:38:00.003-05:002010-03-09T12:45:29.803-05:00

I received this beautiful background for my twitter account by winning a prize last year. Somehow I have it pasted in my edit post area and it pops up everytime I write. I'm leaving it today to see what happens. I like the flowers. They remind me of the High Point Furniture Market coming up.I am reminded that the annual BIG reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse is happening this week

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-2432654080352727302010-03-08T18:41:00.003-05:002010-03-08T20:12:24.909-05:00

Well, I have three papers to write and they need to be great works of literature. There will not be any spring break.Still, knowing I had a spring break and a first draft for one other small reflection complete, I relaxed a little this weekend. I went with my husband to a family 50th wedding anniversary. The event was held in a wonderful BRAND NEW place, The Deep Creek Event Center. It's not a

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-18562036232506509552010-03-03T22:04:00.003-05:002010-03-03T22:29:05.589-05:00

Did you vote for us for to Refresh OVTA? If not you can access the vote on the side of this blog and log in and vote or click on the link above.It turns out that most of 1093 requests to Pepsi for funding are for the $250.000 category. So we have more competition for fewer grants. It didn't appear that way in January, but that's how it turned out.We moved up in average position today. I hope we

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-63963498049160342252010-03-02T08:26:00.004-05:002010-03-02T08:35:50.618-05:00

"The Feasibility Study for a Southern Campaign of the Revolution National Heritage Area (NHA) is drawing close to completion. At present the Cultural and Heritage Museums of York County (SC) has been identified as the best possible candidate for a lead managing entity if an NHA is created. The possible boundary of the potential area is also being finalized. It looks likely that the report will

Donnanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-86624284719310886542010-03-01T10:03:00.002-05:002010-03-01T10:09:16.723-05:00

We are In!!! Pepsi accepted the request for OVTA to compete for $250,000 to help communities celebrate their revolutionary history in the Carolina backcountry!! Yay!Now, all we need is for you to sign up on the Pepsi Refresh website and vote everyday in March for the March to Kings Mountain. Please help us get the story alive of America's first National Guard.YAY!!!!

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-27615743100841861672010-02-26T16:31:00.003-05:002010-02-26T16:40:23.745-05:00

Where have I been? Well...still here, but released to drive and then it was Christmas and then I'm still job hunting and now I am back in school again!! for about the 5th time, but its wonderful!Here is something very cool and very revolutionary from a group in Asheville.If you look at their other videos page you will see this video which is at once about the old international conflict and leads

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-15465008981834498722009-10-23T15:40:00.004-04:002009-10-23T16:00:05.858-04:00

I am in the Yadkin Valley Craft Guild Shop on Main Street in Elkin. I'm learning the ropes to volunteer. I've got an opportunity to immerse myself in arts and craft now. I'm signing up for an on-line graphics certification with instructors graduated from my alma mater, FIT in New York. This do-it-yourself training is not helping. I want a portfolio - a real one. I need personal critiques and

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-44982709868847946132009-10-21T08:03:00.004-04:002009-10-21T08:39:00.006-04:00

I am feeling that feeling they felt when the earth was proven to not be flat. Everything opens up. Everything changes.So, while I struggle in my pursuit of the Revolution in the South, I am uncovering many people who have already done so, and now there are profitable, national businesses draped around the American Revolution. I can't decide if I'm late or just a prophet to the masses. Perhaps

Donnanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-81343762467041226302009-10-20T14:01:00.010-04:002009-10-20T15:47:28.040-04:00

My friend Kheli, has awarded me the Honest Scrap Award! “This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.” I am "sweet, beautiful, smart and passionate" according to Kheli !! I am blushing, but I'm not turning it down. So, with GREAT humility I express my thanks. I think her blog, remember your karma, is far more engaging than mine.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-23096029708585158492009-10-14T07:54:00.006-04:002011-01-27T15:46:17.745-05:00

Ride around the backcountry and see the wineries with Yadkin Valley Wine Tours. I noticed in my research there was a summary of NC in 1790 when things settled down and the country finally had a constitution. Grapes were included as an asset of the state. The attitude toward slavery is evident and distasteful. I believe it was the Ronald Reagan half-a-loaf concept. It took another 100 years to

Donnanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-79270785432781470862009-10-13T15:18:00.004-04:002009-10-13T17:23:17.230-04:00

We have a Carolina Renaissance Festival. Did you know that? Well, I've heard about it. But I had no idea it was so BIG. This is the 16th year.And the STATE FAIR starts on Thursday! I am regrouping from my OVTA event and cleaning house, job hunting and so on. I'll get back on the counties soon.I go to see Dr. VanDerVere tomorrow. Hopefully, I can drive tomorrow. We will see. Physical therapy is

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-83743634382398400682009-10-11T21:49:00.001-04:002009-10-11T21:50:34.970-04:00

http://www.surrymessenger.com/ had pictures this morning!!

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-20410138465722980222009-10-10T12:56:00.003-04:002009-10-10T13:13:23.734-04:00

The OVTA Field Days in Elkin thanks to the support of the National Parks Foundation, the Coca-Cola Foundation, Member's Credit Union and help from Comb's Hometown Butcher shop, All-Star Rentals, and Lowe's Home Improvement was... a complete success!!However, I feel like a bride. You plan for weeks, months or years. The big event unfolds. Everyone's nerves are on edge and NOW they are telling you

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-92128218123328016962009-10-08T00:05:00.000-04:002009-10-08T00:06:24.962-04:00

:-) !

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-71915643292051839192009-10-08T00:01:00.003-04:002009-10-08T00:05:17.934-04:00

They're here! They're here! OVTA has arrived in Elkin. They freaked out the folks at the Bonfires Steak House, but they were really handsome in those backcountry outfits... handsome and scary.Okay, tomorrow is a huge day! I will be occupied until Saturday morning. Hope I get back to my e-visiting then.By the way, if you are within driving distance, the OVTA will present a dramatic re-telling of

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-30148109876046600942009-10-05T21:26:00.003-04:002009-10-05T21:28:33.607-04:00

www.ovta-org.blogspot.comEnough said. Check them out. It's Oct. 5. In two days they will be at Kings Mountain."Hang your head and mourn, George III". It's the beginning of the end of the British rule in the United States.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-54821130983062194052009-10-03T13:11:00.001-04:002009-10-03T13:12:55.261-04:00

Last interesting news..... from my friend I have yet to meet below Charlotte - Free interesting things to do with the American Revolution in NC/SC. I've got to get myself there.Revolutionary War Enthusiast: We have some exciting programs lined up for the fall which you are invited to attend:October 10, 2009 – Saluda, SC – Corps of Discovery - free, public invited carpool tour of Saluda County

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-78792676819357991592009-10-03T09:52:00.006-04:002009-10-03T10:53:08.684-04:00

Today is the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival. Guess where RG is? I should have gone probably, but remember that house I live in and my surprise guest? Well, shame works wonders. If we just lived in an RV and traveled, we could invite folks to the great outdoors or under a fly during rain or snow. I knew there was some reason I liked 18th century America.Anyway it occurred to me that there are

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-85124773117070026692009-10-03T08:52:00.002-04:002009-10-03T09:18:58.998-04:00

All this social networking is simply a brave new world. I sent a wild email via linkedin to a former boss. We had lost contact. We have both remarried and changed names since we worked together. Anyway I took a wild guess and it was her! The other day she just showed up on my doorstep. My house was strewn with papers and graphics I'm working out for the program for our event and thus piled-up

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-57476337402710503692009-10-02T21:04:00.002-04:002009-10-02T21:12:54.782-04:00

Saturday October 10th 2009 Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail/W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir7:30 AM - 4:00 PMSaturday October 10th 2009 will be National Public Lands Day/NC Big Sweep from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as the public is invited to help care for our public lands by planting trees, work on trails, and clean up litter. Free lunch will be provided to volunteers and afterwards

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-34635035693229484612009-10-02T20:22:00.004-04:002009-10-02T20:28:15.006-04:00

Press Release--- Oct 1, 2009Wilkes-Surry OVTAThe National Park Service and the Overmountain Victory Trail Association are pleased to announce that the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail is a recipient of the 2009 National Parks Foundation “Active Trails” grant. The Wilkes-Surry Chapter of the OVTA assisted by Elkin JROTC will host an OVTA Field

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-52675653700665035642009-09-30T21:13:00.004-04:002009-09-30T21:27:49.780-04:00

I am finally, finally finished. Then a breakthrough. Senator Jim Broyhill will visit the OVNHT in Elkin and speak to our students about the story of sheparding the idea of the trail to Kings Mountain as a National Historic Trail through the Congress in 1980 until Pres. Jimmy Carter signed it into law. Both men, from opposite sides of the aisle, shared a common interest in the history of the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-72651428389692345052009-09-28T12:10:00.002-04:002009-09-28T12:19:37.605-04:00

Well I found this interview series with Andy Griffith. You have to see it. He knows NC from coast to hilltop. You know him for the Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry RFD, Matlock, and all...I'm going back for more details...Was Paul Montgomery Uncle Paul on WRAL in Raleigh????? I'm about sure I marched around in a circle with him for one of by birthdays, probably the first or second year he was on

Donnanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-27772113804486409622009-09-28T07:03:00.003-04:002009-09-28T07:39:56.880-04:00

Small Stories for a Big World is a lovely children's book written by Kim Underwood and illustrated by Garnet Goldman. I saw it at the Pumpkin Festival in Elkin and met Kim. He is the writer from the Winston-Salem Journal. This book is directed at ages 10 and under, but the beauty of it is worth having just for its own sake. To tell the truth I got talked out of buying it for my nieces and now I

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-73933651012747516262009-09-27T17:49:00.002-04:002009-09-27T18:57:10.376-04:00

Well! What a weekend. PJ is off to help his Dad. RG sold books and played his hammered dulcimer in Wilkesboro where a child observed to his parent, "Hey Mom, LOOK! Free credit report .com" pointing out the tricorn hat and colonial britches.Saturday, we went to the Pumpkin Festival and despite the rain ( 3 inches in 3 days) there were people out and about. I met two authors - one a writer for the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-18502201882016269262009-09-25T17:10:00.004-04:002009-09-25T19:10:31.754-04:00

Oh, I must share. I'm listening to the President on CSPAN talking about the G20. But I'm also telling you I have overlooked too many things in Mitchell county. I'm e-visiting my own e-visits. Can I trademark that term "e-visits"? Well, anyway..In the great 101 lists from Mitchell county, note also these cool things I want to see.Luther Stroup’s Hobby ShopStorytelling Festival in Spruce Pine NC

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-1100507499607330062009-09-25T15:53:00.002-04:002009-09-25T16:05:39.389-04:00

FINALLY, I've reached another version of the events for Oct. 9th. I think it works in all ways and I've creating individual schedules for each group of kids and each reenactor. It shouldn't be so complicated, but we are walking them all around the OVNHT, and we want to keep the grades separated. Everyone has to eat and everyone has to have an opportunity to visit the W.C. before the grand marche!

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-45172441701686184072009-09-24T09:10:00.003-04:002009-09-24T09:30:59.614-04:00

I know I can be boring ...or is that steadfast? Pressing on toward the goal...Phillipians something...But Boring only happens when you forget your mission or sink into your own difficulties ignoring everyone else and everything else. SO, again I apologize for my inward focus the last week or so. I was so uplifted, if that's the way to say it, when someone, actually two!!!, commented on my

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-9630979270540789082009-09-23T21:12:00.001-04:002009-09-23T21:21:10.278-04:00

Study uses game theory to slow spread of diseases - News This is Just interesting to me... Better than war games.But you won't believe it...1. PJs Dad is in the hospital after collapsing in the front yard trying to get to his car. Neighbors called 911. He had a bleeding ulcer he did not recognise til he lost a LOT of blood.2. My sister will also have to have surgery (!!!) for gall stones. That is

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-46996539217704436372009-09-22T08:24:00.003-04:002009-09-22T10:53:49.920-04:00

Ah yes, Mitchell county. Well, this is another one of those counties formed later and they start their history at the formation. I hate that. It misses the significance of the ones who lived there before it was a "certified place" and I have to hunt elsewhere for things of interest to me. I am being a grouch today and I have to apologize. I am stuck here in this brace (can't drive til its off)

Donnanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-55042187811400040032009-09-21T21:09:00.003-04:002009-09-21T21:12:31.640-04:00

Overmountain men are gathering in Virginia. Check them out at www.ovta-org.blogspot.com.But! my schedule is blown up again!!! It's back to the drawing board literally. Isn't it time to just settle on the method here guys?? It's time for press releases!!sigh...

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-14238886889923895242009-09-19T21:04:00.005-04:002009-09-19T22:47:51.975-04:00

So, I walked on the OVNHT in Elkin the other day with a friend and we laid out a plan. I realized that kids who attend on Oct. 9th will WALK a lot. We have reenactors and real crafts people expressing the 18th century backcountry. I have laid out a plan so that every student gets to visit each "station" and move on to the next one walking and walking for the Active Trails grant we got to put the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-25782180582927350832009-09-16T17:15:00.004-04:002009-09-16T17:34:49.773-04:00

Okay, I have been very busy winding up details for the Oct. 9th event in Elkin for the 4th and 8th grades. I have participated in a webinar about social networking in general and it was great! (see my tweets!)A Webinar was essentially a conference call about social networking using the web to distribute the visuals. I need a microphone on my computer, but I don't have one so I used my telephone.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-979249254386988402009-09-10T21:25:00.010-04:002009-09-10T23:19:17.129-04:00

Get ready for a weekend Autumn in Oz. In Avery county the first weekend in October, they recreate the home of the Wizard of Oz in the amusement park we remember as the Land of Oz. Now I've not been since the amusement park closed, but this party's coming up so I thought I'd tell you.AND, by Jove, the courthouse in Newland, still in use, looks just like the Wilkes County Heritage Museum which

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-74874679618277357072009-09-09T09:57:00.010-04:002009-09-09T11:32:31.520-04:00

After that Cherokee story of the little men with slanted eyes, I have been very distracted in Buncombe county. So, I'm going to refocus today.I want to list a few fun things sites just because, as much as I like e-exploring or e-visiting to find out about the American Revolution in the counties of NC, it is really not worth much if there is nothing fun to do after all the sacrifice was made that

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-68186491589620756522009-09-07T20:19:00.003-04:002009-09-07T21:05:11.187-04:00

This has got to be the last I find about Edward Buncombe. One of the primary instigators of the rebellion in NC, he paid for outfitting the first continental regiment with his own money.Today, I've made a to-do list for tomorrow. I MUST wrap up details for 250 showing up for the Active Trails/Overmountain Field Days in Elkin, NC. I MUST write press releases and nail down contracts and donations.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-16499650688629600122009-09-07T14:55:00.003-04:002009-09-07T15:33:24.203-04:00

Well, a new book from 2005 says the meeting in 1774 of a provenical congress called-for by John Harvey, Samuel Johnston and Edward Buncombe never occurred indicating NC was not quite ready to rebel in early 1774 even though there was organization of committees of correspondance, safety and militia self-forming all over the colony by March. But when the British closed Boston's port later that

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-25026209273334609462009-09-07T09:29:00.005-04:002009-09-07T10:47:11.836-04:00

A prominent member of the community, (Tyrell county) Col. Edward Buncombe acted as Justice of the Peace and commander of the local militia regiment. When the Revolutionary War began to threaten Buncombe hosted a meeting between John Harvey, Samuel Johnston, and Buncombe. The three men agreed to call an assembly in defiance of the royal governor. This was the first such illegal assembly in the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-40370507422148456662009-09-06T23:02:00.003-04:002009-09-07T09:29:44.547-04:00

What!! Buncombe county is named for a Revolutionary Hero from Tyrell County. I knew there was more to this eastern county. Must research.Buncombe County has changed in form since its inception, but it was always within the folds of the Appalachian mountains, judged to be the oldest in the world. Named after a Revolutionary War figure, Colonel Edward Buncombe, the county was formed from parts of

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-7011063155976880272009-09-05T10:01:00.006-04:002009-09-05T13:43:17.100-04:00

Next in the e-visit to uncover the Revolutionary sites: Haywood County. We are still in the vicinity of Rutherford's march to eliminate the Cherokee threat to settler's. You can tell that it was quite a distance and so probably unexpected. There were few white settlers in the path toward the west in the 1700s. The closer we go back east, the more settlers will be found.Well, lets see. What's in

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-28584027981612793802009-09-04T10:05:00.003-04:002009-09-04T10:17:12.839-04:00

I have to share this with you because I've been using this list for marketing fabrics for about 10 years. It is the thinking patterns of freshmen entering college. It was developed to remind professors who they are teaching. It is the Benoit college Mindset List.I'm listening to this lecture from cultural resources by the marketers from Yankelovich, Inc. about trends in American/North Carolina

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-72127647725983156052009-09-04T09:39:00.000-04:002009-09-04T09:40:12.774-04:00

Interesting NC Facts

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-86251532767886956352009-09-04T08:27:00.002-04:002009-09-04T09:21:38.214-04:00

Well, we know this county was named for Andrew Jackson. There are interesting towns and shops here in Jackson county. One of the odd kinds of things you can see here are chainsaw artists. Here's one. I've only seen these guys in the mountains. Truthfully, I've never bought this. Except at one Merlefest, PJ bought a "mountain sprite" created from the laurel. It's interesting hanging in the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-30447894139567725562009-09-03T22:49:00.002-04:002009-09-03T22:52:21.338-04:00

Here is the recreation of the Macon homeplace in Warren county. I do not believe it is that photo on Wikipedia.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-2149075671106396082009-09-03T21:20:00.002-04:002009-09-03T21:31:40.604-04:00

Let me clarify. It's not okay to ever hold people as slaves, period. In our early history, indentured servants like my relatives under the house of the Macons acted as "slaves" for a period of time, but with the knowledge that in seven years they would be free and probably be given land of their own. Given what we know of Nathanial Macon, it seems likely his great-grandparents were similar and I

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-82602392128326792552009-09-03T12:06:00.009-04:002009-09-03T14:00:06.568-04:00

Macon County is one of my favorite mountain counties because of its county seat, the town of Franklin and its reputation of the Gem Capital of the World. I think I already discussed it in this blog, but Macon county itself is already included in the NHA by virtue of the trail of Gen. Rutherford's pursuit of the Cherokee.I discovered today however that the town is named for Jesse Franklin, who was

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-5974053252405084492009-09-03T10:26:00.002-04:002009-09-03T10:48:07.068-04:00

The miracle of the Revolution in the United States was that after the dust settled from war and we found ourselves self-governing, our first President, stepped aside and insisted there be another man in the top seat as was the original and agreed to plan. He was a pretty decent man and many good Americans wanted him to continue as President, even as a king. He knew better than that. And, it helps

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-47249902302232560672009-09-02T11:32:00.004-04:002009-09-02T12:40:26.235-04:00

I want to e-visit all the counties in NC that are currently listed on the NPS "final map" which I did not discuss when drumming up action in the outside counties for the National Heritage Area. So I'm working left to right.... and today is Clay county. I can't find a lot. These are extreme mountains. It became a county because of the difficulty in travel to get there anyway. But, it is apparently

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-57958910543668050712009-09-01T11:02:00.003-04:002009-09-01T11:24:11.080-04:00

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee primarily reside on the Qualla Boundary which is not a reservation, but is a Land Trust. Only unconnected bits of it remain in Cherokee county. The primary parts are in Swain and Jackson counties. Ironically, Jackson county is named for Andrew Jackson.There are plenty of fun things to do in Swain county, most notably river rafting on the Nantahala. I still have

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-9030364135734265772009-09-01T09:16:00.010-04:002009-09-01T10:56:17.676-04:00

Cherokee county is the westernmost county in NC. The Eastern Band of the Cherokee still live there and when we refer to the whole of NC from "Manteo to Murphy" we are discussing the county seats of the two counties the furthest apart.The area of Murphy is the place where the Revolutionary Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford organized a campaign against the Cherokee who had sided with the

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-71261772242510630212009-08-31T19:59:00.003-04:002009-08-31T21:16:58.635-04:00

I follow Ken Atkins in Wake County on Twitter. First, he may be a relative. Second, Wake County was my home. Third, he has his finger on the pulse of economic activity in the Capitol county of NC.Today I saw his retweets concerning details from the Neilson ratings that show the Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville) market has grown in the number of TV families to position 26th largest in the country.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-760078922808163372009-08-31T14:03:00.003-04:002009-08-31T14:07:09.697-04:00

I'm am channeling my inner English. I am so enthralled by this website that detailed the Syllabubs. You can go there on vacation in the Lake district in England itself (where I have yet to visit) and spend two days making period, historic foods and they are GORGEOUS. Probably rather look at them than eat. Perfect for weddings here across the pond. But, I will eat them you know... Check this

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-12704384287124016432009-08-29T16:04:00.000-04:002009-08-29T16:05:19.978-04:00

Syllabub 101

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-81647462705708815842009-08-29T13:26:00.002-04:002009-08-29T15:30:02.542-04:00

Andre Michaux was mentioned this week in Bill Leslie's blog. Since I did not know him, I found the website in this link and read up. What a fabulous man! His time in North Carolina within a decade or so of the Revolution just illustrates the value of freedom combined with peace. Time and opportunities.His claim to fame was to roam the highlands, most famously Grandfather Mountain, searching for

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-21641615934113692732009-08-28T19:25:00.004-04:002009-08-28T20:56:22.704-04:00

If we stay cooped up in this house much longer, I will be able to play the banjo too. RGs fingers roll as clear as crystal and every note peels forth with all this practice.This reminds me that tomorrow night in Winston-Salem, a screening of Bela Fleck's new documentary, Throw down your heart is being shown at Old Salem. Bela and Sasha Paladino went to Africa for five months a couple of years ago

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-45000977247057325352009-08-24T18:12:00.002-04:002009-08-24T18:17:15.223-04:00

RG's radio interview with Shadows in the Dark in July was posted July 24th on their blog. I'm just seeing it now in my link list. Here's the link if you want to hear about the ghosts of the Yadkin Valley on-line. There is some discussion about the ghosts from the Revolution in NC.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-88625851400491990132009-08-24T16:47:00.002-04:002009-08-24T16:54:14.741-04:00

Leibson's Law: It takes 10 years for any disruptive technology to become pervasive in the design community. I've put a new blog on my list from EDN, electronic design, strategy news. It's Leibson's law. Today Steve Leibson talks about Three New Laws of Robotics for the Early 21st Century.You know I am fascinated by robots. And I have seen disruptive technologies at work in my design field. Not

Donnanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-38524042862586224722009-08-24T10:45:00.002-04:002009-08-24T10:49:15.817-04:00

Look! I've got to make a bigger deal of this than just my twitter. Look at this menswear preview for this winter!...Tricorns and ruffles, oh yeah!

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-7996795807905732782009-08-24T08:54:00.005-04:002009-08-24T09:57:15.885-04:00

Well, one of the greatest effects of making a big to-do about your history beyond the preservation aspect, is the creation of products which are meaningful to people. Okay, more stuff. But, as you know some Stuff is biodegradable and necessary. For example: soap!OVTA has had a request from one of our reenactors to create soap with OVTA logo imprinted. This is our first step in to the world of

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-4733499108670376532009-08-23T22:20:00.003-04:002009-08-23T22:24:36.925-04:00

Social media REVOLUTION!!! A great video on YouTube. Another revolution. Things are going to change. Thanks, Jane!

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-86660784823316447872009-08-23T18:54:00.003-04:002009-08-23T19:09:22.425-04:00

Here is a You Tube piece on the Shaped Note Singing that takes places at St. John's Church in Rutherfordton, NC every October. It's a memorial singing. This is the REAL thing: The Amy Golightly Walker Memorial Singing.The OVTA marches through there for the annual march as well every year. It is near Gilbertown on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-26514622553476802402009-08-23T11:33:00.002-04:002009-08-23T11:38:37.121-04:00

I forgot to give you a you-tube example. Here's shape note singing from the movie Cold Mountain. This movie was almost filmed in Wilkesboro, but there were too many power lines over the mountain skies, so they went to Eastern Europe. Darn. Anyway, the story from the US civil war was set in North Carolina in a fabulous book by Charles Frazier of Asheville. Here is another tract of shape note

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-44500004797362827102009-08-23T09:17:00.006-04:002009-08-23T10:43:27.786-04:00

I want to spend some time with the counties already included in the NPS study for the National Heritage Area. I chose Lincoln county today. It was born in the middle of the Revolution in 1779. Lincolnton is the county seat. The Battle of Ramseur's Mill happened here. This battle in the spring of 1780 was a victory for Patriot forces even though the Loyalist, Tory force led by Lincoln county

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-13988465098312136082009-08-22T19:14:00.004-04:002009-08-22T20:21:50.647-04:00

The Williams Family discussed the other day was the same Williams family of Joseph Williams, "The Duke of Surry", and Col. James Williams of South Carolina who was killed at Kings Mountain. This website discusses their family again. But look at this very interesting record-- "But most definitely, the early generations of the family were involved in the distilling of Whiskey. This I am sure is a

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-64417829513777160042009-08-20T10:47:00.004-04:002009-08-20T10:51:45.068-04:00

Good Morning! I found this old book I want to read about a North Carolina family who after the revolution proceeded to the west. It seems that even after independence, some of the very people who fought for it, left it for Spanish territories around the Mississippi. I knew Spain had more involvement in our Revolution..Anyway, here is the book from google books, Old Bill Williams, Mountain Man. I

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-51211918784886654562009-08-19T20:54:00.004-04:002009-08-19T21:32:29.807-04:00

So I am home. I can't write a lot because I can't sit here a lot. But I have been in Charlotte where Dr. Craig VanDerVeer operated on me and preformed a 3-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Given that it was a surgery, it was all in all a wonderful experience. I felt totally at ease and in the best care. There was no "fretting" over me. It was obvious that all these

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-18161978429765605972009-08-17T22:10:00.002-04:002009-08-17T22:16:52.438-04:00

RG is back on his feet! He is no longer a three legged pirate, he is a two legged human again. He is pleased. But no driving and no work yet. This is good because at 8am in the morning I will be under the knife myself. He can help me next week. PJ is great too. He cooked tonight.It is delicate surgery so put me on the prayer list please. If you don't hear from me soon, I'll be back ASAP. At least

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-64845572835288246992009-08-15T10:29:00.002-04:002009-08-15T10:37:27.145-04:00

Okay, ding-dong. The contest for photos is from ok diners and they are giving away a GPS given to them by Coke. Well still....Maybe the eepybird.com guys, Fritz and Stephen, can come to a demonstration of the Mentos and Coke performance art they do Friday night after you walk the trail also as a fund raiser for the theater...Well I dream big. But, here are the dots... Coke, Reeves, Mentos,

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-6018110731365721572009-08-15T09:11:00.005-04:002009-08-15T10:13:36.645-04:00

I never crused Elkin, however, it was, I KID YOU NOT, the very first thing I saw when I moved to town. I crossed the bridge which stretched across a huge valley to the top of a hill over the Yadkin River and Main Street was down below in the valley. I looked down and there were hundreds of cars on both sides of the street slowly rolling up and down the street. Kids were hanging out and waving at

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-42279911930627898372009-08-14T19:10:00.004-04:002009-08-14T20:04:07.072-04:00

Okay, I know the date for discovery is past. I sorta know who made the cut and who didn't. In case there is a need for more edvidence for Edgecombe county, look what I just found - Colonial Tarboro Historic National Recreation TrailFounded as a Colonial town in 1760, Tarboro is one of North Carolina's oldest communities, and contains one of the states largest historic districts. The multi-block

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-23655843943640897592009-08-13T16:36:00.003-04:002009-08-13T18:40:21.411-04:00

Anticipating my delicate surgery next week, -to be a cyborg, well, that's not exactly true- I recalled something I found in the technical journals when I was teaching that you might not knowand which is going on in NC at Duke University.A monkey at Duke can play a video game without using his hands and only using his brainwaves. Now, that is a cyborg.Aha! on TV just in....Trends Research CEO says

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-62674600492245818402009-08-12T23:19:00.003-04:002009-08-12T23:50:02.475-04:00

I went to Charlotte yesterday for Pre-op. I have finally crunched my neck one time too many and I have to have ...say it with me , surgery.... on Tuesday to fuse 7-6-5 vertibrae and install a metal plate. I guess I will be a cyborg.RG went with me but he had a restless wait of 2.5 hours in the waiting room. I'm not sure he can go with me. PJ can, but he is too young to drive in Charlotte traffic

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-51962171204113512232009-08-12T14:13:00.005-04:002009-08-12T14:27:22.622-04:00

So connect Belize to the American Revolution. humm, hummm, hum, hum, hum hummm, hummmmm, humm, hummm, hum, hum, hum huhuhu hum hum humm, hummm, hum, hum, hum hummm, hummmmm......Hump, hum, hum, hummmm, hummmm, hummmmm.... times up. PJ saw two cannons on the island. Apparently there was a battle in 1798.Hostilities between Spain and Britain concerning the area of Belize were resolved at the 1783

Donnanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-30837031997755344702009-08-12T13:24:00.006-04:002009-08-12T13:39:20.331-04:00

PJs back! He has tales of iguanas, coral reefs and bats. It is the rainy season so he and his Dad were the tourists on the St. George's Caye Resort. They stayed in huts on an island 300 yards wide and 1 mile long owned by Canadians. They did have an air conditioner and a fan. No TV. No radio. Wi-Fi at the eating place. Lizards and crabs at night so no barefoot walking to dinner. They went tubing

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-20196898107677051102009-08-10T16:28:00.003-04:002009-08-10T17:02:08.587-04:00

I can't figure out how to connect this to the Revolution. Give me a minute, BUT look at this very cool thing to do in Raeford, NC , Paraclete XP Skyventure. Here is a video on the VisitNC website I found after I entered some contests. (Note the kilt in this contest ad. I see my Revolution connection....) There is also a video for Carolina Ziplines. This is a different one from the one in Boone.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-83352668654244324332009-08-09T15:46:00.001-04:002009-08-09T15:47:37.806-04:00

As it turns out, Seattle is actually closer to me than London. My bad. It just feels as long.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-64782401911403083302009-08-09T08:52:00.002-04:002009-08-09T08:59:01.190-04:00

OK, he's in Belize. When I told my sister-in-law about the hoop jumping I had to do for the passport so that PJ could go to Belize, she said she knew people who had a house there. (!?!) It is an English-speaking country (!?!)Well, via email, I know he is having a good time. They went diving. They are going on an eco-tour. I'm not sure what that means. I hope it is real and not just marketing.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-24610657112119866012009-08-08T22:51:00.003-04:002009-08-08T23:13:08.382-04:00

Opps I'm reading too much and forgot to come give an update. Please forgive.Aside from the traffic circles I found today thirty-five minutes away on the exit from 421 in Lewisville, NC and I didn't know we even had then in the US, especially NC!! - we sold CDs, RG played the hammered dulcimer and I found contacts for reenactors for our OVTA event on Oct. 9th.He was a little beat from that so we

Donnanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-71894637103561136252009-08-08T17:04:00.002-04:002009-08-08T17:07:49.626-04:00

I am enjoying SO much my readers coming via Condron.us. You guys are from all over the world and I can see your country in my stats. I hope this is entertaining and educational and you enjoy travel and visiting as much as I do.This is supposed to be about the American Revolution in North Carolina. I have digress somewhat to traveling since I have SO many readers from outside NC. But, I must dig

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-25256985966817853332009-08-08T17:03:00.000-04:002009-08-08T17:04:25.863-04:00

Well, just guess. I had no idea about this place.

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2332741065666269514.post-26449549709096509512009-08-07T13:24:00.008-04:002009-08-07T16:54:28.576-04:00

Hi from Rick: Get out there, listen and learn. I love Rick Steves. He is a travel agent who is now a celebrity himself. We see his TV show on PBS. I am on his email list AND someday I will take one of his tours. Today, he sent an email and made a comment about freedom.We are blessed to be free and affluent enough to travel if we want. That freedom and opportunity is most clear when you share a

Donnanoreply@blogger.com0