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 the campaign to Kings Mountain to the public about 7;30 at Elkin City Park.
Y'all drive up or down.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
OVTA has found the computer
www.ovta-org.blogspot.com
Enough 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.
Enough 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.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
More News!
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, SC historic sites, some F & I War, Revolutionary War, some later, but all interesting. Tour led by guides Dean Hunt and Roy Vandergrift, III. Rain or shine. For more information see http://www.southerncampaign.org/cod.php
October 31, 2009 – Grover, NC – Southern Campaigns Revolutionary War Roundtable at The Inn of The Patriots. If you are interested in attending this meeting please contact Charles B. Baxley. For location see: http://theinnofthepatriots.com and more information: http://www.southerncampaign.org/rt.php
November 6 – 7, 2009 – Camden, SC – SC Archives and History Foundation Annual Meeting. Starting Friday, November 6th at 1:00 pm with lectures: “The Journey of Explorer and Naturalist John Lawson, 1700-1701” - Val Green; “Joseph Kershaw and the Founding of Camden” – archaeologist Kenneth E. Lewis; “The Revolutionary War in the Carolina Backcountry” – historian and author Michael C. Scoggins; “Churches in the Revolutionary Era in South Carolina” – historian Daniel Tortora; and “The Cash-Shannon Duel” – William B. “Rusty” DePass, Jr. Saturday, November 7th tours: Clarence Mahoney will lead the Quaker Cemetery waking tours; Battle of Camden led by Charles B. Baxley and Dr. Jim Piecuch bus tours; tour of Camden’s historic churches led by Walter “Buddy” Clark bus tours; and the Battle of Hobkirk Hill bus tour led by David P. Reuwer and John Allison. 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm - Gen. Francis Marion Papers Project – David Neilan. Sunday, November 8th - 9:30 am - brunch at the antebellum home of Gov. John G. Richards in Liberty Hill, SC. For fees and registration information: http://www.palmettohistory.org
November 21, 2009 – Charlotte, NC - Historic Mapping Congress – Central Piedmont Community Collegehttp://www.southerncampaign.org/merch.php
We hope to see you at these events. For other Revolutionary War events see our on-lone calendar at: http://www.southerncampaign.org/coe.php
Charles B. Baxley
Publisher
Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution
www.southerncampaign.org
cbbaxley@truvista.net
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, SC historic sites, some F & I War, Revolutionary War, some later, but all interesting. Tour led by guides Dean Hunt and Roy Vandergrift, III. Rain or shine. For more information see http://www.southerncampaign.org/cod.php
October 31, 2009 – Grover, NC – Southern Campaigns Revolutionary War Roundtable at The Inn of The Patriots. If you are interested in attending this meeting please contact Charles B. Baxley. For location see: http://theinnofthepatriots.com and more information: http://www.southerncampaign.org/rt.php
November 6 – 7, 2009 – Camden, SC – SC Archives and History Foundation Annual Meeting. Starting Friday, November 6th at 1:00 pm with lectures: “The Journey of Explorer and Naturalist John Lawson, 1700-1701” - Val Green; “Joseph Kershaw and the Founding of Camden” – archaeologist Kenneth E. Lewis; “The Revolutionary War in the Carolina Backcountry” – historian and author Michael C. Scoggins; “Churches in the Revolutionary Era in South Carolina” – historian Daniel Tortora; and “The Cash-Shannon Duel” – William B. “Rusty” DePass, Jr. Saturday, November 7th tours: Clarence Mahoney will lead the Quaker Cemetery waking tours; Battle of Camden led by Charles B. Baxley and Dr. Jim Piecuch bus tours; tour of Camden’s historic churches led by Walter “Buddy” Clark bus tours; and the Battle of Hobkirk Hill bus tour led by David P. Reuwer and John Allison. 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm - Gen. Francis Marion Papers Project – David Neilan. Sunday, November 8th - 9:30 am - brunch at the antebellum home of Gov. John G. Richards in Liberty Hill, SC. For fees and registration information: http://www.palmettohistory.org
November 21, 2009 – Charlotte, NC - Historic Mapping Congress – Central Piedmont Community Collegehttp://www.southerncampaign.org/merch.php
We hope to see you at these events. For other Revolutionary War events see our on-lone calendar at: http://www.southerncampaign.org/coe.php
Charles B. Baxley
Publisher
Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution
www.southerncampaign.org
cbbaxley@truvista.net
Just how many Apple festivals are there in NC?
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 lots of apple festivals in NC. So I have set about looking for them. Here are some more:
NC Apple Festival oops missed it..
Apple Festival, Bethabara, -rained out? Maybe next year.
Lincolnton Apple Festival - oops , another miss and same day as Winston!!
The Historic Orchard at Altapass - is one year long festival, but special when OVTA comes - missed it again!!!!
Apple Harvest Festival in Waynesville, Oct. 18th -- there is still time!!!!!
Taylorsville Hometown Apple Festival, Oct 17th - another one, two in one weekend. go west!
Eden Apple Festival - hummmmm, maybe not be one this year, can't find it....
APPLE FESTIVAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR in Murphy?
well....
In my e-search, I hear a lot of northerners, my fellow Cary/ChapelHillites complaining about the lack of variety and great apples. They are simply not down there, though I have wonderful memories of the little tart green apple-pie apples in my aunt's yard which still stand in someone else's yard near Miss Georgia Court in Cary (named for my Gramma "Georgia").
Come to the mountains - TODAY! you can make it to the Brushys from the Triangle in 3 hours by car. It's NOT RAINING!!! 70 degrees! (F, for the rest of the world - its not hot)
And then there is this Black Walnut Festival in Bethania. Now that's what I want to see. Maybe I can get my mother-in-law to make the famous Elkin fruitcake she saved from the Winston-Salem Journal article of 1963 (made by the grandmother-in-law of one of my friends in Elkin who sings in Community Chorus with me and now is a famous facebook buddy)
Anyway it occurred to me that there are lots of apple festivals in NC. So I have set about looking for them. Here are some more:
NC Apple Festival oops missed it..
Apple Festival, Bethabara, -rained out? Maybe next year.
Lincolnton Apple Festival - oops , another miss and same day as Winston!!
The Historic Orchard at Altapass - is one year long festival, but special when OVTA comes - missed it again!!!!
Apple Harvest Festival in Waynesville, Oct. 18th -- there is still time!!!!!
Taylorsville Hometown Apple Festival, Oct 17th - another one, two in one weekend. go west!
Eden Apple Festival - hummmmm, maybe not be one this year, can't find it....
APPLE FESTIVAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR in Murphy?
well....
In my e-search, I hear a lot of northerners, my fellow Cary/ChapelHillites complaining about the lack of variety and great apples. They are simply not down there, though I have wonderful memories of the little tart green apple-pie apples in my aunt's yard which still stand in someone else's yard near Miss Georgia Court in Cary (named for my Gramma "Georgia").
Come to the mountains - TODAY! you can make it to the Brushys from the Triangle in 3 hours by car. It's NOT RAINING!!! 70 degrees! (F, for the rest of the world - its not hot)
And then there is this Black Walnut Festival in Bethania. Now that's what I want to see. Maybe I can get my mother-in-law to make the famous Elkin fruitcake she saved from the Winston-Salem Journal article of 1963 (made by the grandmother-in-law of one of my friends in Elkin who sings in Community Chorus with me and now is a famous facebook buddy)
I'm here to tell you the news!
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 dishes , laundry, stacks of reference books, and general mayhem. (AHHHggH!) My beautiful southern living room is invaded with amplifiers, various musical instruments, picks, pliers and dust cloths because RG is off and running this time of year with all these festivals and book signings. Let me not talk about PJ's bathroom which is supposed to be the main/guest bath, but which since no one EVER comes over has ...well... evolved. I blamed my neckbrace, drew a deep breath and invited her in. We had a wonderful catching up talk. Inspite of that, I am just determined to give everything I own and live in a box with my computer to avoid having all these things to take care of. Unannounced visitors are the purpose of libraries and country clubs. This is after all the 21st century.
If I really want to go back in time when every grand house was a rest stop for travelers I have recently found all this great news! The Inn of the Patriots for example and its adventureous American Revolutionary War Living History Experience in Cleveland county at Grover, NC. They even have a Colonel Cleaveland Museum!!! (note: old weird spelling for good 'ol Roundabout) Shelby, NC, named for Isaac Shelby of Kings Mountain fame, is the county seat.
If I really want to go back in time when every grand house was a rest stop for travelers I have recently found all this great news! The Inn of the Patriots for example and its adventureous American Revolutionary War Living History Experience in Cleveland county at Grover, NC. They even have a Colonel Cleaveland Museum!!! (note: old weird spelling for good 'ol Roundabout) Shelby, NC, named for Isaac Shelby of Kings Mountain fame, is the county seat.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Okay, this is the filming related to Ken Burns
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 everyone is encouraged to enjoy the many exhibits we will have such as live snakes, a bee cage, traditional archers, mountain biking, and much more. The Overmountain National Historic Trail Association will have revolutionary war re-enactors, demonstrate traditional crafts, and provide guided tours of the Overmountain Victory Trail. There will be a book swap hosted by UNC-TV's Read-A-Roo. Kids....remember to bring an old book you would like to trade! Click here for activities.
Well its too bad we missed the Aug. 29th meeting of the OVTA board due to two surgeries. I wouldn't have led you astray... I found the email with the NPS director's notes and discovered the OVNHT is not in Ken Burn's series. I still have 50 minutes to hear even a mention of it. Tonight they already included the Appalachian Trail which is part of the Parks Service. Since the trail was not a park until 1980, maybe, just maybe they will mention it.
In 2005, I talked to Ken Burn's agent to inquire what it would take to get him to our anniversary event. I had heard him speak in Charlotte. I knew he would be interested in our history story. Well, it takes A LOT to get Ken Burns to speak. But I did convey the idea.
Here's a secret. I conveyed the idea again this week to a star and I asked him to adopt it. We will see.
Well its too bad we missed the Aug. 29th meeting of the OVTA board due to two surgeries. I wouldn't have led you astray... I found the email with the NPS director's notes and discovered the OVNHT is not in Ken Burn's series. I still have 50 minutes to hear even a mention of it. Tonight they already included the Appalachian Trail which is part of the Parks Service. Since the trail was not a park until 1980, maybe, just maybe they will mention it.
In 2005, I talked to Ken Burn's agent to inquire what it would take to get him to our anniversary event. I had heard him speak in Charlotte. I knew he would be interested in our history story. Well, it takes A LOT to get Ken Burns to speak. But I did convey the idea.
Here's a secret. I conveyed the idea again this week to a star and I asked him to adopt it. We will see.
My Press Release to any who wish to publish Nationwide
Press Release---
Oct 1, 2009
Wilkes-Surry OVTA
The 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 Day on Friday Oct. 9th for Elkin students in the 4th and 8th grades with the proceeds from this NPF grant funded by the Coca-Cola foundation and with donations from local supporters.
Special guest, Senator James Broyhill will address the students at 12:00 pm in Elkin City Park about the efforts to establish the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, as a part of the National Park Service in 1980.
There are eight National Parks that will receive the grant this year and this is the first time a National Historic Trail has been selected. The purpose of the “Active Trails” program is to provide funding to National Parks to bring people to trails.
The National Park Service and the National Overmountain Victory Trail Association formed a partnership comprised of Paul Carson, Alan Bowen, Fran Dahl, R.G. Absher of Elkin, Marc Bowen and Mike Dahl to put this grant to work. This committee developed and submitted a plan to the National Parks Foundation on June 19th . It was approved later this past summer.
The plan specifies that OVTA will manage the grant and support the communities to plan these events that will bring people to the Trail during the annual OVTA March in September and October and again on National Trails Day on June 5, 2010.
The National Parks Foundation Active Trails grant will be used to assist and support communities in starting new events and programs, or to expand existing events and programs, that will attract visitors to enjoy the recreational opportunities and learn the historic significance of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail in their community.
The communities that were specified in the grant request to receive funding are Abingdon, Virginia, Bluff City, TN, Spruce Pine, NC, Morganton, NC, Rutherfordton, NC, Polk County, NC, Elkin,NC and Cowpens National Battlefield.
The anticipated benefits derived from employing the grant will include increased community awareness of improved health derived from outdoor activities, an increased sense of ownership by the communities for their heritage, a stronger community willingness to expand and grow the events and programs in future years and increased membership in the OVTA.”
The grant has a provision that allows matching funds up to $10,000 with the National
Parks Foundation. If successful, this could increase the grant up to $70,000. Elkin has received a financial donation from Member’s Credit Union in support of this match. In addition, All-Star Rentals, Comb’s Hometown Butcher Shop, and the North Carolina Forest Service in Dobson have provided in-kind donations in support of this event..
Students will spend one school day walking between stations to meet period re-enactors and to participate in hands-on learning experiences. The stations explain how people lived in the Yadkin Valley during 178O. Students will accomplish activities incorporating math, science, history, writing, visual and performance arts when they encounter colonial soldiers, long hunters, women, and militia. They will discuss loyalists, patriots, African-Americans, Native Americans and Surry families; explore textile creation, candle making, cooking, games, blacksmithing and other necessary colonial skills; and experience modern trail discovery by walking the original path followed by Yadkin Valley men to the battle of Kings Mountain. Each child will accomplish walking approximately two miles during this focus on Active Trails.
This is the fourth event of this type in Elkin since 2003. Modeled after an award-winning event in Abingdon, Va., this year’s event is intended to create and grow an annual program in Yadkin Valley counties.
END
Dear Press,
We appreciate your interest in this story and in the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
The Schools are prepared for you to join us. We invite you to attend and report as you wish. The events will primarily take place in Elkin City Park at the trailhead of the OVNHT and continue along the trail by the Yadkin River. Fourth graders will work in activity stations in the morning and walk the trail after lunch. Eighth graders will walk the trail in the morning and participate in activities after lunch. Sen. Broyhill will speak at noon. www.nps.gov/ovvi, www.ovta.org, www.ovta-org.blogspot.com
Donna Absher
Project Coordinator
donnaaa@embarqmail.com
Elkin, NC
Oct 1, 2009
Wilkes-Surry OVTA
The 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 Day on Friday Oct. 9th for Elkin students in the 4th and 8th grades with the proceeds from this NPF grant funded by the Coca-Cola foundation and with donations from local supporters.
Special guest, Senator James Broyhill will address the students at 12:00 pm in Elkin City Park about the efforts to establish the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, as a part of the National Park Service in 1980.
There are eight National Parks that will receive the grant this year and this is the first time a National Historic Trail has been selected. The purpose of the “Active Trails” program is to provide funding to National Parks to bring people to trails.
The National Park Service and the National Overmountain Victory Trail Association formed a partnership comprised of Paul Carson, Alan Bowen, Fran Dahl, R.G. Absher of Elkin, Marc Bowen and Mike Dahl to put this grant to work. This committee developed and submitted a plan to the National Parks Foundation on June 19th . It was approved later this past summer.
The plan specifies that OVTA will manage the grant and support the communities to plan these events that will bring people to the Trail during the annual OVTA March in September and October and again on National Trails Day on June 5, 2010.
The National Parks Foundation Active Trails grant will be used to assist and support communities in starting new events and programs, or to expand existing events and programs, that will attract visitors to enjoy the recreational opportunities and learn the historic significance of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail in their community.
The communities that were specified in the grant request to receive funding are Abingdon, Virginia, Bluff City, TN, Spruce Pine, NC, Morganton, NC, Rutherfordton, NC, Polk County, NC, Elkin,NC and Cowpens National Battlefield.
The anticipated benefits derived from employing the grant will include increased community awareness of improved health derived from outdoor activities, an increased sense of ownership by the communities for their heritage, a stronger community willingness to expand and grow the events and programs in future years and increased membership in the OVTA.”
The grant has a provision that allows matching funds up to $10,000 with the National
Parks Foundation. If successful, this could increase the grant up to $70,000. Elkin has received a financial donation from Member’s Credit Union in support of this match. In addition, All-Star Rentals, Comb’s Hometown Butcher Shop, and the North Carolina Forest Service in Dobson have provided in-kind donations in support of this event..
Students will spend one school day walking between stations to meet period re-enactors and to participate in hands-on learning experiences. The stations explain how people lived in the Yadkin Valley during 178O. Students will accomplish activities incorporating math, science, history, writing, visual and performance arts when they encounter colonial soldiers, long hunters, women, and militia. They will discuss loyalists, patriots, African-Americans, Native Americans and Surry families; explore textile creation, candle making, cooking, games, blacksmithing and other necessary colonial skills; and experience modern trail discovery by walking the original path followed by Yadkin Valley men to the battle of Kings Mountain. Each child will accomplish walking approximately two miles during this focus on Active Trails.
This is the fourth event of this type in Elkin since 2003. Modeled after an award-winning event in Abingdon, Va., this year’s event is intended to create and grow an annual program in Yadkin Valley counties.
END
Dear Press,
We appreciate your interest in this story and in the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
The Schools are prepared for you to join us. We invite you to attend and report as you wish. The events will primarily take place in Elkin City Park at the trailhead of the OVNHT and continue along the trail by the Yadkin River. Fourth graders will work in activity stations in the morning and walk the trail after lunch. Eighth graders will walk the trail in the morning and participate in activities after lunch. Sen. Broyhill will speak at noon. www.nps.gov/ovvi, www.ovta.org, www.ovta-org.blogspot.com
Donna Absher
Project Coordinator
donnaaa@embarqmail.com
Elkin, NC
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)