Coffee with the Poets and Writers will feature poet Richard M. Cary, and Author and poet Carroll S. Taylor, on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at 10:30 AM at the Moss Memorial Library, Hayesville, NC

On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 10:30 AM, Coffee with the Poets and Writers (CWPW) will feature poet Richard M. Cary, and author and poet Carroll S. Taylor. This event will be held at the Moss Memorial Library, 26 Anderson Street,  in Hayesville, NC, and is free and open to the public. An open mic will follow the presentation. CWPW is sponsored by North Carolina Writers’ Network West (NCWN-W).

Richard Montford Cary has a MFA with a BFA in Theater Arts from Carnegie Mellon University, and spent six years in regional theaters (Antioch Area Theater Yellow Springs OH, Hartford Stage Company CT, Arena Stage Washington DC, and StageWest Springfield MA) as a master carpenter, technical director, resident designer, and actor. He became Artistic Director of Community Theatre, in Nantucket in 1980, and founded Actors Theatre of Nantucket, serving as Artistic Director for 20 years. 

Richard began writing poetry during high school and continues to this day. Currently, he is completing the editing of almost 60 years of his output. Seeking publication is his next goal. His claim to fame here in Hayesville is that his Great Aunt was Olive Dame Campbell, founder of the John C Campbell Folk School; he took a class there last fall and, using his life-long carpentry skills, built a beautiful yellow pine trestle table. He is also an accomplished harmonica player. He loves reading his poetry out loud.

Carroll S. Taylor holds graduate degrees in English and French as well as an EdS in Educational Leadership. She taught secondary French, English, Journalism, Creative Writing, and ESL. As a journalism advisor for high school students, she assisted in the publication of school newspapers and yearbooks, teaching both writing and layout/design. After retiring as a secondary teacher, she became a part-time instructor at Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia, teaching freshman composition and freshman seminars. Taylor is the author of two young adult novels, Chinaberry Summer and Chinaberry Summer: On the Other Side, published by New Plains Press, Auburn, Alabama. She is currently writing the third novel in the series, Chinaberry Summer: Down by the Water. 

Taylor enjoys writing in all forms, including poetry and novels. She loves reading, gardening, and studying nature, especially reptiles and amphibians. Readers may find her journal blog at chinaberrysummer.com and follow her at facebook/chinaberrysummer.

For more information about this event, please contact Glenda Beall at: glendabeall@msn.com.

Ron Hill presented with Quilt of Valor

A decade ago I met Ron Hill who was a writing student in my class at EAGLE, an adult education program at a church in Sautee Nacoochee, GA. I enjoyed Ron’s stories about his interesting life. I learned that he was from my region of North Carolina and served as  Director of the John C. Campbell Folk School many years ago. We have kept in touch by email all these years. Today I received the following.

Ron Hill, former Director of John C. Campbell Folk School

Presentation of Quilt of Valor to US Army War Veteran Ron Hill

A Quilt of Valor was presented to retired Captain/Sergeant Major Ron Hill of Sautee Nacoochee, GA on October 11, 2018.

The presentation was made by Karen Trombley and Terry Wright, Georgia Quilts of Valor volunteer members. In addition to the presentation, Trombley and Wright told the audience of the Northeast Georgia Veterans Society about the mission of the Quilts of Valor organization which is "to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor."  

They continued by relating the meaning behind the three layers that are used to construct a quilt. "The top of the quilt with its many colors, shapes, and fabrics, represents the communities and the many individuals we are. The batting, the filler, is the center of the quilt, its warmth. It represents our hope that this quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace, and healing to the individual who receives it. The backing is the strength that supports the other layers. It represents the strength of the recipient, the support of his or her family, our communities, and our nation. Each stitch that holds the layers together represents love, gratitude, and sometimes the tears of the maker."  The presentation concluded with a short biography of Ron’s service in the United States Army, which included his service in the Korean War 1953-54, Vietnam War 1969-70 and Desert Storm 1991.

Karen and Terry displayed the quilt during the presentation and then awarded the quilt to Ron. As the quilt was draped over his shoulders, Ron’s smile made all of our efforts worthwhile. We could tell that he was very pleased with the award and understood its meaning. Every stitch in this quilt was made with thanks to Ron for his service to our country.