May 2013 – NC-Culture

NC Culture Round-up for May 31

Posted on Thu - May 30th, 2013 by NC-Culture Posted in Of Special Interest .

NC Culture was out of town over the holiday weekend, so we are a little sparse on top posts this week, but we certainly do have a few to share! Our thanks to all the contributors that we so enjoy showcasing.

Jarvis Gray

Jarvis Gray is a new photographer to us, and we were lucky to stumble across him. This actually should have been included in the roundup a couple of weeks ago, but he’s a difficult man to hunt down..but hunt him down we did, and he graciously allowed us to include his photo here. You can see more of his work by accessing the link above, and we promise you..it is well worth it!

Jarvis Gray: Canadian Hole

David Vanover

What can we say about David Vanover? Hmm..I can say that we are putting the pressure on him to please start a page, so we can share a link for him…he’s a little like Keith Green is this respect…he’s all about the shot, and the rest is just hoopla!

David Vanover with Grandfather Mountain

Terry Barnes Fine Art

Terry Barnes Photography on Facebook

Terry Barnes is a frequent contributor with his photos, and we are so pleased to include him this week, with his shot of Cullasaja Falls. Thank you, Terry, for allowing us to share this again.

Terry Barnes Photography with Cullasaja Falls

Keith Green

Seems like Keith Green just can’t post a picture that doesn’t head straight for top posts! And this one of Southport was no exception. Then Keith (and this should come as no surprise) had yet a second picture hit top posts..some people are just flat out wizards with a camera.

Southport by Keith Green

Keith Green’s second photo to hit top posts this week

Stacy Redmon

Red Rock Photography

Red Rock Photography on Facebook

A little about Stacy Redmon: As a native of Western North Carolina I grew up in an amazingly beautiful environment. However I never truly appreciated the beauty until I moved away to Central Georgia for Graduate School. Upon returning to Asheville in 2000 I realized how beautiful WNC truly is and how much I had taken it for granted. I began hiking and exploring the mountains and developed a passion for photography which gave me a medium to record the beauty that I discovered. The photos on my site are mostly from the mountains of WNC and now I highly enjoy sharing them with you here!

Peacock by Red Rock Photography

We also hit top posts ourselves, with a few pics from our mountain trip. We have no idea if folks were just being nice, or if they seriously thought they were good pics, but for better or worse, here’s a few that generated some interest!

Emerald Village

331 McKinney Mine Road Little Switzerland, NC 28749 828 765 6463

From our recent trip to the NC Mineral Museum

The 48 string hammered dulcimer of John A Mason was both a joy to view and to hear. John is the resident musician at Chimney Rock State Park, and you can view his website at Blue Ridge Breezes.

John A Mason’s 48 string hammered dulcimer: Chimney Rock State Park

The following two pictures also were well received, as we learned a little about burial practices in the earlier years. Our host for this side trip will remain nameless, as will the cemetery, due to the recent vandalism they experienced. However, this very kind gentleman did explain to us that double slabs of rock, or a duel-notched slab, designated burial of either twins or siblings that passed together.

Duel headstones: cemetery in NC mountains

Double-notched headstone: Mountains of NC

Probably one of the most popular pictures from our trip, this is Lake Lure, taken from the first level at Chimney Rock State Park. You can actually just barely see our vehicle in the far, far away parking lot in the lower right, which gives you a good idea of just how high you are when you visit Chimney Rock.

Lake Lure: photographed from Chimney Rock State Park

Five Must See Waterfalls in Western North Carolina: by Todd Ransom

Posted on Thu - May 30th, 2013 by NC-Culture Posted in A Little Different .

Five Must See Waterfalls in Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina is home to hundreds of waterfalls, from trickling creek flows like Cove Creek Falls to the mighty roar of behemoths like Whitewater Falls or Big Falls. With so many choices, how do you pick the best? Here are five of the most beautiful waterfalls in this spectacular region to whet your appetite. Did I leave out your favorite? Let me know Waterfalls of Western North Carolina .

Whitewater Falls

Whitewater Falls: Photographer: Todd Ransom

According to the National Forest Service, Whitewater Falls is “the highest waterfall East of the Rockies” at 411 feet. There is some debate about the claim, but there is no doubt that Whitewater Falls is one of the most spectacular falls in the state. After paying the $2 parking fee, follow the paved path for a leisurely stroll to the viewing area. There is a lower viewing area down two flights of stairs which is well worth the effort.

Linville Falls, Linville Gorge Wilderness Area

Linville Falls: Photographer: Todd Ransom

Linville Falls sits at the northern end of the mighty Linville Gorge, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East”. It plunges into a deep plunge basin full of icy cold water, but swimming is strictly prohibited at Linville Falls as many people have drowned in the powerful currents here. Be sure to check out the views from the Plunge Basin Overlook and Erwin’s View.

High Falls, Dupont State Forest

High Falls: Photographer: Todd Ransom

High Falls is just one of three waterfalls you can see in a mile long stretch of the DuPont State Forest just outside of Brevard. The DuPont State Forest has been popular with hollywood, hosting movie sets for *Last of the Mohicans* as well as *The Hunger Games*. Take the hike to see Hooker Falls, High Falls, and Triple Falls and you will understand the fascination.

Courthouse Falls, Pisgah National Forest

Courthouse Falls: Photographer: Todd Ransom

Courthouse Falls is a 50 foot plunge on Courthouse Creek below the infamous Devil’s Courthouse, a rather ominous rock face that looms over the Blue Ridge Parkway at 5,720 ft. Legend has it Judaculla, a mythical giant hunter who could control wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, lived in the cave at Devil’s Courthouse.

Schoolhouse Falls, Panthertown Valley

Schoolhouse Falls: Photographer: Todd Ransom

Schoolhouse Falls may be the smallest waterfall represented here at only 20 feet, but it more than makes up for the lack of size with a tranquil plunge pool filled with icy cold water for Summer swimming. It also happens to be located right in the center of Panthertown Valley, where there are also 13 other named waterfalls and countless swimming holes in a pristine Southern alpine setting.

Todd Ransom is a nature photographer and author of *The Waterfalls of Western North Carolina* for iPhone and iPad. You can find more of his work by visiting Flickin Amazing .

sources:

Appalachian History: Stories, quotes, and anecdotes

NC Culture Round Up: Budget cuts, “Take Me Fishing”, and photos

Posted on Thu - May 23rd, 2013 by NC-Culture Posted in Of Special Interest .

Important links and notices:

Wildlife budget cuts:

A: RALEIGH, N.C. (May. 20, 2013) —The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has scheduled an emergency telephonic meeting of its governing board for tomorrow, May 21, at 3 p.m., to discuss impacts of the proposed Senate budget cuts.

Senate Bill 402 proposes $9,476,588 from State appropriations to fund N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission operations — a 49 percent cut in appropriations to the State fish and wildlife agency.

The telephonic meeting will allow Wildlife Commissioners to discuss the proposed Senate budget’s impacts on day-to-day operations, including conservation programs, infrastructure and personnel.

Download the PDF for the Notice to the Secretary of State of the May 21 emergency telephonic meeting: http://tinyurl.com/kqhvv3x

for more information, please click here

“Take Me Fishing” program

B: “Take Me Fishing” program for North Carolina: please click here.

Jim Dollar Photography

Jim Dollar Photography in Greensboro, NC

Keith Green

Do I really need to voice the accolades for Keith Green? Although Keith will swear all day long he is not a professional, there is just something about Keith and NC that flat just go together..and it shows in his photos. Kieth has frequently been featured on our page, and photographs regularly in the Oak Island area.

Keith Green

Jeff Pettitt and his muse.

Yes, it is Yates Mill, and yes, it is one of our favorite mill photographers, Jeff Pettitt .

To view Jeff’s Facebook page, please click here.

To view more by Jeff, please click here

Yates Mill by Jeff Pettitt Photography

Mark Lemmon

Mark Lemmon of the Outer Banks NC Local Artist page truly graced us with this photo this week from the Avon area. To see Mark’s photography page, please click here

Mark Lemmon with the Outer Banks

Cindi Naylor Pate

Cindi Naylor Pate is with Down Home Magazine, and stepped outside her comfort zone a little to share on of her favorite places, Kerr Lake. Down Home Magazine hails from Wayne County, and you can view it by clicking here.

Cindi Naylor Pate with Kerr Lake

Lori Chappell

Lori Chappell has been featured before with NC Culture. She contributed one of our first guest blogs with a piece on the pony statuary around the banks, and you can view that post by clicking here. Lori also manages the Insights, Images and Poetry page on Facebook, which focuses on the Currituck area.

Lori Chappell with the Wright Memorial

Myron Carter

Myron is probably more noted for his incredible wood burnings, but we think he just hit the nail on the head with this photo of Lake Junaluska, and apparently our followers agreed. To view Myron’s impressive work, please click here.

Myron Carter with Lake Junaluska

Lisa Schacht, Wandering Photography

Lisa is a fairly new discover for NC Culture, and has been extremely well -received on the page..many fell in love with this particular picture! She just recently opened a photography page, and to view more of Lisa’s work, please click here.

Lisa Schacht, Wandering Photography