As an attorney, William Auman has handled around 70 murder cases, but he calls the Madison County double homicide that occurred in 1983 “perhaps the most haunting” of them. Decades after an elderly brother and sister in the Big Laurel community were murdered, the case has inspired Auman’s debut novel, "If Trees Could Testify…."
Working on her 2018 book "The Month of Their Ripening: North Carolina Heritage Foods" awakened documentary storyteller Georgann Eubanks to some of the dangers that threaten flora of the south. Her interest piqued, she visited six states, selecting 12 plants to explore in "Saving the Wild South: The Fight for Native Plants on the Brink of Extinction."
With the purchase of the 19.4-mile rail line between Hendersonville and Brevard complete, Friends of the Ecusta Trail and Conserving Carolina have begun raising funds for construction of the long awaited trail that will connect the two towns and rural communities in between, offering walking, wheelchair access, hiking and biking opportunities.
October is a month steeped in superstition. It is my favorite month of the year because of Halloween. My son is really into Greek mythology right now and has decided he will be dressing up as Poseidon. He thinks that I should dress up as Dionysus, the god of grape harvest, winemaking, fertility, intoxication and insanity.
“We launched our first-ever membership program to give back to those who have supported the work of the Center and to foster a community of people from across the country who are committed to the future of craft and the advancement of emerging leaders in the field,” says Center for Craft executive director Stephanie Moore.
The not-for-profit cooperative Dogwood Crafters started in 1976 with 12 dedicated members. Today, the organization boasts a membership of 85 housed in a 12-room log cabin in Dillsboro. Junetta Pell and her mother, Lessie Pell, were instrumental in the formation of the craft cooperative.
Though Mountain Trail Soap Company is a couple months shy of its first anniversary, owner Robert Mangum has been making soaps by hand for more than 20 years. He began crafting them when his sons were young and experiencing dry, irritated skin.
Anyone who has watched someone fly fishing has likely been mesmerized by the delicate and methodical dance of the line. Western North Carolina is a mecca for anglers with its diverse options for pristine waters. As love of the sport continues to grow, so does the influence of female anglers in what had historically been a male-dominated activity.
The Laurel of Asheville lifestyle magazine is available in both print and digital editionsWe are delighted you have chosen us to be your gateway—both through our popular print Asheville lifestyle magazine and our website—to the arts, culture, and communities that comprise the remarkable area that is Western North Carolina. In these pages, you will find behind-the-scenes stories about the region’s concerts, theatre and dance productions, festivals, restaurants, artists, and the multitude of locally-based businesses. We also enjoy bringing you features about the people and organizations who are caring for those in need, protecting our historic heritage, preserving our rich and diverse environment, and nurturing our cultural soul.
