HEARTS AT WORK PROJECT
Hearts at Work: Honoring Our Frontline Community Workers
Inspired by the efforts of essential frontline workers, we have created Hearts at Work, a new Folk School project to acknowledge and show our gratitude for front line workers during the COVID-19 crisis. We’re seeking submissions and asking Folk School makers to create and donate heart-themed projects to be presented to essential employees in Clay and Cherokee counties.
HEARTS AT WORK ALBUM
Hearts Abound at the Folk School
Since announcing the Hearts at Work project last week to students, staff, and instructors, the Brasstown post office has been delivering heart-filled packages every day. We're enjoying hearing from everyone and seeing all the creativity and care our students and instructors are putting into their "hearts."
Fund-A-Need Program
#GivingTuesdayNow = Generosity Now
Jerry Jackson, Folk School Executive Director, talks about "Giving Tuesday Now" a global day of giving as an emergency response to the need caused by COVID-19.#GivingTuesdayNow is a day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.
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News and Updates
Schedule Updates & FAQs
We hope you and your loved ones are doing well and staying safe during this unprecedented time. Although we have suspended classes and events until further notice, Folk School staff are working at home and individually on campus to ensure we’ll be ready to welcome you back as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
RECENT STORIES
Watch Leah Dolgoy Play Morningsong from Montreal
On Friday, May 29, the sweet-stringed sounds of Leah Dolgoy’s autoharp will once again (virtually) fill Folk School ears with joy and magic for our Facebook Live Morningsong. If you miss the live show, check back here, on this post, for a recording. In the meantime, enjoy an interview with Leah below, originally published in 2016.
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Join Us for Our Virtual Appalachian Traditions Discussion Series
Join us for Appalachian Traditions, virtual discussions with instructors from our master-artist-led series on traditional Appalachian craft. These free, hour-long conversations provide a space for instructors in traditional craft to share their personal stories and discuss their creative process. We’ll explore the historic role of craft in Appalachia, examine its continued relevance today, and learn how practitioners are working to promote their craft and inspire the next generation of traditional makers.
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Update: Little Middle 2020 Cancellation
In order to ensure the safety of our students, instructors, and local community, the Folk School has made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Kids Little/Middle Program due to COVID-19.
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If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out with Aubrey Atwater
Using clogging, music, and storytelling to charm Folk School audiences since 1996, Aubrey Atwater exudes a talent, grace, and humor unique to the most talented of performers. She teaches traditional music and dance regularly at the Folk School and while classes are on hiatus, Aubrey will be joining us for a virtual discussion on Monday, May 18 as part of our Appalachian Traditions discussion series. In the meantime, enjoy an interview with Aubrey, originally published on on our blog on July 2, 2103:
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THE FOLK SCHOOL COOKBOOK
Featured Recipe
Spring Green Soup
In the springtime, the 300 acres that comprise John C. Campbell Folk School turn at least 300 colors and that’s just the greens. There is not enough paint to capture it although we try. The winter passed, the woods and garden erupt and we are reminded to eat greens. Spring gardens are filled with tender lettuces and early spring vegetables including broccoli, green onions and carrots.
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Tips for a Late Freeze in the Garden
A May Mother’s Day frost is late for our region. This weekend it look like temperatures will get down to below freezing, so take a moment to learn what I do in the Folk School Garden to prevent damage and to protect the young plants. Also, stay tuned to the end of the video to see my tips for your home gardens.
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Shearing Day at Martha’s Farm & A Prize for All
The days have pushed themselves along since the birth of our three brave lambs born to “Robin” on March 6th. When they arrived, I did not call them anything much. I just looked at them, noted their shape and health and desire to eat, and thought, Those three, they are the ones without names!
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A Look Back at Folk School May Day Celebrations
Wishing you a happy May Day! We’re looking forward to dancing around the May Pole together again, but until then, we put together this post filled with photos of years past, a video from 2011, and an excerpt by Nanette Davidson about May Day from The Folk School Cookbook. Enjoy!
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Coming Together: COVID-19 Community Resources
As we enter a new normal, we are discovering ways to support our neighbors during these trying times. We feel it’s essential to stay connected and to share information about ways our community can give and receive support. We have created this community resource list and will continue to update it as we learn new information.
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Coming Together: COVID-19 Artist Resources
Although the Folk School is not able to bring people together during this time, many staff are connecting with arts and craft organizations through email, phone, and online meetings. We are encouraged by the outpouring of support and concern for the craft community as we learn about resources for artists during these times. We have compiled a list of COVID-19 resources available for artists here. If you have additional information and would like to contribute to this list, please post a comment below.
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Late April Garden Tour
Enjoy a tour of the late April Folk School Garden. The tour includes a look at early cucumbers, melons, zuchinni, and summer squash. We are still harvesting salad greens and the beets are almost ready to pull up too. The tomatoes are planted and strawberries are just turning from pink to red. We are still using some hoops to cover some of the crops on chilly nights. The new cut flower section is looking good with early cosmos, zinnia, and snapdragon starts.
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A Look at Southern Scrap Quilts with Pepper Cory
One of Pepper’s specialties is Southern scrap quilts, both making and collecting. Pepper explains that Southern scrap quilts, particularly from North Carolina, are a fascinating study in frugality, family life, and beauty.
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Cannon County Basket Tradition with Sue Williams
Sue Williams is recognized for the preservation of the Cannon County white oak basket making tradition, one of the most renowned basket making traditions in the United States. Sue’s commitment to education, advocacy, and teaching the tradition has secured a future for the this style beyond the original basket making families of Cannon County, Tennessee. We are delighted to have Sue teach the Cannon County white oak basket style regularly at the Folk School.
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The Joy of Cooking & Quilting: An Interview with Penny Prichard
A chef by trade, Penny has been teaching Cooking at the Folk School since 2000. In 2008, she also started teaching Quilting, Sewing, and Needlework. Let’s get to know Penny a little more. Enjoy our interview!
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Spring Garden Tour with Farmer Teddy
Happy Earth Day everyone! Usually during Earth Week, we celebrate Mother Earth’s amazing treasures with programming connected to nature. This year we invite you to take a walk around the Folk School Garden with Farmer Teddy.
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Keep on the Sunny Side with the Pressley Girls
Brighten your day with this wonderful video of “Keep on the Sunny Side” recorded especially for the Folk School audience by The Pressley Girls.
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How to Make Sourdough English Muffins with Emily Buehler
Sourdough English muffins are a great recipe to make when you feed your sourdough starter. The preferment includes a dash of sugar, while the main dough recipe includes baking soda. Both of these ingredients help the dough rise, meaning that the recipe should work even if your starter is a bit past its prime or you don’t do the greatest job at kneading.
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