Catch the Spirit of Appalachia, a 501c3 nonprofit organization

07/18/2024

Come out and visit with my brother David and me at the Banjo Extravaganza this Saturday at Hagood Mill Historic Site. Here is the music agenda.

Hagood Mill Historic Site Presents: Banjo Extravaganza 2024

When: Saturday, July 20, 2024 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Cost: $5.00 (kids 9yrs and under are free)
Weekend Special Tickets - $20.00 per adult (Includes tickets to the Friday evening and Saturday events. Also includes camping passes for Friday and Saturday)
Tickets will be available at the gate on Friday evening and beginning at 10:00 am on Saturday.
Join your friends at Hagood Mill on Saturday, July 20th for a Banjo Extravaganza. This educational event will trace the long history of the banjo from its earliest beginnings as a gourd instrument in Africa to today’s modern-day cousin, which is well recognized. Enjoy the rich history of sounds, songs, and playing styles that have evolved alongside this instrument for hundreds of years. So, if you’ve ever wondered what’s the difference between picking styles such as “claw hammer,” “two-finger,” “three-finger,” or “roll picking,” you need to come to Hagood Mill. Performers include Kora player, Diali Cissokho; Andy Eversole of Banjo Earth; Lilly Anne; Ayden Chappell with Judson Stone; Owen Grooms & Bob Buckingham; and special guest, Chuck Beattie. Lucy Allen will be our host emcee for Banjo Extravaganza 2024.
As always, visitors are encouraged to bring their favorite old-time instruments and join in the open jams, which take place at various locations around the site throughout the day.
Admission on Saturday is $5.00 per person which includes access to the Hagood Mill Historic Site as well as to the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site. All proceeds from admission help offset the costs at Hagood Mill. Children 9 and under are free and there are no parking fees. Gates will open at 10 am.
There will be food and craft vendors onsite throughout the day, so bring a little extra cash.
There will be lots of other things to see on July 20th as Hagood Mill hosts a variety of folk-life and traditional-arts demonstrations. There will be blacksmithing, chair-caning, wood working, pottery, quilting, spinning, looming, knitting, metalsmithing, leatherworking demonstrations and more! You can also ask questions of the artists and make a purchase of their traditional art to take home.
The centerpiece of the Hagood Mill Historic Site is the water-powered 1845 gristmill. It is one of the finest examples of nineteenth century technology in the Upcountry and operates just as it has for the last century and a half. The mill will be running throughout the day. In the old mill, fresh stone-ground cornmeal and grits will be available for sale. Hagood Mill cookbooks and a variety of other mill-related products will also be available.
So, pack up the car, head on out, and don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
The Hagood Mill Historic Site is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. year-round. The Mill operates, rain or shine, on the third Saturday of every month.

07/08/2024

Here's the information about our upcoming Ammons Reunion!

01/14/2024

My son-in-law, Mike Fortner is running for Sheriff of Greenville County. Check out his web page: votemikefortner.com

11/22/2023

Growing up, my sister Doreyl, brother David, and I (all three close together in age) did just about everything together, for we had no neighbor children close enough to play with in those days. And since money was non ex...

10/05/2023

Hope to see you at ColorFest this Saturday in Dillsboro, NC. Introducing my new book, My Cucumber Doll, and will be giving away handmade dolls along with each sale. Would make a wonderful gift for the holidays.

BOOK PUBLISHING—Over the last 10 years we have published 141 books by authors of historical fiction, poetry, drama, romance, children's books, non-fiction, and more.
STORYTELLING by the Ammons Sisters—telling tales of growing up in the mountains.

10/01/2023

Home. When I think of home, my mind goes back to simpler times...back to that little house in the mountains where my sister, brother and I were all together with Mother and Daddy. Sometimes, as you get older, those child...

08/15/2023

I remember when I was ten years old, my sister nine, and my brother seven. We’d spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa. That’s when he’d tell stories so scary that we’d be afraid to go to sleep at night. We were sure s...

04/12/2023

Oh, so long ago, when times were slow, yet magical . . .

When cottonwood puffs go flying through the air, I remember springtime in the mountains...and miracle shoots. Springtime brought planting time, and planting time brought miracles.

03/31/2023

Grandson Alex at East Carolina

“Alex Flinn putting together impressive spring in ECU's QB room "He has complete command of the offense. He’s trimmed down a little bit, so he’s moving better. He’s throwing the ball with really good zip." https://t.co/w3oAynrOBC”

03/15/2023

KidsFest 2023 Hagood Mill Historic Site Saturday March 18th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
KidsFest is a cherished collaboration between the Hagood Mill Historic Site and the Young Appalachian Musicians, two beloved non-profits in Pickens County, South Carolina. Come out to Hagood Mill Historic Site on Saturday, March 18, 2023, for a fun-filled day featuring performances from all the participating YAMs programs in Pickens County. In addition to the children sharing their musical prowess, there will be an old-fashioned talent show and traditional games and activities throughout the day. Activities include Paint the Ponies with Mounted Ministries, a kazoo workshop, a jug band jam, archaeological adventures, old-timey clothes washing, rock painting, and more! There will also be an “Instrument Petting Zoo.” In this petting zoo, everyone will have a chance to “pet” or hold and play a variety of traditional Appalachian instruments.There will be lots of other things to see on March 18th as Hagood Mill hosts a variety of folklife and traditional-arts demonstrations. There will be blacksmithing, chair-caning, moonshining, basketmaking, pottery, quilting, spinning, knitting, weaving, woodcarving, metalsmithing demonstrations and much more! Visitors are encouraged to ask questions of the artists, gain insight, and if you wish, spend a little money to secure a traditional arts treasure of your own.The centerpiece of the Hagood Mill Historic Site is the water-powered 1845 gristmill. It is one of the finest examples of nineteenth century technology in the Upcountry and operates just as it has for the last century and a half. The mill will be running throughout the day. In the old mill, fresh stone-ground cornmeal, grits, and wheat flour will be available. In addition, there are plans to grind rye flour, oat flour, oatmeal, and white popping corn meal and grits during this month’s 3rd Saturday event. Hagood Mill cookbooks and a variety of other mill-related items will also be available.Bubbles N Cream, Sweet Pop Candy Shop, and Chuck’s Kettle Corn will be the featured special “sweet treat” vendors for this event. Simpell Sammie’s and The Hungry Hiker food trucks will be on site serving up amazing sandwiches and BBQ. You won’t want to miss out on all the good things happening March 18. Tickets are $5.00 for those 10 years and older. Children 9 and under are free. Admission to the Hagood Mill Historic Site includes the Heritage Pavilion and the SC Petroglyph Site. To ensure a good seat for the entertainment, please bring your own chairs.The Hagood Mill Historic Site is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. year-round. The Mill operates, rain or shine, the third Saturday of every month.Both the Hagood Mill Historic Site and the SC Petroglyph Site are located 3 miles north of Main Street Pickens off Highway 178 W or 5 ½ miles south of Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy 11 just off Highway 178 E at 138 Hagood Mill Road.For additional information please contact Hagood Mill at (864) 898-2936, visit them on Facebook , or go to www.HagoodMillHistoricSite.com for a list of current programming and additional upcoming events.

03/14/2023

There’s a blue haze that meanders through our mountains, a dreamlike mist that wraps the body with coolness, and sometimes causes a person to slip back into time to relive some of the visions tucked away in the mind.

03/01/2023

I lost my mom and dad early in life, but some memories linger still ...

There’s a blue haze that meanders through our mountains, a dreamlike mist that wraps the body with coolness, and sometimes causes a person to slip back into time to relive some of the visions tucked away in the mind.