CEDAR MOUNTAIN NEWS FOR THURSDAY 7-16-26

Faith Memorial Chapel welcomes folks of all denominations to our services, held on Sundays at 11:00 AM.  We meet only in the summer and have no membership roll, so you won’t feel like a guest.  Each Sunday, we have clergy from different churches that visit us to lead the service and we are blessed to also have great music to accompany the great message! On July 19th, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Steve Eason. Steve is a retired Presbyterian (USA) pastor, author, pastoral counselor, teacher and consultant. A graduate of Duke Divinity School (’79), Steve served churches of all sizes over his 40 years of ministry. Music this Sunday will be provided by Brevard Music Center.

BLOOD DRIVE

Give the gift of life. A blood drive is scheduled for Saturday, Aug 8, 2026 from 8:30 am 12:30 pm at the Cedar Mountain Fire Rescue station. Please mark your calendars.   You are needed.  Please call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 for appointment

SHERWOOD FOREST FRIENDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 18: Richard Smith in Concert7 p.m. in the Robin Hood Barn, in Sherwood Forest

Internationally acclaimed guitarist Richard Smith returns to Sherwood Forest with a solo repertoire that spans from up-tempo barn burners to swing standards, the classics to pop, and traditional fiddle tunes to Sousa marches. He is a world-renowned virtuoso finger style guitarist celebrated for his technical precision, vast stylistic range, and engaging stage presence. Born in Beckenham, England, in 1971, he was a child prodigy who began playing at age five. By age 11, he was invited by his idol, country music legend Chet Atkins, to share the stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. Today, Smith is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and continues to tour the globe as one of the most respected masters of the thumb picking tradition.  If you were lucky enough to catch him here in 2024, you know he’ll offer a showcase of finger-picking virtuosity and versatility. Admission is free! Wine and water will be available for donation beginning at 6:30 p.m.  The program begins at 7 pm.

Internationally acclaimed guitarist Richard Smith

July 25: Former CIA analyst and author Craig Gralley7 p.m. in the Robin Hood Barn

Gralley will reveal what he learned while writing PARI: An Untold History of Spacemen and Spies. Discover why some call PARI, the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, and the greatest secret of Western North Carolina. Admission is free! Wine and water will be available for donation beginning at 6:30 p.m.

August 1:  Appalachian Broom Making7:00 p.m. in the Robin Hood Barn    

Discover the ancient art of tying natural fiber brooms with artisan Bruce Tuxhorn. Learn about the unique weaving patterns of attaching fibers stalks onto unique handles to create functional and beautiful sweepers, cobbers, and hearth brooms.  Admission is free!  Wine and water will be available for donation beginning at 6:30 p.m.

ROCKY HILL BAPTIST CHURCH VBS

Shine your light on Jesus! We invite all children ages three through fifth grade to join us for VBS at Rocky Hill Baptist Church for Illumination Station where kids will discover that Jesus is the light of the world.

Dates: Sunday, July 19th through Tuesday, July 21st 6 pm to 8 pm

Location: Rocky Hill Baptist Church at 10811 Greenville Hwy (US Hwy 276)

Activities: Snack supper, colorful crafts, mirror ball music, high energy worship, Bible study based on John 8:12 and the zip line.  Call Patty Stahl at 828 885 -2498 for information or transportation

The photo was taken of the children at VBS in 1964 in front of the church before the vestibule and brick exterior were added to the building. The parsonage, which no longer stands, is visible in the photo as are the steps leading down to HWY 276.

SEE OFF COMMUNITY CENTER

Our next potluck will be Sunday, July 19, 2026. Fellowship begins at 5:30 pm and supper is served at 6:00 pm. There are lots of great cooks on our mountain, and there is always plenty to eat so plan to come and bring your friends. The presentation will begin by 6:45pm.

We regularly have folks from Eagle Lake, Slick Rock, Becky Mountain, See Off Mountain, Cedar Mountain, and Rich Mountain, and we are glad to see you no matter where you live, so don't be shy. Bring your own plate and utensils so we can reduce our landfill waste. Hope to see you there!

Presentation by Quintin Overocker: The Southern Appalachian Mountains began their story over a billion years ago, with the evidence written into the rocks around us. This presentation will cover how these mountains came to be, why they look like they do now, and how geologic events from hundreds of millions of years ago influence earthquakes, groundwater, weather, and the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Background: Quintin earned his Master of Science in Geology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Before he began his career in higher education, he worked as a grade control geologist at an underground platinum and palladium mine in Montana.  Prior to becoming Registrar at Brevard College, he served as an Admissions Counselor, Academic Advisor, Associate Registrar, and Director of Admissions and Records at various colleges and universities. Quintin enjoys hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and exploring creeks and rivers (and cleaning up trash along the way) with his wife, daughter, and their dog, Hobbes.

SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE CANTEEN

Owen, Kim and John accept Sherwood Forest Friends 2026 Scholarship for the Canteen Public House and the Appalachian Cultural Center.  The award was given on July 11th at an SFF Summer Series event at the Robin Hood Barn. 

CEDAR MOUNTAIN CANTEEN PUBLIC HOUSE & APPALACHIAN CULTURAL CENTER

After 6 years of operation we have been given the opportunity to expand and we took it.  After 6 years of repeatedly hearing our patrons ask for certain services we finally are going to be able to provide them.  We have a new music hall in the works and an ice cream parlor and bakery, amongst other features.  We have no idea when these spaces will be available but we are diligently working on them, cleaning and painting.  We are beyond exciting and grateful to all the support we have received that has made this possible.

As happened with our rebuild after Hurricane Helene, folks are helping in various ways from donating a piano, furnishings, time and even cash donations.  Community members with wares to offer have joined with us to enhance what will be available in our expanded community coop from home baked goods to local native plants.

We love seeing this build as the community comes together to share their skills and love.  We will be 3 times bigger and already the space is full with joy, excitement and the dreams of our collective community.  We are deeply grateful from the bottom of our hearts.

With love, The Cedar Mountain Canteen Appalachian Cultural Center

CEDAR MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY CENTER RENTAL

To make a reservation, contact Caroline Chambers at 828-290-9662 or explore the details and booking options available at cedarmountaincommunitycenter.com/rental.

AROUND THE HOUSE by Linda Packer Young

Be sure to mark your calendars for Sherwood Forest’s for Richard Smith’s musical presentation at the Red Barn this Saturday at 7pm.

We were fortunate to experience this artist a couple years ago and were awed by his skills.  I never do this sort of thing but I grabbed his hand after the show and told him I had to shake the hand that could play a guitar like that.  Don’t miss this.  Everyone is welcome and it’s free.

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