<p>Around 1919, George Weston left New York to return to his boyhood home in the Arden-Fletcher area of Western North Carolina. The US government had recently established Pisgah National Forest by purchasing 80,000 acres from Edith, George Vanderbilt's widow; lands deserted by logging companies; and other tracts. While superintendent of farms at the Biltmore Estate, Weston had admired those mountainous landscapes. About two miles from Mount Pisgah and a mile from Vanderbilt's private Buck Spring Lodge, Weston constructed Pisgah Inn on property leased from the US Forest Service. Visitors came from across the country and around the world to stay and dine at Pisgah Inn. By the 1940s, the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway brought drastic changes across the narrow, isolated Pisgah ridgeline. Today, a more modern 1960s lodge welcomes guests to its grand views and preserves the history, charm, and natural setting of the original Pisgah Inn.</p>

Pisgah Inn (Images of America)

Arts & Photography

Spencer, Marci

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

Created in 1920, the 500,000-acre Nantahala National Forest dominates the rugged southwestern corner of North Carolina. Rivers such as the Cheoah, Cullasaja, Chattooga, Nantahala and Tuckasegee carve deep gorges, making the region one of the wettest in the nation. The Whitewater River tumbles over the highest waterfall in the eastern United States. Power companies dammed local rivers, creating some of North Carolina's most scenic recreational mountain lakes. The high peaks, secluded coves and forested woodlands of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Panthertown Valley and Buck Creek Serpentine Pine Barrens and other areas hold cultural and natural history secrets. Author and naturalist Marci Spencer reveals the history and splendor of the Nantahala National Forest.

Nantahala National Forest: A History (Natural History)

History

Americas

The History Press

Cherokee National Forest: A History (Natural History)

Nantahala National Forest: A History

Lewis, A Commentary James

History Press Library Editions

In 1929, newspapermen from North Carolina and Tennessee hiked from opposite sides of Clingmans Dome, the highest mountain in the Great Smokies, for an important celebration. Although the country was entering the Great Depression, citizens from both states raised enough money to help create a new national park. J.R. Horne loaned his homing pigeon, Potluck, for the expedition. After the journalists shook hands across the stateline on Clingmans Dome, they released Potluck to carry their goodwill message home. Both states had come together in a spirit of friendship to protect their precious forests. Inspired by true events, Marci Spencer records Potluck's historic flight announcing the good news to waiting crowds: "The Great Smoky Mountains are Saved!" Marci Spencer is a retired nurse practitioner. As a certified NC Environmental Educator, she offers presentations in natural history for classrooms and community events. Raising ceremonial white doves (homing pigeons) to release at special events is a favorite hobby. Marci is author of Clingmans Dome: Highest Mountain in the Great Smokies and Pisgah National Forest: A History, both published by History Press. Tim Worsham, son of the author, is a free-lance artist who provided the pen-and-ink illustrations for the 2013 History Press publication of Clingmans Dome and the 2014 publication of Pisgah National Forest. He has contributed illustrations for educational brochures and other literature. Tim has a degree in Criminal Justice. He lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina, with his wife and three children: Shelby, Lydia and Michael.

Potluck, "Message Delivered: The Great Smoky Mountains are Saved!"

Grateful Steps

An anthology of the finalist entries to Grateful Steps' second annual short story contest.

The Cricket and Other Stories: Finalists from the Second Annual Grateful Steps Short Story Contest

Literature & Fiction

Gaiser, Robin Russell

Williams, Evan

Tate, Robert

Heller, Gail

Sollazzo, Joe

Simms, Holly

Collins, Patricia Lynn

Conviser, Sam

Littleton, Harold

Short Stories & Anthologies

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Books by Spencer, Marci