By Terry Wilson

Since the spring of 1996, travelers through McDowell County have found the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in Marion to be a welcome respite from their travels.  The eye-pleasing design of the buildings and the immaculate grounds have provided a rest site for thousands of travelers, both traveling through and visiting in McDowell County.  A recent addition to the McDowell Quilt Trail now hangs for all to see on the beautiful stone wall of the McDowell Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in Marion.

 The “Unfolding Friendship Star” block, number 51 on the McDowell Quilt Trail, was dedicated Wednesday morning, August 18^th, at the Visitor Center before an appreciative group of representatives of various local agencies and several Visitor Center volunteers.  The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was represented by Rod Birdsong, Chamber Director; Kevin Griffin, 2010 Chamber Board President; Amy Johnson, Chamber Board Vice-President; and Steve Brown, 2009 Chamber Board President. Representing the North Carolina Department of Transportation at the ceremony was Kenny Wilson, Division 13 Operations Engineer. 

Upon deciding to join the local quilt trail, Chamber officials embarked on a quest to select the correct quilt block pattern, a pattern that would speak of McDowell County and its residents to those who might be stopping at the Visitor Center.  Janet Williams of the McDowell Quilt Tail Committee discovered the block design, and Mike Lucas, who has constructed most of the quilt blocks found in the county, created the quilt block itself. 

The “Unfolding Friendship Star” pattern was chosen to represent McDowell County to all who happen to find themselves at the Visitor Center.   Representing more than the physical characteristics of McDowell County, this pattern represents the warm-hearted personality so common to McDowell County.  The message behind the pattern specifically speaks to the small-town nature of McDowell County and the friendliness of its citizens. 

Mike, with the assistance of volunteer Martha McCauley, applied the bright array of color to the quilt block with the idea of highlighting the colors in the impressive stone wall of the Center.  Assisting Mike in the complex task of hanging the block for display were B.J. Edwards, Wayne Miller, and Eddie Bingham. 

Jill Lucas presented the Certificate of Authenticity, which designates this block as a block on the McDowell Quilt Trail, to Kevin Griffin, Kenny Wilson, and Rod Birdsong. This certificate will now be displayed in the Visitor Center.

This Visitor Center site is formally known as the McDowell Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center located on the US 221 Bypass on the western side of Marion.  The Visitor Center was created to adjoin the Department of Transportation rest area, and was constructed simultaneously with the construction of the US 221 Bypass.  The Center was financed by efforts of members of the Chamber of Commerce, McDowell County, and the McDowell Tourism Development Authority. The Center was opened on March 15, 1996, with then Governor James Hunt providing the keynote address.  To date, over 334,000 visitors have taken the opportunity to visit the Center and its carefully designed grounds.

Those who visit the Center are struck by the obvious effort to showcase the natural features of McDowell County in the design and construction of the facility. Native river rock, wooden construction features, and spacious windows are all used to help showcase the aesthetics of McDowell County, and now the “Unfolding Star of Friendship” takes a prominent place in this local showcase.  The color scheme of the quilt block itself was designed to highlight the local color of McDowell County – gray river rocks, lush forests, misty mountains, and vibrant flowers, which blend to create a panorama of color and shape.

Quilt Trail officials state that more and more county citizens are showing interest in displaying quilt blocks on their homes or structures.  Each block is unique in design and color scheme, and can be used as a window to the heritage of McDowell County. 

Anyone interested in learning more about the McDowell Quilt Trail can contact McDowell Arts Council (MACA) at 652-8610 or visit the McDowell Quilt Trail website at mcdowellquilttrail.org for pictures of quilt trail blocks and information regarding hosting a block.  In keeping with the times, McDowell Quilt Trail can also be found on Facebook under “Groups.”  For more information about MACA visit www.mcdowellarts.org.  For more information on quilt trails throughout Western North Carolina, visit www.quilttrailswnc.org.

By Joyce Suppes

Balance, style, and the use of color in this geometric design captures Bill and Karen Potter’s vision for their quilt block installed at their facility, Crossroads Recovery Center, located on East Court Street on the 29^th of July, 2010. Bright blue shapes, meant to represent a “drunkard’s staggering walk,” set against a white background provide a sense of harmony while anchoring this work of art. 

Drunkard’s Path was one of several quilt pattern used by the Temperance Movement of the 19th and early 20th centuries, which encouraged moderation in the consumption of intoxicating liquors.  During that time, women used this pattern to raise money to promote temperance.  It was also used to express their feelings on the social and community issues of their time.

Crossroads Recovery Center is a privately owned DWI and substance abuse assessment and treatment facility.  According to Bill Potter, Counselor,  “Drunkard’s Path seemed to be the right choice for our quilt block pattern, because the name fits in with our line of work.”  Crossroads’ goal is to provide counseling for those in need in the community.

 Historically, red and white or blue and white were the colors used for this pattern.  Crossroads’ choice was blue, since “it matches the blue trim on the building,” Bill Potter advised.

When asked why they were inspired to host a block, Karen Potter, Office Manager, explained, “It ties into local businesses and into the community at large.”

The Quilt Trail, which has become a growing expression of public art, originated in Ohio with one woman who put a quilt block on her barn as a tribute to her mother.  From this small beginning, the project has grown, and it now includes over 30 states with more than 2,000 quilt blocks.

The McDowell Quilt trail, part of the McDowell Arts Council Association, is a non-profit group staffed by a committee of volunteers.  The committee’s main goal, since its inception in 2009, has been to emphasize the rich quilting heritage of the Appalachian Mountains and its use of traditional folk art quilt patterns. Each quilt block is produced to specifications and carries the committee’s logo on the side of the frame, which certifies that the McDowell Quilt Trail group produces it. Once it has been installed at the owner’s designated location, a member of the McDowell Quilt Trail committee presents the owner with a certificate of authenticity.

Information on the McDowell Quilt Trail can be obtained through its website at www.mcdowellquilttrail.org or from MACA located at 50 South Main Street in Marion.  Also, Quilt Trail merchandise is available for purchase at MACA.   For more information on MACA, visit their website at www.mcdowellarts.org, or they can be reached by phone at 828-652-8610. 

 The McDowell Quilt Trail is affiliated with the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina and can be found on the web at www.quiltrailswnc.org.

First Baptist Church on North Main Street in Marion, first organized in 1862 and having just celebrated its 148^th anniversary, joined the McDowell Quilt Trail by placing a quilt block on the front entrance of their Children’s Center, located on Logan Street. 

Dr. M. Scott Hagaman, pastor, first became interested in the Quilt Trail when he saw a quilt block on a local business.  After discussion with the deacons, the decision was made to approve proceeding to procure a block for the Church.  He contacted church member Rose Wakefield, who teaches quilting at the McDo well Senior Center, with the idea of maintaining downtown participation and involvement in the community by displaying a block. A committee of four was then formed, three of which are quilters and one interested in design. They researched patterns, and after numerous sketches and color schemes, came up with a meaningful motif and theme for the 4’ x 4’ block.  Subsequent approval by the church deacons resulted in the intricate and colorful block named “God’s Glory,” which is block number 52 on the McDowell Quilt Trail. 

The center of the block is a three-dimensional cross, tinted in three shades of blue, which means “trustworthy” and is considered to be the color of Mary, mother of Jesus.  The cross is encased by various shades of radiating yellow and gold, the warmth and brilliance symbolizing Jesus, “light of the world”.  The border surrounding the cross consists of maroon open Bibles, which represent the Book of Life, its white pages spreading the Good Word.

Each of the four corners has a Christian religious symbol on a background of purple, the color denoting royalty.  The upper left-hand corner contains the white Star of Bethlehem, revealing the birth of Jesus Christ.  The gold intertwined ovals, or Celtic Knot, located in the upper right corner, represent the Trinity:  unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The lower left-hand corner contains a golden Ichthys, the ancient Greek word for fish.  The letters in the Greek word are the first letters in each of the words Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and Savior.  The symbol itself was a simple drawing of a fish used by early Christians as a secret sign during a period of persecution.  It is also a reminder that Jesus fed fish to thousands and called upon His followers to be “fishers of people”.    The lower right-hand corner contains that of a white dove flying towards the cross, representing the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus after his baptism, approving His mission in the world. It symbolizes peace, purity and innocent love.

The block was constructed by Mike Lucas and installed by him on August 7^th.   The Certificate of Authenticity was presented to Pastor Hagaman by Jill Lucas, Chairperson of the Trail, on Wednesday, August 11^th.

For more information on the McDowell Quilt Trail, visit the www.mcdowellquilttrail.org. For information on having a quilt block created and displayed, contact MACA at 652-8610 or www.mcdowellarts.org , where you may also purchase a self-guided tour map in the gift shop on Main Street.  McDowell Quilt Trail is also listed on Facebook under “Groups.”

            The tranquil setting beside the Crooked Creek in Old Fort known as “Taproot Farm,” the home of David and Judy Rozzell, is the site of the latest addition to the McDowell Quilt Trail.  The installation of quilt block number 43 on the McDowell Quilt Trail was held at 9 a.m. on Friday morning, July 9, to take advantage of the cool temperatures offered at the creekside.

            Taproot Farm is a horse-centered farm with riding lessons, clinics, and boarding offered in a quiet setting next to the slow-moving Crooked Creek; therefore, it seemd appropriate to the Rozzells to plan for a horse-featured quilt block.  The Rozzells searched countless patterns for their quilt block, but after a long search, they decided that no pattern available suited their desires.  Then, they realized that the actual profile of a horse currently on their farm would indeed be what they wanted, and their design was soon in hand.

Mrs. Rozzell stated that the theme of the block was not planned to honor one horse; instead, it was to honor the horses they have worked with throughout their lives.  The design features a customized horse’s head with a full sun background.  The Rozzells further stated that only when the plans for the quilt block was completed did they realize that the design did indeed appear to honor one horse, Midnight Sun, World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse of 1945 and 1946.  Mr. Rozzell stated that all Tennessee Walking horses of today can trace their lineage back to the champion horse.

The horses at Taproot Farm are Foxtrotters, but they can also lay claim to this animal’s heritage.  With this in mind, it became obvious to the Rozzells that the name of their quilt block, “Midnight Sun,” would honor this champion horse in particular, and all horses they have worked with over the years, in general.

The quilt block features the profile of a horse’s head and flowing mane etched against a brilliant sun.  The block was constructed and painted in the studio of the McDowell Quilt Trail at the Historic McDowell House by dedicated volunteers.

“Midnight Sun” is one of the latest additions to the McDowell Quilt Trail.  Beautiful, hand-crafted quilt blocks are making their presence known across McDowell County this summer as members and volunteers of the quilt trail and individual property owners seek to add a special touch of beauty to the landscape, and tell the story for each block.

Anyone who would like to arrange for a quilt block to be created and displayed on their property can obtain pricing and design information from the McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA) by visiting www.mcdowellarts.org or call MACA at 652-8610.  For more information on the McDowell Quilt Trail, go to www.mcdowellquilttrail.org.  For more information on quilt trails throughout Western North Carolina, go to www.quilttrailswnc.org.  To keep up with the activities of the quilt trail on Facebook, search “McDowell Quilt Trail.”

To both travelers and local citizens alike, it appears that a common feature of small Southern cities and towns is a town square.  A weathered, historical monument of some type usually dominates the town square.  From statues of Revolutionary War heroes astride gallant warhorses to statues of Civil War soldiers ever at the ready, these monuments to the past often dominate the small-town scenery of today.

            Standing in the middle of the town of Old Fort is just such a monument, a 30-foot tall piece of granite shaped like an arrowhead.  This monument has dominated the center of Old Fort since its unveiling on July 7, 1930.  Mention “Old Fort” to almost anyone around McDowell County and they will usually think of this unique connection to the town’s past.

            This unusual monument is well suited to Old Fort because Old Fort is a historical town of some note.  The first Europeans in the Western North Carolina area were Spanish explorers under the command of adventurer and gold seeker Juan Pardo.  Evidence of Spanish settlements has been discovered in nearby Burke County, and there is little doubt that the Old Fort area was visited by the Spanish before they abandoned the area entirely.

The next Europeans to settle the area were British colonists who were slowly pushing westward from the Carolina coast.  The wall of the Blue Ridge Mountains stopped the westward movement of these settlers at a time when revolution was brewing in the colonies.

            Old Fort (Davidson’s Plantation) soon found itself on the western border of a bloody civil war.  The Native Americans of the area allied themselves with the forces of those loyal to the British Crown, and the stage was set for conflict to erupt.

            Mr. Samuel Davidson had settled the Old Fort area around 1770, and a small fort was erected nearby for the protection of the local settlers.  It was from this fort that General Griffith Rutherford lead a force of local militia across the Blue Ridge into the Cherokee lands to the west.  General Rutherford’s men destroyed 30 Cherokee villages and towns along their track, and in doing so, removed the Cherokee as a threat to the western border settlements of North Carolina.  Following the Revolution, Old Fort was a “jumping-off place” for those who desired to move still further west.

            The name of the settlement was changed from Davidson’s Plantation to Catawba Vale in 1871.  After a land speculation plan collapsed in 1872, the current name of Old Fort was adopted under the guidelines of a declaration issued by the General Assembly of North Carolina the following year.

            The massive arrowhead-shaped monument was created and dedicated in 1930 to honor the historical past of the Old Fort area.  Marie Nesbitt, a 12-year-old descendant of Martha Burgin, first child born in the original fort, was the one chosen to dedicate the monument in front of approximately 6,000 visitors.

            For many, the Arrowhead immediately becomes the symbol of Old Fort.  Travelers and home-folks alike accepted the monument as uniquely Old Fort’s, and it remains so even today.

            The quilt block “Arrowheads,” was placed on the Old Fort Town Hall on Friday morning, July 30^th, by the McDowell Quilt Trail.  This is a traditional design quilt block created to celebrate Old Fort’s heritage.  Jean Buchanan, member of the McDowell Quilt Trail committee and president of the Mountain Glory Quilters, selected the block’s design, after an extensive search of patterns.  While the block does not portray a single arrowhead, the individual sections of the block are indeed arrowheads in design.  The color scheme was developed with the idea in mind of coordinating the colors with those of a historical print created by local artist and Old Fort resident, Nada Carroll.  This print hangs in the Old Fort Town Hall and recalls Old Fort’s rich heritage.

            The square itself required approximately 20 hours to construct and features the talents of Quilt Trail committee members Mike Lucas, Martha McCauley, and Kathy Brendle.

            Present at Friday’s ceremony were members of the McDowell Quilt Trail committee, the Mayor of Old Fort and representatives of the Board of Aldermen, representatives of both the McDowell Tourism Authority and the Old Fort Mountain Heritage Alliance.

            “Arrowheads” proudly takes its place as the 48^th block on the McDowell Quilt Trail.  Quilt blocks are now being noticed throughout McDowell County largely due to the efforts of the McDowell Quilt Trail committee.  Each quilt block pays honor to a special event or individual found in the rich tapestry that is the history of McDowell County.

Bebe Ragaz, wife of Dr. F.J. Ragaz, first heard of the McDowell Quilt Trail through fellow church choir member Jill Lucas.  She then began noticing the quilt blocks pictured in the McDowell News and knew she wanted one.  As a child, she had watched her grandmother quilt, and decided she would like an exact replica of the double wedding ring quilt, which she had inherited from her grandmother.  Not finding a pattern to duplicate her grandmother’s, she browsed through the Encyclopedia of Block Patterns and came across an array of aircraft designs that immediately drew her attention.

The quilt block Mrs. Ragaz chose to represent the Skyhawk that was once owned by the Ragaz family is from the 1929 Oklahoma Farmer’s Stockman block pattern.  The 4×4 block consists of four shades of blue highlighted with white.   The aircraft, which is centered in the block, is a dark royal blue, the four corners a medium shade, with the side panels being a light blue.  The white is located just behind the wings with the propeller being black.  Mrs. Ragaz chose these particular shades to match the original color scheme on their Skyhawk, which consisted of both light and dark blue with white detail.  The colors could represent the various shades of sky and white clouds, as well. The block is facing east and may be viewed from the corner of  New and Madison Streets.  BeBe‘s parting words after installation were:  “Oh, I love it! I love it! I love it!”

Shiftlet Field, Marion’s single-grass landing strip, was founded circa 1952 and is home base for the 352^nd Fighter Squadron, formed in 2007.  In the early 1960’s Bebe had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Shiftlet, who encouraged her to learn to fly.  She liked the idea, and arrangements were made for a flight instructor to come up from Hickory once a week to give her lessons.  She pursued the lessons and earned her private pilot’s license in a Cessna 150 single engine aircraft.

Dr. Ragaz and two of their three daughters also “caught the bug” and learned to fly.  In time, the family replaced the small two-seater aircraft with a Cessna  Skyhawk, which they flew for over twenty years.  The Skyhawk is a high fixed-wing single engine aircraft, first introduced in 1955, and is still in production today.  It has been manufactured more than any other aircraft.

Bebe flew for thirty years and participated in six Powder Puff Derbies, two of which were in their 145 horsepower Skyhawk.   She has the distinctive honor of having flown twice in the All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR).  The race spanned over five days, entailing nine stops, with strict rules of flight, including VFR (visual flight rules – daylight flying only).  It began in Palm Springs, California and ended in Tampa, Florida (2,915.70 statute miles). The first AWTAR race was in 1947. 

In July, 1977, Bebe flew in the final Commemorative Flight, following the original route, and came in tenth out of over 100 fliers.  After thirty years, the end of AWTAR, which had been open to all licensed women pilots, had arrived.  This was due to rising costs, diminished sponsorships, and new levels of air traffic congestion.  Other factors of its demise included the rise of women’s desires to break into male fields, prompting a male pilot to sue so as to be allowed to fly in the race.  The lawsuit drained the funds of those involved, thus 1977 saw the last race.  While reviewing Bebe’s scrapbook and certificates, it was evident that she meant it when she said that “flying has been close to my heart and life, and one I took great pleasure in”. 

On Friday, July 16^th, “Bebe’s Skyhawk,” constructed and painted by Mike Lucas, Kathy Brendle and Martha McCauley, was installed at 156 North Garden Street by Mr. Lucas, with the assistance of Richard Turner.  Jill Lucas presented a framed Certificate of Authenticity to Mrs. Ragaz. 

The Ragaz home displaying the block was built in 1897 by Bebe’s great uncle, and has been passed down through the family for 113 years, with all intention of continuing that tradition. A rose bush planted in the early 1920’s still flourishes on the grounds. 

This block, number 46, represents yet another colorful and interesting story of McDowell County’s history.  For anyone interested in hosting a quilt block, an application form can be downloaded from the website at www.mcdowellquilttrail.org, or for more information contact McDowell Arts Council Association, 652-8610 or  (www.mcdowellarts.org).  Committee members will be happy to work with you in any way.  To follow the entire quit trail in our area, a self-guided tour map may be purchased in the MACA gift shop on Main Street.

Slow down and take a good look as you drive by this new addition to the McDowell Quilt Trail. 

Another quilt block was installed at the home of Mike and Kathy Rabb on July 7^th, this being Number 42 along the trail.  The Rabbs, who reside at 281 South Garden Street, have both, been very active in the Marion downtown revitalization efforts in the last few years. The concept of the Quilt Trail interested them greatly because of their own historic family legacy.

The residence was once the home of James Morris, a local prominent lawyer, the first recorded Mayor of Marion, from 1892-95.  Thus, the Rabbs named the block “First Mayor’s House”.  Marion was incorporated in 1845, however the great fire of 1894 destroyed most public records, preventing an exact determination of the home’s age. It was most likely constructed before the turn of the century, and is located in Marion’s Historical District.

 Mike Rabb’s maternal grandfather, I. Walter Saunders, a local barber, downtown business owner, and charter member of the Marion Fire Department, purchased the home from the elder James Morris in 1923, and raised his family of six children there.  Of further historical interest, Mr. Saunders’ grandfather, Isaac Reel (Mike Rabb’s great-great grandfather), was one of the first Sheriffs of McDowell County and a charter member of First Baptist Church on Main Street.  The First Baptist Church held its first meeting at Mr. Reel’s home in 1914.  A portrait of Mr. Reel hangs in the parlor of the church in his memory and on the wall of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.

Mike purchased the home from his grandmother’s estate in 1973, and has completed a restoration project since that time.  The Rabbs are excited to now be a part of the Quilt Trail family and to name the pattern they chose to honor a significant part of Marion’s history. 

The 3×3 foot block first resembles a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes.  However, it actually contains a total of sixteen small houses, which signify the history of the house and the Rabbs profession of real estate.  If you look closely you will see two upright houses at the bottom and two in the middle, one to the left and right of the center pinwheel.  The others are identical and located around the border in different positions.  The Rabbs wanted something colorful, and the block, located on their front upstairs balcony, certainly compliments the various color tones of their home. Mike Lucas, who painted the block with the aid of Martha McCauley and Kathy Brendle, also installed it.  Janet Williams, treasurer of the Quilt Trail committee, presented a framed Certificate of Authenticity to the Rabbs.

For anyone interested in hosting a quilt block, an application form can be downloaded from the website at www.mcdowellquilttrail.org or for more information contact McDowell Arts Council Association (www.mcdowellarts.org) or 652-8610.  Committee members will be happy to work with you in any way.  To follow the entire quilt trail in our area, a self-guided tour map may be purchased in the MACA gift shop on Main Street.