" Honoring Louise Howe Bailey"

I'm back from Flat Rock, NC where I spent 4 exciting days!
Getting there turned out to be....a nerve racking experience!!!
There where three different ways to go from here. Two involved
Interstates. I chose to go through Atlanta because it was 50 miles
closer. BAD MISTAKE !!!

This is me & Pearlie May (my car) stuck in Hotlanta traffic! See the bridge below the one with the truck? That's where I'm trying to get to! It took 2 hours to get through Atlanta and that was going the Bypass!! I did not come back that way!

This is twelve lanes from two different interstates trying
to converge down to six on another interstate!






I arrived on Thursday afternoon around 6:00 P.M. EST.
Took half a bottle of nerve pills( just kidding) and went to bed!
On Friday morning Author Sherry Austin joined me for breakfast
at The Flat Rock Inn where I stayed. She then took me on a tour
of Flat Rock and Hendersonville, a post for later,we then met her
husband Rick for lunch and then I returned to the Inn to get ready for
the reception for Ms. Louise Howe Bailey that evening.





When I came downstairs my wonderful hostess Sandi informed me,
that Connie from "A Positive Reflection" blog whom I follow and she
follows me, was on her way over to the Inn. Connie has an art Gallery
called Conn-Artist in Hendersonville. Her art work is displayed throughout
the Inn. She was so surprised to meet me when she arrived!! It's great to
"run into" your blogger buddies!





Louise Howe Bailey is a life long resident of Henderson County.
She "IS" the Historian of this wonderful historical place. She has
written a weekly column for the local newspaper for 42 years.
She is also the author of numerous books on the history of this area.
Ms. Louise is 94 and her 96 year old sister Jenny whom she often
writes about, came 450 miles to attend this reception honoring Ms. Louise.

The reception was held at a gorgeous old home called The Cedars. I got
to meet my heroes Gary Carden and Vicki Lane there for the first time!



Here is the wonderful author Robert Morgan, a native of
Henderson County giving us a list of Louise Howe Bailey's
contributions to her beloved area.





A story from Louise Bailey's book " Draw Up A Chair"
was preformed in skit by three wonderful actors.

Granpa tells us tales................

Lyda the mountain woman, tells of back breaking work!

She worked like a man, best hand her Pa ever had.........

Granpa whittles...................

Louise Howe Bailey was honored with a plack...

A book.........................

And a bouquet of long stem Red Roses................

The crowd gave her a standing ovation...............

Among those applauding her.....

Robert Morgan.............and

Gary Carden against the wall....

A similar shot.......................

What an honor for me to meet this wonderful lady....

Look at her million dollar smile.....................

Here we discuss my staying at Flat Rock Inn which is

featured in one of her books as it is a very historical

place that once was part of the Carl Sandburg estate.

On Saturday at The Blue Ridge Bookfest, she signed my

copy of her book " From Rock Hill To Connemara ", a history

of the Carl Sanburg estate.

I had a WONDERFUL time and will post all about it

in the coming days!