About Clay County, NC

CUSTOM DESIGNED 3BR/3.5BA CHALET. Craftmanship throughout this beautiful home located in Clay county, NC. Impressive stack stone fireplace, hardwood floors, tile foyer and baths, jetted tub, sitting room, tongue & groove, and much more! Partial unfinished basement has lots of possibilities. Plenty of decks and covered porches to enjoy the beautiful year round views of mountains and pasture. Pictures just don't do it justice, but the virtual tour is pretty good so take a look. BEAR CUB VIRTUAL TOUR

Below is a letter to the Editor of our local paper my wife wrote about our commissioners and the trying to block the vote for the sell of beer and Alcohol in our county. We are one in 3 counties left in the state of North Carolina that does not benefit from the taxes gained in the sell of alcohol. Five miles away at the state line, sells are available thus the consumption of alcohol is occurring regardless.... We get the trash They get the cash! As of yesterday we were lacking only 100 signatures to force a vote in September. This letter helped to push the vote forward. It was published in the Clay County Progress May 14,2009

Officials Could Save tax Dollars by Supporting Vote

I used to go to the commissioners meetings every month. Last Thursday, I was reminded why I stopped going, as two of our commissioners once again proved to the people of Clay County that they only believe in their own personal agendas and give no consideration to the will of the people. Over two years ago I pointed out to the commissioners that there was a gap in their subdivision ordinance that they have no protection for private roads that lead to subdivisions. They gave their usual canned statement. “We’ll look into it” Nothing has been done.

Now fast forward to last Thursday. They were asked by a packed room of citizens to allow a vote for alcohol and Mr. Hub Cheeks and Mr. Doc Sellers both said no matter what, they will not allow the people of this county to vote on the alcohol ordinance unless they are forced by the people. If they so chose to allow the people to vote we could avoid the expense of a special election. The question could be put on the ballot next fall in the general election but since they refuse to do so, we now will have to have a special election, paid for by YOUR tax dollars. And the vote WILL occur if not this fall, eventually. Because we will not give up on our rights until we have them.

Between these two commissioners, and certain business and churches that have forbid their employees or congregations to sign a petition for the right to vote; our constitutional rights have been thwarted. And it is no fault but those citizens who refuse to sign, not because of some personal conviction, but out of fear of retaliation from their church or employer.

Those who know me know I have no trouble speaking my mind, which is why I have such a difficult time understanding how anyone would allow another person to take their rights, as an American, away from them. It is beyond my comprehension. We are nearing the deadline to get the signatures. I have spoken to enough citizens in this county who have not signed due to fear. Their signatures would push this effort through.

The fact is: while the communities around us are flourishing, our county is dying. Except for an increase of property taxes and a substandard school for my children. It makes no difference to me financially if this passes or not.

It is quite clear that education is low on the agenda for the commissioners of this county. But for those of you who are allowing for someone or something to influence your own beliefs, SHAME ON YOU! The future of this county really does lie in your hands.

Keep in mind the main people in opposition of this vote. One is a pastor who does not even live in this county and whose church takes up at least 6 square blocks of our downtown area, which also does not pay taxes in our community. The other, owns a piece of property on our scenic highway overflowing with junky trailers open for all to see. Are these really the influences you want to speak for our community? I’d think twice about that.

Lissi Oland is a big part of why I left my old life in the busy city and moved to the mountains in search of a simpler existence.

I have retold in other entries how it was during the first time my wife and I visited downtown Blue Ridge that we started thinking about selling our business and moving to the mountains. We were thinking of options for what we might do in this new life. What I didn’t go into was how I set out on the path to study wood working; wood turning to be exact.

My wife and I were strolling the charming streets of historic olde town Blue Ridge, discussing what we might do for a living if we lived in this quaint community. This is where my mind was focused when we ventured into Turning Leaf Wood Art Gallery.

You can still find Turning Leaf Gallery in downtown Blue Ridge, but it has grown since then. When I first visited the gallery, it was like a hallway of wood bowls of every wood and size. The owner, Sherry Darling greeted every visitor with a plethera of information on the wood turning artists and the art of woodturning. She encouraged touching the works, (very different from most art galleries) as the oil in your hands is actually good for the wood. In the corner of the shop was a video playing, which showed a HGTV special on a local woman who was a master wood turner, living on her own. Her name was Lissi Oland.

I was mesmerized by the image of that woman working on those huge logs of wood, and inquired as to her whereabouts. I learned that she lived in North Carolina, less than an hour away, and she does give lessons to individuals from time to time. I wasted no time in contacting her and within a month I had my first lesson. that was 5 years ago this month.

I took a few lessons with Lissi and got to know her. She became a good friend and sounding board for our ideas of selling our business and relocating to the mountains of North Georgia. She even took me square dancing at the local folk school, (John C. Campbell Folk School), where I later took a few more classes.

I had a stint as an apprentice, but it wasn't long before Lissi encouraged me to set up a workshop of my own. Through all the ups and downs of our family's transition to the country, Lissi proved sound council.

Later, when I became involved in selling real estate, Lissi asked me to list her propety, in hopes of selling it and returning to her homeland of Denmark. Three months later, I did sell her property, and she is finally returning to Europe.

I'm just so glad that for all my friend Lissi has given me, I could finally do something for her. I'd have never guessed when I first met her that I'd be the one to sell her property, but it's funny how things turn out. (no pun intended)

Last week, I was the agent for the biggest real estate sale I have assisted to date. Not only did I manage to sell the home in 3 months, but it had actually been on the market with several other agents for almost 5 years prior, so I should have been proud and down right exuberant, but I wasn’t. It was a bittersweet victory, because the property I managed to sell was that of my dear friend, Lissi Oland.

Lissi's property has been for sale as long as I have known her. She has had some interested parties look at it from time to time, but it’s hard to find a buyer for a historic homestead and 33 acres; especially with the price tag that had been placed on it.

For those who are familiar with the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina, Lissi’s homestead was the settling place of one of the schools founders; Marguerite Butler Bidstrup. Lissi had first come to Bidstrup Acres as a young exchange student, and made a life there that ended up with her becoming caretaker of the homestead and its owners in their latter years.

Maguerite bequeathed the property to Lissi in her will, and she has been caretaker of the place ever since. Now, nearing her own latter years, Lissi wishes to return to Europe, Denmark to be precise, to live out the rest of her days back in her homeland near family.

Four months ago, Lissi called to tell me the time had come for me to take a crack at listing her property. After doing some research, I suggested that the Highest and Best Use of the land and homestead would be to subdivide the acreage into parcels on the river, and mountain view lots, and sell the homestead with less than ½ the acreage for an adjusted price.

My suggestion turned out to be a valid one, because only 2 months later, we secured an offer on a river lot which evolved into an offer on the homestead, and we just closed the deal last week.

Now don’t get me wrong; it’s all good. Lissi was happier that day than I’ve ever seen her. She was very happy with the job I did for her, and is already searching for a home in Denmark with her daughter, but I am just sad for my own loss of easy access to a dear friend.

Lissi is the kind of person who is solid, honest and straight-forward; my favorite kind of friend. She provides a clear mirror of one's own possibilities at all times, and realistically knows that anything a person desires is possible if we just move in the direction of our desires. I feel clear minded and empowered when I am with her... a visit with Lissi can put all things in a proper perspective.

Until this closing, every meeting I have ever had with Lissi has been at her kitchen table, in a nook nestled in front of the kitchen fireplace, drinking tea and honey by candle light…I assumed it’s a European thing. Some homemade baked goodies, and a hard cheese usually accompanies the drink, and her apple laptop is always available for reference to whatever topic we manage to land on.

I am grateful for the time I have had with my special friend Lissi. And even though I am happy for her, and gladdened that I was able to be the agent that procured the sale of her home for her, so that she is able follow her desires, I will miss the special times we share.

Lissi has given me an open invitation to visit her in Denmark, and I sincerely hope I get to see the day when I sit and chat over tea in a new kitchen nook, and put my world in perspective once again. In fact, I can't wait.

One of the up sides of the down economy is the slow down of development in rural areas like ours. In our area, growth was so rapid and greed so rampant, that beautiful family farms were being chopped up into 3/4 acre lots in an attempt to extract as much profit as possible from the land. This practice was destroying the beauty of our area at an alarming rate, and many developers found themselves holding properties no one wanted, after all most people move here to get away from the crowed city, why would you want a neighbor so close you could practically shake hands from your bathroom windows?

So, for here anyway, the downturn has been good in the sense that we can hopefully save some of our beautiful farm land and horse farms from being a causality of a growing economy. With that in mind if we could now go one step further and turn those farms into green farms we could become a Mecca for organics. Centrally located 2 hours from 5 major cities, we can offer freshly grown produce that is normally shipped across the county from places like California and Oregon.

So how exactly do you turn your farm or garden into a green one? Let me offer a few pointers.

Contolling Pest

One of the number one issues you have to deal with when going green is controlling all kinds of insects without insecticide. Did you know that when you use pesticides that you kill off the beneficial insects too? And that the bad insects can reproduce 3 times quicker than beneficials? So it is a vicious cycle... meaning you have to use more and more insecticide to keep the bad bugs at bay as less beneficials are around to eat the bad bugs.

Each year North American homes use approximately 136 million pounds of pesticides on lawns and gardens, and in the home. In fact, homeowners use about three times the amount of pesticides as farmers. Most wildlife pest poisonings, and most surface water contamination from pesticides, come from single-family homes. Natural pest control is less expensive than buying and applying pesticides, and it's safer for your garden, your family, the natural wildlife and the environment.

Since we have horses, one of our major issues is flies. I can not stand the thought of rubbing insecticide on my animals. You might as well just inject poison into their veins. For over five years we have used Spalding Fly Predators. These are tiny beneficial insects that eat the fly larva in the manure and prevent flies from ever starting to build up. You add additional Fly Predators on a monthly basis throughout the spring and summer months, you can keep the pest fly population suppressed to the point they're never any sort of nuisance. The fly predators come by mail and you sprinkle the eggs on fresh manure piles. They do a great job and best of all there are NO flies! .... Well very few. No longer do our horses feel miserable with their eyes covered in flies. And we can sit out on the patio with a meal and not spend the time swatting at our food, it is truly a pleasant experience. We have enjoyed a fly free farm for years.

Another pest for horses and people alike are horse flies. I could not stand to see huge welts on my animals from being bitten. That's when I came across the Epps Biting Fly trap (Ironically this is my wife's maiden name but no relation) This is the most incredible non pesticide trap I have ever seen. When we first bought it I thought, what a waste of money, then two days later when I checked the trap I saw (not kidding here) 1000's of horse flies! It is simple to use, can be used year after year and only uses soap and water.

Natural Garden Pest Control

The easiest way to prevent insect damage in your garden is to discourage them from coming in the first place. A healthy garden is the best defense. It does take more of your time but if you remind yourself that you, your family and the environment will be better for it consider it time well spent. So how do you do this? First minimize insect habitat by clearing the garden area of debris and weeds which are breeding places for insects. Build healthy, organic soil by using natural composting methods such as compost from fall leaves, glass clippings aged horse or chicken manure (from an organically kept source).Till your garden early before the last frost, that will bring up the grubs from the soil and the last frost will kill them. Then cover the tilled soil with black plastic for two weeks. This will heat the soil, killing more insects and weed seeds in the process.

When planting inter-plant and rotate crops. Insect pests are often plant specific. When plantings are mixed, pests are less likely to spread throughout a crop. Rotating crops each year is a common method to avoid re-infestation of pests which have over-wintered in the bed. As your crops matures inspect your plants daily and pick off any bad bugs you see. Get a good bug book to be sure you identify your bugs and eggs. Sometimes a potato beetle larva can be confused with a lady bug larva. Know the difference and check under the leaves wiping out the eggs of the beetle but leaving the lady bugs. I put bad bugs I find in a jar, once I have collected enough I add soapy water and make a spray out of them to spray around the plants. It keeps the other bugs away. There are many natural sprays and recipes you can find online Jerry Baker's website is a great place to start.

Have a Japaneese Beatle problem or moles?

Use Milky spores. Milky Spores are a naturally occurring host specific bacterium. It targets and discriminately works to attack the white grubs of Japanese Beetles. Moles come to your yard to eat the grubs, no grubs the moles will move on to find a food source.

Other pesticide methods work well too.

Get some bat boxes to put around, Bats can eat more than 1,000 mosquito‐sized insect in one hour. Bird houses are good too, but keep in mind birds also will eat your crop.

When planting a garden I also plant extra, which allows for some crop loss due to animals or insects. That way I feel I am contributing to nature and getting plenty for my family.

So there are just a few tips to be green while growing your greens this summer.

Happy Gardening!!!!!!!