Lynda Bennett

Maggie Valley, NC celebrates Bicentennial with Storytelling

Maggie Valley neighbors and visitors enjoyed a special day with regional and local storytellers and crafts people on July 12, 2008. As Maggie Valley celebrates its bicentennial, the storytellers told of country store politics, mountain preachers, hound dogs, and even the dumb blonde.

As one local storyteller stated," I learned to laugh at myself early on; cuz I realized I would miss out on half the fun in life if I didn't".

The Stomping ground hall was a twitter with the snickers of the crowd, punching each other in the sides and nodding, and with toe tapping during the mountain music intervals. All this entertainment - and it was for free.

The Maggie Valley festival grounds were busy with the Arts and Crafts Festival. There were many crafts booths and tasty foods.

A motorcycle rally passed through the valley on a scenic tour. And it was scenic that day.

The weather was perfect for July; blue skies and a high of about 78 degrees. Does it get any better than that?

Natural Landscaping

Lynda Bennett

The benefits of natural landscaping can be subtle. The plants require low maintenance, less water consumption, fewer chemical fertilizers or weed killers. The plants are easy to grow and blend into the natural environment visually. Natural Landscaping can mean many things.

Thick mulch usually covers the ground under the plantings, combined with groundcovers that grow low to the ground and help deter the growth of weeds. The landscape plants are often native to the area, have fewer pests and are adapted to local growing conditions. Many varieties provide winter food and cover for birds and wildlife.

Mountain home owners may lead active lives or they may be out of town for months at a time. Natural landscapes are easier to maintain and look attractive with very little effort. So your first thought on Saturday morning is not, ‘does the lawn mower have gas?'

Fragrant or flowering ... evergreen or blazing fall color ... textured leaves or striking winter silhouettes ... there are many different looks to a natural landscape. Following is a short list of plants to explore at the next visit to the garden center.

Flowering shrubs and trees:

Oak Leaf Hydrangea, Pee Dee hydrangea

Lilac

Rhododendrons (dwarf, medium high and huge growing varieties exist)

Mountain Laurel - blooms later in the year than rhodos

Wild azalea - hybrid Honeysuckle

Peonies

Viburnum

Ornamental pears and cherries (Fall color too)

Native and perennial flowers: bee balm, asters, angelica, Queen Anne's lace, yarrow

Evergreens: (provide privacy screens)

Holly

Rhododendrons and Laurel

White pines

Arborvitae

Cedars

Oregon grape

Hemlocks are not a good choice at this time

Ground Covers:

Dog Hobble (native and evergreen)

Spring flowering bulbs (naturalizing varieties)

Hosta (some varieties naturalize easily)

Landscape ornamental grasses

Ferns - native to this area

Day Lilies

Fall Color:

Maples (choose lower growing varieties for the home site)

Dogwood (flowering also)

Mountain Ashe

Edibles:

Blueberries

Apples (try some heirloom varieties)

Peaches

Figs