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CURRENT Features

Hand Made in the Mountains: Warren May

Warren May, creator of some 18,736 dulcimers (and counting), is considered a musical instrument-making rock star.

Hand Made in the Mountains: Nancy Basket

For over a decade, Basket has worked in the region and across the country educating and inspiring survival groups, earth skills gatherings, herb collectives, and members of the Catawba Nation, among others.

The Pack Horse Librarians of Eastern Kentucky

During the Depression, they delivered books and other reading materials in remote rural areas, to people with no other access to the world of reading.

Bond Between Man and Bird: The Christmas Hawk

How a boyhood fascination led to a man’s connection with a red-tailed hawk.

The First Biltmore Christmas

George W. Vanderbilt III saw to every detail before welcoming family and friends to the 1895 holiday season. Alas, no known photographs of the celebrations survive.

Current Issue

On display inside May's shop are authentic historic instruments, about which Warren happily shares information on styles, woods and techniques through time.

Hand Made in the Mountains: Warren May

Warren May, creator of some 18,736 dulcimers (and counting), is considered a musical instrument-making rock star.
Nancy Basket, here in her home gallery in Walhalla, South Carolina, tells the ancient stories through her work as a basket maker and fiber artist.

Hand Made in the Mountains: Nancy Basket

For over a decade, Basket has worked in the region and across the country educating and inspiring survival groups, earth skills gatherings, herb collectives, and members of the Catawba Nation, among others.
7b078bd0-eec4-11e9-b6c8-12f1225286c6-Pack-Horse-Librarians

The Pack Horse Librarians of Eastern Kentucky

During the Depression, they delivered books and other reading materials in remote rural areas, to people with no other access to the world of reading.
Nikki was a moderately large hawk with “an intense golden glare, a hooked beak and sharp talons.”

Bond Between Man and Bird: The Christmas Hawk

How a boyhood fascination led to a man’s connection with a red-tailed hawk.
Biltmore 1895. George Vanderbilt hired architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted for this massive project. This image shows some of the construction shops located on what is today the Esplanade.

The First Biltmore Christmas

George W. Vanderbilt III saw to every detail before welcoming family and friends to the 1895 holiday season. Alas, no known photographs of the celebrations survive.
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Departments

Smith Mountain Lake Virginia is a hidden gem within the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful area features boating, sailing, hiking, shopping, fishing, and much more.
From The Editor

Sarah Smiles: The Lake Effect

Growing up, many of my weekends were spent at my late step-grandmother’s house on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

June 26, 2026

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