I have only lived in Haywood County for 20 years, so to the natives, I am still an “outsider.” Even I still get that “You ain’t from around here, are you?” put-down on occasion. Actually, I feel sorry for those natives of Haywood County and all Western North Carolina who have never lived anywhere else or who have never traveled any farther than Pigeon Forge or Myrtle Beach. If you have not seen any of the rest of the United States, you can’t possibly have a proper appreciation of this jewel in the mountains. You must have lived other places and then moved here to truly understand. I can speak with authority - I have lived in nine states and two foreign countries. I live here by choice, not just because I was born here.

The natural diversity of geography, climate and scenery certainly provide something for every taste. But it is in the other aspects of enjoyable life - the music, literature, drama, sports and recreation - that our county has also developed a diversity to please the most discriminating.

Although the locals hate to admit it, in many cases it has been the outsiders who have created the audiences and participation for many of the changes I have witnessed over the past 20 years. Just because it is different or “it ain’t the way we’ve always done it”doesn’t mean all change is automatically bad. This emerging diversity of new ideas and new tastes is what makes Haywood County so unique.

I had the opportunity to sample this diversity on Sunday, June 24. That day I attended three music programs. The first was an Old-Time Music Brunch, one of the fund-raising events for the Haywood County Arts Council. We gathered for brunch out Kim’s Cove way at the delightful home of Cora Lee Devlin, while an old-time string band on the back porch provided mountain music. While strolling around the farm, along the little creek, with that music in the background, it was easy to be transported back to a time when Haywood County was still on the frontier.

That same music would have been played then. This is a legacy that hasn’t changed. What a wonderful way to start a beautiful day!

That afternoon was the first concert of the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival. You may not enjoy chamber music. I do, especially in the Performing Arts Center. I have been in several of the great concert halls in these United States, but none can match the superb acoustics of the PAC. It was a delight to sit in that wonderfully comfortable and intimate setting and listen to works by Haydn, Mozart and Dvorak played by world-class musicians. When you consider that we are a rural mountain county, to have a group of such international recognition as the Miro Quartet playing in our festival is truly a unique opportunity. I could hear them at Carnegie Hall or the Lincoln Center, but I assure you the cost would be substantially higher than the $15 admission fee here. This program is a steal! The reception following the concert was something like a family reunion, as we renewed acquaintances from previous festivals.

That evening was the 20th anniversary concert by the Smoky Mountain Brass Band, also at the PAC. Apparently a lot of people in Haywood County appreciate band music, especially a great band like this one, for it played to a standing room only audience. What a wonderful tribute, not only to the hard working members of the group but also to all the previous conductors of the band. The final encore, a rousing “Stars and Strips Forever,” put a fitting cap on a most enjoyable concert.

Not a bad day of music. I just wonder where else could I have had such an eclectic selection? In New York, Boston, Chicago or San Francisco? Perhaps chamber music and a brass band. But some good mountain music to start the day? No way! This was strictly Haywood County diversity.

The unifying theme to this particular brand of diversity was that all three performances were sponsored or supported by the Haywood County Arts Council. Now, the arts council has suffered some harsh criticism in recent months. Most of this has been from people who have a lot of opinions but no facts. Nevertheless, the Arts council is one of the major forces in providing much of the diverse entertainment that helps to make Haywood County so unique.

So enjoy what we have. But remember, these things don’t just happen. Someone has to make them happen. It takes a lot of money, time and labor. So pitch in and help to keep Haywood County what it is - a place with something for everyone.

Al Manning
amanning@asap-com.com

 

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