Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a book written by a lady who lived in Brasstown.
Eleanor Lambert Wilson, better known as Ellie wrote two books about her life in Appalachia. She first came to this area in 1941 to work at John C. Campbell Folk School.
Ellie fell in love with the people and the landscape of Brasstown. Her first book “My Journey to Appalachia” tells about her life after she landed in Brasstown.
So many people requested she write another book to complete the story of her life that she eventually wrote “My Life in Brasstown.”
I loved the first book. As I read it I looked at my community through another’s eyes and wished I could have seen what the area was like for myself in the early 40s.
When I read the second book I was astonished at how much Ellie changed the fabric of our local counties in a good way. She was an amazing woman.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of “My Life in Brasstown.” To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. *Giveaway ends November 16, 2020
Tipper
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30 Comments
Eldonna Ashley
November 14, 2020 at 3:38 pmI enjoy learning about my heritage. Most of the time your stories remind me of something I remember. Sometimes they bring to mind a memory I have tucked away. I love ir all!
BTW, my family canned apples. They were on the table most meals. Yes, we called it fruit.
Janet P
November 14, 2020 at 3:52 amI live in eastern NC and miss the mountain areas. Reading your blog and things that y’all do, I want to come and visit your town.
Helen Craig Jones
November 13, 2020 at 9:07 pmI knew Ellie and Monroe Wilson and my Mother remembers how she met Monroe at The Folk School and they married. As a young girl, the Bookmobile come to her house. I was a vivacious reader snd watched for it to pass our house snd go up road to hers. I literally chased it for new Books. Ellie was a wonderful woman.
Jackie
November 13, 2020 at 8:12 pmBeing from the Western NC mountains I always enjoy reading anything about our mountains and the experiences of the people: past and present. Why else would I have subscribed to your blog?
Colleen Holmes
November 13, 2020 at 7:44 pmLove your blog. First thing in the morning I read it with my coffee.
Patricia Small
November 13, 2020 at 6:42 pmI always read your posts but I don’t comment often because I’m not an early riser. I will always jump in and leave a comment when there’s a book to be had! Stay safe.
Luann Sewell Waters
November 13, 2020 at 6:10 pmThis sounds like a wonderful book. I fell in love with the area on my first trip to John C. Campbell Folk School. Have told many people about the school, the area and your blog! Would love to win the book.
Sue Gregory
November 13, 2020 at 12:57 pmThe book My Life in Brasstown sounds like a really good Thanksgiving holiday read. Maybe I will be fortunate enough to win the draw.
Love your stories and especially the recipes. Some I’ve yet to try as I have a red meat allergy called alpha-gal, so no pork, beef or even venison. I collect recipes of all kinds and enjoy just reading them and living the dream
Jan Lehman
November 13, 2020 at 12:45 pmI love to read books, but especially books about my home areas. Please enter me in your book drawing. Thanks for your writings. I enjoy them.
Dee Dee Parker
November 13, 2020 at 11:59 amLove your posts. I’m sure I would enjoy the November book giveaway. Thanks.
Pam eisinger
November 13, 2020 at 2:12 pmFeel so blessed to have discovered your writings living in the city now and miss the country. Your posts take me back home. Thank you and God bless
Carolyn Lane
November 13, 2020 at 11:15 amWould love to be a winter. Love Appalachian history and stories!
Paula Rhodarmer
November 13, 2020 at 11:07 amI love to read books like that. I have collected books about WNC for years, but this is one I have never heard of. I also noticed the Jim Casada’s new book is now available. That is another one I hope to read.
Kenneth Ryan
November 13, 2020 at 10:56 amI would love to read the book and would like to be entered in its give away.
Ellen Broening
November 13, 2020 at 10:43 amThank you so much for keeping Appalachia alive in the hearts , minds and lives of so many
Thankfully, because of you, it will not be lost
Eddie Wilson
November 13, 2020 at 11:56 amThank you so much for this good read.
I am retired and have the pleasure of good health and time to enjoy such treasures.
All the kin on my father’s side of the family came from the NC Mountains and I listen to the wonderful stories of places and people I never visited.
My grandmother shared tales of farm life and working as a child for a toy manufacturing company in Tryon. She was a talented artist and I wish had some of the things created out of scraps for our entertainment.
Please continue your good work,
Eddie Wilson
Rooney Floyd
November 13, 2020 at 9:28 amEllie was a wonderful person. I’m so glad I got to know her even if it was late in life. No need to enter me for the drawing as I have both books–signed and inscribed.
Sherry
November 13, 2020 at 9:23 amOh, please enter me in this November guveaway! I love to read all the books you suggest. I just had eye surgery for cataracts so my eyes will be ready for reading very s oon!
GEORGE W. MOORE JR
November 13, 2020 at 9:17 amThis book sounds so interesting, thanks for your e-mails look forward to reading them ever day, have a blessed day
Carol Roy
November 13, 2020 at 9:14 amHi ….another book that sounds like it would be a good one….tks for sharing this ….Stay Safe!
Shirl
November 13, 2020 at 8:56 amTipper, you could have written a book with the same title as the last one Ellie wrote. I would love to read “My Life In Brasstown”.
Rebecca Layfield
November 13, 2020 at 8:43 amLove looking at things through others eyes it can be refreshing!! Thanks for all you do!! God Bless you and your family!
Duane Dockey
November 13, 2020 at 8:18 amLove reading your posts
Ron Stephens
November 13, 2020 at 8:11 amIsn’t it odd that a place once plagued with large out-migration should now be the opposite? Appalachia has been ‘discovered’ again. Eleanor came just in a time of huge transition when WWII was shortly going to scatter Appalachian young men and women across the nation and across the world. They would be changed and some would not stay in Appalachia afterward. Some would want to but couldn’t. Farming as a primary lifeway was declining. New Deal programs had begun opening up the area by bringing new roads and rural electrification was underway. She saw and lived through the middle of that transformation.
I think the titles of her two books are an insight into her character. They are simple, plain and no-nonsense, notworded for attention-grabbing and drama. No reference to feuding or moonshining or coal mining or any Appalachian sterotype. No implication that her story is better than anybody else’s.
William Dotson
November 13, 2020 at 7:21 amThanks for the chance to win this book, and thanks for all you do, love all your emails.
PinnacleCreek
November 13, 2020 at 7:19 amThis sounds like such an interesting book. I love when others discover and love our Appalachia as much as we do.
Dana
November 13, 2020 at 7:17 amThese books sound fantastic! Thank you for all your recommendations. You should put out a book list, a “must read”.
Michael Anderson
November 13, 2020 at 6:52 amLove to read the book, I never knew about it. Thanks for preserving our ways of life.
sheryl paul
November 13, 2020 at 6:24 amThe changrs must be enormous. From a wartime era to todays world.
Bonnie D Harris
November 13, 2020 at 6:23 amEnter in Thankful November giveaway for used copy of “My Life in Brasstown.” Thank you. Enjoy your daily newsletter.