Announcing the 2022 Summer Series
Ever wonder why a fiddle is an integral part of bluegrass music, or why old moonshine stills can be found right here in Sherwood Forest? Join us for the 2022 Sherwood Forest Friends’ Summer Series as we learn about The influence of the Scots-Irish Migration on Appalachian Culture through stories, demonstrations and music.
Throughout the 17th century, Lowland Scots along with smaller numbers of English from the Borders region settled in the northeast (Ulster) region of Ireland where they became known as Ulster Scots. Ulster Scots is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while Scots-Irish (or Scotch-Irish) is used here in America.
During the 18th century a hundred thousand Ulster Scots (Scots-Irish) emigrated to America. They were pushed out of Ulster by discrimination by the Anglican Church of Ireland against their Presbyterian religion, by a depression in the linen trade that provided income to so many of them, and by a steep increase in land rents driven by an explosion of population. With them, they brought their crafts, traditions and folkways, but here they had to grow or make everything they needed to live. While many other cultures integrated into Appalachian culture (African, Native American and European) this year’s Summer Series will focus specifically on the Scots-Irish migration.
Programs start at 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted and will be held at Robin Hood Barn. Refreshments sold beginning at 6:30 PM.
August 13, Connie Regan-Blake
“Finding Your Way Home: Stories of True-Life Adventures & Mountain Roots”
Connie Regan-Blake is one of America’s most celebrated storytellers. She has captivated the hearts and imaginations of people around the globe with her powerful performances and workshops. Entertaining audiences in 47 states, 18 countries, and 6 continents she brings the wisdom, humor, and drama of stories to main stage concert halls, libraries, and into the corporate world.
August 20, Doug and Darcy Orr
“Influence of Scots-Irish Immigrants on the Music of Appalachia”
Doug Orr and his wife, Darcy, will be telling stories and performing the songs that came across the “carrying stream” from Ulster to Appalachia. Orr is President Emeritus of Warren Wilson College and co-author, with Fiona Ritchie, of the book, Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia.
August 27, Cassie Dickson
“Textile Traditions: Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia”
Cassie Dickson specializes in the weaving of coverlets using traditional patterns handed down for generations. Like the Scots-Irish settlers, she grows her own flax and processes it into linen cloth. She has been spinning, weaving, and natural dyeing for over 40 years and has raised silk worms to make silk fabric for the past 32 years.
September 3, Owen Grooms & Friends
“An evening of old-time mountain music”
Acoustic musician, Owen Grooms has been playing Mandolin since childhood and Banjo since 2008. Since then, he has enjoyed playing clawhammer banjo and mandolin in several groups in Western NC and teaching both instruments to children through the Junior Appalachian Musician program and private lessons. He will be joined by guitarist Mark Queen and special guest, Jenn Linville, for an evening of foot stomping music. As a bonus, dance teacher Linda Block will give a group clogging lesson starting at 6:30 PM.
2022 Events
| September 3 | Owen Grooms & Friends | “An Evening of Old-Time Mountain Music” Acoustic musician, Owen Grooms has been playing Mandolin since childhood and Banjo since 2008. Since then, he has enjoyed playing clawhammer banjo and mandolin in several groups in Western NC and teaching both instruments to children through the Junior Appalachian Musician program and private lessons. He will be joined by guitarist Mark Queen and special guest, Jenn Linville, for an evening of foot stomping music. As a bonus, dance teacher Linda Block will give a group clogging lesson starting at 6:30 PM. |
| August 27 | Cassie Dickson | “Textile Traditions: Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia” Cassie Dickson specializes in the weaving of coverlets using traditional patterns handed down for generations. Like the Scots-Irish settlers, she grows her own flax and processes it into linen cloth. She has been spinning, weaving, and natural dyeing for over 40 years and has raised silk worms to make silk fabric for the past 32 years. |
| August 20 | Doug and Darcy Orr | “Influence of Scots-Irish Immigrants on the Music of Appalachia” Doug Orr and his wife, Darcy, will be telling stories and performing the songs that came across the “carrying stream” from Ulster to Appalachia. Orr is President Emeritus of Warren Wilson College and co-author, with Fiona Ritchie, of the book, Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia. |
| August 13 | Connie Regan-Blake | “Finding Your Way Home: Stories of True-Life Adventures & Mountain Roots” Connie Regan-Blake is one of America’s most celebrated storytellers. She has captivated the hearts and imaginations of people around the globe with her powerful performances and workshops. Entertaining audiences in 47 states, 18 countries, and 6 continents she brings the wisdom, humor, and drama of stories to main stage concert halls, libraries, and into the corporate world. |
| July 2 | Shoofly Summers Square Dance | Friends and neighbors will gather from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for this family-friendly event. Dances will be called by Susan Brown. Admission is $5 at the door. Robin Hood Barn. |
| April 21-22 | Earth Day Celebration | CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH SHERWOOD FOREST FRIENDS Earth Day, on April 22nd each year, marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. The day was created to demonstrate support for our planet in a variety of ways. It has been estimated that Earth Day is celebrated by over a billion people worldwide. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE! Sherwood Forest’s celebration of Earth Day will open on Thursday, April 21 with a Nature Nuts presentation featuring Dr. Dave Ellum of Warren Wilson College. Discover Forest Understory Ecology at 7 p.m. at the Robin Hood Centre. Join fellow Nature Nuts and naturalist/educator, Eric Young, for a leisurely stroll through Sherwood Forest’s woodlands. Enjoy the wonders of the season in a unique way. Old and young alike will use their senses to celebrate the natural world. There will be a tea party, a picnic, a concert, and more, but nothing is what it seems. Meet at the Barn at 10:00 a.m. At noon, gather at the Arboretum with Sherwood Forest Friends. Explore the revived plantings and help install native paw paw trees. Kids (and parents, too!) are invited to gather at Studio 276 at 4:00 p.m. for Earth Day crafts and activities! Don’t miss the fun! |
| February 25 | Chimney Swift Nesting Tower Dedication. 3 p.m. at the Barn | Discover what chimney swifts do for you and your environment and why they need our help. Visit our second tower! |
| October 30, 2-4 p.m., Judith Duff Pottery Studio | Open House | Judith Duff was a beloved neighbor and renowned potter who passed away in 2021. Mingle with fellow Friends and discover Judith’s unique interpretation of Japanese pottery. |
| September 9, 3:00pm. Meet at The Barn | Leave it Better | Cleanup and fun at DuPont State Forest. |
| Thursday, July 29, 4 p.m. at The Barn | John Rucker and his Amazing Turtle- Tracking Spaniels | Turtles are bellwethers, increases and declines in their population mirror the health of our ecosystem. Discover what one man and his dogs are doing to protect them. Meredith Brooks will describe efforts underway in Sherwood Forest. |
| August 21, 7:00pm at The Barn | Space, how do we know what we know about it? | Professor Mike Castelaz, Associate Professor of Physics at Brevard College, will explain the process for exploring the universe in search of life. |
| August 14, 7:00pm at The Barn | Summer Series. Collecting Meteorites from Antarctica: Exploring Space on a Shoestring since 1977 | Join Linda Welzenbach-Fries, science communications specialist in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice University, will recount her adventures in Antarctica. |
| August 13, pre-dawn, 5 a.m., Arrowhead dam | Perseid meteor shower | Meteor watch party at with Marc & Linda. |
| August 13, 7:00pm at The Barn | Summer Series. Meteorites, messengers from space | Dr. Marc Fries, a planetary scientist within the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, will tell us what information meteorites hold. |
| August 7, 7:00pm at The Barn | Summer Series. Mary Draper Ingles: A Story of Courage | Join us as Caroline McIntyre brings to life the harrowing tale of one woman’s escape from Indian slavery. |
| July 8, 3:00pm meet at The Barn | Leave It Better | Cleanup and fun at DuPont State Forest. |
| June 3 , 3:00pm meet at The Barn | Leave It Better | Cleanup and fun at DuPont State Forest. |
| May 14, 4 p.m. at The Barn | Blue Ghost Bubble v. 2.5 | COVID-friendly drive by. Enjoy live music and pick up a goody bag with a recipe for a B.G. cocktail, watching tips, and more. |
| April 24, 10 a.m. at The Barn | Earth Day | Nature hikes: sign up for Photography, Spring Wildflowers, or Kids Stroll |
| April 24, 3 p.m. at Studio 276 | Storytelling and garden planting. | Eric Young will entertain then kids will plant a flower garden. |
| April 2- May 16 | Get Up Get Out Challenge | Run, ride, slither, swim or crawl to benefit the Sherwood Forest Friends (SFF) Scholarship Fund. Anyone can get up and get out, wherever they are, because SFF Hike n’ Bike is virtual! Sign up on RunSignUp.com (search for Sherwood Forest Friends Get Up and Get Out Challenge). |
| April 8 , 3:00pm meet at The Barn | Leave It Better | Cleanup and fun at DuPont State Forest. |
