Foxfire Fund - Foxfire 11

W ith any Foxfire project, so many people contribute so much that it would be almost impossible to name and thank all of them individually. We owe so much gratitude to students who, over the years, have gathered the information for the books and made the program a success; to parents who often carry the students on the interviews; and to current teachers Angie Cheek and Joyce Green and Principal Matt Arthur at Rabun County High School, who provide a base of operations and unfailing support and guidance for the magazine program.

In particular, we owe a special thanks to the many people who helped us in the production of Foxfire 11. This book was edited entirely by former students who worked when they came home from college, when they had time off of their regular jobs, or around their other jobs. Without Teresia Gravley Thomason, Amy York, and Robbie Bailey, we could not have finished this book on schedule or with the diversity and perspective it managed to achieve. Teresia, while on summer vacation from her job with Pioneer RESA, produced both the Wild Plant Uses chapter and Wit, Wisdom, and Remembrances, as well as looking at the rest of our sections for grammar and stylistic problems. Amy, who had just graduated from high school and was preparing to go to college, completed the Hunting Stories and Farm Animals chapters. Robbie, the three-time veteran of Foxfire book production, compiled the Fishing and The Old Homeplace chapters and frequently told us what to expect next in the process of compiling the book.

Our help did not just come from former students. Many friends and family members of both the Foxfire 11 crew and the Foxfire program also helped in the production of the book. Bill and Pat Gravley and Jane Thomason and Warren Thomason answered questions on everything from recipes to chickens on a regular basis throughout the summer. For a few weeks, we were at the house of J. C. Stubblefield and Bernice Taylor weekly, conducting interviews for nearly every section of the book. There were days when we called Jimmie and Juanita Kilby several times with questions to which they either had a cheerful answer or did their best to find out for us. Jimmy Hunter read and reread several sections, providing comments, insights, and corrections. Debbie Hunter, Bessie Ramey, and Al Durham gave last-minute advice and help with the recipe section. Former Foxfire students Allison Adams and Teresa Thurmond Gentry helped with final edits.

Various community members also provided needed support. Mildred Donaldson and Susie Smith graciously provided needed information for our Gardens and Commercial Farms chapter. Doug Adams, Kyle Burrell, and Perry Thompson provided needed advice and knowledge regarding the Fishing chapter. Marie Mellinger and Billy Joe Stiles gave invaluable assistance with wild plant names and uses. George and Howard Prater kindly helped us fill in missing information about beekeeping and then sent us away with a few bottles of delicious honey as gifts. Mary Elizabeth Law helped with our research of historical information.

The Foxfire staff, as always, helped when needed. Robert Murray, who could not come near the Foxfire 11 crew without having several questions thrown at him, was always willing to assist. Lila Anna Hiers advertised the coming publication and took numerous pictures for us. Mary Lou Rich did a little of everything, from reading to ordering more supplies, to providing cheerful encouragement and moral support. Michael Buchholz acted as go-between with the Doubleday editors, kept us on task, and helped broaden our perception of what this book could be. Ann Moore read, reread, and read again every page of the book, never complaining, and often encouraging us with everything from words to kind notes left with our sections after she had finished reading them yet again. Bobby Starnes agreed the book should be done and allowed Kaye the time to work on it.

And finally, a heartfelt thanks to the members of our community who welcomed us into their homes and gave freely of their time, their knowledge, and themselves, and, most important, gave us love, friendship, and a sense of belonging. They are the everyday heroes upon which this book and all the others are based. We are indebted to them for raising us right; for supporting us; for showing us that no matter what changes our beloved mountains see, the values and ideas that make us Appalachianthe ones that tell us to be self-sufficient, yet remind us that ultimately we belong to our community and our Creatorwill not change. Thank you.