Foxfire Fund Inc. - The Foxfire 50th Anniversary Book

C ompiling a volume like TheFoxfire Book of Simple Living would be an insurmountable task without the remarkable support of numerous individuals. If each page bore the fingerprints of those who played a part in producing it, this document would be almost unreadable.

Foxfire president Ann Moore encouraged, advised, and supported our workand usthroughout the process. Barry Stiles, Paulette Carpenter, and Jessica Sheriff assisted with digging out photos, loaning thumb drives, collecting permission slips, and everything else we requested. Earline Benefield, Lisa Gibson, and Holly Williamson, who were digitizing tapes in the Foxfire Archives one floor above, were interrupted frequently by our inevitable cries for an immediate, unbiased sounding board. Lee Carpenter ensured that we had working computers, cameras, and Internet, as well as providing other much-needed expertise.

Our contacts graciously allowed us to invade their homes, disrupt their schedules, and create more work for them. Janie P. Taylor, a lady we all loved dearly, and her wonderful family allowed us to interview her in her final days on this earth. T. J., Jenny, Briar, and Moses Stevens allowed us to spend most of the day asking a zillion questions, and they answered each with smiles and graciousness. They even fed us watermelon and gave us each a bar of their homemade soap as we left. Beth Kelley Zorbanos drove up to Mountain City, Georgiaall the way from Danielsville, Georgiato share the art of cornshuck doll making and philosophies about life. We are forever indebted to all the contacts, both in this volume and throughout the years, for their kindness, their shared knowledge, and their continued friendships.

Jeff Carver, a former Foxfire student, introduced us to Eric Legge and John Roper, for which we cant adequately thank him. Both Eric and John are incredible artists, but more important, just like Jeff, they are amazing human beings. Joyce Green, a former Foxfire facilitator, not only introduced Foxfire to her aunt and uncle, Lois and Clarence Martin, but also dropped everything to bring us family photographs when we needed them. Don Brooks drove up from Lawrenceville to sign a permission slip for his dad, Lawton. While here, he had us all doubled over with laughter at his youthful shenanigans and quick wita burst of much-needed therapy during our last frantic days of compiling.

Foxfires board of directors provides guidance and continues to see the intrinsic value in funding the magazine class and its documentation of the community. The Foxfire Community Board pitches in whenever needed, providing potential contacts, advice, and hard work when necessary. Both boards commitment to our heritage, our students, and the Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center helps to keep us motivated.

The Rabun County Board of Education and Rabun County High School continue to assist us by allowing the Foxfire Magazine program to be a part of the schools curriculum. Former principal Mark Earnests unfailing support of the class and facilitators has encouraged the programs growth in a time when many programs across the country are being cut. This volume could not have been completed without countless hours of work done over the past six years by Justin Spillers, a former Foxfire Magazine facilitator. His guidance was missed as he assumed new administrative responsibilities in our school system. Numerous students have helped with chronicling the culture since 1966. With cameras, tape recorders, and notepads, they have single-handedly preserved a disappearing way of life and recorded contemporary daily life for future generations to enjoy. For the first few weeks of work on this book, students Breanna Finley, Heather Giovino, Stephanie Jones, and Corey Lovell helped us by interviewing several new contacts, taking pictures, and transcribing during their time in the Summer Leadership Program. We want to give a special thanks to Heather for her ceaseless efforts when it came to researching and assisting us for an additional week.

Andrea Robinson, our editor at Random House, was always available to answer questions. She gave us insightful feedback and encouragement throughout the process. She had a vision of what this book could become and helped us remain true to that concept throughout our work.

Our families need also to be thanked. Many times we were so driven to get something just right that we were oblivious to our responsibilities at home. Our families probably suffered, but if they did, they did so silently, enduring our absentmindedness toward daily tasks and family obligations.

Finally, we thank you. The dedication and support of readers worldwide allows us to invest our time and energy into something we value and love: our community. Your patronage of our books, the magazine, and our heritage center doesnt go unnoticed and is deeply appreciated.