Welcome to the Love of Story

Holding local memory in place

"Stories...Grandpa told me stories. High on the mountain, I'd sit on the floor at Grandpa's feet. The warmth of fire crackling in the fireplace, the flickering shadows of the lamplight on the wall, the swish of the wind on the tin roof...all this intertwined with the sound of his voice as it echoed in the quiet of the room. He told stories of stalking panthers, of front porch music, of people born and people dying. And all his stories brought real-life drama to a little girl searching for heroes...heroes she could just reach out and touch." —Amy Ammons Garza

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia is a group of dedicated Western North Carolina individuals who are holding local memory in place by saving, by sharing, by passing on the remnants of local memory and local human community by the ancient rule of neighborliness, by the love of precious family, by the passing down of family stories, and by the wish to have a sense of place...a sense of "home."

This website contains our CURRENT EVENTS: Mountain youth talent shows, workshops &  residences, community festivals, community plays, performance schedule and other events where dates or additions/cancellations may be made.

The Purpose of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia

Established in 1989, incorporated as a nonprofit organization in1991, the vision of Catch the Spirit of   Appalachia (CSA) is to "Encourage youth to cherish their heritage & creativity and inspire connections with all cultures."     Situated in Jackson County in Western North Carolina, CSA's mission is to involve the community in honoring and preserving our “sense of place.”

The People

CSA Cofounders Amy Ammons Garza, Appalachian Storyteller, and Doreyl Ammons Cain, Visual Artist, a team known as The Ammons Sisters, are dedicated to reaching every child they can with the message that they are creative, can achieve success and have the heritage background that will sustain them throughout their lives.   The sisters are actively promoting literacy and awareness of self-worth in all children and adults.
      The CSA board of Directors is a group of   local people who believe in the mission of the organization and extend themselves, involving the goals of CSA into their private lives. Many members of the board have been with the organization since it's inception 18 years ago:   Dr. Ray Menze, Elmer and Irene Hooper; followed closely by long time members Gail Stillwell Cooper, Cathy Stillwell Gibson, and Dr. David Teague.   With more than two years involvement is Gail A. Nolen, Etheree Chancellor, Pam Dengler, and Vera Holland Guise. Newer members are Carl Hooper, Mary Jo Hooper Cobb, Becky Nelson, Dot Conner, Norma Medford, Judy Rhodes, and Victoria A. Casey McDonald.  
      Regional advisors to CSA have been Jenny Johnson, Director of the Swain County Center for the Arts; Leesa D. Sutton, a development office for the area's Division of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development; Denise Ballard, Manager of the Cherokee Youth Center Boys and Girls Club; and Davey Arch, Cherokee Storyteller and Crafter.

Now Scheduling Performances, Residencies & Workshops
For the 2008-09 School Year

Mountain Storytelling with The Ammons Sisters:
Doreyl Ammons Cain, visual artist and Amy Ammons Garza, storyteller.

For Storytelling Performances & Workshops

Contact: Doreyl Ammons Cain at (828) 293-2239
P.O. Box 339, Tuckasegee, NC 28783
Click here to email Doreyl

Contact: Amy Ammons Garza at (828) 631-4587
29 Regal Ave., Sylva, NC 28779
v.ammons@mchsi.com