Michael Hardy
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Articles by Michael Hardy
Our Avery County: Looking for Linville Cove
Visitors driving down US 221 from the community of Linville, passing Land Harbor, probably have no idea that they are passing through an area once known as Linville Cove. The area was originally known as Linville Cove, which followed the Linville River from the present-day Land Harbor area down through Crossnore, Altamont and probably to Linville Falls. In 1778, John M.
Our Avery County: Ferguson's Letter
Every year, in late September and early October, we commemorate the march of the Overmountain Man and the battle of Kings Mountain. It is an important piece of history, not just United States history, but our history right here in Avery County. While Avery County would not exist until 1911, the area contained a major road connecting the settlements along the North Fork of the Catawba River and the Watauga and Holston River areas (present-day East Tennessee).
Our Avery County: Ferguson's Letter
Every year, in late September and early October, we commemorate the march of the Overmountain Man and the battle of Kings Mountain. It is an important piece of history, not just United States history, but our history right here in Avery County. While Avery County would not exist until 1911, the area contained a major road connecting the settlements along the North Fork of the Catawba River and the Watauga and Holston River areas (present-day East Tennessee).
Musical Maestro
American songwriter Stephen Sondheim graduated from Williams College in 1950. Seen here in August 1962, the musical maestro had already written the musicals 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum', 'Into the Woods' and 'Passion'.
HED Rights First: North Carolina's Revolutionary Blueprint
In July 1776, a group of representatives from the various colonies, meeting in secret in Philadelphia, issued a document now famous worldwide: the Declaration of Independence. “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands,” the document started.
Our Avery County: Reflection on Independence and Avery County
One of my favorite movie scenes is found in HBO’s series on John Adams (2008). The delegates from the various states are meeting in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia — the Second Continental Congress. The clerk is calling the roll, and a delegate from each state rises and votes yes to a Declaration of Independence, except New York, which abstains. All of the major players are there — Benjamin Franklin from Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson from Virginia, Edward Rutledge from South Carolina.
Our Avery County: Avery County in the 1930s and 1940s
While it might be a common cliché that people were so poor they did not know a Great Depression was gripping the country, most people did know something was happening on the national scale, and it was felt here as well. Banks closed, the Cranberry Iron Mines closed, most of the timber had been cut and tourism slowed considerably. Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn in as President of the United States in March 1933. He implemented several new programs known as the New Deal.
Our Avery County: Local history and the bigger picture
Lately, I’ve been pondering this quote by Carol Kammen: “Local history... provides the natural link between immediate experience and general history.” Kammen was writing in “The Pursuit of Local History.” Since starting this column in 2011, that is what I have sought to do, taking the events that students might find in a general history book in school and applying them to “immediate experience” — what happened locally. There are few epochs of American history that did not have some local impact.
Our Avery County: Home Demonstration Agents in Avery County
How many people remember the Home Demonstration agents from the Extension Department? Perhaps a few folks still recall these important community resources, but probably not many. This program was begun by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service. Teaching rural women better, safer methods for gardening, canning, sewing and nutrition, county extension agents served as valuable counselors and teachers, all in an effort to improve the living conditions of families.
Our Avery County: Remembering the Land of Oz
“There is no place like home, there is no place like home…” How many times have we wished, along with Dorothy and Toto, to be home, wanting to be back among the mountains of the High Country. Fifty years ago, the idea that anyone could visit the fabled land of Oz started to come to an end. A mysterious fire erupted overnight on Dec. 30, 1975, at the attraction perched atop Beech Mountain.
HARDY’s ‘Wait in the Truck’ Feat. Lainey Wilson Lyrics – Billboard - PageGoo
HARDY and Lainey Wilson teamed up for a rare murder ballad in country’s modern era. “You rarely hear songs like this that bring light to heavy situations that people are really scared to talk about,” Wilson told Billboard of the track. “I feel, in my heart, that our job is to sing about the things that people are afraid to talk about.
Joint Task Force - Bravo supports Continuing Promise 2022
SOTO CANO AIR BASE, HONDURAS – Joint Task Force-Bravo, a unit under the U.S. Southern Command supported the U.S. Fourth Fleet’s stop in Honduras as part of Continuing Promise 2022 31 Oct – 5 Nov. Continuing Promise is part of USSOUTHCOM’s Enduring Promise initiative and reflects the United States’ dedication to friendship, partnership, and solidarity with the Americas. The Fourth Naval Fleet traveled to Honduras aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort mission (T-AH 20).
Blake Shelton God's Country (Music Video and Lyrics)
Country music star Blake Shelton's “God’s Country” music video brings us to his home state of Oklahoma! Watch it here. The Blake Shelton God’s Country song was released in 2019. Country music superstar Blake Shelton‘s “God’s Country” music video was released just days after debuting his new single during the 2019 ACM Awards. This song reached #1 on the Billboard Country Music charts in 2019.
Elon Musk's SpaceX Site Has Turned Tiny Boca Chica Into a Tourist Attraction
The first humans to land on Mars will likely blast off from a scrubby tidal flat on Boca Chica Bay in South Texas, a few miles north of the Rio Grande. Here, a short walk from the beach, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has built a launch complex to one day send an intrepid band of pioneers hurtling into space on a mission to colonize the Red Planet. Although NASA has landed unmanned rovers on Mars, most recently Perseverance, a manned mission is still many years away.
Artist Michael Tracy Is the Latest Pioneer Fighting to Preserve San Ygnacio
“Like any great piece of historic architecture, it’s a physical manifestation of a time that doesn’t exist anymore,” said Frank Rotnofsky, the project’s lead preservation architect. “It tells the story of the ranching heritage of South Texas. We think about the Fort Worth Stockyards and the cowboys, but it all started down here.” The fort opened to the public in 2009, charging no admission.
Artist Michael Tracy Is the Latest Pioneer Fighting to Preserve San Ygnacio
A work crew was doing maintenance in the small South Texas town of San Ygnacio a decade ago when one of its machines malfunctioned, spraying a ragged strip of asphalt primer along the north facade of the Treviño-Uribe Rancho. This modest complex of one-story stone buildings, the oldest of which dates to 1830, was originally built to protect Mexican ranchers from Comanche raids.
The Fine Line Between Art and Madness
Around 3 a.m. on the morning of December 11, 2011, Doug Dreher was asleep in his Woodland Heights bungalow when he was awakened by the sounds of shattering glass and screaming. “Get your family!” a woman yelled.
Trump Administration’s Rollback of Chemical Disaster Rule Threatens Communities, First Responders
The massive ammonium nitrate explosion that devastated Beirut earlier this month has brought renewed attention to the danger of improperly stored chemicals. In fact, it was another ammonium nitrate explosion—the deadly 2013 blast at the West Fertilizer Company plant in West, Texas, which killed 15 people—that prompted the Obama-era EPA to issue a series of tough new regulations collectively known as the Chemical Disaster Rule.
COVID-19 is Surging in Rural Texas, Threatening to Overwhelm Local Hospitals
Just a few weeks ago, officials in Starr County thought their community might make it through the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the few lucky ones. The rural county on the Texas-Mexico border is among the poorest in the United States. There’s only one hospital, a 48-bed facility with no intensive care unit, to serve about 65,000 people. But until June, Starr had just over 30 total confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.
‘Just Get Up’: George Floyd’s Family Stunned by Massive Hometown Crowd
Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty HOUSTON—They came on foot and even on horseback. They clamored up trees to get a better view. They chanted “Say his name: George Floyd.” On Tuesday, an estimated 60,000 people turned out in the hometown of the man killed by police in Minneapolis last week to celebrate the 46-year-old’s life. Eighteen of his family members stood on the steps to City Hall and marveled at the movement sprawling before them.
Chris Bandi Announces Release of Debut EP, Reveals Cover Art and Track Listing
Back Seven songs are coming your way from Chris Bandi! Chris Bandi; Photo credit: Matthew Berinato Chris Bandi has new music coming very soon. He revealed exclusively to Sounds Like Nashville fans on Facebook today (5/5) that his self-titled, debut EP will drop on May 29th. The project, produced by Ash Bowers and Bandi, features seven tracks, four of which were co-written by the singer.
Here Are the Lyrics to Morgan Wallen's 'More Than My Hometown'
LYRICS 4/30/2020 by Heran Mamo John Shearer Morgan Wallen Morgan Wallen can't love a girl "More Than My Hometown" in his atypical love song, which debuted at No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week (dated May 2). This country ballad doesn't root for hometown lovers to stay together if it's not meant to be. As the female subject in the song has her eyes set on city life, the male subject stays back to show he can't compromise who he is (and the place that raised him) for a relationship.
Here Are the Lyrics to Florida Georgia Line's 'Talk You Out of It'
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images (L-R) Brittney Marie Cole Kelley, Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, and Hayley Stommel Hubbard attend the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2019 in Las Vegas. Florida Georgia Line's "Talk You Out Of It," released Nov. 5, 2018, is all about the magic of a night in.
Native Milkweed Can Save Monarchs-If You Know How to Grow it
Texas Politics Environment Border Criminal Justice Education Health Care The Interview Most Recent in Texas Politics: Most Recent in Environment: Most Recent in Border: Most Recent in Criminal Justice: Most Recent in Education: Most Recent in Health Care: Most Recent in The Interview: Books Features Essay Eye on Texas Most Recent in Books: Most Recent in Features: Most Recent in Essay: Most Recent in Eye on Texas: Most Recent in Poetry: As monarch populations continue to decline, a grassroots...
New Orleans Should Stop Using Its Most Vulnerable Residents to Fund Courts
Q&A The city extracts almost $9 million annually in bail, fines and fees from disproportionately poor and black people, many of whom have not been convicted of a crime. Vera Institute's Jon Wool discusses a new report that serves as a roadmap to reform. Issues Initiatives Published Jun 12, 2019 Share Above: A new report by Vera Institute of Justice recommends that New Orleans fund its courts from general revenue, rather than on the backs of those who can least afford it.
After Locking Up Immigrants, Government Releases Them With Just Bus Tickets
HOUSTON—Isabella and her three children stepped off a bus at the downtown Greyhound station just after 1 on Sunday afternoon, carrying everything they owned in a few tote bags. It had already been a long day. The family boarded the Greyhound at 6 a.m. in McAllen, on the Texas-Mexico border, where Isabella had been detained and temporarily separated from her daughter, 15, and older son, 6.
After Locking Up Immigrants, Government Releases Them With Just Bus Tickets
HOUSTON—Isabella and her three children stepped off a bus at the downtown Greyhound station just after 1 on Sunday afternoon, carrying everything they owned in a few tote bags. It had already been a long day. The family boarded the Greyhound at 6 a.m. in McAllen, on the Texas-Mexico border, where Isabella had been detained and temporarily separated from her daughter, 15, and older son, 6.
After Locking Up Immigrants, Government Releases Them With Just Bus Tickets
HOUSTON—Isabella and her three children stepped off a bus at the downtown Greyhound station just after 1 on Sunday afternoon, carrying everything they owned in a few tote bags. It had already been a long day. The family boarded the Greyhound at 6 a.m. in McAllen, on the Texas-Mexico border, where Isabella had been detained and temporarily separated from her daughter, 15, and older son, 6.
After Locking Up Immigrants, Government Releases Them With Just Bus Tickets
HOUSTON—Isabella and her three children stepped off a bus at the downtown Greyhound station just after 1 on Sunday afternoon, carrying everything they owned in a few tote bags. It had already been a long day. The family boarded the Greyhound at 6 a.m. in McAllen, on the Texas-Mexico border, where Isabella had been detained and temporarily separated from her daughter, 15, and older son, 6.
After Locking Up Immigrants, Government Releases Them With Just Bus Tickets
HOUSTON—Isabella and her three children stepped off a bus at the downtown Greyhound station just after 1 on Sunday afternoon, carrying everything they owned in a few tote bags. It had already been a long day. The family boarded the Greyhound at 6 a.m. in McAllen, on the Texas-Mexico border, where Isabella had been detained and temporarily separated from her daughter, 15, and older son, 6.
How to display a KKK painting? Very carefully
It’s a lot easier to confront subjects like white supremacy or the Klan as evil villains. I’m more concerned about the notion that we all inhabit the same American landscape.” — Vincent Valdez AUSTIN, Texas — The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin knew it had a painting on its hands that required sensitivity: a 30-foot-wide panorama by Houston-based artist Vincent Valdez that imagined a modern-day Ku Klux Klan gathering.
How Far-Right Groups Took Over a Refugee Community After Harvey
After Harvey, a small refugee community in Brazoria County needed help. Neo-Confederates and radical anti-government groups showed up. by Michael Hardy @mkerrhardy January 22, 2018 Take Highway 288 due south from downtown Houston and in about 40 minutes you’ll reach the unincorporated community of Rosharon, population 1,152.
At Traditional Gyms, Finding New Ways to Compete
Life Time Fitness in CityCentre occupies three stories and 150,000 square feet. The locker rooms are appointed in cherrywood, limestone, and granite, and the front desk attendant wears a white dress shirt and suspenders. What the hell gives? “Part of the design is not to give you any excuse not to come back,” says Brad Peterson, the facility’s general manager, taking us on a brisk tour of his vast domain even as he orders personnel around and picks up abandoned towels.
Dance Without Borders
In the opening moments of “La Bruja,” a traditional folk dance from Veracruz newly reinterpreted by the New York City-based Ballet Nepantla, a spotlight trains on a barefoot dancer in a red dress — the witch — pirouetting at center stage. She is soon joined by a shirtless male “victim” who executes a series of acrobatic lifts as they take turns pursuing one another across the stage.
We are FSTVL news: Who’s excited for Green Velvet to make his debut for us in May?
Who's excited for Green Velvet to make his debut for us in May? ? ... See MoreSee LessCan't wait to see Big Shaq at We Are 2018!! His first UK festival show ever ?Michael DapaahA snippet of Alexandra Palace last night for @Spotify 10,000 strong #WhoWeBe - Extra tickets for Big Shaq & Friends have now been added be quick before they sell out again My G's. ??http://metropolism.uk/TJDPk6Thank you for the love! ? : @littlejallow 15th December will be a Movie ?? ... See MoreSee Less
Under the rock and ice: Caving in the winter provides wonders
When snow comes to the High Country, many eyes are fixed on looking up.
Under the rock and ice: Caving in the winter provides wonders
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Under the rock and ice: Caving in the winter provides wonders
When snow comes to the High Country, many eyes are fixed on looking up.
Under the rock and ice: Caving in the winter provides wonders
When snow comes to the High Country, many eyes are fixed on looking up.
Most Houston Attractions Have Reopened; the Opera Gets Creative
Most of the city’s major attractions — including Space Center Houston; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Houston Museum of Natural Science; and the Galleria shopping center — suffered little damage and reopened shortly after the storm. All the top hotels and restaurants are up and running, as are the parks and sports stadiums. The city’s downtown theater district, another top tourist draw, wasn’t as lucky.
The Impossible City
Houston should not exist.
Two of America’s Most Dangerous Dams Are Barely Protecting Houston From Harvey
HOUSTON—Between 1945 and 1948 the Army Corps of Engineers built two massive dams to the west of Houston to hold back the torrential rains that regularly inundate the city. When the weather is dry, the drainage areas upstream of the two dams are grassy parks where local residents ride bikes and take their dogs for walks. But when it rains they fill up, creating the Barker and Addicks Reservoirs, which have a combined storage capacity of 411,500 acre-feet of water.
In South Texas, Threat of Border Wall Unites Naturalists and Politicians (Published 2017)
Hundreds of people marched Saturday along a levee toward the Rio Grande to oppose the border wall the administration wants to build.Credit...Eric Gay/Associated Press Aug. 13, 2017 MISSION, Tex. — Last month, Marianna Wright, the executive director of the privately owned National Butterfly Center here, discovered survey stakes on the property marking out a 150-foot-wide swath of land. Ms. Wright later encountered a work crew cutting down trees and brush along a road through the center.
Race/Related
In our May 28 newsletter, we shared our favorite podcasts related to race, and asked you for your favorites.
In Houston, an Original Juneteenth Celebration Site Reborn
Along with the rest of Third Ward, Emancipation Park fell into decline over the past few decades. Weeds overtook the volleyball court and baseball field. The community center’s roof developed a leak. “You would not want to hang around after the sun went down,” said Ramon Manning, who has lived in Third Ward since the 1990s.
Rockport: The Rare Beach Town That Occasionally Dresses for Dinner
An aspiring artists colony and popular retirement destination for wealthy Texans tired of city life, Rockport is a bit more status-conscious than the laid-back Port A. It’s a place where people occasionally dress up for dinner, and where “going shopping� means art galleries and antique stores rather than a beer run to the nearest gas station. Still, Rockport is a beach community at heart, surrounded on three sides by the Aransas, Copano, and Port Bays.
Port Aransas: The Classic Seaside Town That Takes All Comers
Located on Mustang Island, one of Jean Lafitte’s haunts, Port Aransas gained international fame in the early twentieth century for its tarpon fishing; between 1899 and 1910 the town was simply called “Tarpon.� The majestic silver fish began disappearing in the 1950s, forcing Port A to rely more heavily on tourism, which today is its principal industry.
Ode on a Kanye West Album
[In anticipation of Kanye West's concert Saturday night at the Toyota Center, Houstonia is reposting this Kanye-inspired parody of "Ode on a Grecian Urn."] Last June, during an interview with Kanye West for the New York Times, Jon Caramanica asked West about his obsession with award-show fairness: Caramanica: But has that instinct led you astray? Like the Taylor Swift interruption at the MTV Video Music Awards, things like that. West: It’s only led me to complete awesomeness at all times.
International Jazz Festival Fails to Live Up to Name
For most of its three-day run this weekend, the 23rd annual Houston International Jazz Festival was neither international nor, with a few exceptions, particularly jazzy. Aside from the superb headliners Jonathan Butler (South Africa) and Elon Trotman (Barbados)—more on them later—the featured groups were Houston stalwarts like the Texas Brass Band, Los Skarnales, and Yelba Heaton, who, although they put on entertaining shows, can hardly be said to have broadened anyone’s musical horizons.
Best Texas Road Trips
There are all kinds of people, all kinds of passions, all kinds of roads for those people and passions to travel down—especially in Texas, where the multitude and variety of fascinations send roads snaking in all directions. Given that, deciding on the greatest 52 road trips in Houstonia would seem an impossible task. How did we accomplish it? By imposing an arbitrary restriction: every destination had to be reachable on one tank of gas.
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