I hope you don't mind my sending this rather lengthy email to the list, but I have had quite a few people write to me since I mentioned The Foxfire Books, asking about the Foxfire Books and what they contain. So I thought I would guide those of you who are interested to their webpage (which I just found) located at: http://www.foxfire.org There you will find the history of how Foxfire began. You can also purchase the books online there. I have found the books very helpful in learning more about what life was like for my ancestors. While the series focuses on the people of the Appalachian Mountains, the stories they tell about how to build a cabin, a wagon, wooden toys, games they played, cooking, etc. would still be the same lifestyle ancestors in any local would have experienced. I am not connected in any way with this organization. I am only providing this information in an effort to help other researchers. Apparently the Foxfire Organization helps other schools to start similar projects to preserve their local history and culture. I think that involving our children and grandchildren in preserving our ancestors and the past would greatly benefit genealogy. Once our elders pass away, all that wonderful knowledge is lost forever. Judy Clark-Wick [email protected] ============================= *Source: Foxfire Organization webpage: http://www.foxfire.org The Foxfire Fund Inc. P.O. Box 541 Mountain City, GA 30562 (706)746-5828 (706)746-5829 Fax "In 1966, Eliot Wigginton came to Appalachian Georgia to teach high school English. Inexperienced and unfamiliar with the culture and values of his new home, he soon realized he was not adequately prepared to meet the challenge. If he continued to rely on his underdeveloped skills, he knew his first year of teaching would be his last. He remained deeply committed to teaching basic English skills, but his students were not responding to his best efforts. With the challenge of all this swirling in his head, he took his first step. He suggested that his students create a literary magazine. They liked the idea but suggested changes. He agreed and made two stipulations - students would make the final decision about the project and, whatever they decided, the project had to teach the English curriculum. After some false starts, they struck on the idea of a magazine telling the stories of community elders - their aunts and uncles and grandparents. They named their publication Foxfire. The quality of their work and interest it generated led to publication of the Foxfire Book series with sales passing eight million copies. The Foxfire Magazine is still produced twice annually by high school students in Rabun County, Georgia. " The Foxfire Book - The original book collection of Foxfire material which introduces Aunt Arie and her contemporaries and includes log cabin building, hog dressing, snake lore, mountain crafts and food, and "other affairs of plain living". Foxfire Book 2 - The second Foxfire volume includes topics such as ghost stories, spinning and weaving, wagon making, midwifing, corn shuckin', and more. Foxfire Book 3 - This book covers animal care, banjos and dulcimers, wild plant foods, butter churns, ginseng, and more. Foxfire Book 4 - Fiddle making, spring houses, horse trading, sassafras tea, berry buckets, gardening and other affairs of plain living are covered in this volume. Foxfire Book 5 - The fifth Foxfire volume includes ironmaking, blacksmithing, bear hunting, flintlock rifles and more. Foxfire Book 6 - Volume 6 of the series covers shoemaking, 100 toys and games, gourd banjos and song bows, wooden locks, a water-powered sawmill and other fascinating topics. Foxfire Book 7 - The seventh Foxfire volume presents traditions of mountain religious heritage, covering ministers, revivals, baptisms, gospel singing, faith healing, camp meetings, snake handling, and more. Foxfire Book 8 - Southern folk pottery from pug mills, ash glazes, and groundhog kilns to face jugs, churns, and roosters, mule swapping, chicken fighting, and more are included in this eighth volume. Foxfire Book 9 - This book highlights the twentieth year of the Foxfire high school program and includes general stores, the Jud Nelson wagon, a praying rock, a Catawban Indian potter, haint tales, quilting, home cures and the log cabin revisited. Foxfire Book 10 - Volume 10 in the Foxfire series features the story of the Tallulah Falls Railroad, the booming tourist business, boarding houses, Depression-Era Appalachia, chairmaking, whirligigs, snake canes, and gourd art. A Foxfire Christmas (hardback) - A treasury of Appalachian Christmas traditions, foods (with recipes!) and decorations with funny and moving stories that will add new meaning to your own celebration of the Season. Aunt Arie: A Foxfire Portrait - This book is not just about Aunt Arie, it is Aunt Arie. In her own words, she discusses everything from planting, harvesting, and cooking to her thoughts about religion and her feelings about living alone. The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Toys & Games - A collection of memories of playing games & making toys, each with complete instructions. The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Cookery - This book contains regional memorabilia, recipes, and all but forgotten techniques of cooking in a fireplace or on a wood stove. ============================