Edge of the Road

Charlotte: Willie Flemming, Obama Admirer

Listen to Willie's Thoughts on Obama's stance on Gay Marriage

I met Willie Flemming in the parking lot of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church while researching a story for NPR. It was examining the African American community's thoughts about Obama's endorsement of gay marriage. Willie voted against a North Carolina amendment that banned gay marriage. And he was proud that President Obama took a strong position on the issue.

"A good leader will always make a decision," said Flemming. "You gotta be somewhere. You can't lead and stay behind."

(Listen to my NPR story "Black Voters Weigh Obama, Support for Marriage Ban")

Charlotte: Jim Brown, Legal Observer

Listen to Jim describe his job at the protest

Jim Brown is a retiree from Asheville, NC, who came to Charlotte this week to be a legal observer on behalf of the National Lawyers Guild. Several hundred were in town protesting Bank of America during the company's shareholder meeting.

His role was to observe the crowd and police officers and take notes if there were altercations.

"We just hope that everyone is non-violent and that there's no problems."

On the whole there were six non-violent arrests. I saw Jim a few hours after I met him, and he had no significant notes on the protest.

(Listen to my WFAE story about the protest.)

Charlotte: Michael McPherson, Veteran Protestor

Listen to Michael talk about why he is protesting

Michael McPherson came from Newark, NJ, this week to protest Bank of America during the company's shareholder meeting.

He is a veteran of the first Gulf War.  And his son has just returned from military service in the Middle East.

"You fought a war overseas, and you come back home. It's almost like fighting a war here at home to survive. People can't find jobs. They get their house foreclosed on."

(For my story on the protest, click here.)

Walton County, FL: Some Images

Miramar Beach

The Grand, Sandestin

Pavilion, Seaside

Pier, Miramar Beach

Pier II, Miramar Beach

The Grand, Sandestin

Fishing, Miramar Beach

Charlotte: "Violins of Hope"

 

As part of the "Violins of Hope" project, Israeli violinmaker Amnon Weinstein restored several violins that belonged to Jewish musicians killed during the Holocaust. This Holocaust Remembrance Day performance at Temple Israel in Charlotte featured the violins played by numerous musicians.

Suly Chenkin, Holocaust survivor from Lithuania

Shlomo Mintz, violin virtuoso

Charlotte: Wunderkind Kayaker Waits for 2016

Despite being one of the top kayakers on the US National team, 18-year-old Michal Smolen has no shot at making the 2012 Olympics.  He was born in Poland, has lived in North Carolina for almost 9 years, and he just has his green card.

My story on Michal ran on WFAE here.

Attempts to expedite his citizenship were unsuccessful. Although he's disappointed, he's looking forward four years to the Summer Games in Rio.

Michal with his dad and coach Rafal Smolen.

Union Grove, NC: "union grove pickers"

 

The first Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers Convention was started in 1924 by H.P. VanHoy to raise money for the North Carolina community's public school. The event grew to be one of the largest of its kind in the country.

By 1979, its size became problematic--locals complained of drug and alcohol use and sexual promiscuity--and the convention ended. After a 33-year hiatus, Casey VanHoy (the founder's grandson) is reviving the convention Easter weekend at the VanHoy Farms Family Campground.

In this video, Casey VanHoy speaks to Union Grove's musical heritage. He plays with local musicians J.P. VanHoy, Jr., Clay Lunsford, Jack Lunsford, and Bobby Martin.

Casey Vanhoy

Jack Lunsford

Bobby Martin