Times-News | Sunday, June 5, 2016 E1 BLUE RIDGE LIVING RIDGE LINES Memories ‘COME HELL OR HIGH WATER’ gloss over others’ pain TOM ORR here was much excitement when T “the rides” were in town. The opening was an annual spring occurrence. The Wurlitzer organ of the merry-go-round always played flawlessly. It was a part of local his- tory, not easily forgotten. This 1916 photo shows the Smith Bridge in Asheville following the historic flood. The bridge, named for James McConnell Smith, spanned I often engage in the the French Broad. PHOTO COURTESY OF PACK MEMORIAL LIBRARY, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS activity of going through old newspapers and clippings. That is why I was so shocked when I came upon a Times- News advertisement (April RISING CONCERN 18, 1930) that read “Opening Night — Up-to-date Riding Devices — Clean Out-Door Local fi lmmaker’s documentary on the Flood of 1916 off ers 21st century lessons Amusements — at 4th Avenue and King Street.” By Stephen Kindland The part that caused me Times-News Correspondent to stop and take note was “For White People Only.” It seemed so abrasive. It ocal filmmaker disturbed me. David Wein- We turn back time and traub believes climb wooden stairs to L the balcony once used as that too often we segregated cinema seat- ignore lessons taught ing for black patrons. The seats are gone now. Petri- to us by history — and fied chewing gum remains nature. His latest doc- stuck to the floor. The door, umentary, scheduled which allowed entrance from the outside, has been for a world premiere sealed over, but the door’s later this month, illus- shape remains etched on the trates graphically the patched wall. From clues provided dangers of mountain by old newspapers, pho- slope development. tographs and recorded A new documentary detailing the major flooding in 1916 will premiere at Blue Ridge Community College on June 23. Here is a view of Asheville during what became known as the Great Flood. PHOTO COURTESY histories, I create a mental In “Come Hell or High OF THE STATE ARCHIVES OF NORTH CAROLINA. picture. Against this back- Water: Remembering the drop, I delineate character. Flood of 1916,” Weintraub In short, I attempt to create gets his message across by Want to go? a time in history. weaving a poignant tapes- What: Premiere of the fi lm “Come Hell or High Water: I truthfully do not know try of Appalachian music, Remembering the Flood of 1916,” including a performance where I was when schools archived photos and com- by The Rocky Fork Bluegrass Band and a panel discussion were segregated. I went to pelling interviews with Where: Thomas Auditorium, Blue Ridge Community College, school — but rarely thought descendants of Western Flat Rock about it. I suppose I was North Carolina family When: 7 p.m. June 23 too occupied with my own members who survived Admission: $5 suggested donation world to take time to see the massive flood’s raging Information, reservations: saveculture.org or 828-692-8062 into someone else’s. waters and devastating To understand a period mudslides that claimed of history, I must enter that lives, devoured homes and A derailed world as I might a drama. I swept away entire fac- train is pho- need to suspend my knowl- tories 100 years ago this tographed edge of the ending in order July. after what to create the sensibility of Though people weren’t became that time. I must develop a David Weintraub, director of the living on mountain slopes known as the sense of empathy that will Center for Cultural Preservation, in 1916, when 22 inches of Great Flood. allow me to see through the is presenting a premiere of his rain in a 24-hour period PHOTO eyes of the people who were new film “Come Hell or Hight caused the French Broad COURTESY there. I seek to reconstruct Water: Remembering the Flood of River to rise 17 feet above OF NORFOLK mentalities, not impose my 1916” at Blue Ridge Community SOUTHERN own views of today on them. College on June 23. PHOTO BY SEE FLOOD, E5 RAILWAY Sometimes we are critical RENATO ROTOLO/PROVIDED of those who came before us. “How could they have allowed all that to happen?” we ask. MASTER GARDENERS Too often in looking back at times gone by, I view the past through rose-colored glasses. Many people do. Follow these 3 tips before planting But there was pain. “When ‘bravo’ was first used,” according to Eric By Tom Keating some staff members at large June garden chores Booth, “it was not used as it Extension Master Gardener and national chain stores is today to recognize incred- are trained in gardening tips ■ Weed beds on a regular ible, perfect performance. s gardeners, we’ve all and know-how. Also, garden basis before weed seeds It called out in recognition been there: We feel products arriving by mail will mature. of great courage.” We must A that irresistible urge to often have planting instruc- ■ Add mulch to help con- recognize fundamental acts get our new, prized plant pos- tions included with the plants. trol weeds and conserve of courage. sessions in the ground right Henderson County’s Exten- moisture. I think of Odel Rouse and now. But wait, first things sion Service Master Gardener ■ Control minor Japanese smile. I see that courageous first! Volunteers are just a phone beetle infestations by tap- lady with so many children Your new arrival will call away with ready advice ping foliage to dislodge in her classroom on Sixth thank you forever with faster based upon the most reli- beetles into a container of Avenue. She tries against all growth, higher survival rates able research sources. The soapy water. odds to warm feet and dry and long-term success if you infoline is now open Monday ■ Continue to plant warm- the socks by a pot-bellied consider these guidelines: through Thursday from 9 a.m. season vegetables. stove. I recall her efforts to to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., at ■ To prevent early and late care for the migrant laborers Get some good 828-697-4891. blight diseases, spray toma- and their children. planting advice Lastly, a myriad of general toes weekly with a fungicide. The child rarely saw a new Fortunately, planting guid- gardening Internet sites are ■ Continue fungicide spray book for study — only those ance is plentiful and comes out there with helpful tips to Carolyn Keating, wife of columnist on roses for black spot already filled with names from a variety of sources. get your plants or young seed- Tom Keating, carries a flat of Japanese control. ■ from years of use and abuse; Your local nursery can provide lings off to a great start. maple seedlings from her backyard After blooming, bulbs can great planting tips tailored greenhouse to prepare them for plant- be moved or thinned. Remove foliage after it has died back. SEE ORR, E5 to your location. In addition, SEE TIPS, E5 ing. PHOTO PROVIDED E2 Sunday, June 5, 2016 | Times-News BOOKS REVIEW | ‘THE VIEW FROM THE CHEAP SEATS’ BOOKCASE “Constellation” power against by Adrien Bosc. the integrity of On Oct. 27, 1949, his music. Air France’s Neil Gaiman has a new plane, the “Gluten Exposed” Constellation, by Peter H.R. launched by Green, M.D., the extravagant and Rory Jones, Howard Hughes, M.S. In recent lot to say about a lot welcomed 38 years, gluten has passengers become a villain, aboard. On Oct. getting blamed 28, no longer responding for anything and every- By Rob Merrill “Most of the things I’ve got The Associated Press to air traffi c controllers, thing from heart disease right over the years, I’d got the plane disappeared and dementia to neuralgia while trying to land on the and fatigue. Droves of Warning: This book may make right because I got them island of Santa Maria, in people are adopting a glu- you want to read a bunch of other wrong fi rst.” the Azores. No one sur- ten-free lifestyle, believing books. Maybe even buy a comic. —advice from Neil Gaiman at the 2004 vived. The question Adrien it’s healthier or that it will On my list, recommended by Harvey Awards Bosc’s novel asks is not so help them lose weight Mr. Gaiman: anything by Harlan much how, but why? What and increase their energy. Ellison, “Jonathan Strange & were the series of tiny inci- The diet, a regimen once Mr. Norrell,” the “Discworld” because it’s so personal. Gaiman dents that, in sequence, followed only by those series by Terry Pratchett, “Lud- has a direct writing style that’s propelled the plane toward diagnosed with celiac in-the-Mist” and Gaiman’s own easy to read. Redondo Mountain? And disease (a serious autoim- “Sandman” series of graphic For writers or wanna-be writers, who were the passengers? mune disorder caused novels. there’s plenty of advice in these by gluten), has become a “The View from the Cheap pages. Here’s Gaiman at the 2004 by cure-all, “prescribed” not Seats” is a collection of lectures, “The Noise of Time” Harvey Awards, the Oscars of the Julian Barnes. In 1936, only by gastroenterolo- acceptance speeches, essays, book comic book world: “Most of the Shostakovich, just 30, gists but also by dietitians, introductions, obits and tributes things I’ve got right over the years, fears for his livelihood and nutritionists, naturopaths, written by Gaiman over the decades. I’d got right because I got them his life.