Sept. 9, 2013. Award winning photographer and writer Dr. Michael Joslin will present a slide show and lecture at Lees-McRae College on Thursday, Sept. 19, as part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series. Joslin’s presentation, Waterfalls, Woods Walks and Other Natural Wonders for You to Enjoy, will take you on a tour through the seasons of many of the Toe River Valley’s scenic spots. His program begins at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium of the Cannon Student Center and is free and open to the public.
Joslin teachers literature, photography, journalism, creative writing and Appalachian Studies at Lees-McRae and serves as the Director of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia. He has published six books on Appalachia: Mountain People, Places and Ways; More Mountain People, Places and Ways: Appalachian Bounty; Our Living Heritage, Highland Handcrafters and Mountain Spring.
Living in the Toe River Valley since 1983, Joslin has written about and photographed the area to document both the present life of the valley and the traditions that are slipping into the past. He has interviewed hundreds of mountain folks who preserve their heritage in both their memories and their ways of life, and he has visited waterfalls and hiked many mountain trails and woodlands documenting the natural wonders of the area through the four seasons.
“My program will cover many of the topics I write about. Waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife are all part of my mountain experience, and I will present photographs and stories to illustrate the wonders available to everyone by simply making the effort to get outside,” said Joslin, who lives in the Buladean community in Mitchell County.
Most of the past 30 years he has spent in that rural hamlet in the shadow of Roan Mountain on a farm where he has raised three children with his wife, Pam. Chickens, horses, dogs, cats and a continuing stream of wild animals passing though (and sometimes taking up residence) keep their days full.
“I enjoy sharing the joy of mountain life with my students and members of the community. Many students come to Lees-McRae to add adventures in nature to their academic studies, and they take courses to learn about Appalachia and its natural history,” said Joslin. “I anticipate that many of the freshmen will come to learn where they can find some of the special natural spots of the area and how they can best enjoy them.
Everyone is invited to participate in Joslin’s program in Evans Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Sept. 19. The Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series is free and open to the public. For information, contact Megan Hall at 828-898-8729.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Lees-McRae is a private, four-year college offering diverse baccalaureate degrees, strong athletic programs and an outstanding faculty. With 850 students hailing from 40 states and more than 10 countries, Lees-McRae’s broad core curriculum is enhanced by field specific career preparation and experiential learning with an emphasis on leadership and service. For more information, visit. lmc.edu or call 828-898-5241.
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