Beyond These Hills

In the summer of 1967, the North Carolina Fund and WAMY Community Action financed a rural water project in the Avery County settlement known as Blevins Creek. Until that time, local residents had walked miles each day to fetch water in buckets from a nearby spring. Sargent Shriver, director of the federal Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), and evangelist Billy Graham visited Blevins Creek for the project's dedication ceremony. OEO documented the event in this film.

[@debbiedenton4148]

Thanks for sharing this. My father was from Avery County. I went there for the first time in 1965. My grandfather had rigged it so the water ran from the creek into the house so Grandma didn't have to carry it. I remember the pride on his face when he told us about it. I also remember asking why they didn't turn off the water and how they all laughed at me. What he says about people not taking hand outs is so true. Many of the people here where I grew up were from North Carolina. Even today, when you offer to help, they say, "there must be someone who needs it more than me". It's sure a change from some other groups around here who take and take without even thinking that they should save some for others.

[@jlleloudis]

Thanks so much for adding your comment. I'm delighted that you found the film and made this connection.

[@twistedcranium]

a beautiful part of my history

[@pmhartley47]

Brings back many memories of my childhood when I lived with my grandmother Minnie Holtsclaw on Blevins creek. It has the only picture of my grandmothers house I know of. Jerry Hartley

[@jlleloudis]

@rationalchic Thanks for the note. What a wonderful way to connect with this history! I hope that you'll share the film with others in the area who might be interested.

[@joyceanderson3132]

I loved this look back!