Upcoming Wilma Dykeman Legacy Events
Environmental Integrity
2025 Hot Springs Teacher Institute
July 13-18, 2025
Top-notch professional development for high school and middle school teachers - for more information, scroll up and click on What We Do, then on HSTI.
Start
Date:
July 13, 2025
End Date:
July 18, 2025
when:
where:
Hot Springs, North Carolina
Social Justice
An Evening with Nancy Pheasant
Building and Rebuilding Community
Think rebuilding community after Helene is hard? How about rebuilding Cherokee community in North Carolina and Oklahoma after the Trail of Tears?
Start
Date:
August 7, 2025
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:30 PM
where:
Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, 28787
Written & Spoken Word
My Story - Cecil Willis discussing his memoir
Hillbilly Odyssey: Resilience in a Small Mountain Mill Town
"My decision to write my memoir is not based on having either fame or infamy, but on a desire to counter the dominant image of Southern Appalachia."
Start
Date:
September 11, 2025
End Date:
September 11, 2025
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library and via Zoom (register for link)
Previous Wilma Dykeman Legacy Events
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Social Justice
Wilma Dykeman's 105th Birthday Anniversary
Honoring a Legacy of Change - General admission $35
Join us for a special evening honoring the life and work of Wilma Dykeman at her 105th Birthday
Start
Date:
May 22, 2025
End Date:
May 22, 2025
when:
5:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville, NC 28801
Social Justice
An evening of Cherokee storytelling
featuring Nancy Pheasant
A Mountain Strong event emphasizing community resilience
Start
Date:
April 3, 2025
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:30 PM
where:
Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville NC 28787
Written & Spoken Word
Thomas Wolfe Short Story Discussion - "Three O'Clock"
Led by Ellen Brown
"Something happened suddenly, filling that quiet street with instant menace, injecting terror in the calm pulse of the boy."
Start
Date:
March 13, 2025
End Date:
when:
7:00-8:00 PM
where:
Thomas Wolfe Memorial and via Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
Thomas Wolfe Short Story - "Portrait of a Literary Critic"
Led by Brandon Johnson
"Dr. Turner himself might be described as the nation's leading practitioner of middle-of-the-roadism."
Start
Date:
February 13, 2025
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
Thomas Wolfe Memorial (Asheville NC) and Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
Thomas Wolfe Short Story Discussion - "April, Late April"
Led by Dan and Ana Clare
"They were filled with folly, love, and jubilation, and they would not have cared how their words might sound to anyone on earth..."
Start
Date:
January 9, 2025
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
Thomas Wolfe Memorial and via Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
Thomas Wolfe Short Story Book Club
Monthly discussions of pre-selected stories
A hybrid event: in-person and Zoom;__________ Room capacity: 40;_____ Register for Zoom at wolfe@wilmadykemanlegacy.org
Start
Date:
January 9, 2025
End Date:
March 13, 2025
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 North Market Street, Asheville NC 28801
Written & Spoken Word
My Story: Ann Batchelder discussing her memoir
Craving Spring: A Mother's Quest,a Daughter's Depression & the Greek Myth that Brought Them Together
A hybrid event: in-person and Zoom;__________ Room capacity: 70;_____ Register for Zoom at MyStory@wilmadykemanlegacy.org
Start
Date:
November 14, 2024
End Date:
when:
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville NC 28806
Social Justice
An Evening of Cherokee Storytelling
A Mountain Strong event
featuring Nancy Pheasant
Start
Date:
November 7, 2024
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:30 PM
where:
Weaverville Community Center
Written & Spoken Word
An Evening of Appalachian Ballads
A Mountain Strong event
with Saro Lynch-Thomason
Start
Date:
September 19, 2024
End Date:
when:
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
where:
Weaverville Community Center
Written & Spoken Word
My Story: Jennifer McGaha discussing her memoir
Bushwhacking: How to Get Lost in the Woods and Write Your Way Out
"Searching for beauty in the midst of mayhem, or at least being open to receiving it, is a form of prayer."
Start
Date:
September 12, 2024
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library
Written & Spoken Word
The Tall Woman on stage !
SART's NC premiere
Adapted from Wilma Dykeman's classic Appalachian novel of the same name
Start
Date:
July 18, 2024
End Date:
July 28, 2024
when:
7:30 PM (July 18,21,26,27), 2:00 PM (July 20,28)
where:
Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre
Environmental Integrity
Of Words and Water: The Story of Wilma Dykeman
by Shannon Hitchcock, with illustrations by Sophie Page
A picture-book biography for ages 6-8
Start
Date:
May 25, 2024
End Date:
when:
11:00 AM
where:
Wrong Way River Cabins, Asheville
Social Justice
Harlem Nights Casino
Presented by Black Wall Street AVL and the Wilma Dykeman Legacy
Step into the glitz and glamour of Harlem Nights Casino at GRINDFest! Join us for a dazzling evening of casino games, music, and entertainment.
Start
Date:
May 24, 2024
End Date:
May 24, 2024
when:
9:00 PM - Midnight
where:
AB Tech / Mission Health Conference Center
Social Justice
Wilma Dykeman's Birthday Anniversary Celebration
at Black Wall Street AVL
"Kickoff GRINDfest with the Wilma Dykeman Birthday Anniversary and enjoy a week of events." -- J. Hackett
Start
Date:
May 18, 2024
End Date:
May 18, 2024
when:
1:00 - 4:00 PM
where:
8 River Arts Place
Written & Spoken Word
"The Names of the Nation"
Thomas Wolfe Short Story discussion led by Brandon Johnson
Register and receive Zoom link at wolfe@wilmadykemanlegacy.org
Start
Date:
March 14, 2024
End Date:
March 14, 2024
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
Thomas Wolfe Memorial and via Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
"In the Park"
Thomas Wolfe Short Story discussion led by Ellen Brown
Register and receive Zoom link at wolfe@wilmadykemanlegacy.org
Start
Date:
February 8, 2024
End Date:
February 8, 2024
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
Stories with Ashley McGhee Whittle and Sherry Lovett
Tales of growing up in rural Western North Carolina
Part of the Legacy's FREE Mountain Strong series
Start
Date:
January 26, 2024
End Date:
January 26, 2024
when:
7:00 - 8:30 PM
where:
Weaverville Community Center
Written & Spoken Word
"The Winter of Our Discontent"
Thomas Wolfe Short Story discussion led by Dan and Ana Clare
Register and receive Zoom link at wolfe@wilmadykemanlegacy.org
Start
Date:
January 11, 2024
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
Thomas Wolfe Memorial and via Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
My Story: Jo Ann Thomas Croom discussing her memoir
No Work in the Grave: Life in the Toe River Valley
"An Appalachian memoir at the highest level." -- Ron Eller, Distinguished Professor of History Emeritus, University of Kentucky
Start
Date:
December 14, 2023
End Date:
December 14, 2023
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library and Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
My Story: Mary Othella Burnette discussing her memoir
Lige of the Black Walnut Tree: Growing Up Black in Southern Appalachia
"That's where Miss Emmaline, wonderfully African, old Miss Emmaline lived."
Start
Date:
November 9, 2023
End Date:
when:
7:00-8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library and Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
My Story: Janet Hurley discussing her memoir
Glove Shy: A Sister's Reckoning
"I was eleven the first time I went with my parents to see Brian fight."
Start
Date:
October 19, 2023
End Date:
October 19, 2023
when:
7:00 - 8:00 Pm
where:
West Asheville Public Library and Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
My Story: Jeremy Jones discussing his memoir
Bearwallow: A Personal History of a Mountain Homeland
"Sarah and I decided to pack it in and return to the Blue Ridge. I took this job at Edneyville Elementary School; Sarah and I married..."
Start
Date:
September 14, 2023
End Date:
September 14, 2023
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library and Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
My Story: 4 Great WNC Memoirs
4 hybrid (in-person and Zoom) talks + 4 follow-up book discussions: September through December
Register for Zoom at MyStory@wilmadykemanlegacy.org
Start
Date:
September 14, 2023
End Date:
December 20, 2023
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library and Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
Return the Innocent Earth - Wilma Dykeman's 3rd Novel
Talk by Dr. John Nolt, University of Tennessee
Register at novels@wilmadykemanlegacy.org
Start
Date:
July 27, 2023
End Date:
July 27, 2023
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library and via Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
The Far Family: Wilma Dykeman's 2nd novel
Talk by Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy. Register at novels@wilmadykemanlegacy.org.
The Chicago Tribune: "Clay Thurston is one of the most complex and interesting characters in contemporary fiction."
Start
Date:
June 22, 2023
End Date:
June 22, 2023
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library and via Zoom
Written & Spoken Word
The Novels of Wilma Dykeman
3 hybrid (in-person and Zoom) events: May 25, June 22, July 27
Register for Zoom at novels@wilmadykemanlegacy.org
Start
Date:
May 25, 2023
End Date:
July 27, 2023
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library and Zoom
Social Justice
Wilma Dykeman's 103rd Birthday Celebration
Open-house style - spend a few minutes or an hour
Free for the general public
Start
Date:
May 20, 2023
End Date:
when:
1:00 - 4:00 PM
where:
Black Wall Street: 8 River Arts Place, Asheville, NC
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Social Justice
Mountain Strong
Occasional events celebrating traditional mountain life
Our inaugural event on May 5 features WHITE ROCK REVIVAL for an evening of Bluegrass music and stories of life on the farm across several generations.
Start
Date:
May 5, 2023
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:30 PM
where:
Weaverville Community Center
Written & Spoken Word
Thomas Wolfe Short Story discussion - April 13 via Zoom
April's short story: "The Birthday"
You are invited to read Wolfe's short story, register at wolfe@wilmadykemanlegacy.org, and participate in the the discussion.
Start
Date:
April 13, 2023
End Date:
when:
7:00-8:00 PM
where:
Zoom meeting
Written & Spoken Word
Thomas Wolfe Short Story-March 9 Discussion via Zoom
March's short story: "The Newspaper"
You are invited to read Wolfe's short story, register at wolfe@wilmadykemanlegacy.org, and participate in the discussion.
Start
Date:
March 9, 2023
End Date:
when:
7:00-8:00 PM
where:
Zoom meeting
Written & Spoken Word
Thomas Wolfe Short Story - February Discussion via Zoom
February's short story: "'E, A Recollection"
You are invited to read Wolfe's short story, register at wolfe@wilmadykemanlegacy.org, and participate in the discussion.
Start
Date:
February 9, 2023
End Date:
when:
7:00-8:00 PM
where:
Zoom meeting
Written & Spoken Word
Thomas Wolfe Short Story - January Discussion via Zoom
January's short story: "The Spanish Letter"
You are invited to read Wolfe's short story, register at wolfe@wilmadykemanlegacy.org, and participate in the discussion.
Start
Date:
January 12, 2023
End Date:
when:
7:00-8:00 PM
where:
Zoom meeting
Written & Spoken Word
Forgetting the Former Things
Book Discussion
Book discussion of Forgetting the Former Things, led by librarian Sherry Roane
Start
Date:
December 14, 2022
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library
Written & Spoken Word
Forgetting the Former Things
Brain Injury's Invitation to Vulnerability and Faith
Author Tamara Puffer and co-author Joyce Hollyday speaking about Tamara's 1996 car accident and her journey of limitations, reflections, and hope.
Start
Date:
December 8, 2022
End Date:
when:
7:00 - 8:00 PM
where:
West Asheville Public Library (+ Zoom)
Written & Spoken Word
Brothers Like These (Event 2)
From the 'Writing Out of Pain' event series
Book discussion of Brothers Like These, led by West Asheville Public Library librarian Sherry Roane
Start
Date:
October 19, 2022
End Date:
when:
7pm - 8pm
where:
West Asheville Public Library
Written & Spoken Word
Brothers Like These
From the 'Writing Out of Pain' event series
Vietnam veterans reading poems and prose from Brothers Like These: Vietnam War Veterans
Start
Date:
October 13, 2022
End Date:
when:
7pm - 8pm
where:
West Asheville Public Library
Written & Spoken Word
Writing Out of Pain
Four Memoirs from WNC Authors
Lecture and book discussion series at the West Asheville Public Library...
Start
Date:
September 8, 2022
End Date:
December 14, 2022
when:
7pm - 8pm
where:
West Asheville Public Library
Environmental Integrity
Green Money
Nature Makes Good Business Sense
An Environmental Economics Forum produced by the Wilma Dykeman Legacy
Start
Date:
June 2, 2022
End Date:
June 3, 2022
when:
Various Times
where:
Zoom
