Loose Leaf Notes

1. It’s been two years since the French Broad River rose to 27 feet during Hurricane Helen and devastated the town of Marshall, NC, including the historic Old Marshall Jail that my son Josh Copus took years to painstakingly repurpose into a Hotel Bar and Restaurant. Josh, a ceramics artist, hosted a Community Brick Project at the one-year anniversary of the historic flood that put the entire first floor of the OMJ underwater.

2. That public art project led to a dedication this weekend of a folk monument that was made with 4,000 bricks designed and stamped by the Marshall community and beyond.

3. Inspired by a child’s drawing of a house, a church with no roof, a sacred space place with benches to sit on to contemplate. Josh says that the project is an example of free speech and individual expression.

4. “This is a folk monument, and it’s made by folks, and it’s made for the folks. We’ve been making monuments to people in positions of power for a long time. There’s a guy on a horse. There’s this king and that queen and all those things. This is dedicated to the people. Listen HERE.

5. The roster of speakers included Josh, Marshall Mayor Aaron Haynie, NC Governor Josh Stein, a couple of dedicated kid brick makers and Donna Ray Norton, an eighth-generation ballad singer from Marshall.

6. A young boy named Pax was honored for making the most bricks. “He came every day after school,” Josh said. Listen HERE.

7. Governor Stein concluded his remarks with, “It is time for Washington D.C. to act. They cannot forget the people of Western NC… The people of West NC, you are constitutionally incapable of quitting. So, what we need to do is just match your effort. We’re not going to quit at the state government. We’re going to do this work together, brick by brick.”

8. The crowd applauded and cheered for all the speakers. They also drank and ate good food from the Zadie’s restaurant kitchen.

9. Joe took a red eye from his nephew’s wedding in Colorado to Miami to Charlotte and then a drive to Marshall. I was a surprise to Josh, thanks to a ride from a friend who was going to Asheville (about 20 miles NW of Marshall).

10. One of the highlights was Donna Ray Norton, an 8^th generation ballad singer singing inside the monument with the accompaniment of a couple of talented musicians. Listen HERE.

11. Another highlight was hanging out with my dear Floyd friend Clary who lives in Asheville now and came with her daughter Loretta.  Clary made a brick for her family that was dedicated to her late sister Amara. She couldn’t find it, but I found it for her later and send the picture to her.

12. There was also a dedication ribbon cutting! Watch HERE.

13. Josh said this on social media the next day: “Yesterday was amazing. Quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. Certainly the best Art I’ve ever made. The turnout was off the charts. Seeing people find their bricks and experience the space filled me with so much joy. Seriously, thank you all so much for showing up!!!”

________Thirteen Thursday