Twelve Notables in Western North Carolina by Hendersonville Author Jack J. Prather is a compelling collection of mini-biographies that capture the life and career journeys of exemplars from across the region who made their marks from anywhere in the state, nation or world. The Notables have succeeded in such diverse fields as law, faith, education, medical, military, non-profit, music, poetry, master crafts and art.
The comprehensive 400-page book recently released by Future Now Publishing features 134 photos of the Notables, and includes testimonials from such luminaries as ABC-TV’s Katie Couric, late traditional music legend Doc Watson, former NC Governor Jim Hunt, NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Exum, biographer Bruce Chadwick, and others.
The centerpiece of each biography is the Notable’s life-journey, as told to the author. Prather’s primary goal was to capture the ‘core essences’ of each subject through multiple personal interviews. Included in the bios are writings by and about the Notables, as well as their life chronologies.
The Twelve Notables
The Notables are Rev. Dr. Dan Matthews, priest at Ground Zero on 9/11 and owner of the Swag Inn in Waynesville; David Holt of Fairview, Grammy-winning musician, storyteller and PBS-TV Host; Dr. Doug Orr, President Emeritus of Warren Wilson College, musician and author, and Dr. Olson Huff, founding Medical Director of Mission Children’s Hospital and author, both of Black Mountain; Captain Ray West, USNR-ret. of Flat Rock, founder of the Moldova World Children’s Fund and the 2006 UNCA Rod Taylor Alumnus of the Year; and Glenis Redmond, formerly of Asheville, a Hall of Fame Performance Poet and Kennedy Center Teaching Artist.
Also, former North Carolina and Cherokee (EBCN) Supreme Court Justice Harry C. Martin of Asheville; Emergency Physician Pioneer Dr. Matt Hayes of Hendersonville; Southern Art painter in International Galleries Julyan Davis of Asheville; global public relations leader and PRSA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Joe Epley of Tryon; and the first woman NC Living Treasure and basket artist in the Smithsonian collection Billie Ruth Sudduth, and the 2011 NC Living Treasure and honored Fire Chief Richard Ritter, both of Bakersville.
Young Writers Scholarship
In April, Prather founded the Young Writers Scholarship at Warren Wilson College, and is dedicating a portion of the proceeds from his books to that fund, and asking fellow authors, writers and avid readers to do the same. Further information about Twelve Notables in Western North Carolina and the Young Writers Scholarship is available at www.futurenowpublishing.com.
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