Books published by publisher Catch the Spirit of Appalachia

The Appalachian Mountains and it's people are some of the most misunderstood in the world. Practically from the beginning of the migration of the Scotch-Irish into Pennsylvania in the early 1700's until today, perceptions of mountain folkare filled with ignorance, lies, and nonsense. The Appalachian's have been transformed by technology, good roads and newcomers building expensive homes, yet the nonsense continues. Much of the knowledge of the region is obtained secondhand from scholars, sitting in a desk in a stuffy classroom, taking an Appalachian studies course. They rarely travel to the area, visit with the people and talk to them about the history of the area. Rather than the myths, being replaced with sound data, the information age and mass media, from the internet to television have made the problem worse. In 2009 Diane Sawyer's series, "The Children of Applalachia: A Hidden America" aired. The series highlighted several mountain families, poor, destitute, ruined by drugs, pregnancy, and poverty. Programs of this type, reinforce stereotypes, because most viewers assume that the circumstances represent the entire region. In 1998, I began visiting Evelyn Howell Beck who lived in the small town of Whittier, North Carolina to better understand the people of the area and it's history. I was only twenty-five years old and Evelyn and was in her 80's, yet we became good friends. We'd sit on her porch, or take short trips into town together. Often, when I arrived she offered me a ham sandwich. I always asked for my sandwich plain, yet it always had tomato on it. I politely disposed of the tomato and thanked her for her generosity. Evelyn was a strong lady. She told me many times, that her youth, consisted of The Great Depression, the Flood of 1940, and World War II in succession. Like most of her peers of that era, the circumstances, and the hardships she endured required toughness. Evelyn recalled wistfully the days, when neighbors shared each other's burdens, helping at harvest time, or caring for the sick in the community. People loved each other and their generosity in hard times was amazing. The generosity Evelyn showed me with her time and patience, was unforgettable. Like many in the 1930's, the idea of a college education, was impossible because of poverty. Evelyn was very smart but above all wise. Her wisdom was the product of a hard life, wisdom that only the years can bring. If the circumstances of her youth had been different, she could have pursued an education and any career she desired. She was very happy and content with her small mountain home, her flowers and her garden. As our friendship grew, Evelyn was amazed that we had became friends. One day she told me, "I guess I'm just your Mountain Granny! Evelyn Beck passed away fifteen years ago. I miss our visits, and those ham sandwiches. Looking back, she was a mountain lady, who embodied the true story of the Appalachian people. She was very strong, yet her generosity knew no bounds. Evelyn had wisdom, she had lived a hard life but learned a lot from her circumstances. Above all, she was always laughing and content with her life. She was a true testament to the Appalachian people, who are the" salt of the earth."

Shortly after moving to western North Carolina, Matthew Baker met Evelyn Howell Beck of Whittier, North Carolina. This meeting was the consequence of Baker’s lifelong desire to discover the “real Appalachia” and the character of the people who lived there. Over the course of a four-year period starting in 1998, Baker would visit Evelyn nearly twenty times. Their recorded conversations comprise the foundation of the book.Baker’s touching documentation of Beck’s life and the history of Whittier pays tribute to a once-booming mountain town and the resilience of its people.

Harold Sims also known as the "Catman", has authored his 2nd book. This book is a children's book. It is the story about Kevin who as a kitten along with his 3 sisters were dumped on the Catman's porch. The small tabby cat earned the name "Kevin the Vampire Cat" when he devloped a pronounced overbite and his two upper canine teeth protruded like the fangs of a vampite bat. But kevin was never a real vampire, he much more. Kevin was nuturing cat who helped new cats arriving at the shelter adjust to their new life. A children's book which is an uplifting story with a moral not just to think of yourself, but conser the needs of others. The Catman will sign your book, and if you request a dedication he will be happy to do so. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this book are returned to the shelter operations. There no paid employees at the shelter, only volunteers.

The Adventures with Charlie book series is a children's picture book about an inspirational boy who is not like everyone else. He is special. He magically makes friends everywhere he goes. Children need to have a story that illustrates the idea that "being different from typical peers" can have some special rewards. Parents can read a book to see the joy and special opportunities out there for families and children with special needs. In the midst of difficult challenges with raising all types of children, there are always opportunities to approach life from a different perspective which can provide joy and delight for many.

The Adventures with Charlie book series is a children’s picture book about an inspirational boy who is not like everyone else. He is special. He magically makes friends everywhere he goes. Children need to have a story that illustrates the idea that “being different from typical peers” can have some special rewards. Parents can read a book to see the joy and special opportunities out there for families and children with special needs. In the midst of difficult challenges with raising all types of children, there are always opportunities to approach life from a different perspective which can provide joy and delight for many. This book series about Charlie is for children and parents to recognize that even with some physical and or mental challenges, there are a lot of things you CAN do and can still pursue a beautiful life.