Last Friday, I loaded up the car with quilts from those received by my quilt guild, Western North Carolina Quilters Guild, along with more from some dear readers. I had made contact with a church in Bat Cave, and arranged to meet at a Lake Lure grocery store to give her some quilts for her fellow parishioners. A fellow guild member had made contact with the Chimney Rock Fire Chief, and he met us at the same grocery store to escort us into the restricted area of Chimney Rock.
Sarah Grey, the secretary for the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave, had asked for 10 quilts to meet immediate needs. I met her first to give her the ones I had stuffed into the passenger seat so my cohort would have a place to sit. Sarah tells me her church has roughly 50 households. She cannot get to the church building, but the rector and some others who live closer have assessed the damage. The building is still standing, but the cellar was full of water. Much of the building needs work, but they are immensely grateful that all their members survived safely. She was given 10 adult size lap or twin bed quilts, plus 5 child size quilts for children who would be at a ceremony this weekend. Dear readers, 8 of the 10 adult size quilts we gave her came from you.
Then it was on to Chimney Rock. I’ve seen the devastation on the news, but nothing prepares you for seeing it firsthand. I was particularly struck by the contrast of nature’s beauty in glorious fall colors next to the maelstrom of her fury. The white dots on these photos are raindrops on my windshield.
The destruction is just heartbreaking. The photo below is the Flower Bridge in Lake Lure, or what was left of it. What was a gorgeous walkway (see a ‘before’ photo on their website HERE, scroll past the photos of the destruction) with stone and brick pathways through gardens of native blooming plants is now gone. Half of the actual bridge is gone, the rest is a pile of rubble.
Many homes along the riverside are piles of sticks, while some homes with stone walls are still standing, but with major flood damage.
The entrance to Chimney Rock park shows the bridge over the river is gone. The stone pillars are still standing as silent sentries.
Businesses have been gutted, many will need to be completely torn down. Flooded cars are a total loss.
While we were crawling slowly through town behind the fire chief’s car, we saw people working to shovel the mud still left, and wash off the floors inside what was left of their businesses. Those with stone foundations and walls fared better, but were still flooded.
This boutique with stone walls was still standing, and some things were salvaged, like the sewing machine out front.
The fire department is high on a hill and was not damaged. From there, the end of the road can be seen just on the other side of the Burntshirt restaurant parking lot. Where you now see the river bank closest to the parking lot, there used to be a row of shops and restaurants along with a road, now completely washed away.
The restaurant itself sustained major damage, but can be saved.
Beyond it, the road, Hwy 74, is gone. Only a dirt path is left, and that is after a crew worked to make it level and free of debris for ATVs to get to people who need food and water. In the midst of the heartbreak, though, comes hope to those struggling. Crews are here from multiple states. We saw trucks of workers from electric, cell phone and cable companies working hard to get service restored. Volunteers are coming from the local area to clean out buildings, shovel mud and rinse sidewalks. The clean up is expected to last through winter, though, and the town hopes to be back open in the spring.
We parked at the station, and began unloading boxes of quilts. These quilts came from all over the US, shipped to our president’s home from Alaska, Indiana, and more states, along with some made by our own guild members. The crew inside were thrilled. From the left, Terri and Glenn Cauthen, Barbara and Buck Meliski, and Chris Melton, Fire Chief. They eagerly began looking through the boxes, talking about the colors and patterns. After just a few minutes, it was decided to get them all out and call local residents to come choose.
We helped them sort roughly by size. Before we left, I could hear Barbara on the phone telling her friend, one of the business owners, to come over. I texted her yesterday and she said these were half gone by the end of the day. They won’t last long at that rate!
We left feeling like our guild did something that helped in a small way. Some of the Chimney Rock businesses have been given space at the Tryon International Equestrian Center to have a way to sell some of their wares. Warm clothing with Chimney Rock logos on some items are for sale, just in time for Christmas shopping.
The space is big, and the booths are bright and colorful. Some are a riot of holiday offerings.
This place had some kinetic sculptures that just fascinate me. Imagine my surprise when I found Sara there, LOL!! That’s her in the blue coat. We had another chance to chat a bit before going on. We are planning to come here with our car club to have lunch and shop soon.
The Tryon International Equestrian Center is easily reached. Take Hwy 74 from Columbus toward Shelby (or vice versa) and it is at Exit 170. The market is on the second floor of the building to the left of the main arena. Shop Thursdays-Sundays, 10-5 until December 31. On Friday-Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, the Christmas Market will be in the main pavilion as well. Shop 11-5 all three days. If you can come shop, and help support these businesses, your patronage would be greatly appreciated.
I have two packages waiting for me at the post office, which I believe have quilts in them. I have to get there during the hours that the desk is open during the week, so it will be Monday or Tuesday before I can pick them up. Now that I have two organizations where I can deliver quilts, I’ve changed my mind about the quilt drive for the future. I will take whatever you may have to send into next year. I’ll start a pile of quilts in a corner of the basement, and will make a run whenever I have enough quilts to make the trip. I know the need will continue for some time to come. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the recovery in any and every way.
From My Carolina Home 
Carole, I have fabric and batting I can donate. Such wonder gifts of love, caring and hope. Charleen
Sent from my iPhone
We took my grandson to Chimney Rock just last year and stayed in a house just off the main Street. He climbed all over that massive rock. I shopped at that row that was devastated along with eating at the local restaurants. It truly has been wiped clean. My son in Swannanoa (?sp) still has no water. The community where he lives brought in a big tank for all. I am amazed how much water 4 people need in a day. Remember you need water to flush a toilet. We feel bad here in Florida. Helene hit everyone really bad. We are packing up 40+ years of stuff so we can leave it to the contractor to rid every room of mold, etc. They have to remove part of every wall in the house. We are still finding things that have perished in the flood. Thank God the roof is OK. You always have some type of charity you are working on. God bless you for always thinking of others. You are a very special woman! Thank you for all you do.
So joyful to see people coming together to help, thank you for using your platform for good!
Carole—could we get an address?
You can send the quilts to me, my address is on my contact page. But here it is for convenience –
Carole Carter
PO Box 524
Mountain Home, NC 28758
Thank you!!
The damage from the hurricane is just beyond belief. So glad to know there are lots of helpers there and places to take quilts. Quilters are a generous bunch!
Carole, thank you for sharing your trip with us who live in other states but have family in the affected areas. Being a native of Upstate South Carolina, I have traveled in these areas many times as a child and an adult. We do what we can from afar and so very much appreciate you and your supporters who are bringing relief to the affected people in the area. Our local high school students did a school supply drive and transported supplies down to those restarting school this next week. I was able to donate lots of things for that trip. Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your pictures and descriptions of the area.
that is such devastation what I see in the news doesn’t compare and of course it is no longer on the news –
Carole, your readers, quilt guild, and you have certainly made a difference for all those in need. My husband has traveled this area often before he retired. We both love the mountains. The photos are heartbreaking. We aren’t there on the ground, but we have helped by contributions. Seeing the generosity is encouraging!!
Bless you for being an angel of mercy. It’s wonderful to know you were able to help so many people with the quilts that were sent.
Your photos, wow. To see it through your eyes–thank you, Carole.
What a wonderful gift to those who are suffering and in need, a handmade quilt is so cozy and special. The photos are unreal and I bet seeing it in person was so difficult. Thank you for your generosity, and taking time to deliver the quilts. I have been donating to the Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse. Prayers for North Carolina~
Jenna
God bless you.
I am still favoring my broken arm. So that is why I have not reached out to you.
my nieces house and brothers were flooded in Tampa . I am here heping and living in a camperbin front of house. Thank you so so much for all you do.
it always amazes me the generosity of quilters pulling together to help others in need. Keepsake quilting has been sending quilts that have received as far away as Alaska, Nevada, Wisconsin and everywhere. On Thursday with the help of a tractor trailer from Furniture Land South they sent another load. There is still one more load to go. I know these quilts will be very welcome and appreciated as the weather turns colder. Many thanks to your guild and you who are helping distribute them.
This is just heart stopping. The ability to get up and get going after such a storm. Wonderful people out there helping….. Thanks for all this and all the work you are doing.
Thanks for sharing the photos with your narration of what used to be. The news showed many pictures of the damage but little to no narration of what we were looking at and what it was like before.
So many contrasts: Devastation/the beauty of those helping with the recovery, Store fronts damaged/Equestrian Center provides retail space, What was vs. What it’s like now, etc.
It is heartwarming to see the quilts ready for donation. Thank you for using your platform to help those affected! Your kindness and those of the quilters will be long remembered!
Jo Anne
So many quilts, so awesome! I was lucky to find a driver who was making a trip to NC with donations and I gave him 5 quilts, knitted hats and a friend added some scarves and crocheted lap blankets. Our ministry does a lot of good locally but could not forget those who suffered such devastation. God Bless you and your givers!
Such terrible devastation, its heart breaking to see. Those wonderful quilts will be loved and appreciated.
Carole. I have fabric, charm packs and a few jelly rolls. Would you and your guild be able to use it in making more quilts for western NC?
I will gladly mail to you or even drive to your place. Just let me know
thank you
Margaret Carter
Thank you, Margaret, but we have all we can handle in terms of fabric. What we need are quilters to make quilts. There are only so many of us, and the need is overwhelming. If you can get your guild or friends involved, it would be greatly appreciated. At this point, we can only take completed quilts.
Thank you Carole for your quick reply I wish l had quilts ready to send to you Margaret
Such a heart-breaking post and yet heart-warmng too. Glad you were able to get out there for the quilt distribution. I’m sure each and every quilt will be appreciated.
Oh my, Carole. Those photos break my heart into tiny pieces. Thank you for the work you (and others) are doing to give them something beautiful amidst the visual horror, something warm to hold onto, and a memory of love to cherish always.
So sad when Mother Nature turns on us. Wonderful to see quilters participate in helping.
So happy that you found the best recipients for the quilts!
I am pleased you were able to deliver these quilts. Every bit helps.
It really is heart breaking to see the damage. And to know it is going to take a long, long time to recover.
The devastation is so hard. The generosity is so touching and it is so wonderful that you can keep on giving. I may have something in a week or so…I will let you know.
Carole, This being November the Grateful Month, I am so grateful for you and your giving and talented friends who know how to use that talent to benefit others. Thanks to all of you! I am still trying to get it together to help in some small way. I am hoping that by the end of the week I will be able to accomplish at least one task. Until then, Take care and I pray that you and your friends have the strength to carry on your great missions. Lenora
I sent some handmade heavy fleece blankets and quilts to Keepsake Quilting for distribution, but the postage was unreasonable, so I have been sending financial support to Samaritan’s purse, The James Clinic, and Emergency RV for direct aid. I keep following on X and Instagram the plight of these dear people. Please keep us updated and any other sources to help. My heart breaks for their horrible plight. If we don’t help them, they have no other source. Thank you.