Carol James:
CLASS OF 1967
North Ft. Myers High SchoolClass of 1967
North ft. myers, FL
Carol's Story
Life
I'm missing home. All of you from high school seem a lifetime away.
I currently live in NC and have been here since '85. After all this time, you'd think I'd have an attachment to this place. I do, to some extent, but it's home only because my kids are here. Susan lives in Raleigh. Tommy is nearby in Waynesville. He has three beautiful little girls. They're a joy.
I spent years traveling this country and the world and enjoyed it tremendously. Lived in Japan and Italy (about 3 years each). What a fabulous experience. Recently spent some time in Australia. This will always be a favorite destination!
In 1998, I became involved with a small community which was Waynesville's birthplace. It had gone the way of many older neighborhoods, declining into a derelict light industrial district. I began to work with area property owners and businesses to restore the district. Years and abundant challenges later, it has become a thriving community and the Frog Level National Historic District. Even in the current economic climate, it continues to thrive.
I had hoped to take a break in 2006 and pursue my passion . . . art. That didn't last long. After being approached by sever...Expand for more
al individuals to take on another project, I accepted the leadership role in expanding and relocating our local tailgate market. This has always been another of my passions and one every community should pursue. In 2008 the market was moved with about 8 vendors selling only locally grown produce. We now are the second largest market in Western North Carolina, still all local producers, but with numbers reaching 65 or more. Products now range from fresh, local produce to meats, eggs and dairy products, mountain trout and Carolina wild seafood, baked goods, preserves, mushrooms, flowers and herbs, honey, molasses, cornmeal, etc. Quality and diversity are priorities. We also are accepting a limited number of local heritage crafters doing fiber art, baskets, woodwork, and pottery.
We are proud of our contribution to the job market, to the local economy, and to the availability of healthy local food. And, perhaps most important of all, we have become a thriving community place. Check out Haywood's Historic Farmers Market if you're up this way.
I feel some change in the wind. It's time to move on, I'm just not sure where. Perhaps I'll spend more time in Florida, back to my roots.
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