Marci Spencer has written a new book, this time a children’s book:

Potluck, Message Delivered: The Great Smoky Mountains are Saved!”

Her book launch is on Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 pm at Ridgecrest Conference Center, Recreation Pavillion.

Lots of activities are planned. Here’s the background.

In 1929, NC journalists from the Asheville Times met those from TN’s Knoxville News-Sentinel on Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hiking thru rugged backcountry in pouring rain from opposite sides of the Smokies highest mountain, they exchanged letters from each state’s governor and celebrated the first national park created by citizens raising money.

A messenger pigeon, named Potluck, was released to bring the good news home to Asheville. More pigeons were released from other Smoky mountains peaks to take the message back home detailing their discoveries. The Asheville Times printed each story delivered by pigeon-post.

Potluck’s historic flight has now been preserved in a new children’s book by Marci Spencer, author of  Clingmans Dome, Highest Mountain in the Great Smokies and Pisgah National Forest: a History.  Her son, Tim Worsham, illustrated the text.

Children, grandchildren, and never-grew-up children are invited to pay tribute to Potluck and celebrate the new book preserving that historic event.

*****Ms. Bee Tompkins (now 96 yrs. old), the 10 yr. old daughter of Potluck’s owner, will speak

******The author will speak on the military, spiritual, and symbolic history of homing pigeons and tell Potluck’s story

*****Dr. John Spencer, will sing “Wings of a Snow-white Dove” (solo) while Ms. Denise Bishop, retired after 30+ yrs. as a deaf interpreter for the NC School for the Deaf, interprets the song in sign language.

*******Jere Brittain, retired professor and local folk musician, will play the dulcimer.

Other outdoor and kid activities. Picnic foods provided.

Sounds like fun!