Planting the seeds of tomorrow: A community comes together post-Helene
'Cultivate's Final Harvest' last night.
Garret K. Woodward photo.
On Friday evening, downtown Waynesville was in kind of a festive spirit — a far cry from what all of us here in Western North Carolina have felt for over a week now.
Sure, it was scheduled long ago that last night would be the October edition of the popular “Art After Dark” town-wide celebration of creativity, culinary delights and community camaraderie. But, what transpired was more than that. Much more.
Beyond the usual fanfare of folks wandering into numerous galleries, restaurants and boutique shops during “Art After Dark,” the beehive of compassion and connectivity was Axe & Awl Leatherworks on Depot Street, next to Orchard Coffee.
When the leather company closes for the day, the space immediately transitions into the Bevel Bar. Offering specialized beverages and opportunities to peruse merchandise — maybe even spark a conversation with someone next to you while listening to live music on the back patio — what was conjured and collected was the simple, yet intrisically vital notion of human interaction following a traumatic event.
And that’s what we’ve all needed and yearned for since Hurricane Helene tore through our backyard on Sept. 24. With devastation of unknown bounds and incomprehensible images coming from the destruction zones, our hearts sink in acknowledging this new reality of the people, places and things we hold near and dear here.
To preface, the Bevel Bar hosted a few of the businesses destroyed by raging floodwaters in the Historic Frog Level District just down the hill: Cultivate Garden Shop, The Funky Fern Emporium and Soul Sisters Depot.
The Frog Level business sector was flooded due to Hurricane Helene Spencer Tetrault photo.
“We cannot begin to fathom the impact, the loss of homes and jobs in a place that already struggled in these areas,” said Funky Fern co-owner Kristyn Iodice. “It is hard to imagine starting over again.”
To note, Axe & Awl co-owners Spencer and Courtney Tetrault are also co-owners of Cultivate alongside Amanda and Blake Yoder.
“Unfortunately, these affects will be felt and seen for years to come,” Spencer said. “Despite passionate entrepreneurs and eager idea generators, property owners are going to have a long road ahead of them.”
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Although the future of these three Frog Level businesses remains in limbo — between FEMA filings, insurance claims and just the sheer will to trudge ahead come hell and, well, high water — what does stand tall is the resolve to come together as a community, which was on full display at the Bevel Bar on Friday.
“When I was able to leave our mountain and head to town, we passed homes flooded and rescue boat missions,” Iodice said. “The reunion of all of the business owners in ankle deep mud in Frog Level was one of the most heartbreaking moments of our lives.”
With Axe & Awl lit up like a beacon of hope and stability for many with little of either sentiment lately, dozens of Waynesville locals and visitors alike converged on the event. Hugs and handshakes. Swapping harrowing stories. Sharing a laugh and a smile, both rare in these last days. Tears of sadness in the wake of the flood. But, also tears of happiness knowing certain folks are fine.
Dubbed “Cultivate’s Final Harvest,” the gathering featured a wide selection of plant inventory untouched by the mud and water. All of which for sale in hopes of raising funds to, perhaps, move forward and try again. The same went for the other vendor tables on the back patio, occupied by the Funky Fern and Soul Sisters. The genuine vibe being: "Sell what’s left, then figure out the next move."
A lone singer-songwriter on the patio stage. Cold craft ale on tap. Pour a glass of wine or mix a cocktail. Find that perfect plant and purchase it. Oh, and make sure to tip over 20% at the register to these great members of our community — they need us as much as we need them.
Nobody in attendance last night knows what the future may hold. Nobody can predict what Frog Level will look like in the coming months and years. Nobody can offer anything more than our hearts in the uncertain, trying time for each and every single one of us.
But, everybody present felt a kinship and warmth at the absolute foundation of why we proudly call Western North Carolina home in the first place.
Editor's Note: "Cultivate's Final Harvest" sale will continue today (Saturday, Oct. 5) from 5-8:30 p.m. at Axe & Awl Leatherworks (aka: Bevel Bar) on Depot Street in downtown Waynesville.
