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The SyFy show “Hollywood Treasures” has acquired the mill village where “The Hunger Games” movie was filmed and plans to sell it at auction soon, according to the Hickory Daily Record. The asking price for the Henry River Mill Village is $1.4 million. The deadline to submit sealed auction bids through Los Angeles-based Profiles in History is July 31.
Wade Shepherd, the former owner of the property, said he hopes whoever buys the village will preserve it. The village, located in eastern Burke County near Hildebran, N.C. will be featured in a June 5 show of “Hollywood Treasures.
– source: www.startribune.com, 5-29-12
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Music legend Doc Watson died at the age of 89 this week after suffering complications following a recent surgery at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C. Watson, blind since infancy, lived most of his life near the Deep Gap community where he was born in 1923.
His father made him a banjo when he was 10, and he learned how to play from a neighbor. His flawless flatpicking style eventually became emulated by many musicians across a wide range of musical styles. As a result, Watson was influential in transforming the guitar from a background rhythm instrument to a lead instrument for acoustic music.
The eight-time Grammy winner was honored in 2004 with a lifetime achievement award. Watson also received a National Heritage Fellowship in 1988 and helped develop Merlefest, an annual bluegrass festival that has become one of the top acoustic-music events in the country. On June 30 the N.C. Museum of Art plans to honor Watson with a “Celebrating Doc” event that will feature Holt, Deep River Rising and other acts.
– source: www.newsobserver.com, 5-28-12