Thank You to Liars Bench Advertisers, Fans, and Supporters

Over the past two years the Liars Bench has been helped tremendously with our advertising and publicity by many local Jackson, Haywood, Swain, and Macon County businesses/organizations.We want to take the opportunity to thank them publicly.
Sylva Herald
Smoky Mountain News
Jackson County Public Library
City Lights Bookstore
Dodies Auctions
Sylva Barber Shop
Main Street Bakery & Cafe
Livingston's Photo
Jake's Mountain House
Friends of the Library Bookstore
Hookers Fly Shop
Hoopers Restaurant
Black Rock
Jacksons General Store
B&B Gift Interiors
Hollifield Jewelers
SunTrust Bank (downtown Sylva)
Vance Hardware
Paul Holt , Attorney at Law
Blue Ridge Inn
Jackson Savings Bank
Coward, Hicks, and Siler, Attorneys at Law
Signature Coffee
In Your Ear Music
Massie Furniture
Jones Country Store
Pressed 4 Time Sandwhich Shop
Moon Dancer Reality
Kostas family Restaurant
Dillsboro Chocolate Factory
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
Bryson's Farm Supply
Western Carolina Properties
Stanberry Insurance
Thanks also to the Asheville Citizen-Times, Waynesville Mountaineer, Crossroads Chronicle, Cherokee One Feather, Franklin Press, Macon County News, Cherokee Scout, Tuckaseegee Reader, Caolina Public Press,  Rob Neufeld,
Pam Meister, WRGC AM 540, WCQS FM 88.1, WLOS TV 13, & Life in the Carolinas (Carl White).
(If we missed anyone please contact us and we will publicly acknowledge you also.)
Thanks to all of you businesses, organizations, and individuals and, most importantly, thank you Liars Bench fans for helping The Liars Bench to become a successful live, authentic traditional southern Appalachian storytelling, music, poetry, drama, and folk arts presentation right here in WNC!

Woof, Woof (thank you Liars Bench human being fans!)

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Saunooke Show Full House!

Last Thursday's Liars Bench Show hit it BIG. It was a full house for the third Balsam Chronicles show featuring the story of EBCI Osley Bird Saunooke, "Colorful Chief of the Cherokee."

Gary welcomed EBCI Priniciple Chief Hicks, his wife, and members of the Saunooke family, including Osley's daughter Hazel to the Mountain Heritage Center.

The "mad troubador" from Tilley Creek, Paul Iarussi kicked off the show with an old favorite "Knoxville Girl."

Dave Waldrop sang "Kudzu" with his granddaughter doing the "Kudzu Hula."

Lloyd Arneach, recipient of the Western Carolina University 2011 Mountain Heritage Award

told the story of the geese, the hummingbird, and the tobacco plant. "What is important is what is in the heart."
Then, Gary told the story of Osley Bird Saunooke:

Saunooke, a descendant of five generations of Cherokee chiefs, wrestled professionally in over 5,000 matches. He went to Indian boarding school at Haskell in Kansas and excelled in all sports.

Saunooke wrestled in the 1930s and 1940s and became a champion. After being involved in an automobile/train accident Saunooke retired from professional wrestling and ran for EBCI Chief, was elected and served two separate terms.

During Saunooke's first term as Chief, the swinging bridge connecting U.S. Hwy 441 and Saunooke's gift shop fell, ostensibly because of a Boy Scout Troop walking in cadence across it on the third of July 1951.

Hazel Saunooke gave the Liars Bench audience an eyewitness account of her father's rescue of the injured.

Osley Saunooke jumped into the Oconoluftee River and lifted the bridge off of people who were trapped by the heavy cables, saving many more people from serious injury or death.

The swinging bridge was rebuilt (hasn't fallen since) and Saunooke Village has continued to expand.

By all accounts Osley Bird Saunooke was a fair, just, and wise leader of the Cherokee and looked up to by many whites in surrounding counties.

Coming up, the Liars Bench Show will be performing at the Appalachian festival in Downtown Waynesville on Saturday June 9 at 1:00 pm. The performance will be inside of Main Street Perks which is next to what used to be the Whitman's Bakery (currently City Bakery). Admission is Free although we will pass the 'mileage' basket.

Bodine and the rest of the Liars Bench Bunch are looking forward to seeing you there.
Email:  liarsbenchpr@gmail.com if you have any questions.

All of you are the greatest! Thank you for supporting the Liars Bench--WNCs only live, authentic traditional Southern Appalachian storytelling, music, poetry, drama, folk arts presentation!

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Osley Bird Saunooke, Colorful Chief of the Cherokees

Folks, this is EBCI Chief (1950-1954; 1958-1962) Osley Bird Saunooke posing for a picture in the sports pages when he was a "world-class bruiser-weight" wrestler. Mr. Saunooke, or as he was known on the wrestling circuit, "Chief Sunoco," is still remembered today in wrestling circles as a "big man who fought fair."

On Thursday May 17 at 7:00 pm at WCUs Mountain Heritage Center auditorium The Liars Bench will present the third of the "Balsam Chronicles" series continuing with the story of Osley Bird Saunooke, "Colorful Chief of the Cherokees."

Supported in part by a grant from the Grassroots Arts Program of the Jackson County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, this is the fascinating story of a young EBCI man's rise from Indian boarding school, entry into and success in the world of professional wrestling, and finally becoming the elected leader of his band during a turbulent period in their history.

Carden said “Chief Osley Saunooke had a reputation for honesty and was quite popular all over WNC. Historical accounts say he was the most approachable, the most well known—and in terms of being chief and politics, he was the most amenable--he was totally in favor of tourism and development for the Cherokees.”

In addition to Liars Bench regulars Gary Carden, host and storyteller; Lloyd Arneach, the Cherokee storyteller; Paul Iarussi, claw-hammer guitar specialist; William Ritter, vocalist and musician; and Karen Barnes; the May 17 performance will also feature Dave Waldrop singing home-spun vocals.

During the past year, Carden has designed and directed a series of shows that dealt with Cherokee history and culture; religious music, Jack Tales, and myths and legends. After a show from last October was recently featured on the regional television program Life in the Carolinas, both the performers and the staff of the Liars Bench became convinced that the show should move toward becoming a significant voice in defining and preserving the region's culture. This decision was confirmed by the cover story publication in a WNC newspaper recently of Carden and his creation, The Liars Bench show.

Recently, The Liars Bench, in conjunction with the Mountain Heritage Center, developed a grant proposal that was funded by the Jackson County Arts Council. “This grant has given us the resources to develop programs that deal with topics such as Dr. John R. Brinkley, the hanging of Jack Lambert, and the historical basis for the belief that Abraham Lincoln was born here. We continue to do this with storytelling, music, poetry and drama.” The story of EBCI Cherokee Chief Osley Bird Saunooke is the third “Balsam Chronicles” presentation. For additional information, call the Mountain Heritage Center at 828.227.7129.

The North Carolina Arts Council works to make North Carolina The Creative State where a robust arts industry produces a creative economy, vibrant communities, children prepared for the 21st century and lives filled with discovery and learning. The Arts Council accomplishes this in partnership with artists and arts organizations, other organizations that use the arts to make their communities stronger and North Carolinians-young and old-who enjoy and participate in the arts. The Arts Council is a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

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The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU: 828.227.7129

 Bodine says "Come see us!"

Gary Hits a Home Run on WRGC!

WRGC morning personality Roy Burnette did a great interview with Gary today. They talked about everything from Gary's new play "Outlander" (opens Saturday June 2 at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville) to the next Liars Bench show about former Cherokee Chief Osley Saunooke, Thursday May 17 at 7:00 pm at WCUs Mountain Heritage Center.  
Our prediction is that both events will prove to be SRO and extremely successful artistically and otherwise. Looking forward to seeing you at the Liars Bench this coming Thursday May 17 at 7:00 pm at the Mountain Heritage Center (Free Admission!) and in Burnsville Saturday June 2 at the Parkway Playhouse.
Recently, The Liars Bench, in conjunction with the Mountain Heritage Center, developed a grant proposal that was funded by the Jackson County Arts Council.  The North Carolina Arts Council works to make North Carolina The Creative State where a robust arts industry produces a creative economy, vibrant communities, children prepared for the 21st century and lives filled with discovery and learning. The Arts Council accomplishes this in partnership with artists and arts organizations, other organizations that use the arts to make their communities stronger and North Carolinians-young and old-who enjoy and participate in the arts. The Arts Council is a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.
Thank you Liars Bench fans for your continuing support. We couldn't do it without you!

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The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU: 828.227.7129

Gary To Be Interviewed By WRGC Friday Morning May 11, 2012

Hey Liars Bench fans. We just wanted you to know that Gary will be interviewed Friday morning at 8:15 am on AM 540 WRGC by morning personalities Ray and Roy. Gary will be talking about his latest theatrical production "Outlander" which opens Saturday June 2 at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville and, of course the Liars Bench Show up coming play dates (next show is Thursday May 17 at 7:00 pm at the Mountain Heritage Center) for this Summer. Please tune in.

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The Mountain Heritage Center at WCU: 828.227.7129