Introduction to New Readers

By Bob Heafner © 2012

Online: August, 2012

The Mountain Laurel began publication with the March 1983 issue and, over the course of the next ten years, 96 issues were printed and two additional issues were never printed but will appear in this archive. If you would like to share your mountain memories or old photos, please send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Each issue of The Mountain Laurel is a collection of memories, recipes and stories from the Blue Ridge of yesteryear. The articles were written primarily by people over the age of 60 and many of our writers were in their 80's and 90’s. In essence it was a written form of shared story telling once common around mountain stores and social gatherings.

In 1987 The Mountain Laurel became the first publication to receive the Blue Ridge Heritage Award. The award was presented by the Blue Ridge Institute of Ferrum College which has been designated the State Center For Blue Ridge Folklore by the Governor of Virginia. The award was presented to The Mountain Laurel for its, “role in providing an outlet for Blue Ridge residents to share memories of earlier life in their region. In using folklore, particularly oral histories and reminiscences, The Mountain Laurel stands apart from other publications in the Virginia Blue Ridge. Its use of historical photographs, documenting Blue Ridge life and culture, serves an educational purpose and fosters an appreciation for vintage documents and artifacts.”

Welcome to our family of readers.