Magnolia Watch 41-43: History Lessons

The witches of Coven Oldenwilde held another ritual at the Magnolia Saturday to invoke ongoing protection against death by development. It's been a year since the first ritual where participants chanted "barbarous words of power," to keep the tree safe. This second ritual included an ancient Roman invocation, the Enos Lases luvate, appealing to the ancestral spirits of the land, and to Mars to protect forest, field and stream.

I was away on a weekend camping visit with friends and missed the ritual, but today I've been catching up with all the goings on over the weekend.

We hear so many stories of Asheville's history from the local people who stop at the Magnolia. Steve takes note of every new bit of historical information, like one woman's memory of the destruction of the old train depot and of the school that she said was built so well they had to go to New York to find a wrecking ball that could take it down.

"Years ago they tried to take the YMI Cultural Center. That whole area used to be all Black. They were just trying to make it disappear. They almost succeeded."Cynthia Hallum told us as she signed the petition to Stop Parkside by Eminent Domain.
I have appreciated the vantage point at the Magnolia to really notice the beauty of the old Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Eagle Street. Mr. Coleman's Parkside condominiums would turn its back on this historical gem and on the Black neighborhood already so devastated by past development disasters. "They need to stop. They are totally insulting my common sense," Cynthia said.

"I was born and raised here," another woman told us as she wheeled a baby stroller into the shade to talk. "I think it's atrocious. The decisions I see City and County making are not wise...to be quite honest I would be happy if they took the BB&T down. If Parkside is built, we will come to regret it just as we regret that BB&T building."

It was particularly noisy in Asheville today. The constant whining and grinding of the construction machinery and the high-pitched beep, beep, beep as it backs up, is heard all over town. It's an intrusive mess, and only likely to become worse if this level of rampant development is allowed to continue.

Our very public presence on the land requires some agreements on behavior and a spirit of cooperation and willingness to share in the work. Lady Passion tries to maintain a level of decorum and focus among those who come to join the Magnolia Watch, and sometimes there are disagreements. But she and Steve have sustained a 24/7 presence for a month now, and have learned a great deal about what is required. They are aided by those of us who are able to come for some hours each day, and especially by those who give up sleep to help with the overnight watch. There are many, many others who bring the food, the coffee, the cold water and fresh fruit, and the well wishers who offer an encouraging word in passing. Asheville PARC shared some donated funds to replace a computer battery so that tree watchers can also catch up with on-line communications.