Appalachian History

The pie the British authorities banned

The pie’s name comes from the Latin minuere, “to diminish,” and of course mincemeat referred originally to a meat that had been minced up.

The Belsnickle wasn’t Santa Claus! He was ugly & frightened children. He typically wore a costume made from stockings & burlap or paper bags.

I told him I wanted this pin but had only 75¢ to pay for it. He suggested cheaper ones, but I said, “I want this very one. It’s for mother.”

The legends grew around Granny Dollar. She told fortunes and managed to survive by growing chickens and vegetables.

There is no doubt that Nancy Emmaline Callahan Dollar, who came to be known as “Granny Dollar,” was what is known as a character.