The program will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center.

The plant that local residents refer to as “ramps” are a type of wild onion, usually found on sandy and moist areas near streams and hillsides. Abrams and Locklear will discuss their characteristics and growing cycles, the increasing concern over ramp depletion, and opportunities for ramp farmers. They also will focus on the importance of ramps in Appalachian culture and how their significance continues to evolve as ramps increase in popularity, locally and nationally.

After serving in the Army and working in the manufacturing industry more than 30 years, Abrams started focusing on this passion for gathering stories and information about Southern Appalachian people, culture and history. He also grows a multitude of crops, including ramps.

Locklear, who is Abrams’ daughter, shares his passion for all-things-Appalachian. A doctoral student at Louisiana State University, she spends her time researching and writing about Appalachian literature and culture. Her articles have been published in numerous cultural and literary publications, and she is currently completing a doctoral dissertation about the literary portrayal of literacy in Appalachian memoirs and novels.

The Mountain Heritage Center is presenting the folk life series in conjunction with WCU’s Office of the Provost, Philip Coyle of WCU’s ethnography laboratory, and Tom Hatley, the university’s Sequoyah Distinguished Professor in Cherokee Studies.

The museum is located on the ground floor of WCU’s H.F. Robinson Administration Building. For more information, call (828) 227-7129 or visit http://www.wcu.edu/mhc on the web.

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Last modified: Friday, April 4, 2008