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ORAL HISTORY

Peggy Hensley, Relative and Volunteer

Carter Family Fold

Peggy Hensley’s great-grandmother and Janette Carter’s great-grandmother were half-sisters. Even so, Peggy considers herself more of a friend than family. But that doesn’t stop her from volunteering at the Carter Family Fold every Saturday night, taking tickets and helping to celebrate the Carter Family’s musical legacy.  Peggy also has a role in the annual Carter Family Memorial Music Festival, which takes place every August. For years Peggy, as a member of the Hiltons Ruritan Club, made and served traditional Appalachian foods, such as cornbread, soup beans, and a popular boiled-dressing coleslaw that’s now known as Carter Fold Cole Slaw. Her connection to the Fold has solidified her appreciation for the place, the people, the music, and the food. And it’s also made her realize that “different people from a lot of different backgrounds appreciate the same things we do.”