black mountain police chief steve parker and many others just like will clark a century before braved raging rivers to rescue neighbors in distress. the owner of w ptl, the local am radio station canton hardly left her post so she could broadcast essential info to the desperate people. ashley gallagher, a small business owner, turned her indoor skate park to a distribution center for food, water, clothing, heaters, building supplies for neighbors. amy davis and her family provided tens of thousands of meals to hungry mcdowell county neighbors from their country store and cafÉ in old fort. ashley carpenter, excuse me ashley cook and freddie carpenter got food, propane tanks, heaters and anything else the people in avery county needed. none of the individuals i met cared a wit about the party registration they were helping. it never entered their minds. they stepped up helping neighbors. truly, i could stand here all day and list heroes who performed courage, decency, large and small. our people are good and ready to meet any challenge. they are north carolina strong. north carolina str