Ed Reid from extreme Western North Carolina has been reciting poems most of his life.  He credits a college professor for recognizing his gift.  His early education was troubled by dyslexia during a time when this was not understood.  To have had his gift with words recognized ignited a life long outlet for expressing his thoughts and feelings.

      The first settlers in the Far West of North Carolina were Ed’s ancestors.  The land records date to Book One Page 37, 22nd day of June 1839, Robert Reed, then Macon County, now Cherokee County.  His Revolutionary Patriot, Samuel Reed, father of Robert, is buried in the Bear Paw section of Cherokee County.  He lived to be 101 and also served in the War of 1812.  Ed is an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution SAR Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter.

      Ed’s parents, Clyde and Myrtle Reid, encouraged creative endeavors.  Ed’s father, with Ed’s help, would build go carts using washing machine motors, ground lens to build a telescope, built ski boats, painted pictures and worked as a master auto mechanic.

      After a career at Sears and Roebuck as a mail order department head in Atlanta and Jacksonville, Ed returned to his beloved mountains.  He and his father opened a wood craft business making assorted items, such as bread boxes, plant stands, kerosene lamp holders, magazine racks, and Appalachian toys.  Ed was a winner in the annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition at Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Highway, Asheville, NC. Ed took care in crafting nest boxes for cavity nesting birds using long lasting cedar wood.  He is an active member of the North Carolina Bluebird Society,  You can find info at www.ncbluebird.org. After designing and handcrafting a couple houses and workshops, Ed concentrated on cabinet making.  He was an expert on raised panel doors.

      Ed has a strong connection to the mountains, to the natural world, to his family and to God.  Folks have called him the Walt Whitman of Western North Carolina.  Ed has shared his poems at Open Mic by Mountain Area Storytellers in Hayesville, NC.  He regularly shares his poems with his meditation group, Walking in Grace, led by Randy Senzig, founder at www.centerforhuman-earthrestoration.com

      Ed and Carol now live part time in Garner, NC near their family in Raleigh. 

They return to their mountain home at Fires Creek as often as they are able.

You can find Ed Reid on Facebook, YouTube, ncmountainman723@gmail.com or www.edwardwreid.com .