News-Topic Staff

Bolick Pottery and Traditions Pottery will host their “15th Annual Thanksgiving Wood Kiln Opening” Saturday, Nov. 28.

The hours for the event will be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Pottery, music, apple butter making and chili will make for a festive day.

The wood kiln will be unloaded at 9 a.m. Customers are encouraged to be present at that time to watch the kiln being unloaded and for best selection of items crafted. Both shops will be stocked with decorative, functional and folk art pottery. Hot chili will be served throughout the day.

Few potters use wood as a method of firing pottery due to the labor and time involved in cutting the wood and maintaining the fire.

Lula Owens Bolick is a fifth-generation potter from the Owens Family of Seagrove, N.C. Janet Calhoun, Lula’s daughter, is a sixth-generation potter. Together, with their husbands, Glenn Bolick and Mike Calhoun, they produce shapes that have been in their family for more than 190 years, such as teapots, sugar and creamer sets and pie plates. They each have their own style of pottery as well. Lula is known for her Monday-Friday (happy/sad) face jugs. Mike does whimsical face jugs such has Santas, Hollerin’ Men and Wizard jugs. Janet does the Biblical style Rebekah pitchers, and Glenn is known for his large serving platters and barrel-shaped mugs.

Guest potter Roger Hicks of Hicks Pottery from Lenoir will have his larger jugs and vases with flowers and animals applied to them as well as functional items. Ina Owens Bolick (Lula’s sister) will have hand-sculpted items such as angels and snowmen. Ina and Lula have teamed up this year to create hand-built chickens in various sizes.

New this year will be Christmas caroling and singing from local churches and musicians. Rosie and The Flattops will perform from 11 a.m. until noon, and the youth group from Calvary Baptist Church of Lenoir will perform from 1-2 p.m. Other groups will take the stage throughout the day.

Admission to the event is free, and it will take place rain or shine. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

Bolick and Traditions Pottery are located three miles south of Blowing Rock (14 miles north of Lenoir) off U.S. 321. Turn left off 321 on to Blackberry Road, beside of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Go half a mile then turn right on Bolick Road.

Call 828-295-5099 or 828-295-3862 for more information, or visit the Web at www.traditionspottery.com.