Where the Dogwood Blooms

I sat down with Rose Willis to talk about something no parent ever wants to think about: what happens when you're no longer able to care for your child.A recent health scare involving an enlarged aortic aneurysm forced Rose to confront that question head-on. Her daughter, Morgan, is an adult living with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and for years Morgan's care has been a family effort. Since 2012, her older sister Savannah has served as her paid caregiver, providing the consistency and support that helps Morgan thrive.But as Rose began putting long-term plans in place, she discovered a little-known North Carolina law standing in the way.We talked about House Bill 543, legislation passed in 2013 that prevents a non-parent family member from serving as both guardian and paid caregiver. Rose believes the law was originally intended to prevent abuse and financial exploitation in certain care settings, but says its broad language creates unintended consequences for families like hers.Our conversation explored what that means in practical terms—not just for Morgan, but for other North Carolina families trying to plan for the future of loved ones with disabilities. We discussed continuity of care, caregiver shortages, the challenges that come with major life transitions, and why stability can be so important for individuals with complex medical needs.Along the way, Rose shared her efforts to contact legislators, committee members, and state officials in hopes of finding a solution. She also explained why she believes greater public awareness is needed and what she hopes lawmakers will consider moving forward.Because sometimes the biggest challenges families face aren't medical.They're legal.And while laws are often written with good intentions, the real test is how they affect the people who have to live with them every day.This is a conversation about family, caregiving, disability advocacy, and the difficult questions that arise when public policy collides with real life.00:00 Show Intro00:45 Health Scare and Future Planning03:06 House Bill 543 Explained04:40 Continuity of Care at Risk06:59 Calling Lawmakers for Help11:45 How Many Families Affected14:39 Workarounds and Needed Fix17:36 Morgan’s Voice and Social Media19:43 How Caregiver Pay Works22:19 How to Help and ClosingSupport Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags:#SpecialNeeds #DisabilityRights #NCPolitics #CerebralPalsy #NorthCarolina

In this episode, I’m joined by Jason—the creator behind Instagram's @SpookyCLT, a project dedicated to digging into Charlotte’s folklore, true crime, and dark history. From haunted cemeteries to forgotten landmarks, Jason’s work shines a light on the stories that most folks walk right past without ever knowing they’re there.Jason is also a passionate historic preservation advocate, serving on the boards of both Historic Elmwood-Pinewood Cemetery and the Charlotte Historic Landmarks Commission. Together, we discuss some of the spooky stories that have shaped the Queen City.If you’ve ever wondered what secrets lie beneath Charlotte’s skyline—or why preserving history matters just as much as uncovering it—this episode is for you.Connect with Spooky CLT:InstagramWebsiteHistoric Elmwood CemeterySponsors:NC/TN High Country WXNascar WXKnights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags:#SpookyCLT #CharlotteHistory #NorthCarolinaFolklore #TrueCrime #HistoricPreservation #HauntedCharlotte #QueenCity #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms

In this first part of a two-part conversation, I’m joined by Tim Hamilton, professor of physics and researcher of grist mills in the Great Smoky Mountains.We dig into the history of the Smokies’ grist mills—why there were so many of them, the unique stories behind the grist stones, and what these mills tell us about Appalachian ingenuity and community life. Tim also shares insights on the TVA’s use of eminent domain in Swain County, how families were uprooted, and the lasting impact of those decisions.Our conversation doesn’t stop at history, though—we also discuss present-day issues, like the new parking fees in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and how many locals see them as breaking a promise made to Appalachian people generations ago.If you love Appalachian history—or want to better understand how decisions of the past and present shape daily life in the Smokies—you won’t want to miss this episode.Connect with Tim Hamilton:XSponsors:NC/TN High Country WXNascar WXKnights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags:#GristMills #GreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark #LakeFontana #TVA #EminentDomain #NCHistory #TheRoadtoNowhere #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms

In this episode, I sit down with Charles Jurney—one of the most respected dog trainers in the South—to talk about working dogs.Charles has spent more than 25 years training performance and hunting dogs, producing hundreds of titled animals across the country. From Grand Hunting Retriever Champions to Master Hunters, his legacy is woven into field trials, duck blinds, and dog kennels across the region. You may know him from his training manual Finished Dog, or from the videos Game Dog, Gun Dog, and Water Dog, which have helped thousands of amateur trainers find their footing.If you’ve ever worked with a hunting dog, trained a puppy, or simply love watching a dog do what it was born to do, this one’s for you.Connect with Charles Jurney:WebsiteSponsors:NC/TN High Country WXNascar WXKnights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags:#CharlesJurney #DogTraining #FinishedDog #GunDogs #NorthCarolina #WorkingDogs #SouthernOutdoors #NCOutdoors #FieldTrialDogs #HuntingDogs

In this episode of Where the Dogwood Blooms, I sit down with Wilmington native, realtor, and New Hanover County GOP chairman John Hinnant to talk about some hot-button issues making waves in the Port City. From the future of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to concerns over the public library and potential tax hikes, we break down what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what it all means for locals.Connect With John Hinnant:XInstagramSpecial Thanks to Rob Yates:XSponsors:NC/TN High Country WXNascar WXKnights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags: #Wilmington #NewHanoverCounty #NorthCarolina #JohnHinnant #NHCGOP

Today, we’re joined by Sam Green—the NIL guru behind Athletecon. A Charlotte native with a passion for helping student-athletes make the most of their name, image, and likeness, Sam knows this world inside and out. We’ll talk about what her job really looks like, hear about some of her favorite athletes, and get her best tips for content creators navigating the NIL space.Connect With Sam Green:NIL With Sam GreenAthleteconXInstagramTikTokSponsors:NC/TN High Country WXNascar WXKnights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags: #NorthCarolina #SamGreen #Athletecon #NIL

Today, we’re joined by Laura Stotts, the creative force behind Diary of Abandonment. Laura explores forgotten homesites and rusted-out vehicles across the state, capturing their stories through her lens.Join us as we uncover her journey—what sparked her passion for documenting abandoned places, which sites have left the deepest impression, and how genealogy played a role in her path to healing from addiction.Connect With Laura Stotts:WebsiteFacebookXInstagramTikTokYouTubeSponsors:NC/TN High Country WXNascar WXKnights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:VenmoCash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:WebsiteInstagramXTikTokContact:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags: #NorthCarolina #LauraStotts #DiaryofAbandonment #QueenofRust #AbandonedSites

Today, we’re joined by Roger B. Newman, a medical doctor and author of seven books. Though he hails from South Carolina, his North Carolina roots run deep. His latest novel, Boys, opens in Rockingham County and delves into the Jim Crow era of the American South, told through the eyes of two brothers—one white, one Black. In this episode, Roger shares the inspiration behind his book and the historical truths woven into its pages.Connect With Dr. Newman WebsiteSponsors: NC/TN High Country WX Nascar WX Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via: Venmo Cash AppConnect with Where the Dogwood Blooms: Website Instagram X TikTokContact: cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.comTags: #NorthCarolina #RogerBNewman #BoysNovel #RockinghamCounty #SouthernAuthors