Meet Catherine Pinson,
Webmaster

Dr. Catherine Pinson (who refers to herself as "Cathy" so regularly people sometimes ask, "Which name do you prefer?" The answer is "Yes.") began working at the Cultural Museum as a volunteer. Chuck Watkins, the Museum Director, dubbed her the "utility infielder". She is now the keeper of the Website, in addition to helping with miscellaneous other tasks whenever something looks intriguing. She has been many places on the job ladder: junior high school English teacher, graphics artist, secretary, food stamp intake worker, and adjunct assistant professor in Appalachian State's Reich College of Education, to name a few. Her Ph.D, from Virginia Tech, is in Higher Education Administration, where she did a comprehensive study of the "academic speedbumps" that slow completion of doctoral dissertations.

Cathy has a plethora of interests. Over the years she has taught classes in knitting, crochet, needlepoint, and tatting, and currently spends her leisure time playing with her two dogs and three cats; weaving; quilting; teaching herself how to juggle, play the mandolin, and ride a unicycle (not simultaneously); knitting and crocheting for Project Linus; or re-visiting an old love, calligraphy. She also works as the 5th and 6th grade "End of Grade Tutor" at Green Valley School in Watauga County, indulging in her passion for teaching. Photography is another of Cathy's passions. She has annoyed people by crawling on her knees to get a better shot of a flower along the Blue Ridge Parkway instead of admiring the vistas. She loves music and plays the piano, mountain (lap) dulcimer, hammer dulcimer, autoharp, and bowed psaltry in addition to being a member of the handbell choir at Grace Lutheran Church, singing with the Appalachian Chorale, and dancing with the Boone Shag Club. When you walk past her office you might hear anything from Sinatra to B.B. King to Bach to John Denver to Benny Goodman to Johnny Cash to pop "oldies".

Click here to e-mail Catherine/Cathy.