(5 Oct 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Asheville, North Carolina – 4 October 2024
1. Woman dancing at drum circle
2. Various of Mel McDonald playing drums
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mel McDonald, drummer:
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“We normally have a drum circle on every Friday year-round and today seemed like a good day to do something positive, come out and drum, allow people to enjoy themselves, positive vibes. Get something out there in the community positive. Maybe help people feel a little bit better.”
4. Various of people drumming
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mel McDonald, drummer:
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“Now is the most important time for people that its’s not over, there’s things to look forward to and enjoy yourselves.”
8. Various of Sarah Owens watching drummers
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Owens, resident:
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“I was drawn here by the sound of the drums beating. I had come to look for water and wipes – just kind of supplies that we need to survive because we have no water at all right now in our facility. I followed the sound of the drum, and it is such a surprise and it is so invigorating and it just makes you feel like there’s hope and there’s life beyond all of this.”
10. Person playing drums
11. People listening to music
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Owens, resident:
“The human spirit of people coming together is so beautiful, and helping each other and encouraging each one and another. And that’s what this music is, it’s encouraging to me.”
13. Person drumming
STORYLINE:
The sound of drums echo again at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville, just a week after Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast.
The wind and flooding caused catastrophic damage to critical infrastructure, upending the lives of millions of people. Tens of trillions of gallons of rain fell and more than 200 people were killed, making Helene the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005. Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for, and search crews must trudge through knee-deep debris to learn whether residents are safe.
Amidst the chaos of recovery, the infamous western North Carolina drum circle, which draws revelers to play music, dance and people watch, is back.
For drummer Mel McDonald, he hopes the smaller-than-usual gathering will spread cheer during the trying time.
“Now is the most important time for people that its’s not over, there’s things to look forward to and enjoy yourselves,” McDonald said.
Sarah Owens was in the area Friday evening looking for water and wipes since the building she lives still has no water.
“I followed the sound of the drum,” Owens said. “It is such a surprise and it is so invigorating and it just makes you feel like there’s hope and there’s life beyond all of this.”
Video by Brittany Peterson
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