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SI-FP-1986-CT-176

LOGGER'S SHEET 

12:45-1:15 LOGGER: Mary Felegy
REEL NUMBER: 2A
STAGE: Cult. Cons Narr
DATE: 7/3/86
PRESENTOR: Charlie Camp
GROUP NAME: McCrobies: Split-Oak Basketmakers
REGION/STYLE: Oakland, Maryland

PERFORMER(S) INSTRUMENT/OCCUPATION 
James McCrobie, SR (basketmaker)
Vida McCrobie (basketmaker)

CONTENTS Family setting and human dimensions of basketmaking

1. Apprenticeship: "The importance of soaking it up"
2. Mr. McCrobie - folks from PA and N. VA, moved (himself to Western MD.)
3. Mrs. McCrobie - lives in West. MD since childhood, parents lived there ~6 miles from their home now
4. Mr. McCrobie - had to travel to earn a living - various odd jobs = construction, also, made baskets in between and Mrs. McCrobie sold baskets while he was away. Raised 4 children.
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7. What is West. MD. like? Mr. McCrobie = most beautiful place in world, on top of mtns. lots of snow in the winter. Gardening & etc - very busy in summer, tend to "hibernate" in winter.
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9. What parts of the year the busiest w/ basketmaking? March 15th is beginning because wood must be cut "green" - younger trees to split easier, also made tourist come thru in summer & spring, so baskets can be sold along the highway. Also, too cold in winter to work. Cant get the wood in winter.
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13. Are the children interested? Yes, one son found an interest. 
14. Is it difficult to tell the difference between Mr. McCrobie's basket & his son's? A little difference in shape. The McCrobie technique is reserved.
15. How long have you been going to the festivals? Baskets mean a lot to us. Basketmaking is the best therapy