MEET EDWARDWREID.COM

   Ed Reid from extreme Western North Carolina has been reciting poems most of his life.  He credits a college professor for recognizing his gift.  His early education was troubled by dyslexia during a time when this was not understood.  To have had his gift with words recognized ignited a life long outlet for expressing his thoughts and feelings.

      The first settlers in the Far West of North Carolina were Ed’s ancestors.  The land records date to Book One Page 37, 22nd day of June 1839, Robert Reed, then Macon County, now Cherokee County.  His Revolutionary Patriot, Samuel Reed, father of Robert, is buried in the Bear Paw section of Cherokee County.  He lived to be 101 and also served in the War of 1812.  Ed is an active member of the Sons of the American Revolution SAR Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter.

      Ed’s parents, Clyde and Myrtle Reid, encouraged creative endeavors.  Ed’s father, with Ed’s help, would build go carts using washing machine motors, grind lenses to build a telescope, build ski boats, paint pictures and work as a master auto mechanic on cars.

      After a career at Sears and Roebuck as a mail order department head in Atlanta and Jacksonville, Ed returned to his beloved mountains.  He and his father opened a wood craft business making assorted items.  Ed was a winner in the annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition at Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Highway, Asheville, NC.  After designing and handcrafting a couple homes and workshops, Ed concentrated on cabinet making. 

      Folks have called Ed the Walt Whitman of Western North Carolina.  He has shared his poems at Open Mic by Mountain Area Storytellers in Hayesville, NC.  He regularly shares his poems with his meditation group, Walking in Grace.  Poems are also shared regularly with friends, neighbors and visitors.

      They live in Garner, NC to be close to family and often return to Fires Creek. 

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