REVIEWS & COMMENTS

THE 9-Part "VOICES OF CADES COVE" Documentary Mini-series

Arthur ‘Butch’ McDade, Retired Park Ranger (National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Glacier National Park), and Author, "Old Smoky Mountain Days" and "The Natural Arches of the Big South Fork and a contributing writer to the Encyclopedia of Appalachia" plus contributing writer to several magazines: 

Kate Marshall Graphics has done outstanding work for decades on documenting, through their award-winning DVDs, the cultural and natural history of the Smokies. In particular, their work on documenting the human history of Cades Cove through their continuing mini-series entitled "Voices of Cades Cove" has been recognized as an invaluable archival record of the good folks who lived in the Cove prior to the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. KMG has spent untold hundreds of hours in Cades Cove and the general area over several decades, interviewing people who had lived in the Cove, along with their descendants. 

Their "Voices of Cades Cove" DVDs provide interviews, maps, graphics, and historic photographs of the Cove and its former residents, along with the locations of old buildings that are long gone now. Their DVDs are tremendously valuable research documents, and historians, folklorists, and genealogists will use them for decades and decades to come. 

Most importantly, KMG has always sought out first-hand information from real people who lived in the cove, and their descendants, instead of just relying on outside historians and academics. They steadfastly have included comments and stories from the people who knew the Cove best. This separates their diligent historical research from that of other commentators.  They always subscribed to the philosophy of 'let the mountain people tell their own stories,' something that pioneering folklorist and linguist Joseph Sargent Hall also believed in. And that makes all the difference in the world. 

If you love Cades Cove and its scenery, animal and plant life, and human history, you’ll want to own the entire series of "Voices of Cades Cove." These DVDs are a real historical treasure.

Stephen Weber, Cades Cove Descendant, Cades Cove Preservation Association President: 

A leader of Cades Cove during his time, my grandfather, John W. Oliver’s dream and life’s work of preserving the history and culture of this mountain community has come to life in "Voices of Cades Cove.”   

Lee Wood, Cades Cove Descendant and Hazel Creek Resident and Descendant: So proud of all the work you are doing to preserve history of the Cades Cove area and Western North Carolina Fontana area. 

Richard Anderson, Cades Cove Descendant, Cades Cove Preservation Association Treasurer & Former President:  Awesome! The "Voices of Cades Cove" project's positive impact on Cades Cove and its people can in no way be measured . . . thank you, thank you, thank you!

Judy Myers Johns, Cades Cove Resident and Descendant, and Park Ranger, retired (National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park): There are givers and takers in the world, and you are truly a giver. You have the energy to help with our precious memories. Congratulations on your technical abilities and the magnitude of your heart.

Arthur ‘Butch’ McDade, Author and retired Park Ranger (National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Glacier National Park): 

Years from now, when scholars continue studying the Appalachian culture of the Cove, they'll access KMG's pioneering archival interviews on their DVDs, which are now included in the permanent archives of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Kate Marshall Graphics will go down in the history of the Smokies as pioneer researchers and documentarians who've given posterity impressive and invaluable resources about the real "Voices of Cades Cove."  

Bernard Myers, Cades Cove Resident and Descendant: "Voices of Cades Cove" is a gold mine for those who lived in the Cove, a permanent record for our descendants, and also for visitors new to the Cove and its history. I really appreciate the hard work that Kate Marshall Graphics has put into this mini-series. My great-grandchildren will know how their ancestors lived.

Ruth Caughron Davis, Cades Cove Resident and Descendant:  As a former resident, the daughter of the last family to live in the Cove, I am so excited that "Voices of Cades Cove" is a reality! Several years in the making, it shares this rich history with visitors in a unique, entertaining and caring way.

Larry Sparks, Cades Cove Resident and Descendant: Thank you for all you do to honor our Cades Cove Heritage. Never before have I seen anyone take our simple, yet humble stories to the levels that you have. And these are our very own words describing our life in this beautiful land, and in first person. 

Bob Hood, Satisfied Customer: Kate Marshall Graphics has not only brought their unique talent for nature and the beautiful landscapes of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to the screen but has now coupled this with a history of one of the most unique places in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting Cades Cove knows its beauty, but few actually have little idea of its rich and varied history. This is a real gem for those who love and cherish the Cove. This a visual and oral history of the lives and times before the National Park Service took over and the people who called it home were forced to change their lives and the Cove as they knew it. Many of the people who are interviewed are no longer with us and without this documentary their stories would be lost to us forever. The passion of their history and the true pride in their love of Cades Cove is brought out time and again. This series of videos is a must for anyone who wants and desires to know more of the history of the beloved people and place that is Cades Cove.

Gladys Oliver Burns, Cades Cove Descendant: A special thanks for "Voices of Cades Cove," which has given us a glimpse of a time past. We are very touched as the history unfolds before our eyes. This has been a very interesting journey down memory lane.

 Gloria Motter, Cades Cove Preservation Association Museum Director:   

Congratulations! Thank you so very much for preserving the Cades Cove human history. Every DVD is precious. Like I said a few years back "no one will get tired of the Cades Cove stories, and I will hate for them to end.” Look at how many have passed, but because of your work, their stories will be heard for many years, after we are gone.

Judy Myers Johns, Cades Cove Resident and Descendant, and Park Ranger, retired (National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park): Not many of us can say we touched one, much less hundreds, of lives and left them better than you found them. You can.

"THE STORY OF WILDFLOWERS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS" Documentary

James Alexander Fowler, Wild Orchid Expert, Photographer & Author ("Wild Orchids of South Carolina” and “Orchids, Carnivorous Plants, and Other Wildflowers of the Green Swamp, North Carolina"), U.S. Army Veteran-Vietnam:  

I must say that this is a wonderful video, covering many of the wildflowers one would find in the Southern Appalachians. Not only does is show the flowers in splendid detail, it goes into great depth about the ecology of the region. Conservation of these habitats is extremely important, and the video devotes time to explain old and new conservation ideas. One thing in particular that I like about the presentation is that it shows the flowers "live" and in their element of wind, sunlight and rain; not just still images with no personality. Kate Marshall Graphics has done a fine job of capturing the feeling of being out in the woods with these natural treasures, and you can feel her passion for nature through her video. I highly recommend this for all wildflower lovers; especially those who are interested in the "story" behind the wildflowers of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.  

Anonymous, Satisfied Customer: The Story of Wildflowers is beautifully done. The photography is stunning and the interviews by experts in the field are enlightening. There is scientific praise for the meticulous labeling of all flowers with the Latin as well as the common names. If you love the diversity of wildflowers in the Appalachians Mountains, you will not be disappointed!

THE 6-Part "SEASON OF THE BEAR" Documentary Mini-series

Jim Fowler, Co-Host of 144 Episodes of (the original) Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom  (LINKS:  Celebrating Jim Fowler | Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom), and 2003 Recipient of the Lindbergh Award  - from a record of conversation (ROC) with Kate Marshall Graphics:  What you have done here with this documentary series about bears is remarkable because, well, you just went hiking on your own and you just did it, just filmed bears in the wild, and produced it. It takes spunk! But be careful out there. I have seen first-hand the strength of a black bear. When you were filming me in Georgia, I knew what you were working on with wild bears, in your time off from your other jobs. What I have seen so far, hey - good job on these! You have found the key to reaching people - you aren't just educators, you are storytellers!

E. Kim Delozier, Retired Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, 32 years (National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park), and Author, "Bear in the Back Seat - Adventures of a Wildlife Manager, Volume 1" and "Bear in the Back Seat - Adventures of a Wildlife Manager, Volume 2."  The Kate Marshall Graphics team are true professionals. Their accomplishments and awards in video production and editing (and their public speaking) place them at the top of the industry in outdoor filmmaking and wildlife documentaries. 

A.F. Carter, Satisfied Customer: If you are curious about the lives of black bears or if you just enjoy awe inspiring photography of wilderness and wildlife, you will enjoy these DVDs! Most of us aren't fortunate to experience the opportunity of observing black bears in their natural habitats, but Kate Marshall Graphics has provided us with a rich, close-up look at this powerful, amazing animal. KMG offers fantastic photography and interesting information that increases awareness.

John Derych, Satisfied Customer: It's no wonder you won awards for this excellent film, Season of the Bear, Volume 3: True Bear Stories. First off the video footage is top notch- clear, crisp and perfect color. All the stories do show how humans indeed want to help bears, but I particularly liked the Cherry bear and Sea bear stories. The Cherry Bear story showed how resourceful a black bear can be, in biting part of the tree branch in order to bend the branch with all the cherries on it so the bear could eat them. Your video footage was so clear that one can see how a black bear basically takes a bunch of cherries in his mouth and pulls them off in one quick motion of the mouth. The average person would never see this in the wild. The Sea Bear story was so personal. Even though the bear was tranquilized, I got the impression the bear actually knew he was being saved. 

What I especially like about Chapter 3 is that it is filled with true accounts of bear stories - there is no sensationalism, there is nothing left to the human mind to imagine. Together with interviews, filmed footage and still photos you present a true and honest account of the lives of various bears. Interspersed throughout the video, you have tactfully placed numerous bear facts to teach bear enthusiasts the correct and safe way in which humans and bears can exist together. Just like the previous chapters in this series it brings the home viewer right into the world of the black bear. I applaud your efforts and hard work and sincerely wish you continued success. 

M.F., Satisfied Customer:  This video, Volume 4, is 3+ hours of pure educational information regarding black bears. It's great for students and adults alike. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to know everything there is to know about these amazing animals which live right outside our door. It would be the perfect video for teachers who are teaching about black bears as well.