"Instincts" by Marci Spencer
— The hawk had never seen such a wild creature!
They were safe at home, protected by a little girl ready to defend their Alamo.
A native of Asheville, North Carolina, now living in Old Fort, Marci Spencer grew up on land that her great-grandfather refused to sell to George Vanderbilt for the Biltmore Estate. She worked as a nurse practitioner in the fields of cardiology, family medicine, and overseas medical missionary service. After hiking hundreds of miles, volunteering for the park service, and earning certification as a naturalist/environmental educator, Marci wrote Clingmans Dome, Highest Mountain in the Great Smokies, Pisgah National Forest: a History, Nantahala National Forest: a History, and Pisgah Inn---all published by Arcadia/History Press.
Author’s Talk
“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” a 1929 Asheville, North Carolina newsboy cried. “Our explorers made it to the top! Potluck is home!”
Marci Spencer
During the research for my book on the history of Clingmans Dome, I learned about Potluck, a homing pigeon released from the highest mountain in the new national park to deliver a goodwill message to his home in Asheville. On our farm in Old Fort, I, too, raised homing pigeons to lift heavy hearts or provide inspiration at weddings, funerals, and other events.
When sixty regal-white doves take flight, awe-struck faces silently lift toward heaven. Once, I hosted an event to honor Justin, diagnosed with a genetic eye disorder leading to permanent blindness before age 16. My granddaughter Brooke handed Justin a lone dove to release at the event. Brooke would, then, open the basket to release its flock-mates to join Justin’s dove in a symbol of love and support. Tears sprinkled the little bird’s head when I whispered, “It’s time, Justin. Let her go.” “I can’t,” he said, his eyes glued to his friend, “she’s too beautiful.”
Potluck’s story urged me to find descendants of Potluck’s 1929 owner, J.R. Horne, an Asheville Citizen deliveryman. Dozens of Asheville residents received my emails, letters, and phone calls. Two years later, a letter, written with beautiful penmanship, arrived.
“Mrs. Spencer, My name is Bee Thompkins. I’m 95 years old. I understand you’re looking for me. I’m Mr. Horne’s daughter. I was there when Potluck flew home from Clingmans Dome.” We became fast friends. Bee contributed an essay about living with pigeons for the foreword in my children’s book, Potluck, Message Delivered: The Great Smoky Mountains are Saved! “At the book launch at Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly, Brooke handed a dove to each Thompkins family member to release in celebration.
Brooke Lyda and Baby Piper
In helping me raise, train, medicate, and exercise homing pigeons, Brooke had learned about work, responsibility, and sharing. The white dove project, however, was part of a larger plan. Shopping alone with a grocery list, ordering everyone’s meal at a restaurant, pumping gas, learning to dive, volunteering as a zoo-keeper assistant, leading talks at my science fair exhibits, visiting residents with dementia at nursing homes, and other grandmother-directed activities helped Brooke develop self-confidence again after her dad’s alcoholism had disrupted her home life. “Instincts” is the story of my little girl finding the inner strength to independently take on unexpected challenges.—Marci Spencer