Charles Hood, author of Looking for Space: My Pickens Journey, published in August of 2025, and his recently published book, Pickens Portraits, Volume One, spoke and gave a slideshow presentation at the Pickens Village Library on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. He also signed copies of both books.

The topic of his slideshow presentation was Highway 11, the subject of “Our Blue Ridge Parkway”, one of the chapters in Pickens Portraits, Volume One.

To listen to Hood’s entire presentation on May 27, click on the play button on the audio player below.

Other chapters in Pickens Portraits, Volume One are about, in order: the historic Pickens water tower, Rudy Hayes, the 1928 Six Mile tornado, Pickens’ Sunrise Cemetery, Browning Bryant, the windows of Grace United Methodist Church, Charles Dalton, the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Batson, post offices, country doctors Dr. John Lesley Valley and Dr. David Erastus Peek, the Pickens Graded School, Pickens High School volleyball coach Peggy Anthony, the creation of local lakes, the Appalachian Lumber Company, Connie and June Bowers, the Pickens Donut Shop, Tubby Dodson, local hotels, and Dennis Chastain.

All of the proceeds from the sales of both of Hood’s books about Pickens will benefit the Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program, for a camp scholarship fund in memory of Hood’s youngest son, Ryan.

To read The Pickens County Chronicle’s previous stories from interviews with Hood about Pickens Portraits, Volume One and Looking for Space: My Pickens Journey, click on the links below.