A small mountain town can feel bigger than any city when the gym lights come up and the whole valley shows. We sit with Fred McCormick, founder of The Valley Echo, to trace how a stay-at-home dad found journalism, begged his way into a newsroom job, and ultimately launched a hyperlocal site three days before the world shut down. What kept it alive? The same spirit that fills Owen High bleachers and neighborhood restaurants: people who care enough to show up.

Fred explains why high school sports are more than scores—they’re a living map of Swannanoa Valley. Business owners, students, parents, and longtime neighbors all share the stands, creating one of the most diverse rooms in town. We talk about the valley’s visitor-friendly heartbeat, the 50-plus local eateries that double as community hubs, and the centennial eagle plaque that ties today’s faces to a century of first families. Along the way, Fred shares the deeply personal story of his mother’s illness, the column he wrote during her final months, and the unexpected embrace from strangers who became support in the hardest season.

Threaded through it all is a case for local news as community infrastructure. As corporate consolidation thins hometown papers, voices like The Valley Echo keep names, stories, and context close to where they matter. If you’ve ever wondered what truly binds a place—shared grief, Friday night cheers, or a table where everyone has a favorite dish—this conversation offers a warm, honest answer. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves small-town stories, and leave a review to help more people find the valley’s voice.

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