WARMUTH, Donna Akers 1966-

PERSONAL: Born April 27, 1966, in Abingdon, VA; daughter of Kenneth (a farmer) and Nellie (a nurse; maiden name, Hensley) Akers; married Greg R. Warmuth, July 17, 1993; children: Owen August. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: James Madison University, B.A., 1988; University of Virginia, M.A., 1991. Politics: "Democrat?" Religion: Methodis.t Hobbies and other interests: Genealogy, Appalachian culture, antiques.

ADDRESSES: Home—410 Parkcrest Dr., Boone, NC 28607.

CAREER: Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, adjunct instructor, 1999—. Member of Boone Service League.

MEMBER: Daughters of the American Revolution (Black's Fort chapter), Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia.

AWARDS, HONORS: Thomas Jefferson fellowship at Monticello, 1990.

WRITINGS:

Plumb Full of History: A Story of Abingdon, VA, High Country Publishers (Boone, NC), 2003.

Images of America: Abingdon, Virginia, Arcadia Publishing (Mount Pleasant, SC), 2003.

Boone, North Carolina, Arcadia Publishing (Mount Pleasant, SC), 2003.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Arcadia Publishing (Mount Pleasant, SC), 2004.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Research on the Overmountain Victory Trail.

SIDELIGHTS: Donna Akers Warmuth told CA: "My main motivation for writing is to educate the reader about local history and the unique qualities of the Appalachian community. My books thus far have promoted local history and heritage.

"My mother's fascination with history has impacted me quite a bit. My local environment, living in the mountains of western North Carolina, gives subject to my writing. I would say my growing up in the Appalachian culture has provided a rich cultural background for my writing.

"I have always been fascinated with history and especially with how to motivate an interest in children and in the average person. I worked with children as an interpreter in a museum and developed an interest in heritage education. Abingdon, my hometown, has always had a special place in my heart and provided the rich soil for my historical research."