Friday evening was an unforgettable moment for the small blue-collar mountain community of Canton. You see, the game was the first time that Pisgah had been able to play on its home field since a devastating flood ripped through the town on Aug. 17, 2021. Six people lost their lives in the disaster, while thousands of mountain folks had their lives forever altered.

Add to that the recent closure of the Pactiv Evergreen paper mill this past spring. The mill was the economic heart of Canton, where around 1,100 hardworking locals lost their jobs from a company that was the absolute core and cultural identity of the town since it opened in 1908.

“It’s good to be home in more ways than one — tonight is about celebrating this community,” said Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers. “These families have been through so much these past few years, so this is about smiles and coming together. We love Friday night lights here — you get hit down, you find a way to get yourself back up.”

It was a packed football stadium at Pisgah High last Friday night.It was a packed football stadium at Pisgah High last Friday night.Garret K. Woodward photo

Many of those in the bleachers Friday used to work at mill, including Steve Rhinehart, a 16-year employee of Pactiv Evergreen. Rhinehart had a tear in his eye and was genuinely choked up when the mill whistle blew once again at the start of the game.

“Tonight? It means everything — this is life in a small town at its best,” Rhinehart said in a humbled tone. “There’s not a better or tighter community in the world than Canton, in my opinion. We’re survivors in this town — we don’t let anything keep us down.”

A 1988 Pisgah graduate, Rhinehart played tight end for the Black Bears. Nowadays, his daughter, McKinley, is a junior at Pisgah and also a member of the varsity cheerleading squad.

“Being back here gives me a sense of knowing that there’s always something to forward to — football is a huge thing for everybody here,” McKinley added. “It’s a huge turnout and great to see everybody again.”

To note, the whistle that was atop the mill, and could heard for miles around at noon each day for decades, was removed last week and found its new home as a permanent addition installed atop the scoreboard at the football stadium.

“The last time the whistle blew was to mark the end of an era [with the mill closure]. I think tonight’s a reminder of that and of a new start — when that whistle [goes from now on], you’re going to see the community at its best,” Smathers said.

As well, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper came to the game to do the coin toss.

“After a flood, after a devastating mill closing, the people are still here,” Cooper said. “They’re still striving to make a good life for their families — the people of North Carolina are so resilient and determined.”

Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers and N.C. Governor Roy Cooper. Garret K. Woodward photo

There was even a moment of silence after each of the six names of those lost in the 2021 flood were read, the names echoing out of the PA system and across the stadium — John Krolak, Frank Lauer, Sr., Judy Mason, Franklin McKenzie, Charlene Mungo and Frank Mungo.

With the whistle blowing for its first time now perched above the stadium, chills rolled up and down of any within earshot. Momentary silence. Deep thoughts and genuine emotions of the town and all it’s been through in recent years, a single sentiment ricocheting around the mountains — we’re all in this together, come hell or high water.

“When you look around and see the caliber of people, the togetherness and the strength of this community, you find a way to keep going,” Smathers said. “And there are tough days ahead. But, I know the character of this community. I have lost so much sleep [over these hard times], but I haven’t lost sleep over the grit and grace of this town — that’s what’s going to carry us.”