An Evening with Ann Rose & Friends

Posted on Posted in Announcement

An Evening with Ann Rose and the Producers of “River Warrior”

-The Carolina Canoe Club will be hosting Ann Rose on Thursday night, July  3rd, at 7:30 pm for a discussion of her quest to bring awareness to water conservation. Joining Ann will be Cassia Sherrill, Haley Mellon and Caroline Renfro, the production team of the documentary about Ann, River Warrior.  Dana Hoffman will be hosting the event and prompting questions from the audience.

Please come and welcome our visitors and bring questions for Ann and team.  Ann’s idea of “getting away” for a vacation became a two-thousand mile paddle.

 

Here is some background on our participants:

  • Ann Rose
    • Ann Rose has been a driving force in Ashe County since 1996. A former nurse turned full-time farmer, she’s dedicated her life to caring for people and the land—advocating for access to healthy food and sharing her knowledge through hands-on classes in food preservation and cultivation. She’s sold produce at the Ashe County Farmers Market for 17 years and founded the Lansing Farmers Market 5 years ago.
    • Ann is also a passionate community builder. As project manager and grant writer for GLAD (Greater Lansing Area Development), she secured $1.5 million to develop Lansing Park, now a hub for recreation and local events. She also founded the Lost Province Cultural Arts Center to bring accessible art and cultural programming to the area.
    • In 2024, Ann set out on a solo kayaking expedition from Ashe County’s New River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico—an almost 2,000-mile journey that exemplifies her tenacity, love of nature, and lifelong commitment to pushing boundaries in service of a more connected and sustainable world. As she says, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”
  • Haley Mellon
    • Haley Mellon is a North Carolina-based documentarian passionate about telling stories that celebrate individuality and inspire hope. Originally from Hickory, she studied Film Studies in Wilmington before settling in Ashe County to explore her Appalachian roots through film. Her deep connection to the region fuels her work on projects that highlight Appalachian life and culture.
    • Her current focus is River Warrior—her most personal and transformative project to date—which has brought both creative fulfillment and lasting friendships. Haley also works year-round in the Charlotte film and television industry, contributing to everything from local commercials to feature films.
    • Beyond River Warrior, she’s developing several other documentaries, as she is committed to telling meaningful stories that make people feel seen and inspired.
  • Cassia Sherrill
    • Cassia Sherrill is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and executive producer committed to the power of storytelling as a force for change. With experience across narrative and documentary formats—including work on major productions like Netflix—she brings both creative vision and strategic focus to every project.
    • Cassia has led independent films from concept to completion, championing stories that uplift unheard voices and inspire action. She holds a BA in Cinema-Television from Regent University and studied film in Hollywood through the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. From directing and writing to producing and coordinating crews, Cassia’s career reflects a holistic and deeply purposeful approach to filmmaking.
    • At the core of all her work is an unshakable belief that stories matter—and that film is a force for empathy, justice, and transformation.
  • Caroline Renfro
    • Caroline Renfro is an actor, emcee, and arts advocate originally from Charlotte, NC. A former personality for Radio Disney, the Charlotte Bobcats, and the New York Knicks, she spent over 15 years touring the country as a host and spokesperson. In 2015, she debuted the role of the Pilot in Grounded’s Southeast premiere, earning Creative Loafing’s Best Actor and Theatreperson of the Year.
    • Since moving to Ashe County in 2021, Caroline has served as business manager for the Kruger Brothers and as Chair/CEO of Lost Province Center for the Cultural Arts, leading community relief efforts after Hurricane Helene. She’s currently producing a TV pilot on Appalachian art and opening a recording studio, Buddy Holler, in Lansing, NC. Passionate about the arts and education, she’s proud to be part of River Warrior, a project close to her heart.

Here is a trailer for River Warrior.

Ann and team will also bring their River Warrior tenacity to the Pirates of the Tuck. Be wary of them; they are armed with water weapons and intend to use them.