r/appstate • u/paapishu82 • 26d ago

Where are The Wooshies?

I'm looking for more information regarding the Wooshies. The mythical cult followers of the MOD-1 Windturbine in 1979/1980. Anybody know if the spoof video they made exists somewhere or anybody who was there? Would love to find out more. Thanks in advance!

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6

u/Powerful_Tip_7260 26d ago

Not necessarily a cult. It usually referred to people who were underneath when the blades were actually working. That makes me a Wooshie. '81 grad.

2

u/jwalk999 26d ago

Did some google-fu:

https://appvoices.org/2009/06/10/remembering-the-whooshies-of-79/
This article lists some names:
Marie Freeman
Tony Hagler
It says that they tried to make the documentary but couldn't afford film. Then talks about how they played a prank on an unnamed tv news crew that went up to Howard's Knob.

You could try to contact these two people on Facebook to see if they remember what news crew was there, then contact the station they worked for and see if they have any archived footage. But it seems like the fake documentary they tried to make didn't actually get made.

Edit: The article was written in 2009, and the folks that were there would have be in their late 50s-60s, so if they're around maybe they'll remember something.

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u/paapishu82 26d ago

Thank you! I did find this article as well and would love to get in contact with the makers. Let me dig up my old Facebook login details.

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u/paprikadundee 25d ago

Marie passed away a few years back. Terrible loss, she was an amazing photographer and person.

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u/paapishu82 25d ago

I just read her obituary. She sounds like a lovely person to have had in your life.

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u/McLeansvilleAppFan 26d ago

I had an aunt that lived in Boone at that time and I remember visiting then. I think I an a Wooshie. I am certainly a Wooshie for the few wind turbines by the baseball field.

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u/-cookie_cat 26d ago

This is my first time hearing about the wooshies and I'm fascinated