Wendy Welch

A Traditional Japanese Garden In Virginia Tethers A Family Story To The Land

Elk Creek, Virginia, is a small, unincorporated community located in Grayson County, about a half hour from the North Carolina border. Many people in Elk Creek have deep ties to their land, and for one family taking care of their land and honoring their ancestors meant creating a traditional Japanese Shinto Garden. From Elk Creek, Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch brings us the story.

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Shinto Garden In Southwest Virginia And A Healing Mosaic In Kentucky, Inside Appalachia

This week, a Japanese Shinto garden took root in southwestern Virginia because of family connections spanning geography and generations. Also, in Whitesburg, Kentucky, a new mosaic uses recovered objects to honor the town’s people after the flood of 2022. And, the young adult novel Verity Vox and the Curse of Foxfire mixes historical fact with spooky Appalachian folklore.

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Encore: John Rose And The Snuffy Smith Comic Strip, Inside Appalachia

This week, having a very specific talent can lead to a dream job. It’s how cartoonist John Rose got his foot in the door to draw the comic strip Snuffy Smith. Also, there are dos and don’ts for treating poison ivy. And, a young, old-time musician wants to save her family’s lost ballads.

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Open Door Café Supports, Destigmatizes Unhoused Community

At Open Door Café in Wytheville, Virginia, gardening is a way to feed the hungry while breaking down the stigma of homelessness. Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch visited Open Door Café and spoke with the volunteers.

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