On this West Virginia Morning, an experimental apple orchard in the state is helping to fight pollution, improve food scarcity and some hope even heal veterans. Briana Heaney has the story.
Brasstown Carvers, Willie Carver And Cabbagetown, Inside Appalachia
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For nearly a century, some of the best wood carvers in Appalachia have trained at a folk school in North Carolina. The Brasstown Carvers still welcome newcomers to come learn the craft.
In 2021, Willie Carver was named Kentucky’s Teacher of the Year. Then he left his job over homophobia and became an activist and celebrated poet.
And, the zine Porch Beers chronicles the author’s life in Appalachia — including a move from Huntington to Chattanooga, and back again.
You’re hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
The Brasstown Carvers have been a part of the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina almost since its founding in the 1920s. The group’s woodwork has been celebrated, sought after and collected. Today, only a handful of Brasstown Carvers remain, but they’re still attracting new students and trying to shape a new future.
Folkways Reporter Stefani Priskos has the story.
Gay Poems For Red States And Appalachia’s Love Language
Willie Carver was Kentucky’s teacher of the year in 2021. He taught English and French for 10 years at Montgomery County High School, where he also oversaw several student clubs.
He’s also gay and not everyone accepted a gay high school teacher. Carver said he and his LGBTQ students were harassed.
In 2022, he resigned from the high school.
Last summer, Carver released the bookGay Poems for Red States, which attracted a lot of praise and helped turn him into a much-followed, outspoken voice on social media.
Bill Lynch spoke with Carver.
Cracking Open Porch Beers
Elliott Stewart has been making zines since he was 13. His ongoing zine “Porch Beers” is an incisive look at Appalachian culture, through the eyes of a queer trans man. “Porch Beers” dives into pop culture fandom, West Virginia food and Stewart’s complicated relationship with his hometown of Huntington, West Virginia.
Mason Adams spoke with Elliott Stewart about his zine and about what a “porch beer” is anyway.
A Trip To Cabbagetown
After the Civil War, droves of Appalachian workers migrated to a mill town in the middle of Atlanta, eventually known as Cabbagetown. Many went to work at the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill and raised families in Atlanta, but the area is still home to urban Appalachian culture and traditions.
Jess Mador has the story.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Dinosaur Burps, John Inghram, Tyler Childers, Mary Hott, Joyce Brookshire and John Blissard.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
On this West Virginia Week, Earth Day was Monday. We’ll hear from a hydrologist about the state’s rivers. We’ll learn more about why two leading candidates for governor are trading accusations in ads over transgender youth. And we’ll visit a community in southern West Virginia affected by contaminated water.
On this West Virginia Morning, an experimental apple orchard in the state is helping to fight pollution, improve food scarcity and some hope even heal veterans. Briana Heaney has the story.
On this West Virginia Morning, health care services for nearly 30 percent of West Virginia’s population may be difficult to access if lawmakers don’t fully fund the Medicaid program in an expected special session. Emily Rice has more.
This week's broadcast of Mountain Stage is a special episode featuring songs that represent the four seasons of the year. You'll hear live performances by Doc Watson, Bruce Hornsby, Susan Werner, Molly Tuttle, Taj Mahal, Norah Jones and many more.