When you think of “Appalachian cooking,” what comes to mind? For a lot of folks, it’s savory comfort foods like biscuits with sausage gravy, crispy fried chicken and mashed potatoes loaded with butter. But, what about folks who want that comfort food, without involving animals? Jan Brandenburg is a pharmacist and poet in Eastern Kentucky. Over the last 30 years, she’s collected and perfected recipes that take a plant-based approach to the Appalachian table. Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Brandenburg about her new book The Modern Mountain Cookbook.
Remembering And Reimagining The Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster
Raymond Thompson, Jr. remembers the African American lives lost in the Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster.
Courtesy Photo
The Hawks Nest Tunnel in West Virginia is the site of one of the worst industrial disasters in American history. More than 700 men, most of them African American, died of lung disease as a result of mining the tunnel in the 1930s.
A new photography book sets out to bring their untold stories to life. It’s called “Appalachian Ghost: A Photographic Reimagining of the Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster,” by artist, educator, and journalist Raymond Thompson Jr.
Mason Adams spoke to him about the book and Hawks Nest Tunnel.
Cutting A Rug To Make Art
One man in Kingsport, Tennessee, has been building and repairing carpets and rugs for more than 50 years. For Jerry Machen, Sr., the business not only provides him with a livelihood — but also an opportunity for expression and discovery.
Photo Credit: Nicole Musgrave/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Lots of families live with furniture, silverware, and rugs, but we often take them for granted. We seldom think about who makes these items — or where to turn when they need repaired.
One man in Kingsport, Tennessee, has been building and repairing carpets and rugs for over 50 years. For Jerry Machen, Sr., [May-chin] the business not only provides him with a livelihood — but also an outlet for expressing creativity.
In 2022, Folkways Reporter Nicole Musgrave reported the story.
Celebrating Central Appalachia’s Indigenous Heritage
David Locklear, left, and Larry Jent play music as Jocelyn Jones dances at the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center in Elkins June 29, 2024.
Photo Credit: Chris Schulz/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
For generations, historians argued that European settlers found Appalachia devoid of Indigenous people, that it was just a hunting ground, but Appalachia has long been home for Indigenous people.
A series of events in Elkins, West Virginia is telling their stories. It’s part of the exhibit, “Creating Home: Indigenous Roots and Connections in the Appalachian Forest.”
Chris Schulz reported.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Kaia Kater, Steve Earle, Jeff Ellis, Yonder Mountain String Band 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.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
When you think of “Appalachian cooking,” what comes to mind? For a lot of folks, it’s savory comfort foods like biscuits with sausage gravy, crispy fried chicken and mashed potatoes loaded with butter. But, what about folks who want that comfort food, without involving animals? Jan Brandenburg is a pharmacist and poet in Eastern Kentucky. Over the last 30 years, she’s collected and perfected recipes that take a plant-based approach to the Appalachian table. Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Brandenburg about her new book The Modern Mountain Cookbook.
On this West Virginia Morning, in honor of Earth Day West Virginia University has announced a comprehensive set of more than 20 sustainability goals. And from Inside Appalachia, perfecting recipes that take a plant-based approach to the Appalachian table.
On this West Virginia Morning, we look into the effort to create more microgrids in the state, and a shop keeping the video rental industry alive in a neighboring state.
This week on Inside Appalachia, we head to the woods for a master class in foraging for wild mushrooms. And the woman behind the popular TikTok account “Appalachian Forager” makes jam from pawpaws and jewelry from coyote teeth. We also visit the Alleghany Highlands, where mountain maple syrup traditions are changing with the times.
