On this West Virginia Morning, hundreds from close to home and around the nation attended the memorial service for slain West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard. Randy Yohe spoke with some of those who came to honor the life and legacy of a beloved trooper who was shot and killed in the line of duty last Friday.
Home » Hammer Dulcimers And Roadside Dinosaurs Inside Appalachia
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Hammer Dulcimers And Roadside Dinosaurs Inside Appalachia
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On this week’s episode, we begin our journey through Appalachia by way of Lviv, Ukraine to learn about their version of an Appalachian dulcimer.
We’ll make a roadside stop to revisit the theme park throwback Dinosaur Kingdom II in Natural Bridge, Virginia. And, we’ll swing by Lexington, Kentucky to visit the newly appointed United States Poet Laureate, Ada Limón.
Finally, we’ll visit Floyd, Virginia where Roxy Todd reports about the struggle some artists are facing to make ends meet.
You can hear all these stories and more in our latest tour Inside Appalachia.
Newly Appointed U.S. Poet Laureate From The Bluegrass State
Dinosaurs and Civil War Soldiers?
“Eyes Glowing At The Edge Of The Woods”
The Sound Of Dulcimers Across The Globe
Popularized by folk musician Jean Ritchie in the 1950s, a lot of folks in the Appalachian region are already familiar with a traditional instrument called the mountain or lap dulcimer. But did you know there’s another, lesser-known dulcimer in Appalachia called the hammer dulcimer? It’s a bigger, stationary instrument that isn’t related to the lap dulcimer at all. In fact, it’s a relative of a Ukrainian instrument called the tsymbaly. When Folkways reporter Clara Haizlett learned about this unexpected relationship, she was intrigued. Clara brings us this story from Fairmont, West Virginia and Lviv, Ukraine.
Newly Appointed U.S. Poet Laureate From The Bluegrass State
Earlier this month, Kentucky writer Ada Limón was named U.S. Poet Laureate by the Librarian of Congress. Limón lives in Lexington, Kentucky, where she writes, teaches remotely, gives poetry readings and also hosts the poetry podcast, The Slowdown. Kentucky Public Radio’s Derek Operle spoke to Limón about poetry and her connection to the Bluegrass State.
Dinosaurs And Civil War Soldiers?
Pat Jarrett/Virginia Folklife Program
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A dinosaur-solider creation from Mark Cline’s roadside attraction Dinosaur World in Natural Bridge, Virginia.
Artist Mark Cline has made an entire tourist destination that’s designed to make you scream with fear and laugh out loud. He has hand-crafted dinosaurs and Civil War soldiers interacting in southwest Virginia at his roadside attraction, Dinosaur Kingdom II. Mason Adams has the story.
“Eyes Glowing At The Edge Of The Woods”
Recently, NPR published a list of 50 books for 50 states. West Virginia’s was an anthology of stories called “Eyes Glowing At The Edge of the Woods: Fiction and Poetry From West Virginia.” It brings together works about the unique sense of place 63 writers find in the Mountain State. West Virginia Public Broadcasting News Director Eric Douglas spoke with the book’s editors, Doug Van Gundy and Laura Long, about how they brought its stories together.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Chris Knight, Hot Rize, Johnny Staats, The Freight Hoppers, Marteka and William and Hazel Dickens.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Alex Runyon is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.
Where have you traveled this season? See anything especially remarkable? If there’s something you’d like to share, send us a postcard! We’re at 600 Capitol Street, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301. Our new producer, Bill Lynch, needs some to hang in his office. It still looks kind of empty in there.
On this West Virginia Morning, hundreds from close to home and around the nation attended the memorial service for slain West Virginia State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard. Randy Yohe spoke with some of those who came to honor the life and legacy of a beloved trooper who was shot and killed in the line of duty last Friday.
On this West Virginia Morning, during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2019 to 2022, the state’s overdose death rate increased by 67 percent. But it may be returning to where we were before that. Emily Rice has the story.
Larry Bellorín is a musician from Venezuela, who is seeking asylum in the U.S. He thought his musical career was in the past until he met Joe Troop, a GRAMMY-nominated musician and North Carolina native who introduced Larry to the folk music and traditions of Appalachia, which seemed quite similar to the joropo he played in Venezuela. Their duo, Larry & Joe, is the realization of a dream for both musicians. It’s also a reminder for Larry of what — and who — he had to leave behind.
On this West Virginia Morning, West Virginia and western Virginia are some of the southernmost places in the U.S. to make maple syrup, but producers are adapting to changing demands, and a changing climate. Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett has this story.