This week on Inside Appalachia, The chef of an award-winning Asheville restaurant says he was shaped by memories of growing up in West Virginia. The Seeing Hand Association brings together people who are visually impaired to learn the craft of chair caning. And a West Virginia community grapples with its population of feral cats.
Listen: A West Virginia Superintendent Sings to Announce Closings, Delays
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Winter weather has shut down government offices, shopping malls and, of course, public schools. School was in session for President’s Day in some schools systems in order to make up for snow days.
There’s no doubt that children look forward to the automated calls from school administrators canceling or delaying school days. But some working parents dread those calls since another snow day means another day to find child care or even miss work.
Fayette County Superintendent Keith Butcher is hoping to ease the tension by adding a melody to the message.
"This is the phone call kids love to hear, So gather around let me be clear. Ice and snow has come our way, And so I announce this two-hour delay. Please don't cry and please don't complain, You'll get a chance to wake up your brain. Two more hours of sleep and then it's back to the school again."
On Friday of last week, Butcher announced schools in Fayette County would be closed. Central office staff didn’t have to report to work but, custodians, maintenance, and transportation staff were called into work. At least he broke the news to everyone with an adaptation of “Let It Snow.”
0214FayetteCoClosing.mp3
Fayette County Superintendent of Schools Keith Butcher announces a Code B Closing on Friday, February 14 through an automated voice message.
"Oh, the snow outside is still falling. That's the reason that I'm calling. Since traveling is not cool, There's no school, there's no school, there's no school."
In the spring, morel hunters in Virginia take to the woods in search of mushrooms that look like little Christmas trees. Some people freeze them for later. Folkways Reporter Wendy Welch asked foragers and chefs for lessons on harvesting and preparing this beloved fungi.
Winter weather is on the way, with snow expected across the state from Thursday afternoon to Sunday morning. Snow is predicted to fall on areas from Mercer to Taylor County.
Joe Curtis from the Nation...
After a week’s delay, the West Virginia high school football playoffs will begin this weekend. The games begin Friday afternoon. The championship games in all four classes will be played in Charleston at Laidley Field Dec. 13 and 14.
A new type of pet adoption agency allows cats to live in a cage-free environment and interact with visitors and prospective adopters openly. Cat cafes have popped up in Morgan and Marion counties, with another on the way in Charleston.