Daniel Johnston’s unpolished cassette recordings—raw vocals and all—captivated indie music fans in the ’80s and caught the attention of Kurt Cobain, Sonic Youth, Beck and Wilco. Now, the late “outsider artist” is headed into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. On the next Us & Them, host Trey Kay explores Johnston’s life, art, and enduring legacy.
Pepperoni Rolls, Ice Cream And The World’s Largest Teapot, Inside Appalachia
The story of the West Virginia pepperoni roll is more than its creation, but also how it spread. Zack Harold/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
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If you’re hungry for a pepperoni roll in West Virginia, you can find one at just about any gas station, but how did they get so popular?
In Pennsylvania, the lure of one particular sweet treat gives hikers on the Appalachian Trail a break on their journey and a challenge that requires a strong stomach.
We also “spill the tea” on a classic roadside attraction that’s been around for generations.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
Spilling Some Tea About The World’s Largest Tea Pot
The Riddle Of The Pepperoni Roll
Trays of pepperoni rolls, ready for the lunch rush at Horace Mann Middle School in Charleston, West Virginia.
Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Pepperoni rolls have been enshrined as part of West Virginia history through their connection to coal miners. They’re absolutely a favorite and available almost everywhere, but that wasn’t always true. How pepperoni rolls became a statewide convenience store staple might have less to do with coal mining and more to do with lunch ladies in Kanawha County.
Folkways Reporter Zack Harold takes a bite out of pepperoni roll lore.
A Half Gallon At The Halfway Point
Gardners, Pennsylvania is the halfway point on the Appalachian Trail. Though-hikers celebrate the milestone with something called the “half-gallon challenge.” Hungry (or not so hungry) hikers devour a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting.
WITF’s Rachel McDevitt takes us to the Pine Grove Furnace General Store, to meet some of the challengers.
Snorkeling In The Hills Of Appalachia
Many people love to get out into mountain rivers and streams to fish, swim or just cool off. Now, some communities in North Carolina are adding snorkeling to the list of activities.
BPR’s Lilly Knoepp has this story about a new snorkeling trail.
Spilling Some Tea About the World’s Largest Tea Pot
The World’s Largest Teapot in Chester, West Virginia.
Credit: Zander Aloi/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Out on the roads of Appalachia, you never know what you’ll see. Fireworks and fruit stands, for sure, but every once in a while you’ll pass something that makes you say, “What was that?”
Inside Appalachia Associate Producer Zander Aloi took a trip to Chester, West Virginia, to learn the story behind a souvenir stand known as the World’s Largest Teapot.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Jesse Milnes, Michael Hurley, the Kinks, Paul McCartney, Sierra Ferrel, Tyler Childers, Wizard Clipp, and David Mayfield.
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.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, News Director Eric Douglas talks with House Finance Chairman Del. Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and Minority Chair of House Finance Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, about the House budget.
Daniel Johnston’s unpolished cassette recordings—raw vocals and all—captivated indie music fans in the ’80s and caught the attention of Kurt Cobain, Sonic Youth, Beck and Wilco. Now, the late “outsider artist” is headed into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. On the next Us & Them, host Trey Kay explores Johnston’s life, art, and enduring legacy.
On this West Virginia Morning, we discuss a bill that would impact people experiencing homelessness across West Virginia, and we learn about a new inductee to the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
In this episode, Assistant News Director Maria Young talks with Margaret O’Neal, president of United Way of Central West Virginia, who is familiar with the state’s unhoused population.
