This week on Inside Appalachia, since 1967, Foxfire has been a storehouse of traditional Appalachian knowledge that still helps people today. It continues to preserve music and history, but part of Foxfire’s heritage has been recording the stories of Appalachian women. This week, we explore Foxfire — its past, present and future.
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Telling West Virginia's Story with Positive Energy
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Every month, we recognize an employee or volunteer who goes out of their way to help “tell West Virginia’s story.”
This month, our Storyteller Award goes to an employee whose positive attitude and endless energy makes him a joy to work with: Jeff Sandner.
You might know Sandner as our “All Things Considered” host on West Virginia Public Radio. It’s a tough job for one person – newscasts, spots, underwriters, etc. Jeff does it with excellence and with a smile on his face every day.
Recently, a last-minute programming issue came up, and no one was available to fill in for Morning Edition the next day.
Sandner insisted on doing the show himself, even though he had worked the night before, and it meant getting to the station in the wee, wee hours of the morning.
His boss, Radio Director Kristi George, wrote this about him:
“Jeff works tirelessly, sometimes longer than he should, attending to the details of his work. He not only does an excellent job on the air, he is also behind the scenes crafting promos, lining up programs, and assisting the Operations Director with whatever needs to be done.
“If that weren’t enough, he stands at the ready to pinch hit for others when they are out, planned or last-minute.
“Jeff is always ready to lend a helping hand, whether asked to do so, or of his own initiative. He does so with a positive attitude & endless energy. He is the consummate team player.
“Frankly, it is a ‘blessing’ to have Jeff on our team. I can’t imagine doing what we do without him. For Jeff, we are truly grateful!”
Sandner will receive a $50 gift certificate from the retailer of his choice. To nominate someone for the next Storyteller Award, e-mail Belinda McCallister – bmccallister@wvpublic.org. Please be specific in your nomination.
If you’ve listened to Inside Appalachia, there’s a good chance you’ve heard LaPrelle’s music before, as one half of Anna & Elizabeth. That would be LaPrelle, who grew up in Rural Retreat, Virginia, and Anna Roberts Gevalt, who is now based in Brooklyn. Inside Appalachia co-host Mason Adams spoke with LaPrelle to learn more, beginning with LaPrelle’s roots as a ballad singer who took up the tradition of regional legends like Texas Gladden.
Cynthia Rylant has written more than 100 books, ranging from picture books and easy readers to chapter books and novels. Some of Rylant's books, including her 1982 debut, "When I Was Young in the Mountains," were based on her life growing up in Southern West Virginia.
It has been a while since I have named a “Storyteller Award" winner for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. To make up for it, I am naming five – that’s…