Mission Hospital And Revitalizing The Cherokee Language, Inside Appalachia

A hospital in Western North Carolina was bought out. Residents say the quality of care has gone down.  

Also, an immersion school in North Carolina is trying to revitalize the Cherokee language with the help of a printmaking class.

And, a pair of artists follow cicada hatchings to make art from their shells.   

You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• Asheville, N.C.’s Mission Hospital In Controversy
• Immersion Academy Preserves Cherokee Language
• Ski Resort Becomes Education Center For Elementary Schoolers
• Turning Cicadas Into Art
• What To Do “If Lost”
  

Asheville, N.C.’s Mission Hospital In Controversy

People in rural areas across the U.S. are struggling to access health care. Hospitals are closing at alarming rates. Some that stay open offer reduced services. Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina serves both the city and the surrounding counties. In recent years, it’s come under scrutiny and has been investigated by the federal government. Andrew Jones has been covering Mission Hospital for the Asheville Watchdog.

Jones spoke with Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams.

Immersion Academy Preserves Cherokee Language

In Western North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is working to preserve their language. To help revitalize their dialect, community leaders opened the New Kituwah Academy in 2005. It’s a language immersion school for elementary students. The school partnered with a printmaking instructor at Western Carolina University to create materials to help students learn.

For the Rural Remix podcast from the Center for Rural Strategies, Reporter Anya Petrone Slepyan has this story. 

Ski Resort Becomes Education Center For Elementary Schoolers

West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort is one of Appalachia’s premier destinations for winter sports. But while tourists flock to the resort each year, it’s had problems attracting locals. Until a local woman came up with an idea for how to change that. 

WVPB’s Maria Young has more.

Turning Cicadas Into Art

Across Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, Brood XIV cicadas have emerged and covered the region in their loud drone. Although some folks are annoyed by cicadas, others find profound meaning.

Louisville Public Media’s Justin Hicks has more.

What To Do “If Lost”

When North Carolina resident Clint Bowman couldn’t find the writing group he needed, he formed the Dark City Poets Society in Black Mountain. Bowman has used the group to develop his poetry, some of which explores people and their connection to nature.

Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Bowman last fall about his collection, If Lost.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Hello June, John Inghram, John Blissard, Paul Loomis and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff 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.

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Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.