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Morel mushrooms are a forager’s delight, but don’t shortcut cleaning them.
As flood relief continues from Hurricane Helene — a musician raises money with a song inspired by West Virginia’s 2016 floods.
And, not every pumpkin gets to be a jack-o-lantern. Some are used in science experiments instead.
In This Episode:
Every spring, morel hunters head to the woods in search of mushrooms that look like little wrinkled Christmas trees. Some folks freeze them for later. And even add them to their holiday menus.
Folkways reporter Wendy Welch spoke with foragers and chefs in Virginia about how to safely harvest and prepare these beloved fungi.
In 2016, torrential rains resulted in one of the deadliest floods in West Virginia. It inspired songwriter Chris Haddox, called “O, This River.”
Since Hurricane Helene, Haddox has been using that song to raise money for people in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.
Folkways reporter Connie Bailey Kitts spoke with him about the story behind the song.
Mason: Just because Halloween is over, doesn’t mean pumpkin season is done. At West Virginia University, the big orange gourds are part of an annual challenge that takes a lot of guts –pumpkin guts.
WVPB’s Chris Schulz had more.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Christian Lopez, The Appalachian Road Show, Tim Bing, Caleb Caudle, Chris Haddox and John Inghram.
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. We had help this week from folkways editor Nicole Musgrave.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
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Social Security began 91 years ago when President Franklin Roosevelt signed it into law. Since then, it has provided a social safety net to Americans, allowing many of them to retire with dignity, according to John Hishta, senior vice president of campaigns with AARP. But many experts say that without some action, social security benefits will have to be reduced by 20% in 2032. News Director Eric Douglas sat down with Hishta to understand the situation.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsIt’s thunderstorm season, but not all of them are the same. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Bill Burton and meteorologist Tawana Andrew break down what we know – and what we don't – about the climate and weather in the region. This week, they examine different types of thunderstorms.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsFor the third installment in our series on data centers, we look at how data centers proposals are provoking outrage from local opponents. For the Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom, Kentucky Public Radio’s Joe Sonka reports that such fights are increasingly common — and bipartisan.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsOn this West Virginia Week, changes are coming to FEMA, few details on school clothing voucher accusations, and the state has a new guide for data centers.
Continue Reading Take Me to More News
