Pictures From Alleghania And Remembering Travis Stimeling, Inside Appalachia

An international photographer turns his lens toward home. 

Also, after Hurricane Helene, whitewater rafting guides are adapting to diminished business and changed rivers.

And, we remember Travis Stimeling. The author, musician and educator left a mark on mountain culture and the people who practice and document it.  

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

In This Episode:

• Photographer Michael Snyder Documents Allegheny Mountain Home
• Whitewater Rafting After Hurricane Helene
• Remembering Travis Stimeling
• Surfing The Gauley River
• Appalachian Fireflies Light Up The Night
• Scopes Trial: A Century Later
• Psychedelic Treatment For Mental Health

Photographer Michael Snyder Documents Allegheny Mountain Home

Michael Snyder is a photographer and filmmaker who grew up in the Allegheny mountains on the border of Maryland and West Virginia. His work has been featured in National Geographic, The Guardian and The Washington Post.

After living away from Appalachia for over a decade, Snyder moved back to document what changed and what stayed the same. The result is a new book. It’s called Alleghania: A Central Appalachian Folklore Anthology.

Associate Producer Abby Neff recently spoke with Snyder. 

Whitewater Rafting After Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene left a lasting mark on central Appalachia and the rivers that run through it. The Nolichucky, the French Broad and the Pigeon were home to a multi-million dollar rafting industry. Seasonal whitewater river guides help tourists have fun and keep them safe. Helene has made that job less certain.

Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR) and Grist reporter Katie Myers reports.

Remembering Travis Stimeling

West Virginia University (WVU) Professor Travis Stimeling carried the torch for bluegrass and traditional music in Appalachia. It was a shock when they died abruptly in November 2023 at the age of 43. There was an outpouring of remembrances from colleagues, former students and friends.

Some shared their stories with Folkways Reporter Zack Harold. In June of this year, Zack’s remembrance of Travis Stimeling won an award from the Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA).

Surfing The Gauley River

Last fall, WVPB’s Briana Heaney reported on how the Gauley River has become a destination for surfers — even in landlocked West Virginia. 

Appalachian Fireflies Light Up The Night

A rare Appalachian firefly lives in the forests outside Louisville, Kentucky. While the season for the blue ghost fireflies was at its peak, Kentucky Public Radio’s Sylvia Goodman visited the Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, a half hour drive south of Louisville, to learn about the rare Appalachian lightning bug.

Scopes Trial: A Century Later

One hundred years ago, John Scopes taught evolution in a Dayton, Tennessee, high school.

A few months later he was arrested, tried and convicted of breaking the law in what became known as the Scopes Monkey Trial — a flashpoint in the debate about how to teach science in schools. 

To mark the centennial, the town is holding a special celebration. WPLN’s Mary Mancini visited Dayton and brought this report.

Psychedelic Treatment For Mental Health

A West Virginia researcher is working at the cutting edge of the study of psychedelics. Corrine Hazel is a West Virginia University microbiology student. This spring, she found a fungus that was barely more than a theory. It produces effects similar to the drug LSD, and might have uses in treating depression, PTSD and addiction.

Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Hazel and her professor, Dan Panaccione, about the discovery.

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

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. We had help this week from Folkways Editor Chris Julin.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and X @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

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Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.