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| Cover photo by Bill Wilson |
by Josephine Ayers, Editor-in-Chief
If I say “It’s ssoooooooooo HOT” one more time, I should be struck down by lightening, which, if followed by rain, probably would be welcome! We have had a stressful summer here in the Appalachian foothills – it seems the dog days started back in May.
Along with the weather we’ve had the constant worry about our coastal region – what will happen to the Gulf waters, to the crab shacks, to the shrimpers – on and on. It does seem now that the BP’s oil leak is stopped, clean-up is proceeding quickly, and most beaches are in their pristine white sand glory. We can only hope that the Fall holds the promise of many a delayed vacation on those beaches, helping to revive the coastal economy.
If you’ve been lucky enough to travel a bit north to the heart of the Appalachians this summer, as I have, you’ve been treated to warm, dry days and cool breezes in the evening. There’s been time to think about our part of the country, the people and their customs, a distinct history that awakens both curiosity and pride. In this issue are some fascinating stories of the genesis of the unique culture we have inherited – from music to snake-handling, from the hard-scrabble life of the “hillbilly” to the sly activities of profiteering bootleggers.
What if we didn’t have these stories to tell? We’d be a boring lot indeed! No moonshiners, no Dolly Parton, no endlessly beautiful and challenging terrain – the stuff of music and campfire lore all rolled into one huge, sometimes unruly, bundle called Appalachia.
So while you plan your Gulf coast vacation, enjoy your heritage set down in these pages – and don’t forget to write us with your comments!
FEATURES:
Appalachia on the Move
By Dudley Cocke
Multi-tasking to preserve the culture of the Appalachian mountains, Appalshop is forming cross-cultural ties to demonstrate common threads among the arts of widely different traditions.
Cumberland Gap
By Brett Buckner
The Gap was the major avenue for westward expansion, though the journey was hazardous and many pioneer lives were lost. Today, traversing the Gap is a challenging adventure for both hikers and history buffs.
TVA: Rise of a Third World Region
By H. Brandt Ayers
A huge public works project which transformed Appalachia sparks the memory of a story illustrating the vast cultural divide between Yankees and Southerners!
Hiking The Appalachian Trail
By Deirdre Long
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – and Annistonian Ed Benton took that step and thousands more.
What’s this about snakes?
By Loyd McIntosh
McIntosh takes a look at this arcane practice brought to light by Birmingham native Dennis Covington in his book Salvation on Sand Mountain.
Mountain Angel
By Lisa Berryhill
Here’s an intimate portrait of Appalachia’s most beloved artist, Dolly Parton.
CULTURE
Defining the Hillbilly
By Anthony Harkins
Understanding “Hillbillies” takes knowing a lot of history about the origin of the designation. It turns out most of us spring from the same tree – it’s just our economic status and geography that separates us.
CUISINE & SPIRITS
Bootlegging
By Pat Kettles
In an unaccustomed venture into the underworld, Pat Kettles explores the shady business of 20th century bootlegging. Recipe included.
MUSIC
Mountain Music
By Mike Stedham
Its roots are both complex and diverse, but the resulting music of the hills has a pure simplicity that is broadly appealing.
Bluegrass Music
By Lisa Berryhill
Some of the most famous practitioners of bluegrass are highlighted here, including Foggy Hollow, demonstrating that Appalachian music has given birth to a truly American genre.
ART
Ken Elkins: Eye on Appalachia
By Karen Elkins
A collection of Elkins’ favorite photographs covers the nearly four decades he traveled the region as chief photographer of The Anniston Star.
LONGLEAF LIBRARY
Foxfire Books
By Jennifer Kornegay
If you remember the 60s, you will remember the Foxfire books, folksy instruction manuals for how to live as a hippy!
Beside the Waters
By Renea Winchester
Continuing the Longleaf tradition of publishing new fiction, this charming story will touch your memory and your heart!
