Bill O’Reilly–Appalachia is “Hopeless”

Posted in History & Culture on July 31st, 2010 by marklynn
I just stumbled upon this startling clip of Bill O’Reilly. It’s older, dating to the 2009 airing of Diane Sawyer’s award winning 20/20 story on children in Appalachia, but it is filled with provocative quips about the region: “Kids get married at 16 and 17. Their parents are drunks. I’m generalizing now. There’s a lot of meth. There’s a lot of irresponsibility…I don’t want to sound hopeless a Read More »


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Mining History on Blair Mountain

Posted in Coal, History & Culture on July 26th, 2010 by marklynn
Mining History on Blair Mountain
The security alarm has been sounding a low, pleading beep for the last twelve hours. “Meeeeeer meeeeer meeeeer.” On battery power, it called out through the night and into this morning like a lovelorn cicada that doesn’t know when to stop. The stove and microwave are down. There’s no air conditioning, and today promises to top 100 degrees. No lights. No hot water. No refrigeration. Read More »


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The Lost Art of Preacher Cookies

Posted in Food on July 18th, 2010 by Mark Lynn Ferguson
The Lost Art of Preacher Cookies
Preacher cookie, cow patty, poodgie, or no bake cookie. What do you call it? My niece and nephew had never eaten preacher cookies. They were visiting last week, and I asked if they wanted to make a batch. I got blank stares. I described the ingredients—chocolate, peanut butter, oatmeal—and added, “You know, you cook them on the stove.” My niece looked confused. My nephew curled his nose and said, “I don’t like chocolate very much.” Read More »


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OneTravel.com Guest Post

Posted in Outdoors & Travel on July 17th, 2010 by marklynn
OneTravel.com Guest Post
Remember that post about iPhone apps for National Parks? OneTravel.com’s blog picked it up as a guest post. If you click over today, you’ll find it as the latest post, alongside other interesting stories from bloggers all over the world. Also, if you’re planning a summer adventure, you might check out the regular OneTravel.com site where you can pick up cheap tickets and other travel deals. Read More »


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A Real Life Mickey Rooney Flick

Posted in Art & Lit on July 9th, 2010 by Mark Lynn Ferguson
It sounds like the storyline from a Mickey Rooney flick. A bunch of youngsters get together. They decide to turn a small town on its ear by throwing a play in a barn and end up performing under the bright lights of New York City. Except this time the story is in color…and it’s true. Beginning this weekend, the Endstation Theatre Company converts a old dairy barn at Sweet Briar College into the stage for “Hamlet.” Artisti Read More »


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Fourth of July with Flare

Posted in History & Culture, Outdoors & Travel on July 3rd, 2010 by marklynn
Fourth of July with Flare
Cherokee powwow dancer Fireworks are a given, but if you’re looking for a little Appalachian flare on July 4, check out these unusual options: Read More »


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