The Mountain Spirit - Fall 2011

T he M ountain Spirit Voi. xxx No. 3 Fall 2011

A Christian Appalachian (Project P u b lic a tio n

^

—Ù

Ltd?'

A

Ln nJh rJf/rn

1

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF APPALACHIA

Sow ing Seeds for th e Future

Amazing Appalachian

Discover it.

S u b s c rib e t o d a y a t w w w . m o u n t a in s p m t m a g a z in e .

m fc

"He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."

PI IOTOGR.API IED BY KALE LL1EKEN

DANIEL 2:21 (N1V)

editor’s note I I is my favorite I I time of year.

My lungs are heightened to the crispness in the air, while my eyes are full of the magnificent parade of colors dancing in the trees.

I love the warm comfort of a wool sweater, and the coziness of curling up with a good book and a cup of tea. While relishing in the beauty of the season, it is easier for me to slow down and enjoy the moment. Not to say that fall isn’t a terribly busy time of year. With the start of the school year, football season, and the impending holidays, fall also brings many obligations and occasions to celebrate with family and friends - which is why I always cook more in the fall; trying new soups, casseroles, pies and cake recipes are a must.

This issue of The Mountain Spirit is full of all of the things we love about fall. We hope you will find the work that C A P is doing with education both inspiring and motivating - it is to us. And of course we have provided you with many different Appalachian stories and viewpoints, crafts and traditions.

For that is the essence of this, The Mountain Spirit.

Candace D. Sword

The M ountain Spirit

contents

Editor-in-Chief Candace D. Sword

ONTHE COVER

Artistic Director Linda East & DanielleTannenbaum

16 EDUCATION

Copy-Editor Alyssa Richter

Educational Partners A rticle Tw o very d iffe re n t interns vo lu n te e re d th e ir tim e in an

TO CONTACT US

e ffo rt to see CAP'S e co n o m ic

By phone: (859)269-0635

d e v e lo p m e n t program ,

Toll-free: (866) 270-4227

A ppalachian H om e Catalog,

By email: editor@mountainspiritmagazine.com

succeed. Read th e ir stories and

Website: www.mountainspiritmagazine.com Mail: Christian Appalachian Project P.O.Box 55911 Lexington, KY 40555

discover h o w th e ir tim e was spent.

3 HOMELESS SHARE HOPE

SUBSCRIPTIONS The Mountain Spirit is published four times a year.The volunteer subscription price is $20.00.

Subscription requests and other correspondence should be sent to: The Mountain Spirit Christian Appalachian Project

Volunteers m ade th e ir w a y to Joplin, M issouri afte r th e devastating torn adoe s this spring. Learn m ore a b o u t th e ir interesting story and

P.O. Box 55911 Lexington, KY 40555

h o w th e y w ere n o t yo u r

OUR MISSION STATEMENT The Christian Appalachian Project is an interdenominational, non-profit Christian organization committed to serving people in need in Appalachia by providing physical, spiritual and emotional support through a wide variety of programs and services.

average disaster relief team .

8 DAVID AN D GOLIATH Find o u t h o w o ne m an is try in g to tran sform school

GUIDING PRINCIPLES I. To promote the dignity and self-worth of individuals by promoting self-help.

II. To practice and encourage good stewardship of and accountability for all of the resources entrusted to us.

III. To foster individual growth among staff, volunteers, donors and program participants.

IV. To live out and promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ through all of our actions.

V. To foster open, honest and effective communication both inside and outside the organization.

VI. To involve the Appalachian people at all social and economic levels in developing solutions to poverty.

systems in to b u lly free enviro nm ents. His m e th o d s are backed by num be rs and are b e co m in g m ore and m ore popular.

13 PACKING CONFIDENCE The rises in e d u cation costs are a ffe ctin g everyone in th e country. Find o u t w h a t CAP is d o in g to help school children

Copyright, 2011, the Christian

and th e ir fam ilies in th e

Appalachian Project, Inc. All rights

A ppalachian region this year.

reserved.T he Christian Appalachian Project is a non-profit Christian service organization operating th ro ugho ut Appalachia. The Christian Appalachian Project is recognized by the Internal R evenue Service as a 501 (c)(3) charitable

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible®. Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968, 1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995, by the Lockman Foundation Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

organization and is qualified to receive tax d ed u ctib le contributions.

COVER PHOTO: Education

DEPARTMENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

3 S P E C IA L R E P O R T

IFC E D IT O R ’S L E T T E R

29 A P P A L A C H IA N C U L T U R E

12 B A C K P O R C H P O E T R Y

6 A S E R V A N T ’S H E A R T

23 A P P A L A C H IA N R E C IP E S

8 GOOD STEW ARDS 10 E X P L O R IN G A P P A L A C H IA

As a supporter of the Christian Appalachian Project, you are a part of the CAP family, and without you, our mission in Appalachia would not be possible. We value your input and would love to hear from you! As we continually work to improve the magazine, we would like for you to share your comments with us to be published in an upcoming issue of The Mountain Spirit. Please feel free to share your thoughts, poetry, photos, recipes and prayer requests.

Financial and other information about Christian Appalachian Project, Inc. can be obtained by contacting us at 6550 South KY Rt. 321, P.O. Box 459, Hagerhill, KY 41222, or for residents of the following states, as stated below. Colorado: Secretary of State (303) 894-2680, http://www.sos.state.co.us/ re: Reg. No. 20023006807. Florida: SC No. 0009 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP-FLA. Maryland: For the cost of postage and copying, Secretary of State. Michigan: MICS No. 993 Mississippi: The official registration and financial Information of Christian Appalachian Project, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236-6167. New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp.htm#charlty. New York: Upon request, Attorney General Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of Its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of Christian Appalachian Project, Inc may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Virginia: State Office of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. REGISTRATION IN A STATE DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION OF CHRISTIAN APPALACHIAN PROJECT, INC. BY THE STATE. From time to time CAP rents or exchanges Its list of supporters with other trusted organizations to benefit CAP’S programs and activities. If you do not wish to participate In CAP’S list rental or exchange activities, or If you wish to modify the frequency of future communications from CAP, please write to us or give us a call at1-866-270-4227.

2

The M ountain Spirit Fall 2011

included a week at Christian Appalachian Project

"They came to me and said,'we're not doing anything but sitting around. W e want to go to

camps: Camp Andrew Jackson and before that,

Joplin and help!"said Ginny Ramsey, co-director

CAP'S first camp, Cliffview Lodge.

of the Catholic Action Center (CAC) in Lexington,

As word spread through Lexington that the trip

Kentucky.

Ginny was speaking of the guests of the Com munity Inn, a facility of CAC that provides overnight shelter to people w ho have no home.

One of the amenities of the shelter, where people can stay from 7:00 in the evening to 8:00 in the morning, is a donated television which for days

was being planned, guests of the Community Inn stepped up and asked to go along.

Everyone w ho volunteered, and there were many, was carefully screened to make sure each would be able to handle stressful and emotionally charged situations.

Finally, it was decided that a group of 12 would be manageable; they were dubbed "The Twelve

was tuned into news programs documenting the devastation of the F5 tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri, on May 22. The experience of homelessness enabled the folks staying at the Com munity Inn to relate to the helplessness they were observing and they felt called to respond.

One of the volunteers, Ellis Boatley, who celebrated his 51st birthday in June, reconnected with CAP as a result of the trip to Joplin. W hen he was a child, Ellis moved from Lancaster, Kentucky, the location of many CAP programs at that time, to Lexington, 35 miles to the north, but returned to Lancaster during summer vacation to spend time with family. Part of every summer for Ellis

Apostles."

In addition to the eight homeless and formerly homeless people, the group included Catholic Action Center volunteers Thomas Caudill and Kelly Duffy, w ho is also a student pursuing a Masters in Social Work, and her younger sister, Mary, a University of Kentucky journalism student. The group was completed by driver Bill Bartley and Sherry Buresh, Manager of CAP'S Disaster Relief services.

"I hadn't planned to go at first,"said Kelly, who spent Memorial Day weekend working on the many preparations needed for the trip:

To learn more, call 1.866.270.4227 or visit: w w w .christianapp.org

3

making phone calls, securing transportation, and arranging for physicals, including tetanus shots, for the group.

Sherry has coordinated CAP relief efforts since 2003."In disaster relief, we collaborate with every

"To tell the truth, I was a little bit jealous of the

other part of CAP," said Sherry. Disaster workers are

people who were going. W hat an experience they

drawn from the ranks of CAP long-term volunteers

were going to have!" Kelly said. W hen offered,

and employees as well as volunteers w ho are

Kelly jum ped at the opportunity and invited her

on call specifically for disaster relief. People who

younger sister, Mary, to come along.

are able to leave their day-to-day jobs— and

With only a few days to prepare, the Catholic

their families— are dispatched to areas in need

Action Center invited the Lexington com m unity to

of assistance as a result of flooding, tornadoes,

join their efforts. Via announcements at weekend

hurricanes or ice storms. These years of experience have given Sherry a national reputation for her

church services, radio, newspaper, and television (the local CBS affiliate co-sponsored the trip), an

expertise and compassion. She is the president of

appeal went out asking for specialized donations, items that CAP told Ginny would be necessary for

the Kentucky chapter of the National Voluntary

both efficiency and safety of the workers. Ginny

a two-year term on the national board in January.

received permission to use the parking lot of a large departm ent store in east Lexington where CAP parked its 18-wheel Operation Sharing

Ginny knew Sherry was well-suited to train the CAC volunteers for their trip to Joplin. Before working with disaster relief, Sherry worked with people who were homeless but had found shelter

truck. Over the course of Memorial Day weekend, the people of Lexington filled three-quarters of the truck with work gloves, flashlights, paper products, underwear, and bottled water.

CAP has provided disaster relief since 2003, when the organization responded to flash flooding in Kentucky with supplies that were

Organizations Active in Disaster and will complete

at CAP'S Family Life Services, so was sensitive to the special problems of that group.

Ginny developed requirements for those who wanted to make the trip. Each had to work 12 hours staffing the donation truck over Memorial Day weekend. Attendance was mandatory

available through Operation Sharing, CAP'S in-

at meetings that were held every night to

kind donation distribution program. Since that time, CAP has organized and mobilized responses

disseminate information and to build comm unity in the group. Each signed a contract in which they

to disasters small and large, in and out of the

agreed to a standard of behavior and stipulated that they would return to Lexington with the

Appalachian region, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Just days before helping the Catholic Action Center volunteers with its trip to Joplin, CAP volunteers had returned from disaster relief in

The to w n o f Jo p lin , MO.

The M ountain Spirit Fall 2011

group at the end of the ten-day mission.

Two members of the group, Bill Day and Helen Douglass, had worked in disaster relief during

The group just before leaving for Missouri.

(continued on page 33) 4

Alabama.

r'j? '

His/Her Information:

eve* .

HAS'

Name (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss)_____________________

■ f

Ï

Address_______________________________________

FAITH BUILDING:

f e

r

S d e n te

iS ä S S S S S

MUST HAVE

O b« - '

City

Zip

State

E-mail: Mail this form to: Christian Appalachian Project, P.O. Box 55911, Lexington, KY 40555 and The Mountain Spirit will be sent to a friend. ~OR~ Call: 1-866-270-4CAP (4227)

Fall Cleaning?

Drop off/Mail to: Christian Appalachian Project 2610 Palumbo Dr. Lexington, KY 40509

Donate Your Items We would like to ask you to send us items to sell on our online store. The money collected from the sales help to fund our missions, which include our outreach efforts to families that need the basic necessities of food and shelter, our housing department that provides valuable rehab work for families and our elderly, and most of all necessities for our children.

Our online store is operating through the nonprofit division of eBay, which is called "Mission Fish". This effort has not only brought in funding, it has also introduced CAP to thousands of people who were unaware of our work in Appalachia.

If during your fall cleaning, you have jewelry, furniture, kitchen and housewares, knicknacks and especially antique items, we ask that you consider donating them to us.

If you enjoy shopping or would like to list the items yourself, please visit www.missionfish.org. Look for the Christian Appalachian Project and you will find us.

You can help make a difference.

i

É >j

a servant's heart

C hris Griffith Story o f Service.

W R ITTEN BY CASEY HINCHCLIFFE

Social work is often thought to be a confusing entanglement of insurance companies and misdiagnoses with which mental health professionals deal to obtain a certain amount of billable hours. CAP’s social work program in Hagerhill, Kentucky has broken through these misconceptions and established a place where people in the community can come and bypass everything that does not directly improve their specific condition. That means no insurance companies and no expensive hourly rates.

Because of CAP’s donors, counselors are able to treat patients at a fraction of the traditional cost. It is the purest form of social work in the community and is making great strides in addressing many mental health needs.

Chris Griffith has been working as a counselor in Hagerhill for over 15 years and has seen the program grow and flourish during his time there. While a student at Eastern Kentucky University, Chris attended a presentation about CAP’s counseling program and was immediately sold. When talking with Chris he told me, A typical counseling session.

“The reason I’m at CAP is because of the presentation.”

The counseling program excited him and he wanted to help. In rural Appalachia, there is a disparity between how many counselors are available and how many people are seeking or need treatments. Chris and his team of three other counselors are doing their best to close this gap and uncover many deep rooted issues that surface later in patient’s lives.

Family issues dominate the work load that Chris and his fellow counselors tackle each day. Issues that took place many years ago usually resurface in other parts of a patient’s life, and it is the counselors’ job to peel back the layers and address the root of the problem. The families he sees on a daily basis have a history of abuse that follows them for their whole life. His goal is to break that cycle of abuse. Many issues stem from negative childhood experiences and later come back in a patient's adult life. If Chris and his team are successful in finding the problem, they can stop the legacy of abuse in families and begin to heal those that are either broken or strained.

The engine that keeps all of this running is the CAP donor base that has been so supportive of the program and its goals over the past years.

“Because of CAP’s donors we are able to see people without any means with a professionally trained mental health professional for a dollar or two,” Chris explained. He made it very clear that the program was not free for patients seeking treatment. Each patient can work with their counselor to decide a feasible payment that suits them best. Chris finds that if the patient is in some way financially committed to their treatment plan, they will experience more success and feel much more invested in their own future.

In the years to come, Chris and his team will continue to do everything in their power to treat patients and strengthen an already impoverished community. With the support of CAP and its donor base, the tools to take on these issues are in place and it will be exciting to see how much they will be able to change in the future.

Chris in his office at CAP.

6

The M ountain Spirit Fall 2011

C haritable Gift Annuity program

Advantages of a Charitable Gift An n u it y w ith CAP

W ould you consider making a gift to the Christian Appalachian Project and receiving life income?

This is possible when you fu n d a CAP charitable g ift annuity ; A charitable g ift annuity is an agreement between you and CAP, In exchange fo r cash o r o th e r assets [stocks; bonds, m utual funds, etc.) o f $2,500 o r more, CAP guarantees to make fixed payments fo r the rest o f y o u r life. Follow ing y o u r life, the assets rem aining are used to fun d the w ork o f CAP.

•

Fixed payments for life.

•

A charitable income tax deduction the year the charitable gift annuity is funded.

•

A portion of each life­ time payment considered a tax-free return of principal.

•

A n opportunity to make a significant commitment to the Christian Appalachian Project and enable us to help those less fortunate throughout Appalachia for years to come.

Please use the following information to calculate my charitable gift annuity: Name [M r., Mrs., Ms., Miss]_________________________________________________ A ddress_______________________________________________________________ _ City________________________________________State_______ Zip___________________ Telephone [______]_______________________Birthdate:________ /______ /_________ Am ount of G ift Considered $________________________________ Frequency of Payment Desired: LIAnnual

U2 times/year [$2,500 min]

□ 4 times/year [$5,000 min] □ M onthly [$10,000 min] i

i

difes, I am interested in a Two-life Charitable G ift Annuity illustration.

Name of Second Beneficiary_________________________________ Birthdate_______ /______ /__________

PLEASE COMPLETE & RETURN FORM TO: Christian Appalachian Project Planned Giving Department P.O. Box 55911 Lexington, K Y 40555 or Call: 1-866-270-4CAP [4227] info@chrisapp.org

(A l l

in f o r m a t io n is

p r o v id e d

c o n f id e n t ia l )

The Endowment Tree Growing the Future o f CAP. W R ITTEN BY ALYSSA R IC H TER

In 1997, CAP introduced a new project called the Endowment Tree. This tree was meant to be a legacy to honor those who have been faithfully supporting CAP’s future through the endowment.

It is essential, in the opinion of those involved with growing CAP’s mission, that these donors receive lasting recognition, at the very least, for their generosity.

8

The M ountain Spirit Fall 2011

The goal of the endowment fund is to ensure the future o f CAP’s good work. These restricted gifts are primarily concerned with the longevity of CAP and have been key in maintaining the work of CAP. This large tree is covered in leaves engraved with the names of donors, as well as rocks below the tree with the names of the major donors involved in the initiative.

Father Ralph Beiting, founder of CAP, began this initiative with the future of CAP in mind. He said in an article in the M ay-June 1997 issue of The Mountain Spirit, “By means of the endowment, we are asking friends to make an extra gift, one that will guarantee that the work of CAP will continue when you are no longer able to give.”

Mary Lou and Douglas Lamb of Cleveland, Ohio, are two notable CAP donors who answered Father Beiting’s call for the endowment of CAP. On July 19, CAP had the opportunity to visit with Mary Lou. She and her late husband, Douglas, have been faithful stewards to CAP since 1989. The giving tree houses the names of 27 of the Lamb family.

transport seniors to medical appointments. Since then, they have provided black top for a playground at one o f CAP'S camps, a second vehicle for transporting seniors, funded a golf tournament in which they also participated, and helped rebuild the homes of needy families in the home repair program with CAP. They have had the joy o f truly connecting with the families with whom they worked. At a golf tournament, made possible through the Lamb’s generosity, they were able to meet the kids who received scholarship money as well.

Mary Lou was proud to be able to share the joy o f giving with her family. She and her husband have

... the personal approach to donor

relationships that CAP utilizes [made Mary Lou] want to continue to give.

“I tell the kids it’s like our family tree,” Mary Lou said, laughing.

The Lamb family’s commitment to CAP began in Oglebay State Park in West Virginia. Mary Lou said that her family purchased the Christmas wreaths from CAP and began to receive information and books from Father Beiting, which sparked an interest in CA P’s programs. However, philanthropy was no stranger to the Lamb family who has always supported many charities.

“Helping others has been my whole life,” said Mary Lou. “I spent 35 years working with children with Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities (MRDD).”

That passion for children with special needs has instilled a commitment of continuing to serve financially in that area. However, what sets apart the Lamb family is their commitment to serve with their time as well as their money. Mary Lou and her husband were active in visiting the children and families whose lives their generosity has improved.

One of the first major gifts the Lamb family donated to CAP was a vehicle with which to

always tried to instill in their children a sense of responsibility to give to the less fortunate.

“Unless you expose younger kids to philanthropy, they just don’t get it,” she said.

Both she and her husband have supported many charities, but she feels that it is the personal approach to donor relationships that CAP utilizes that made her want to continue to give. CAP would send a list o f the greatest needs o f the programs and she would be able to choose what she felt was important to her to fund. She also said that her personal contact with participants o f the program have also made an impact on her.

CAP is so incredibfyiblessed to have been able to work with the Lambs for so many years. It is through their generosity ap^O m m itm ent to not just the endowment tree, but a 1st) the many programs through the years, that CAP has been able to continue with its missioi

(From left to right) Planned and M ajorG ifts Officer, Jo h n n y Thom pson, and M ary Lou Lam b In front of the En d o w m en t Tree.

M a ry Lou and Douglas B. Lamb, Sr. plaque to the right.

To learn more, call 1.866.270.4227 or visit: w w w .christianapp.org

9

W RITTEN B\ CASEY HINCHCEIFFE

In our modem society, we are often awakened by noisy alarm clocks and traffic jam s that line busy streets. Buildings fill our skyline and the air isn’t as fresh as we rem em ber as children. It is easy to get caught up in day to day life and forget the beauty o f nature, the places that have remained unchanged for so many years. M any places located throughout the Appalachian region offer us a chance to take a deep breath and soak up the beauty o f nature. There are towering rock formations, sweeping waterfalls, and even low laying valleys that are closer to us than we realize. Below are a few places in the Appalachian region that can truly take your breath away. I encourage you i l l to go out and take a j, look for yourself.

Valley Falls, West Virginia

NATURAL BRIDGE LURAY CAVERNS Luray,VA Discover eastern America's larg­ est and m ost popular caverns, a US Natural Landm ark. From well-lighted, paved w alkw ays explore cathed ral­ sized rooms w ith ceilings 10 stories high, filled w ith tow ering stone col­ um ns and crystal-clear pools.

Natural Bridge State Park, KY

Blueridge Parkway, NC

Located in the Red River Gorge in eastern Kentucky the natural bridge is a beautiful rock form ation resem bling a bridge. A 20 m inute hike will bring you to the top or a sky lift is available to ride to the top. W h e th e r you hike or ride, the natural bridge is a must see!

Along the Blueridge Parkw ay in North Carolina, motorists can stop at m ilepost 464 and take in the v ie w of the Thom as Divide O verlook. W il­ liam Holland Thomas, for w hich the overlook is nam ed, w as a confederate soldier w h o used guerilla w arfare to stop union troops from invading the region. He used this area as one of his lookouts to spot e n em y troops.

VALLEY FALLS Valley Falls, WV M ife per.com

TH O M AS DIVIDE OVERLOOK

This state park features foam ing falls w hich w ere created by th e dark, rush­ ing w aters o f the Tygart Valley River.

The prevalent rock form ation known as Connoquenessing Sandstone, forms the cap o f the falls over w hich the river plunges and swirls and a p ­ pears both as ledges and huge room size boulders for over a mile do w n the narrow canyon floor.

i!

h

H O RSESH O E CURVE

C LIN G M A N S D O M E

Reedy River Fails, SC

Horseshoe Curve, PA

Smoky M oun­

W aterfalls and rivers in Appalachia are as com m on as the hills that m ake up its distinct layout. O ne o f the most beautiful of these is the Reedy River that flows through Greenville, South Carolina. The city built a m ajestic suspension bridge over th e falls w ith lights that shine at _ NAS night to m ake these

Called an "engineering marvel," Horse­ shoe Curve w as com pleted in 1854 as a part o f the Pennsylvania Railroad's main line to the west. Instead of cutting through the steep A lleghany m ountains the co m p an y decided to m ake a horseshoe shape that w ould follow the natural curves of the m o u n ­ tains. R evolutionary at the tim e, this feat w as know n as "The G a te w a y to the West."

Brice's Cross Roads, Mb

y come a|jve>

BRICE'S CROSS ROADS

tains, TN The second highest peak east of the Mississippi, Clingm ans D om e is ac­ cessible by car and a half mile hike.The view s from the top are spectacular expanding over 100

Horseshoe Curve, Pennsylvania

miles and into 7 different states.

Brice's Cross Roads, MS The N ational Park Service erected and m aintains m onum ents and interpretive panels on a small f 1-acre plot at the crossroads. The Brice's Crossroads M useum is in Baldw yn, Mississippi, just over a mile from th e battlefield. Brice's Crossroads is considered one o f the m ost beautifully preserved battlefields of the Civil War.

OLD M AN'S CAVE Hocking Hills State Park, OH Located w ithin this state park off state route 374 is w h a t is known as th e "R o c k House". A fourth of a m ile hike leads you into an opening in — a cliff face w ith gothic-like w indow s. Rock House w as even said to be a hide-out for bandits and thieves in the 1800's.

A LLEG H EN Y RIVER CANE CREEK CANYON Tuscumbia, AL This A labam a park features 60-foot waterfalls, w etlands, sparkling streams rushing through boulder-strewn notches, sunny glades, sheer canyon w alls and tow ering cliffs overlooking seas o f hardw ood forests. The canyon itself is steep and deep, in som e places as m uch as 350 feet from the rim to the clear blue-green w aters o f Cane Creek.

STONE MOUNTAIN Stone Mountain, GA This enorm ous rock has three C onfed­ erate leaders carved into its massive granite face. C om parab le to M oun t Rushm ore in South Dakota, C on­ federate President Jefferson Davis, Generals Robert E. Lee and Thom as J. "S to n e w a lT Ja c k s o n are etched into the

VALLEY TRAIL Allegheny RiverValleyTrail, NY The trail runs along th e A llegheny River by St. Bon aventure University and G argoyle Park. It then loops back along C onstitution Ave. Com e out and enjoy a walk, bike, roller blade or cross-country ski along the beautiful A lleg h en y River.

A'legheny River Valley Trail, NY

ANTIETAM BATTLEFIELD Sharpsburg, MD Rich in both history and scenery, M aryland is hom e to the bloodiest one day battle in Am erican history. Soldiers from the C onfederate and Union arm ies m et at A ntietam in 1862. The open fields and rolling hills of w estern M aryland are alive w ith history that shaped our nation.

I

■ ■

Cane Creek Canyon, AL m oun­ tain o ver­ looking Atlanta.

All photos compliments off1ickr.com

; y

r O E iiÉ L Y SOULFUL SEARCH As the day begins it is full of hope and promise.

We dream about the day ahead being bright as the sun in all its radiant glory.

Praying we will do in that day what is needed to touch the lives of others.

To find what our soul longs to feel. The warmth and gentleness of touching others and allowing them to feel a ray of hope and promise. They too can search within their souls and find their place of happiness and joy and spread this to others as the sun shines its warmth on us. At the end of the day within our soul we know we made a difference in the brightness of the day.

Yvonne Ice Grantsville, MD

BEING POOR My mother said that being poor, would not be a disgrace if we had enough to make ends meet, wed wear a smile upon our face, wed behave ourselves and be content, always dressing in good taste since there would only be enough, thered be nothing left to waste.

As children, we remember moving to this wonderful neighborhood everything was all brand new, it really felt so good, paint on the walls was barely dry, the grass still growing in, our parents were so happy, this was where they could begin, to raise a family, make a home, so much to hope for way back then, we could walk to school and the grocery store, the little church was in the glen.

The buildings now where we grew up, are barely standing there, when they were built so long ago, it was not to breed dispair, but to lend a helping hand to folks whose knowledge of great wealth was a happy child in a well kept house, and all being in good health, with mom and dad watching over us until we were full grown, working together to see that we would make it on our own.

So being poor to you may sound, a little strange to hear but as we look back, we were not poor, in things we now hold dear, a family close, with lots of love, we willingly did share the blessings of God’s greatest gifts, back then they all were there.

-it

Janet Goven Pittsburg, PA

mmm

* * * 3 '

'

■ H

/ í aí . * * *

■

S

a

»

^

%*promiserlZ ’ dresW t h ? » <hem

tofo//e

^

c

î

s

s

^

a

' ÿ

r

«

dPy Wool -

*

-

/

' 1

¿

^ZlZeŸni°zzk,M

/ CT*

I S& ISSSsSSa& SigSsgp’ I

^ S £ ? ^ S S ^ ;^ I * ^ § § § § tg g ' e S

l S

. J

-Â

é

B^ - J È ! N h r

.

i W

I ^

Packing Confidence The Simple Tools o f Educational Success.

cover story

W RITTEN BY M ARGARET GABRIEL

For lots of children, a list of school supplies, and the shopping trip that follows, launches the school year as a new beginning. A new backpack filled with clean notebooks, an unscathed supply box and freshly sharpened pencils can mean continued success in school. But for many families served by the Christian Appalachian Project, that list of school supplies means shaving dollars off another part of the budget to make sure their children have what they need for the first day of school.

Laura, a single mom with three children, began studying nursing after she was laid off from her job.

The family has struggled since her unemployment insurance ran out and she is looking for a job that will allow her to work and still continue going to school.

"She's trying to better herself, and her family, but it's hard when there's so little work out there," said CAP family advocacy caseworker Carrie Hillery. CAP'S School Readiness program is designed to help folks like Laura stretch their dollars by providing the supplies her kids need for ^ a successful beginning to the school year.

iJpfc- i

*

Jenny King, the Christian Appalachian Project Family Advocacy Coordinator, serves many families throughout the year and believes that distribution of school supplies is a great way to give kids and their families the tools they need to make real and lasting changes in their lives.

"I'm always surprised by the amount of supplies that we're able to give," Jenny said. "We're blessed to get nice donations through Operation Sharing that we're able to pass along. I feel really good about giving school supplies. I know that a lot of the families who sign up for the program wouldn't be able to buy them."

Jenny manages the distribution in Owsley, Jackson, Clay, Rockcastle and McCreary counties. Brenda Crum and Tina Norris manage the distribution in CAP'S Big Sandy region: Floyd, Knott, Martin, Johnson and Lawrence counties. In all counties, families who are connected with CAP through such family advocacy programs as Christmas baskets and emergency assistance are invited to sign up to receive the school supplies and clothes they need for a successful return to school.

Jenny reports that CAP receives many of the school supplies through in-kind donation distribution program Operation Sharing and Christian Partners, which connects CAP with groups, schools and church congregations throughout the United States that are motivated to join in the organization's mission.

"We put the needs out and churches identify things they can do to partner with us," said Christian Partners manager Franciscan Sister Robbie Pentecost. "When you let people know what's needed, the response is wonderful. It's sort of like Jesus with the fish." f More and more grandparents raising grandchildren are participating in the School Readiness program, Carrie said. Vicky and Ellis, a couple she has known for a number of years, recently agreed to provide a home for their 15-yearold grandson when his parents developed problems stemming from substance abuse, a growing problem in eastern Kentucky. Shortly after the teenager moved in, they were called upon to provide a home for Vicky's elderly father, as well. "So then there were four in the family, living on the same income that had provided for two," Carrie said. Vicky works as a cook in a Jackson County school; income from that job is far below the federal poverty level for a family of four. "They really appreciated everything we did for them," When families sign up for School Readiness, which CAP launched in 1998, they're always told they will

YOU can participate in our Backpack Program all year-round.

W e a re a lw a y s d is trib u tin g s c h o o l s u p p lie s to th e c h ild re n a n d s c h o o ls o f A p p a la c h ia .

F o r m o re

in fo rm a tio n o r to d o n a te to o u r b a c k p a c k p ro g ra m , p le a s e s e n d y o u r ite m s o r m o n e ta ry d o n a tio n to C h ris tia n A p p a la c h ia n P ro g ra m , A tte n tio n B a c k p a c k P ro g ra m , 2 6 1 0 P a lu m b o D riv e , L e x in g to n , K y 4 0 5 0 9 .

be receiving school supplies, but through Operation Sharing and Christian Partners, families often receive clothing, shoes, and underwear.

"We like to give kids a 'first day of school' outfit," Jenny said. She emphasized that new clothes on the first day of school is another way that family advocacy can help children from low-income families fit in more easily with their classmates, giving them an edge toward success in school.

CAP uses on-going partnerships with churches

When you let people know what’s needed, the response is wonderful. and schools in the communities in which it works to access locations where supplies can be distributed.

Greenbriar Presbyterian Church in Manchester, Ky, the county seat of Clay County, not only supplies a fellowship hall where people can come and receive their items, but many people from the congregation also volunteer to help with distribution. "Greenbriar has a great perspective on mission," Jenny said, and it's a perspective that many in its congregation share.

A group of volunteers from St. Paul Catholic Church in McKee helped Carrie prepare for distribution day by loading backpacks with notebooks, paper, glue and crayons. "Some of the donors send backpacks that they packed themselves and we added some things that we know the schools have asked kids to bring," Carrie said.

Jenny told of a family in Rockcastle County with five school-aged children, the oldest of whom is in high school. "They're a struggling family; the youngest is about seven or eight years old. The dad is in jail for abuse. We see a lot of families who have these kinds of issues. They might be getting by on food stamps, but

food stamps don't cover school supplies."

In addition to the new backpack each participant receives, workers also like to include a small bag of toiletries, Jenny said.

Knowing that different supplies are requested for different grade levels, backpacks are prepared differently for elementary school, middle school and high school students. Whenever possible, older students receive calculators, composition notebooks, planners and agendas. Each participant also receives a voucher for more specialized purchases; older students might even need ink cartridges.

The importance of partnerships in School Readiness is apparent. Families partner with CAP in order to prepare their children for a successful launch in school. CAP partners with community groups, as well as churches and school groups outside of the area to make sure materials are there to be shared with individual students and with the Family Resource Centers and Youth Services Centers in each school.

The kids love everything they receive through School Readiness, and love receiving their own brand new backpack, but Carrie loved watching some little girls from one of her families when they received their supplies. "They're from a blended family with nine children, and seven of them are in school," Carrie said.

"There are lots of little girls in the family and they loved looking through the clothes we had for them."

Carrie, Jenny and Sister Robbie agree that School Readiness is an example of how a simple thing like school supplies can make a big impact on the long­ term success of a child.

The solution to many of the problems in Appalachia start with an increased focus on education. School Readiness is just one way that the Christian Appalachian Project helps children and their families to make the incremental increases needed to assure academic success. CAP workers think of School Readiness as a real investment in the future of Appalachia. ^Family names in the this story have been changed to ensure privacy.

To learn more, call 1.866.270.4227 or visit: w w w .christianapp.org

15

feature: education

Educational Partnerships W RITTEN BY C A N D A C E D. S W O R D

FromFrance

This past summer, Appalachian Home w as host to Alexandre Pellarin, and international college student from France. Alex ventured to the United States with two goals; to learn English and to attend basketball camps. Now, neither of those goals have anything to do with Appalachia or charity work, but Alex happened to be staying with a relative of Appalachian Home team member Andrew Hall.

W hen Andrew w as charged with the task of helping Alex learn English, he knew immediately what to do. Thus Alex began his work with Appalachian Home Catalog.

Alex worked diligently with our marketing specialists, on an email campaign. He w as taught the finer details of managing inventory and customer service. And began to understand the complex dovetailing of social networking and ecommerce. The strong camaraderie of the catalog team and the lively nature of the work meant that Alex w as never at a loss for conversation or learning a new skill.

His time passed quickly and Alex not only became a welcomed asset in our office but a friend to all, especially the young staff of Appalachian Home. Alex w as scheduled to leave Kentucky for a basketball camp in Wisconsin for his last week in the United States. On Friday, we said our goodbyes,wished him well, and thanked Alex for his service to our charity. Monday morning, much to our surprise, Alex walked through the door with a huge smile on his face. He had chosen to stay in Kentucky, foregoing his camp to work with the Appalachian Home program.

Of course we were all very pleased to see our French friend again. And we were more pleased that his passion for our cause, and the friendships forged made such an impression on him that he w as compelled to change the course of his American experience.

That is what we hope for everyone involved in the Appalachian Home Catalog, that it changes their lives.

16

The M ountain Spirit Fall 2011

to Finances Elijah House is a first generation college graduate from Winchester, Kentucky. He worked his w ay through school, first attending K C T C S then on to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, majoring in Accounting and Finance. He has many firsts to his credit, including the first student to have completed the Financial Literacy program at EK U , the only program of it’s kind in the country. The requirements of this program are a series of classes with an emphasis on entrepreneur finance, personal finance and service learning. The purpose of the program is to provide undergrads with the tools to teach others solid financial knowledge. This unique program has partnered with Christian Appalachian Project and the Appalachian Home Catalog program to assist small businesses in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. Through this partnership Elijah w as able to meet with small business owners and teach them how to more efficiently operate with the proper accounting tools.

Offering this as a free service to the businesses allows them to gain invaluable knowledge without the expense of classes, travel, or independent consulting.

The Appalachian Home Catalog works with over 25 small businesses in Kentucky alone, and over 88 throughout the 13 states in the Appalachian region.

The groundwork laid by Elijah in our first months of working with vendors and the financial literacy program paved the w ay for other students from E K U ’s program to continue with this important work. Although, Elijah graduated and has moved on to work with one of the top four accounting firms in our country, his heart is still in Appalachia. He checks in often to see how the work is going and made certain that his predecessor w as well equipped and committed to furthering this partnership.

feature: educa

& Goliath CAP In-School Programs Battle Bullying.

1 1

**Actions«l^ve consequences; it may not Se today’^ tom orrow but the choices you make will affect you.//

Though CAP is known for its many programs to prepare kids for school, it also has programs meant to help with character-building in schools. Richie Kincaid, In-School Coordinator, discussed the programs instituted into the school systems throughout the area. He goes to four different schools in Jackson and Owsley counties to teach lessons once a week, primarily for fourth grade students. This past year, Richie also had help from two CAP volunteers and a social work intern.

Anger management and bullying are the topics of the first unit and “Consumerism” is the topic of Richie's second unit with the kids. The section on bullying has been particularly successful with students, showing real results in real-life situations. Richie teaches five steps of conflict resolution in order to help kids realize how to solve problems in a mature and non-violent way.

“I had one kid that practiced using T messages, and it helped him on the school bus so kids wouldn’t pick on him,” Richie said.

Results like those are why Richie continues to work in the schools. He is able to measure results from a pre-test and post-test given to the students. The score of the pre­ test usually averages around 40%. After his unit is taught, however, the scores typically rise to 75% on average.

That major jump in understanding, as proved by these test results, is not the only benefit that Richie finds in this program. He is able to get involved in the communities in Jackson and Owsley counties from the in-school programs.

“It gives me a chance to be a part of the total learning process with the kids in the public school,” he said.

Liz Phelps, Manager at Camp Andrew Jackson, also shared that the success of this program has not gone unnoticed. Berea College has received funding from Obama’s Promise Neighborhood grant. This grant goes to groups involved in serving Jackson and Owsley counties.

CAP was given the opportunity to discuss with Berea this in-school program, as well as domestic violence shelters, in order to begin a partnership with the college. Through Berea College, Richie was able to be the guest speaker on the topic of bullying to high school students.

The greatest impact, according to Richie, is that bullying is not being tolerated. He tries to show the students that people are able to forgive but forgetting is hard, so it is important to remember to think before you act.

“Actions have consequences; it may not be today or tomorrow but the choices you make will affect you,” he concluded. ■

To learn more, call 1.866.270.4227 or visit: w w w .christianapp.org

17

chm c

Fall Preview Cast Iron S k ille t The Lodge 10 V4-inch Skillet with assist handles for easier handling was rated as one of the two dozen essential tools in the home and kitchen (Martha Stewart Living February 2008). Also available (not pictured) we offer a cast iron cornstick pan. Shaped like ears of corn, these crispy crusted darlins are a traditional favorite. Great with soups, stews and chili. Pan makes 7 sticks.

Sc a re c ro w We could not resist this cheerful garden watchman. Completely handmade from his sunny smile to the patches on his knee this is one sign of fall that you are sure to welcome year after year. Each Scarecrow comes dressed in hand tailored pants, shirt and hat. Fabrics vary.

Overall length 28". Made in Kentucky.

LL7043 - Cast Iron Skillet $26.00 LL7050 - Cast Iron Cornstick Pan $20.00

W h o le Country Ham Hand-rubbed with salt and sugar cure, then hung up and allowed to age naturally, and finally hardwood smoked with natural wood for up to 4 months. Average weight 12-16 lbs. Made in KY.

OT3021 - Scarecrow $30.00

Infused Honev Lemon, Rosemary, Orange,and Cinnamon. A delightful variety of flavored or infused honeys for any purpose: try lemon honey or orange honey on your bagel or muffin, cinnamon honey is unbelievable in tea and try the rosemary honey on your poultry or fresh beans. Made in W VA. TF6725 - Lemon Infused Honey $10.00 TF6732 - Rosemary Infused Honey $10.00 TF6749 - Orange Infused Honey $10.00 TF6756 - Cinnamon Infused Honey $10.00

Scents of Ap palachia Candles These candles are sure to delight your senses and add a touch of warm fall color to your home. Choose from Hillbilly Homebrew- the aroma of mulled cider with woodsy notes; Orange Clove Spice- the aroma of fresh orange slices with hints of nutmeg cinnamon and clove; or Bourbon Thymes- a musky aroma with hints of vanilla and berry. Made in KY.

RM3243 - Whole Country Ham $55.00

Ntvf N ativity S e t A seasonal decoration that young and old alike will enjoy.This wood nativity set is beautifully finished and includes 15 pieces in addition to the stable which conveniently holds all the pieces, for easy storage.

Made in NY. WA7784 - Nativity Set $118.00

W ood Rolling Pin & Dough S c ra p e r A Bakers Delight! No baking request is too large for our large 22 inch rolling pin and dough scraper - a must for turning out homemade confections from cookies to breads and pie crusts.

BW4288 - 22" Rolling Pin $15.00 AT4318 - Dough Scraper $8.00

JK7876 - Hillbilly Homebrew $12.00 JK7869 - Orange Clove Spice $12.00 JK7852 - Bourbon Thymes $12.00

P ra v e r Stone Turn your worries into prayers. A small token of care all wrapped and tied with a bow, perfect to pass along to young and old alike. Each stone is etched with a cross, includes an inspirational poem and is unique in shape and color. Sizes vary from 2"-3". Produced by the Healing Rain Recovery Program and A L L proceeds from the sell of this item go directly to this program. Made in KY. AG6411 - Prayer Stone $6.00

Handm ade Door Haro A centuries old custom, the door harp is a wonderfully unusual way to welcome guests to your home. Handmade from the finest woods, each harp will ring with melodious sounds as your door opens and closes. Measures 9 1/4" x 8 1/4" x 1 1 /2 " and woods will vary.

Made in Kentucky.

OV5490 - Door Harp $60.00

‘M ountain ‘Home "Wreatfi

Red C edar Garland

AG3946 $28.00 Our signature wreath is a real Western Red Cedar Garland, 15’ long, is the perfect accent for your beauty. A colorful 24” Noble front door, mantle, or staircase.

Fir wreath decorated with Holly Berries and frosted Pine Cones.

Yuletide Cheer Swag A large red velvet weather This cheerful 24” resistant bow compliments this swag is a base of „cthR attractive wreath. The bow is fully I Noble Fir decorated /ff, I with Incense Cedar, ' 4 assembled and ready to attach. y Blue berried Juniper, j AG0020 $32.00 a spray of Red I I Berries and Lodge * 1 pine cones. Accented Jfl Bwith Red Velvet Bow. A AG3977 $26.00 A * jh An elegant mixture o f fragrant Silver Dollar Eucalyptus and Blue C h r i s t l T I Q S C fO S S jS g L Berried Juniper are accented with clusters of Red Pepper Berries » / f A H H & ^ n d White Berries in this deluxe V f\ 8 26 wreath. Ships with a beautiful I / I H E H l n ' e a d y to attach, fully assembled, I M i l l l l C S eather resistant re(i velvet edged AG2086 $28.00 I f f il iW 'm ” gold bow.

AG3632 $38.00

Scent of tfie Season

HfiB A ”

Mil

Boxwood Wreath $32.00 NEW! A Stunning This 24” mixed greenery wreath is a base of fragrant Noble Fir decorated with Incense Cedar, Juniper and Cones. A ready to 'attach, fully assembled, weather resistant, traditional plaid bow sets off this welcoming wreath.

AG5698 $30.00

; -

/,■ i ' I Square wreath also

Velvet Basket This basket has the simple grace of Noble 1 Fir, Western Red Cedar, Princess Pine, Oregon Juniper and Holly, accented with Red «Berries and two beautiful ™ velvet ribbon cone sets.

AG3847 $28.00 ;

Red Velvet

M ake sure every present under your tree counts!

For a ll of your holiday shopping, v isit www. appalachianhom e. org or scan the QB code w ith a free Q li reader app on your smartphone!

www.appalachianhome.org

* A ll wreaths come standard with the bow shown.

Choose an additional bow fo r $5.00

Gourds Versatile, Useful, and Decorative W R ITTEN BY DANIELLE TANNENBAUM

Gourds are related to the melon, squash, and cucumber family. The gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) mostly comes from a vine. There is at least one type of gourd, the calabash, that grows on a tree.

Approximately 700 species of gourds exist, which make the gourd a very diverse fruit with many unusual traits. Some gourds, like the pumpkins we see around Halloween, can grow to be over 1,500 pounds, while others, like the “jumbie pumpkins” of the Caribbean Islands, are the size of marbles.

For thousands of years, different cultures have used them for such things as utensils, water containers, musical instruments, and ornaments. Although gourds are quite versatile in their uses, specific kinds of gourds are needed to do different things. Three of the most popular types of gourds are the cucurbita, the lagenaria, and the luffa.

20

The M oun tain Spirit Fall 2011

LAGENARIA

CUCURBITA The curcurbita gourds are colorful, come in different shapes and are popular for ornamental use especially in fall (see picture). Once a curcur­ bita gourd has been grown, curing it takes 1 to 6 months, depending on its size and type.

In approximately one week, the surface of the gourd • W h e n the gourd is co m p letely will be dried and dry, use a w ire brush and the skin will harden, sandpaper to d e a n the setting the exterior outside surface. color. Next, the inte­ • Next, treat the gourd w ith a rior will need to be 1 0 % solution of bleach and dried, taking at least water. This will protect the four weeks. Once gourd from rot and fungal these gourds are molds. H andle w ith care and be sure to w ea r rubber gloves adequately cured, and eye protection! they can be painted, waxed, or decorated.

• Soak the gourd in the bleach

Lagenaria gourds are more often used for birdhouses and include Bottle/Dipper Gourds (see picture). At the peak of growing, they are brown or tan and have thick, hard shells after curing. The surface of these gourds can be dried in the same manner as the curcurbita gourds; however, the in­ ternal drying pro­ cess takes much • The outside of the gourd m ay longer. Once fully be finished w ith an oil based dried, lagenaria primer, follow ed by enam el gourds can be paint. smoothed with • Lightly sand first w ith fine sandpaper or steel sandpaper so the prim er wool, treated with adheres w ell to the surface rubbing alcohol, of the gourd. W h ite is a good color choice as the w hite will dried, and finally, reflect the sun, keeping the waxed or sealed inside o f th e birdhouse cool. with a varnish.

How to Build a Birdhouse

solution for 15 minutes.

R em o ve the gourd from the solution and place on a clean surface and allow to dry.

LUFFA

• For an entrance, using an expansion bit or hole saw, cut a hole* slightly above the center of the gourd. Clean out the inside of the gourd using a serrated knife to break up the pith and seeds.The gourd is no w ready for finishing.

Luffa gourds are • To hang the gourd, drill tw o probably the most 1/4 inch-diam eter holes at recognizable. Within the stem end for the hanger, the outer shell, luffas w hich m ay be a piece o f rigid have a tough, fibrous w ire (such as a coat hanger) or a strip of rawhide. interior. This interior is often used as a • Drill four or five holes in the sponge, specifically, bottom , approxim ately 3/8" for bathing (see pic­ using a drill bit, and possibly ture). Luffas take the tw o or three 3/8" holes on longest to grow and the sides for drainage and have a much more ventilation. specific harvesting/ processing method of the three gourds described. In order to produce the best quality sponges, one must har­ vest them when the outer shell is dry, lightweight, and the seeds rattle. Upon removal of the stem and seeds, the luffa needs to be soaked in warm water. The skin will become soft and removable.

After the sponge has been soaked in a solution, the luffa must dry before it can be used.

For a m ore natural look, just use 2 - 3 coatings of clear polyureth ane directly on the gourd.

• Hang from a tree branch or from w ire suspended b etw een sturdy structures.** • The size of the gourd and th e size of the entrance will determ in e the typ e o f birds that will use the gourd for their hom e. **The distance from the ground will also determ in e w h a t typ e o f birds will use the gourd for their home.

GOURD CRAFTS

Gourds can be made into all For com plete directions sorts of crafts. and tools, visit: They can be cut, http://www.am ishgourds.com / painted, dried, site/1278922/page/448763 hung, and more.

For m ore info on h o w to raise One popular use gourds please visit: of the gourd in http://ohioline.osu.edu/hygAppalachia, is to fact/1000/1630.html make them into musical instru­ ments. Because gourds are already rounded, and provide excellent resonators, it is not hard to clean and string them (see pictures). In Appalachian Home Catalog, "Mountain Melodies" produces thumb harps from cured gourds. These delightful instruments are accurately tuned and perfect for accompanying a standard percussion instrument.

All photos compliments offllckr.com

To learn more, call 1.866.270.4227 or visit: w w w .christianapp.org

21

ast Iron Skillets A Kitchen Classic

W R ITTEN BY C A R A PARKER

Appalachian people historically are one of the most eco nom ically challenged segm ents of our nation's population. M ost aspects of life in the area are shaped by this one factor - the food th e y g rew and utensils necessary for cooking bear this imprint. Along the m ountain range from N ew York state to the southern reaches o f Georgia, Ap palachian tow ns and people all share a meal or m em ory o f soup beans and cornbread because it w as a m eal o f sustenance during m eager times. Corn and beans w ere cheap to grow, store and prepare, yet both w ere highly nutritious. A n yone w h o has tasted the difference will tell you, cornbread just isn't cornbread if it hasn't been m ade in a cast iron skillet - You never g et the sam e crust or flavor from any other pan. Sturdy, lasting, practical and m odest - the cast iron skillet is as good o f a representation of A ppalachia as the m ountains them selves. It is no w o n d e r that the food prepared in this cookware, specifically cornbread, is also ¡conically Appalachian. The taste and smell of cornbread m ade in a cast iron skillet will take anyon e w ith any ties or roots in A ppalachia back hom e, as sure as the sound of a banjo in a bluegrass band, or the distant crow o f a rooster claim ing his reign.

N early indestructible, you can find cast iron cookw are that m ay be decades old at thrift stores, flea markets and yard sales.

W ith a little know-how, no m atter w h a t the condition from years of use the cookw are is in, you can refresh a piece of iron cookw are to useable condition and have an addition to your kitchen that will last a lifetime, if not generations of lifetimes. It's this durability and fortitude, so like the people o f Appalachia, that makes iron cookw are the cookw are o f Appalachia. The key to this resilience is keeping the cookw are properly seasoned. Seasoning the cast iron cookw are for use serves tw o purposes: it protects the cookw are from rust by creating a seal to keep m oisture out and it creates a natural non-stick surface. Though you can now buy pre-seasoned n ew cast iron cookware, seasoning is a necessary step w ith old and n ew iron cookw are that is not seasoned or that m ay be in need of m aintenance, as re-seasoning is advised from tim e to tim e during use.

SEASONING YOUR. CO O K W A RE

CLEANING & STORING YOUR C O O K W A RE

(If you have purchased a new piece of unseasoned cookware, skip to step 4) For used iron cookware:

1. W ash in hot w ater w h en th e cookw are is cool enough to handle but before it has cooled com pletely. Avoid soap or scouring as these will deteriorate the seasoning seal m ore quickly.

1. Rem ove any food traces w ith hot soapy w ater and a scouring pad. Thoro ughly dry and place the cookw are upside do w n in a self-cleaning oven.

2. Run the self-cleaning cycle one tim e w h ich will rem ove stubborn caked or crusted residue on the cookware.

A llow to th orou g h ly cool in the oven after the cycle.

3. If rust spots rem ain or app ear use steel w ool to sand aw a y the rust. W ash again in hot soapy water. Thoro ughly dry.

(To speed the drying process, you can set th e cookw are in a w arm 200 degree oven for a few m inutes to evaporate rem aining moisture.)

4. Preheat e m p ty oven to 300 degrees and coat the cookw are w ith lard, Crisco, or bacon grease. Do not use a liquid oil, as it will leave a sticky surface on the pan and fail to create a seal.

2. Do not store food in your cookw are because th e acid in foods will breakdow n the seasoning and increase the chance of rust or need to re-season.

3. Store your cookw are w ith attention to air circulation especially in hum id w ea th e r to prevent rust. In particular, do not store w ith fitted lids in place that m ay trap moisture.

Note: Cast iron newly purchased will likely have a gray color finish.

As it is used and the seasoning penetrates the iron, cast iron cookware will become very black in color - this is desirable.

m

5. Place the cookw are in the oven to heat for 15 minutes.

Rem ove the cookw are and drain or w ip e a w ay any standing oil in the cookw are then return the cookw are to the heated oven and bake for 2 hours.

6. R epeat steps 4 and 5 tw o m ore tim es to allow the oil to d e e p ly penetrate and saturate the cookw are.This creates a stronger seasoning seal and m ore lasting non-stick surface.

Note: It is advisable to re-season iron cookware from time to time especially if you do not cook foods with a naturally high fat content such as bacon.

rhY

appalachian recipes

D o y o u h a v e a f a v o r it e r e c ip e y o u w o u ld lik e t o s h a re ? If so, s e n d i t t o u s!

C h ristia n A p p a la c h ia n P ro je c t ~ P u b lic a tio n s D e p a r tm e n t ~ P.O. Box 55911 ~ Le x in g to n , KY 40555

SOUP BEANS 1 (16oz.) package dried navy beans 7 cups w ater 1 ham bone 2 cups diced ham 1/4 cup minced onion

1/2 tsp. salt 1 pinch ground black pepper 1 bay leaf 1/2 cup sliced carrots 1/2 cup sliced celery

APPALACHIAN CORNBREAD 1/4 cup butter or bacon drippings 2 cups fine stone-ground w hite cornmeal 1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 egg 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions: Directions: Place rinsed beans into a large stock pot. Add w ater and bring to a boil. Boil gently for 2 minutes; remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour. Add ham bone, cubed ham, onion, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until beans are soft. Occasionally skim surface of soup while it is cooking. Add carrots and celery, cook until tender. Remove ham bone, scrape any meat from bone and place back into soup and serve.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place butter or drippings in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet and pop the skillet in the oven to heat.

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a small bowl, beat together egg and buttermilk. Add w et mixture to the dry, using the absolute minimum number of strokes needed to moisten dry with w et. Remove hot skillet from the oven and swirl it around so the butter or drippings coat the bottom and lower sides of the skillet. Then pour the remainder of the hot butter or drippings into the batter and stir a couple of times. Turn batter into hot skillet, place back in the oven and bake until it is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Recipe Submitted by: Anonymous

PICKLED CORN

PICKLED BEETS 2 cups vinegar 1 cup w ater 1 cup sugar

Directions: Boil corn on the cob. May cut in whole grain or pickle on the cob. Cool. Place corn in a large crock. Cover with brine (1 gal. w ater and 1 cup salt). Cover with a weight (rock/jars filled with w ater). W ater w ill rise when working and fall when sour. Takes about 1 week, depends on tem perature (w ill do better in a cool place, cellar, basement, e tc .) Drain; pack in jars; cover with w ater and process to seal.

ZUCCHINI BREAD 1 cup oil 1 tsp. salt 2 cups sugar 1/4 tsp. baking powder 3 eggs 1/4 cup cocoa

2 3/4 cups plain flour 1 cup coconut 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup mini choc chips 3 cups Zucchini 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions: Mix dry ingredients first, add oil, eggs & sugar. Add zucchini, chips, coconut and vanilla. Bake in loaf pans.

After greasing pan, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, blend on bottom of pan, and sprinkle on top of bread before baking.

Makes 2 large loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Directions: Boil and peel beets being careful not to peel to close. Leave a little stem on them. If you cut them too close they w ill “ bleed” into w ater and you w ill lose the flavor. Heat mixture thoroughly and pour over packed beets. Seal and store in a cool dry place.

HOLIDAY PUMPKIN SOUFFLE 2 cups unsweetened pumpkin puree 3 eggs 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup milk 3 Tbs. unsalted butter, softened

1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. cloves 1/4 tsp. salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; beat until w ell mixed, about 3 minutes. Pour into prepared casserole dish; bake 65 to 75 minutes, until set in the center. Cool slightly and serve.

The Simple Art o f Canning W R ITTEN BY C A R A PA CK ER Harvest time is here! Gardens, farmer's markets and produce departments in local stores are abundant with fresh seasonal produce. Wherever you live, you can likely find fruits and vegetables grown locally and at their peak flavor. It is no wonder there is a growing interest and enthusiasm for canning or as they say in Appalachia, "putting up"the harvest.

Today, canning is on point with many current food and consumer concerns like, buying and eating locally grown produce, avoiding chemical additives and preservatives, being more ecologically conscious and being financially prudent. In bygone days and for many

around the kitchen

Expanding Your Harvest

still in Appalachia, extending natures bounty by canning the summer and fall harvest ensured the family is fed through the winter.

Canning is one of those traditions that bring family and friends together, the young and old, quiet and extraverted, seasoned and novice stir together and become as perfectly blended into the chore as garlic and basil pair with tomatoes to make the perfect sauce.

Nestled deep in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky, I recall the stores of canned food at my grandparents' homes, the best apple butter I have ever tasted with just a hint of cinnamon, tomatoes in winter as fresh as those I tasted warm off the vine in summer, rows and rows of gleaming, jewel colored jars filled with sweet preserves, tangy relish, wholesome goodness! More vivid than the taste of the harvest are the memories of lingering in the kitchen as a girl, listening to the laughter of the women as they worked.

Family shared news of relatives afar and times past. The neighbors brought news of the goings on in town. The small kitchens were a-buzz and a-brew with stories hanging in the air like the humid August afternoon air, voices chiming like the rattle of the glass jars touching in the boiling pot, bushel baskets of produce everywhere. Some ladies were cleaning, peeling, and dicing the foods, others were tending the boiling pots, simmering with sauces which filled the room with mouth-watering aromas.

Canning may be intimidating to those who have never experienced it. Am I doing this right? Will the food be safe? Where do I begin? The process of canning is fairly simple and unchanged for centuries. You heat food to a specific temperature for a specified amount of time to destroy harmful microorganisms and stop the naturally occurring break-down process caused by the foods enzymes. In the process of heating and cooling the food and canned jars, a natural vacuum-seal forms, creating a barrier to further protect the safely sealed food. At the end, you have a shelf-safe and stable product to enjoy or share, which will keep for a year. With experience you can preserve recipes that are as unique as that hot salsa, sweet barbeque, tart chutney, or sugary preserve.

There are basically three canning methods to preserve food - cold pack, hot pack, and pressure canning. However, the preparation and processing times are as varied as your choice of what to put up. Remember, the process is a century old practice and most any guide book will not fail in providing the simple instructions, as well as handy time charts for preparing and processing your produce, with the bonus of including delicious recipes.

Renewed popular interest in canning means you can find books, magazines and how to guides on the shelves everywhere from grocery stores to home improvement stores. For those who prefer the internet, information is right at your fingertips and a good place to start is www.freshpreserving.com Canning is a satisfying adventure on your own, just as plain tomatoes canned whole provide reward. But, this year as you are admiring the rich bounty nature has provided, consider planning a canning party! Gather some of your best friends or close family members together to enjoy an unforgettable evening, one reminiscent of days gone by and one that will be remembered for years to come. You will stock the pantry with healthy homemade meals and memories. Think of the gathering as putting together a superb pasta sauce with some flavorful spices as opposed to putting up whole tomatoes.

To learn more, call 1.866.270.4227 or visit: w w w .christianapp.org

25

Leaving a Legacy in memoriam

Honoring Those Whose Generosity Lives On.

26

W R ITTEN BY ALYSSA R IC H T E R

In September of 2010, CAP received an estate gift of one million dollars after the passing o f Dr. Louis T. Foley at age 92. A generous donor to CAP, Dr. Foley left 25 percent of his entire estate because of his passion for the disadvantaged.

“Dr. Foley was a very modest and humble individual who had an interest in addressing the issues of the poorest of the poor,” wrote his attorney and very close personal friend John Stephen Papa in a letter to CAP Vice-President, Sue Sword.

From Manchester, Connecticut, Dr. Foley was the son of Irish immigrants. When he was very young, his father was killed in an automobile accident, leaving his mother to raise Louis and his brother. She did everything she could to support her family, such as cleaning houses and taking in wash.

Louis and his brother ended up being very successful, regardless of their humble beginnings.

His brother was an engineer for United Technologies and Louis eventually went to medical school at the University o f Chicago and became a dentist. Known to be excellent at his profession, Louis was assigned to the Bethesda Hospital in Washington, D.C. Not only was he successful in this endeavor, he also was enlisted in the military; first in the Army during WWII and later in the Navy during the Korean War. Neither Louis nor his brother married. With no family to support, he decided he would bequeath his estate to charity.

“There were a number of things that he could have made donations to in his own community, but he decided that the objects of his bounty would be those most in need,” said Mr. Papa.

Because of Louis’s extreme generosity, CAP will be naming the new mission center the Louis T. Foley Mission Center in Martin, Kentucky, where Mr. Papa

The M ountain Spirit Fall 2011

will be able to share about Dr. Foley at a ceremony in his honor. His legacy is able to live on long after his passing because o f this gift. We encourage all o f our donors to partake o f the opportunity to leave their own legacy, as Louis did, and remember CAP in their estate planning.

n

Ji r5 0

M

■i

“Bepatient, then, brothers, until the Lord s c o m in g .

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and the spring rains. >y

JAMES 5:7 (N1V)

CZ

Yes! I want to share the Giving Spirit!

I’d like to order the following item(s) to help bring joy and hope to impoverished families and elderly people in Appalachia: Item # ________ Amount: $ ________ Item # ________ Amount: $ ________ Item # Amount: $ __ Item # _____ _____ Amount: $ ________ I’d prefer my donation of $ ____ be used where it is most needed. Total Gift Enclosed: $ □ Please send m e ______ Honor Cards*

□ Please send me the complete Giving Spirit Catalog.

Name:

□ Reserve your Spring Giving Catalog Today!

Address:

□

My check made out to Christian Appalachian Project is enclosed.

□ Please charge my credit card: □ VISA □ MasterCard

C ity:__

State:

□ AMEX □ Discover

_Zip: Card#

.Expires.

Signature.

.Security Code.

E-mail address: Telephone: [___

W hafs this?

1

3 digits on backside of card

*An Honor Card is a beautiful card you can personalize for your friends or loved ones to let them know you gave a gift on their behalf.

Blankets & Pillows A key element to succeeding in school is a good night's sleep.

For many children in this area, however, this is not always possible. Poorly insulated homes, a lack of money to pay the utilities, and no bedding can add up to an uncomfortable, sleepless night. Your gift will help provide pillows and warm, comfortable blankets that will allow children to sleep well and awaken refreshed and ready to learn.

HC08F

Help Provide Blankets and Pillows for a family of Five Suggested Gift: $130.00

HC02F

Help Provide Blankets and Pillows for one person Suggested Gift: $25.00

WWW

Food for a Family of Four People from Appalachia are hardworking people, but sometimes hard work simply isn't enough. Between rent, utilities and other bills, there's often not enough money left over to feed a hungry family. Many parents are forced to decide between feeding their families or paying the electric bill -- a decision no person should ever have to make.

1m

Help with Food for a Family of Four for One Month Suggested Gift: $325.00

¡S IS

Help with Food for a Family of Four for One Week Suggested Gift: $80.00 Share in the Cost Suggested Gift: $25.00

Football Rivalry: Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia W R ITTEN BY CASEY IIINCHCLIFFE As su m m er b eg ins to en d and th e c h a n g in g w e a th e r

to o p erate th e offense and g et th e feeling d o w n ."T h e

o f fall b eco m e s a w e lc o m e d escap e from b rutally hot tem p eratu res, th e hearts and m inds o f th o se in south-

tools seem to all be in p lace for n e w H ead C oach Todd G rah am , it's n o w up to th e players to execu te th e n e w

w e ste rn P e n n sylva n ia an d W e s t Virginia turn to th e gridiron. The backyard b raw l b e tw e e n th e Pittsb urg h

style offense. If points aren't put on th e board early for th e Panthers ex p ect m an y fans to q uestion th e alread y

Pan th ers an d W e s t Virginia M o u n ta in e e rs is no t o n ly a rivalry b e tw e e n schools lo cated near o n e another, it usually end s up d e cid in g w h o w ill be claim in g a

con troversial hire.

W e s t Virginia enters th e 2011 season p u ttin g N C A A sanctio ns and a tu m u ltu o u s co a ch in g c h a n g e b ehin d

BC S bid from th e Big East C onference. For th ese tw o schools lo cated in th e h eart o f A p p alach ia, footb all is king.

th em . N e w H ead C oach D ana H olg orsen plans to bring a high o c ta n e offense W e s t Virginia fans so d esp erately crave. His team s at H ouston and O k lah o m a St. h ave

Both schools e n te r th e 2011 season w ith n e w head

b een o ffensive p o w erh o u ses o ver th e last fe w years

coa ch es at th e helm and lo fty e x p ectatio n s on th eir shoulders. Both team s are ex p ected to c o m p e te for th e Big East title and th e late N o v e m b e r m a tch u p in

and he intend s to bring this attitu d e and p lay to th e M o u n tain e ers. In an article w ritte n b y th e W e s t Virginia stu d e n t p ap er th e C oach stated, "I u n d erstan d w h a t

M o rg a n to w n , W V w ill m ost likely b e a key g a m e in th a t quest. It is safe to say th a t both team s h ave a strong

th e e x p ectatio n s are to w e a r th e Blu e and G old both on and off th e field, and it's so m eth in g th a t I look for-

dislike for o n e a n o th e r and th e feeling isn't an y differe n t b e tw e e n fans o f th e tw o schools. Tho se in th e

w ard to living up to ."W ith p laym akin g stars like Quarterb a ck G e n o Sm ith and W id e R eceiver Tavon Austin,

stands on b oth sides w ill be w e a rin g th e trad itio n al

it w ill be interesting to see w h a t kind o f n u m b e r this

b lue an d g old th a t represents b oth schools' official colors. The o n ly d istin g u ish in g facto r w ill be th e ligh ter g old o f W e s t Virginia, and th e d arker g old o f Pitts-

W e s t Virginia team can post, This g a m e w ill m ark th e 104th m e etin g b e tw e e n th e tw o o p p o n e n ts th a t first squared off in 1895. Both

burgh. Lo cated o n ly 70 m iles from o n e a n o th e r d o w n Interstate 79, this rivalry is th e o ld est and m ost h eated in th e Big East.

Pittsb u rg h is c o m in g off a g o o d w in ag ain st a SEC o p p o n e n t in its b o w l g a m e last year d esp ite undera c h ie v in g in th e regu lar season. W ith 8 retu rn ing starters on a d efen se th a t should be m u ch im p ro ved from last year, Pitt looks like a to u g h team . A n e w ex p lo sive offense th a t w ill featu re Q u a rte rb a c k T in o Sunseri and R u n n in g Back Ray G rah am is set up to rank high in n ational offense categ o ries th ro u g h o u t th e season.

offenses w ill put up big nu m b ers and it w ill co m e d o w n to w h ic h team can m ake a big d efen sive stop n ear th e end o f th e g a m e th a t w ill u ltim ately d e cid e th e ou tco m e. W e s t Virginia has to o m a n y g reat playm akers and w ill m ost likely c o m e a w a y w ith th e w in for th e third straight year. Tavon Austin is a rg u ab ly th e best p layer in th e Big East and is poised to have a big year u n d e r th e n e w offen sively m in d ed head coach, H o w e v e r this g a m e turns o u t ex p ect fans from both schools to be in M o rg a n to w n on N o v e m b e r 25th w ith all th e passion and desire th a t com es w ith m o d e rn d ay

Ray G rah am to ld ESPN , "I th in k w e h ave a lot o f w eapons to be th a t No. 1 offense in th e country. It's up to us

c o lleg e footb all. ■

-

appalachian culture

"The Backyard Brawl"

Books media review

C O T T O N FIE L D S - T A ST E O F T H E S O U T H Kids H elp 360 This cookbook is based on traditional Southern small-town recipes. Family heirlooms that have been passed down from one generation to the next.

Flipping through the pages of this wonderful cookbook, readers get a great sense of the culture present in traditional southern cooking. More than just a cookbook, these pages unlock the secrets of the South.

APPALACHIA Spirit of the Seasons

A P P A L A C H IA : S P IR IT O F T H E S E A S O N S D ean H ill W hen you open the pages of Appalachia: Spirit of the Seasons by Dean Hill, you will be instantly transported to some of the most stunning landscapes the Appalachian region has to offer. Each of the four seasonal sections of this collection of photography is prefaced with a beautiful description capturing each season through the senses. It is more than just a pretty book to put on your coffee table. Every page is a work of art that displays an appreciation and reverence to the Appalachian region's

Dean H ill Foreword by Silas House

many ethereal scenes. Hill's attention to detail and clear passion for Appalachia create a cohesive style that draws you into this "photographic journey."The most inspiring part of this collection is how Hill is able to truly capture the spirit and feeling of each season. His words and photographs give you the sense that you are experiencing life at each location, seeing every tree, crunching every leaf beneath your feet. I cannot rave enough about the gorgeous sights to behold in this book and hope that you get to experience it for yourself. As Silas House states in his foreword, it is obvious that Hill gets this region and it is his love of it that captures the true essence that is Appalachia.

T H E JO U R N E Y O F BU SH K Y B U SH Y B O T T O M Jeri Landers Be prepared to enter into a land of whimsical friends and adventures that children will adore. The Journey of Bushky Bushybottom, written by Jeri Landers, is a tale about a little squirrel named Bushky who gets carried away on one blustery day and must find his way back to his friends Tottytoes and Tattletail in Hopalong Hollow.

He runs into many mishaps and new creatures on his journey as he tries to find his way home. This delightful story teaches the use of determination and teamwork to get out of sticky situations, as well as the important lesson that not all strangers are trustworthy. Each character is unforgettable and has a distinct personality and voice of its own, which makes the book lots of fun to read. The Journey of Bushky Bushybottom also comes with an audio CD of the story, read by Landers herself.

As phenomenal as this story is, one of the most notable attributes are the beautiful illustrations. Landers is a wonderful artist and every illustration will have the colors and details to capture the attention of even the most restless child. Landers' gift did not go unnoticed by prestigious book awards. The Journey of Bushky Bushybottom is the winner of the GOLD"M oonbeam Book Awards" for Best Illustrator 2008, winner of the Gold "Dragon Pencil Book Awards" for Superior Illustration 2008, "National Best Books 2008 Awards "for "Children's Picture Book: W /Audio CD," and finally Foreword Magazine Finalist for Children's Picture Book.

30 The Mountain Spirit Fall 2011

Movies O C T O B E R SK Y If you are looking for a film to capture the struggle, beauty, and community feel of a 1950s Appalachian coal-mining town, October Sky is a perfect choice. Directed by Joe Johnston and based on a true story, this film follows the life of Homer Hickam (Jake Gyllenhaal) as he and his three friends (Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, and Chad Lindberg) are inspired by the launching of Sputnik to begin building rockets for a school science fair. This goal is not initially met with support from the town, and especially not supported by Homer's father (Chris Cooper). Miss Riley (Laura Dern), the boys' high school teacher, is one of the only members of the town of Coalwood who believes in their dreams and does what she can to make it happen. Tradition and loyalty to the town run deep in Coalwood, and the options for the future are either becoming a coalminer or leaving the hollar on a football scholarship. Hickam is constantly dealing with the struggle between following his father's footsteps in the coal-mining industry and his own path in rocket science. The storyline continues to follow the obstacles that befall these young men and their families. Tragedy, comedy, and that heartwarming feeling of a town eventually joining together for a single cause all permeate this film. October Sky won a Critics Choice Award for "Best Family Film"from the Broadcast Critics Association in 2000. I highly recommend it as a family film that you will want to watch over and over.

Music C H A R L IE D A N IE L S & F R IE N D S Jo y to The W orld: A B luegrass C h ristm as C D /D V D Mr. Daniels has put together a real who's who of country and bluegrass music with this DVD and Compact Disc set. Celebrate the holidays with this living legend and his friends The Grascals, Aaron Tippin, Jewel, Kathy Mattea, and Dan Tyminski as they sing your favorite Christmas songs with genuine bluegrass drive. Enjoy the traditional country rendition of Blue Christmas performed by Jewel, and the heart-warming sounds of Dan Tyminski singing The Christmas Song. Get out your guitar, warm up your vocal chords, and join in the all-star jam as the whole cast performs Joy to the World bluegrass style! This CD/DVD combo package is the ideal gift for the holidays— listen in your car or sit down with the family Christmas morning and enjoy the show.

NEW TOW N N e w to w n Newtown has created something really special with this self-entitled debut release.The Lexington, Kentucky based band is creating a real buzz for themselves in the Bluegrass and Americana music scenes and rightfully so with their vastly diverse sound. The single Water Under the Bridge is a tune written by singer songwriter Guy Clark. Vocalist and Fiddler, Kati Penn, lends her beautiful voice to the cut making this tune a fan favorite. The Newtown record contains something for music fans of many genres— bluegrass, country, jazz, gospel there is hints of all these styling's in the Newtown sound.

"This project was made with the intention of producing a record that would be something unique to this band— something of our own. We had very little limitations in regards to material and because of this I feel like there is something for everyone in this record" C J. Cain (Newtown guitarist)

To learn more, call 1.866.270.4227 or visit: www.christianapp.org 31

W R ITTEN BY C A N D A C E D. S W O R D

Do you have a home or know of one in your com m unity whose trim or porch ceiling is adorned with a blue paint. If you live in the South, this is a com m on elem ent in the architecture of houses, especially historic homes. The colors of blue that are seen on these homes can vary from rich aqua to pale turquoise, or even a pasty green; it's the placem ent of the color on the home that is im portant. This color is referred to as 'Haint Blue,' representing a rainbow of blues and greens that have a long and legendary past.

As the tale goes the tradition of painting Haint Blue around the openings of homes, migrated to the United States with the Gullah/Geechee tribes from Africa. Working on plantations in the south, this particular custom became a part of the fabric of the Am erican culture in particular in South Carolina and Georgia. The color was not just for decoration, but served a purpose, one that also reflected the African culture of the ancestors of these tribes. These tribes were diligent in keeping their traditions and heritage alive.

The color blue was supposed to ward off"haints,"and keep them from entering the home.

Haint's were described as spirits trapped between this world and the next. The legends depict these spirits as not your average floating apparation. They are evil and angry, not the kind of ghost you want lurking around your house. Fortunately, the Gullah tribes remembered through their scary tales of haints, that they did have one weakness. They could not cross water. So, to fool the haint into thinking the homes doors and w indow s were surrounded by water, they painted the shutters, trim, ceilings and floors of every opening with colors of blue and watery greens. Thus keeping evil spirits at bay.

This is a tradition that has been absorbed into the landscape of our architecture. Haint Blue is even named as a color by a popular paint manufacturer. It makes you wonder, is it just the pleasant color itself that has persisted or if the legend lives on because there is some grain of truth in its tale. We'll leave that conclusion up to you. However, if you do have an older home that has touches of this Haint Blue anywhere inside or out, you m ight want to think twice about painting over this mystical color. You never know what m ight happen, if you do.

32

The M ountain Spirit Fall 2011

(continuedfrom page 4) their days living in Florida, but for most, the infor­

stays with Ellis, weeks and months after his return

mation they received in training was new. Som e­

from Joplin."The destruction was unbelievable,"

times, Sherry said, people are surprised to hear

he said. "Looking at it made you feel you couldn't

that training is required for disaster assistance, which is tailored to suit the situation where volun­

do anything to help."

Despite that feeling of helplessness, Ellis helped

teers are responding."A volunteer in Pikeville told

in many ways: cleaning yards, loading and un­

me that at first she didn't think the training was necessary, but when they started working, she re­

loading trucks, helping a family sort through the

alized that everything she did was something we

Kelly said many of the gifts of the individual

had talked about during training," Sherry said.

Training not only includes information about working safely in dangerous situations, but Sherry

remains of their belongings. members of the group were enormously valuable to the relief effort. Christina, she said, became "second in com m and" at a free store that provided

also discusses the mindset of the people volun­

many residents of Joplin with food, hygiene items

teers will meet and the trauma they have experi­ enced."! tell people that we're not counselors, but

and cleaning supplies. "Christina speaks fluent

encourage them to direct people to others who

Tim, could drive a forklift, which was needed for unloading trucks. Being with them made me real­

can help them ,"Sherry said.

The commissioning ceremony ended with a ritual that became an integral part of the daily

Spanish, which was great, of course. Her boyfriend,

ize how many gifts everyone has," Kelly said.

Ginny's initial concern about housing arrange­

routine while the Twelve Apostles were in Joplin.

ments was eased when she learned the group

The group arranged itself in a circle and the first

would be welcom e to stay at the Joplin Family

volunteer turned to the person to the right and

Worship Center, which in addition to providing

said,"Put your hand in my hand, and together

shelter and meals, was a place where Joplin resi­

we'll make it." Each person repeated that hope to

dents could access groups of volunteer workers.

the person on the right and when all hands were joined, the group said the Lord's Prayer before

Upon their return to Lexington, Ellis reported proudly that the group received high praise from other volunteer groups and the organizers at the

breaking the circle. By the end of their time in Joplin, people from other volunteer groups were joining in the morning ritual before going out for

Joplin Family Worship Center.

"M aybe they were trying to butter us up, but

the day.

Finally, the "Twelve Apostles" were ready. They

they told us were the best group they had," said Ellis, who said he wanted to go to Joplin to give

climbed into three vehicles and began the drive to Joplin, to help with relief efforts following the tornado that took over 130 lives and destroyed

back in kind to both the Catholic Action Center and the Christian Appalachian Project who have given much to him. "I looked back at my life and

over 8,000 homes and 500 businesses.

W hen they were in Joplin, the volunteers re­

saw how people have helped me by talking to me, supporting me and lifting my spirits," he said.

ceived written permission from every owner whose home they entered, Kelly said, and their training included an overview of the process of helping a family to sort and sift through rubble.

"Going to Joplin was a way I could repay that."

"Sherry did a great job letting us know what to expect," Kelly said."W e knew what w e were go­ ing into and we knew that we would be looking through the destruction for things families would want to keep, even pieces of things. Sherry made us understand we weren't there to fix things, but to be there for the family, to help them cope."

The visual impact of the tornado's destruction To learn more, call 1.866.270.4227 or visit: www.christianapp.org

33

arming has been the backbone of the American economy for as long as people have inhabited the area.

In recent decades cities have taken over the American landscape and farms have been decreasing at an alarming rate. The American farmer faces many obstacles to produce a quality product that was grown and harvested within our borders. In Appalachia, Rainbow Harvest Farm has made it their mission to provide nutrient rich, fresh fruit through earth honoring, natural practices. The fruit grown on their farm is not only delicious and fresh, it comes right out of the heart of Appalachia in the hills of Kentucky.

John and Peg Thaman moved to Liberty, KY from Ohio in 2002 to fulfill their dreams of owning and cultivating a farm. John’s first job was working on a strawberry farm and Peg had a background in alternative and preventative medicine, so starting a berry farm seemed like a perfect fit.

Ever since then the two have been working year round to produce products for their customers located throughout the country. Even in winter when it isn’t possible to grow berries in Kentucky, John and Peg make jams and jellies so customers can enjoy the taste of their delicious products out of season.

What started as a local operation in 2002 has grown into a business that offers a variety of products to people throughout the United States. Customers can now shop online through their website at www.rainbowharvestfarm. net that features all of their great products. In addition Appalachian Home, a catalog business that highlights products from vendors located within the Appalachian region, also carries products from Rainbow Harvest Farm.

Fanning will always have a place in the American culture and economy. More and more people are looking for locally grown products that they know are produced using methods that are safe and healthy. Rainbow Harvest Farm seems to have a very bright future ahead of it and if you are ever in Liberty, KY or just passing through you are invited to stop by and pick some berries for yourself.

To have a catalog sent to you, please visit www.appalachianhome.org and fill out a catalog request or simply call 877-919-9901.

t

A

7coming this

W inter "Out of the south comes the storm, And out of the north the cold.

From the breath of God ice is made, And the expanse of the waters is frozen" JO B 37:9-10 (NASB)

SURV IV IN G A N D T H R IV IN G A N A PPALACHIAN W IN T E R : How CAP eases the burdens of the Elderly A V O L U N T E E R CH RISTM A S: Celebrating with strangers TH E HEART O E EVERY H O M E The warm th and design of the hearth W H A T’S IN Y O U R S T O C K IN G Sweet treats, special gifts or a lum p of coal?

*

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Christian JLppafachian Project

Christian Appalachian Project

P.O.Box 55911 LEXINGTON, KY 40555-9944 THE MOUNTAIN SPIRIT

Appalachia

PHO TO G RAPHED

BY M A R T IN

C AATHR AE

Why We

“Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.”

— Elizabeth Lawrence