Tech: Stories from the Allegheny Mountains

Subject: Tech: Stories from the Allegheny Mountains
From: GUEST,Jim Lesses
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 06:47 PM

Hi Folks, I hope I am not stepping over the line here, but I thought people might be interesting in this Kickstarter campaign; Traveling 219: More Stories from the Allegheny Mountains by Roxy Todd.

The campaign is raising funds to continue a great radio program documenting the music and lives of people living along US Route 219 which runs through the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. With less than 13 hours and $US1,500 still to raise, I am concerned the organizers won't reach their target - a very modest $5,000.

Here's the link: Traveling 219

BTW, I'm in Australia and I have pledged $50 to this campaign, and would love to see them reach their goal. If you have $20 or more to spare, please consider contributing.

Yours in song,

Jim Lesses

Subject: RE: Tech: Stories from the Allegheny Mountains
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 07:36 PM

Oh, I forgot to point you towards the Traveling 219 website http://www.traveling219.com/ were you can read and listen to most of the great interviews and music the producers of this show have already broadcast.

Jim

Subject: RE: Tech: Stories from the Allegheny Mountains
From: Janie
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 08:41 PM

Thanks for posting this, Jim. I just kicked in $50. Was born and raised in WV, and have spent a lot of time traveling 219 and environs, camping, gathering ginseng and other medicinal herbs, and during a good part of my 20s getting together/rendezvousing with other lovers of old-time music and dance.

For several years in the early and mid 1970's, B. J. Sharpe Gudmundsson had a small and lovely biannual old-time music festival at Huntersville, right outside of Marlinton, toward the southern end of 219 in WV, on family land that was pure joy and more akin to a 'family reunion' than anything. Toward the northern end, Elkins is home to the famed Augusta festivals and workshops. The Hammons family were/are in that area. Music and lore and rich mountain culture galore all through the highlands of WV.

I have a collection of fossils I gathered over the years from little mountain creeks of tribolites and other sea creatures from the time the Alleghenies were at the bottom of the sea. If one has the stamina to climb up to the tops of ridges it isn't entirely rare to stumble upon an old homestead, nothing but the stone chimneys and foundations still standing, but daffodils blooming in spring and old apple trees with small tart apples to be gathered in fall to make wonderful apple butter.

Subject: RE: Tech: Stories from the Allegheny Mountains
From: GUEST,Jim Lesses
Date: 23 Dec 14 - 11:03 PM

Janie, Lovely to read about your memories of WV. If I ever get a chance to make a road trip through parts of America, I hope to fit in a festival or two of old time music.
I found out about this Kickstarter campaign late in its run, otherwise I would have posted earlier. As of a few seconds ago they have less than nine hours to raise $750, so hopefully they will scrape over the line, rather than just miss out.
I've listened a number of their archived broadcasts and they are all well produced and fascinating. It would be great to see their work continue.
Have a great festive season, and here's to a melodious, musical new year.

Jim

Subject: RE: Tech: Stories from the Allegheny Mountains
From: GUEST,Jim Lesses
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 06:21 AM

The clock is counting down to zero on this crowdfunding campaign. If you want to hear and see more stories and great music from the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, now is the time to dig deep. Less than two hours to raise $650 or the producers of this program get nothing.

Jim