Pictured above - George Daugherty and Bill Henthorn
George Daugherty, The Earl of Elkview,and about 50 other people came to the first theatrical showing of one of WV’s best Hollywood films, “Fools Parade,” last night at the South Charleston Museum. I have been waiting 30 years myself to present the film in Charleston, and had a great time. (more…)
The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvaniais definitely one of the top ten documentaries I have ever seen on the world of small-town Appalachia. It is hilarious, touching, fast-moving, beautiful - it has it all! I have been reading about it for a while, and while checking out the new DVDs at the Kanawha County Public Library saw it listed, and reserved it on-line. ( I also received “Venus” from KCPL - also one of the best films I have seen recently, and one of the most poignant films ever made about the life of a man facing death after a life as a famous actor - perfectly played by Peter O’Toole.)
Henry Louis Gates, Jr., one of West Virginia’s most famous native sons, will be returning home in October to serve as the Appalachian Writer in Residence at Shepherd University. On Monday, October 1 at 4 PM he will present an episode of “Eyes on the Prize” called “Awakenings” and then present at 7 PM the same day “Wonders of the African World.”
Jason Brown, visiting from Greensboro, brought by a copy of “The Town that Was, “a new documentary about Centralia, Pa., the town that started on fire. Friends of his made the 71 minute film that truly showed what it was like to lose your hometown to a sudden disaster.
Ross Ballard, the leader of WV’s only audiobook company, has been leading the nation with his super-high quality versions of WV, and other, books. ForeWord magazine recently published this survey of the new super-high quality audiobooks now available. Unfortunately, the WV media have refused to pay any attention to one of our own. Hopefully many more West Virginians will learn about Mr. Ballard and MountainWhispers.com. (more…)
Robert Kennedy Jr, one of the leading environmentalists in the world, flew into Charleston on Monday, July 17th. Several people I know knew about his “secret trip” but I was surprised that none of the local media except CBS TV, WOWK, had a story about his discussion with Bill Rainey, president of the WV Coal Association.
Larry Gibson Arrested at the State Capitol
It’s official - the new film is “in progress.” The working title is “Rise Up West Virginia.” The following web page is THE BEGINNING.http://patchworkfilms.com/wvhills.htm
Robert Tinnell returned home to his native Fairmont several years ago and wrote an award-winning, best-selling graphic novel, “The Feast of Seven Fishes.” Last December Fairmont made it an official celebration. You can see the new trailer for the 2007 celebration and watch footage from the 2006 event on YouTube.
Ray Schmitt made a great film about Jim Clark, one of the world’s leading nature photographers, several years ago called “Mountain Memories.” The film had its world premiere as part of the “Flooded Out Film Festival,” showing the beautiful shots of Clark’s home state of West Virginia. Clark also talks about his concern over mountaintop removal mining. Clark is a native of War, McDowell County.
Joan C. Browning, a resident of Greenbrier County, will receive one of the Governor’s Awards for Volunteerism on July 11th in Charleston. Ms. Browning has produced several films with 2005 WV Filmmaker of the Year B.J. Gudmundsson that make up the “Inspiration Series.” Two of the films have been shown as part of the “WV Film Series” at The South Charleston Museum - “He Went About Doing Good” on Rev. Renick and “Standing on Holy Ground” about Rev. Dr. Patricia Jarvis. You can visit her website at -
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