#centralappalachia

“I feel a kinship here. I love to visit other places and see the landscape differences and all the different things, but this is home. This is where I like the seasons, and the people. It’s just peacefulness, especially if you’ve been in some of the very flat places, like in Florida or up north. Like I said, it’s nice to see and experience different places, but this is just peace and home.” Kim Johnston, Nurse, Civil War Re-Enactor; Riner, Virginia. 👉 page link in profile 👈 #centralappalachia #appalachia #appalachian #virginia #virginiatourismpr #virginiaisforlovers #nurse #reenactor #civilwar

“There always seems to be a sense of gloom or despair that hangs in the air when you look at the economic situation, and I think that’s dampened some really proud moments. I graduated with a Geology Degree, and I graduated about the time the coal industry really took its hit. That’s one of the reasons why I got an Education Degree. It seems like the happy is mixed with the sad around here.” Aaron Owens, High School Teacher; Princeton, West Virginia. 👉 page link in profile 👈 #centralappalachia #appalachia #appalachian #wva #westvirginia #princeton #teacher #reenactor #civilwar

“If you watch Fox News you think one way, if you listen to National Public Radio you think another way, and that doesn’t need to be. You need a place where you can explore ideas, and not just be told what to think. I think Appalachians need to say, ‘where I live is a powerful place.’” Ann W. Olson, Photographer; Mauk Ridge, Elliott County, Kentucky. 👉 page link in profile 👈 #centralappalachia #appalachia #appalachian #kentucky #elliottcounty #mountainmama #photographer

“I myself don’t identify as a man or a woman, really, but feminist issues are very near and dear to my heart. I feel like it’s not my place to say anything [when] I have male parts, but I can play the guitar and shut up and let the ladies sing about it.” Adam Brewer, Age 30, Retail Employee and Musician; Hazard, Kentucky. 👉 page link in profile 👈 #centralappalachia #appalachia #appalachian #kentucky #perrycounty #easternkentucky #hazard #musician

“I have based my life on coal, and I think that’s something this country needs. I have seen people killed, I have seen people hurt, and it touches your heart. They eventually died from it. At one time, I had a lot of people that was friends and family working, but it’s down now.” Wayne L. Williams, Retired Coal Miner, Lashmeet, West Virginia. 👉 page link in profile 👈 #centralappalachia #appalachia #appalachian #wva #westvirginia #miner #coalminer

“One of my instructors, I remember her saying, ‘Integration is good, but it’s maybe going to ruin the black kids.’ I asked her why, and she said, ‘because I’ve never seen any more well-mannered children, than came from down here.’” Ronnie Walker, Retired Nurse; Harlan, Kentucky. 👉 page link in profile 👈 #centralappalachia #appalachia #appalachian #kentucky #harlancounty #easternkentucky #harlan #nurse

“We aren’t making it big. We aren’t rich, but we do what we have to do to get by and make it the best for our family.” Samantha Buckler, Works at Family’s Swimming Pool Business; Greenup, Kentucky. 👉 page link in profile 👈 #centralappalachia #appalachia #appalachian #kentucky #greenupcounty #mountainmama

“The people [here] all have a certain character about them, and they all care for each other. We have a certain way of life that other people don’t.” Brianna Claxon, Age 17, High School Senior; Greenup, Kentucky. 👉 page link in profile 👈 #centralappalachia #appalachia #appalachian #kentucky #greenup #mountainkid