John-Boy might not be there, but youll still get a taste of Appalachian Christmas cheer with a visit to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park this coming Saturday.
Each year, deep in Appalachia, the holiday season is ushered in as Christmas-red cardinals decorate snow-covered hemlocks. Icicles become natures diamonds frosting rocky mountainsides. The brisk air makes ones skin tingle. Christmas bells treat ears to a medley of jingles. And at Cumberland Gap National Historical Parks “Taste of Christmas Past” children of all ages will thrill in the magic of mountain holidays of old.
South from Hell-fer-Sartin, a short creek flowing into the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, lies one of the of the most isolated regions in Kentucky. There, on the north slope of the Pine Mountain range in Leslie and Perry counties — probably the last stronghold of white, English-language folk tales in North America — Leonard W. Roberts recorded this rich collection more than three decades ago. To a people who at that time watched dancing hearth fires more often than television, the adventures of Jack in the land of witches and giants, monsters and beautiful princesses, provided first-class entertainment. Here are such old favorites as “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Golden Arm,” retold in the idiom of the Kentucky mountains. Here are hauntingly beautiful cantes fables and earthy Irishman jokes. Here are encounters with Indians and marvelous hunting escapades. Roberts introduces his collection, first published in 1955, with a sympathetic description of the mountain way of life. He notes especially the bewildering and rapid changes that came to the Pine Mountain watershed in that decade as the highways and electric lines at last brought in a sophistication that preferred the soap opera to the folk tale. Although the stories Roberts recorded were still a firm part of folk tradition at the time, he believed that within a decade or two they would be forgotten — a prediction, sadly, by now no doubt fulfilled. Any lover of the vanishing art of tale telling will relish this rich treasury of folklore and humor. Full notes on sources, types, motifs, parallels, and possible origins of the tales make this collection valuable also for folklorists.
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With the heavy rain we had the night we stayed in Perry County, Kentucky, there were thousands of these little streams pouring large amounts of water. The water comes from the top of the mountains and runs all the way to the road. I love the black color of the mountains down there.
Wet Mountain
Image by cindy47452
With the heavy rain we had the night we stayed in Perry County, Kentucky, there were thousands of these little streams pouring large amounts of water. The water comes from the top of the mountains and runs all the way to the road.
Black Mountain
Image by cindy47452
One of the lovely rock formations that make up the mountains in eastern Kentucky. They are a lovely black color.
Kentucky Mountain
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One of the beautiful mountains in eastern Kentucky. They’re so rocky, the trees don’t cover them all.
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Image by cindy47452
One of the lovely rock formations that make up the mountains in eastern Kentucky. They are
Photographic Print Title: An Aerial View of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky
Artist: Annie Griffiths Belt
Size: 30 x 40 inches
An Aerial View of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget!
“A Stool for Me” is here: www.youtube.com “New Shoe for Bill” is here: www.youtube.com Film segment from 1974 about a rural mailman who delivers mail on horseback in the mountains of Kentucky.
This is a song about kids growing up in the mountains of Kentucky and my perception of how a Mentally handicapped person was treated because of our lack of knowledge with mental problems. The song pretty much tells the story of how he was teased and treated mostly just to watch his reactions. I wrote the song as tho I had participated in these incidents though I never did. I was however a witness to some of the cruel things kids can do to each other. Never in my life did I ever think I would write a song about it, but one day the song just rolled out on the first try. I am not totally happy with some of the word usage, but like I said I wrote it of the first try and I just didn’t want to make any changes then. Video Rating: 0 / 5
Registration is now open for our June 6 – 11, 2010 Appalachian Mission Trip at www.stfonline.org Spirit & Truth Fellowship International is announcing a mission trip in the hills of the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Have you ever wanted to go on a mission trip to serve and help the underprivileged? Here is your opportunity right here in the USA to bring your love and giftings to others in unfortunate circumstances. Projects include, but are not limited to, remodeling or repairing an existing home. Come prepared to get dirty and be tired, but know you have been a good and faithful servant, doing the Lord’s work. Mail or fax your registration to: Spirit & Truth Fellowship International 180 Robert Curry Dr Martinsville, IN 46151 Fax: (765) 342-8430 Registration forms: www.stfonline.org Note: The registration deadline is April 16, 2010. By which time Spirit & Truth Fellowship must recieve your payment and application forms. All flying arrangements must be made to fly into the Lexington, KY airport. Cost: 0.00 (includes room and board). Limited to the first 18 who have paid in full and submitted the application forms. You are not fully registered until you have both paid the registration fees and mailed in the required application forms (above). If you are unable to attend, but would like to help out, please consider sowing into our Mission Trip Fund so we can sponsor some of our youth around the country to serve in this very meaningful way. You can donate online at … Video Rating: 0 / 5
My acoustic cover of John Prine’s classic “Paradise”, about the strip mining of coal in the 30′s & the devestation to the the mountains of Kentucky. The BP oil disaster in the Gulf put me in mind of this tune. My first recording with the mandolin, I laid some acoustic guitar & harmonica on after. Take care ~Greg~