Some of our readers may remember receiving valentine cards in elementary school. February 14th was a highly anticipated day for school children. We had parties back then with candy and cake and punch. My mother took my brother and I shopping for valentines. We could choose any set we wantedContinue Reading
Since our Capturing Appalachia Photography Contest is now closed, Appalachia Bare thought it would be interesting to feature a gallery of photographers and cameras from bygone days. These images are not Appalachia-specific. Instead, they feature photographers throughout the United States and the world. These types of cameras, however, were usedContinue Reading
Hello Reader. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season. We have all filed away 2022 and welcomed a bright new 2023. For this new year, Appalachia Bare plans to continue our endeavor to present quality content, to be a venue for Appalachian creativity, and to offer works about AppalachianContinue Reading
Carolyn Merchant states in her article, “Shades of Darkness: Race and Environmental History” that “an environmental history of race” should be researched in order to explore environmental racism itself. Her article presents a dichotomous exploitation of minorities in lower-class and minority neighborhoods against pristine, pollution-controlled upper class white neighborhoods. SheContinue Reading
This year has been a whopper of a ride. We’ve experienced great losses, had good times, made beautiful memories, and enjoyed strange weather. We have lived our lives forward, with, perhaps, a different but better view of our fellow Appalachians, our friendly critters, our lush region, our close-knit communities, andContinue Reading
I have written a little bit about my love for these mountains, about my fond – and not so fond – memories living deep in the holler. The place where I grew up was an offshoot of an area called Demory Hollow. At one point in time, Demory was aContinue Reading
Thank you to all our readers, contributors, subscribers, supporters, and creative persons. Thank you for your interest and for entrusting us with such incredible Appalachian creativity. This endeavor has been an honor and joy. I hope we have done well as a venue to inspire creativity and spread a littleContinue Reading
I cannot watch war movies. In my mind’s eye, I interpose my father trudging through rice paddies in Vietnam, trudging through tall grass so thick, it slices the skin. I see his small frame – just a boy – whose uniform in later years fit his 13-year-old grandson. I seeContinue Reading
. . . [and they] arose against me; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. Psalm 35:11-12 Written (in part) on the back of Daniel Britton Daugherty’s tombstone Thank you to Zach Foster andContinue Reading
**Trigger Warning: This article contains supernatural violence and abuse. The Smurl family didn’t have an easy go at life. They were Pennsylvanians and devout Roman Catholics who were heavily involved in church activities. The family included Navy veteran Jack Smurl,1)Jack Smurl was on a ship at sea during the CubanContinue Reading