Ken Hechler made his last visit to Fesenmaier’s office today, picking up several items including a color poster for his latest book, “Super Marine!” and some other items. Fesenmaier donated many items to the WV State Archives including VHS and DVDs films that formed the largest collection of WV films in existence.

Steve Fesenmaier, long-time WV film advocate and author of this column, retired today at 12 noon. Officially, he will be retired as of December 1, 2009, but with the holidays, annual leave, etc., he spent his last three hours at The Culture Center this morning. He will still be writing this column, programming WV films for The South Charleston Museum, and lots of things he has been doing in the past. He wants to make new films about the Green Bank Radio Astronomy and a film about the Paint Creek/Cabin Creek Mine Wars. He should be busy retired! More to come…..He can be reached at mystery12@suddenlink.net.   (more…)

Kelley Thompson posted a preview of his newest film on  William C. Blizzard, the son of Bill Blizzard .The film is called “Remembering William C. Blizzard.” It’s on facebook. Also check out his film, “The Widen Project,” about a 1952 mine strike that involved Bill Blizzard and a famous coal company owner, J.G. Ballard, who led the war against WV miners for decades.

Holler Presents has created another fine film, “Li’l Audrey’s Last Day at School” which really should be called “Mrs. McClanahan’s Last Day at School” since the film is about Mrs. McClanahan’s career teaching children in Southern WV schools. A. James Manchin makes a guest appearance and there is lots of historical footage and photos. It is one of the finest films about a dedicated teachers I have ever seen. To watch it online, just click the link of the film’s name. Holler Presents just keeps making great little films. Congrats….I hope lots of people all over WV and the world get to see the little masterpieces. 

Bob Wilkinson sent me a preview of his new film about Brandt Russo called “Adopt-a-Jesus.” It truly opened a door in to the world that has been making headlines ever since The Great Recession began – the life of America’s homeless. I recalled that Mr. Russo made a stop in Charleston recently, and I guess that is when Bob decided he was worth making a film about. The film is very well made, with great interviews, editing and most interesting in some ways, the music which was credited at the beginning. It was definitely NOT the usual rock and roll nostalgia used in films these days.

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The Reuther Family were some of the first inductees in to the West Virginia Hall of Fame along with Mother Jones. Now Sasha Reuther, a relative of one of the three brothers, is finising this feature documentary, “Brothers on the Line.” If you wish to donate to help them finish the film, see below. I hope to present the WV premiere in May at The SCM-WVLHA Labor Film Night program -if the film is available by then.

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On Saturday, November 14th, The South Charleston Museum and Interpretive Center will be presenting a program with native son Tom Kuhn, (T.C.), author of a series of books about the first Americans. Titles include Voices Upon the Wind, The Stone Breakers, his most recent book, and others. He is a retired archeologist He is an expert on the people who build the mounds of West Virginia and will be giving a demonstration at the Interpretive Center. (more…)

Would you “Adopt-a-Jesus”?Controversial documentary touring the U.S. and Canada
The film focuses on Brandt Russo, a young minister from Louisiana who quit his job, sold all his earthly goods and dedicated his life to helping the homeless and ministering to the poor. Russo travels the country in a bus powered by cooking oil and emblazoned with the slogan, “Can’t Ignore the Poor.” He gathers food, advocates for the homeless and hungry, and often irritates local church authorities and law enforcement in his efforts to follow the path of the apostles. (more…)

John Lilly is the editor of Goldenseal, a very nice person, winner of national Hank Williams awards, and composer of music for several of WV’s recent finest films. – Steve PS I write an annual list of “new films on WV and Appalachia” for his fall issue of Goldenseal.( He was one of the first people I talked to about “the importance of Appalachian music.”

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Kathy Bisbee checking out a few websites at my home recently

Kathy Bisbee was born in Maine, grew up there, but has plenty of West Virginia roots including her mother and all of her maternal relatives. I have known her mother, an avid photographer and retired Maine teacher, for many years. (more…)

“White Lightnin’,” a Brit fictionalized version of Dancing Outlaw Jesco White’s life, is finally coming to US screens and TVs. Screen Daily announced that US rights have been acquired and that the film will be shown in US movie theaters and as a video-on-demand. It is one of two new Jesco films. 

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