All photos by Dennis Rhodes, vp of WVLHA

The West Virginia Labor History Assn. presented a display about the recent de-listing of Blair Mountain after a twenty-year battle to get it listed as a historic site worth preserving. Jim Haught, editor of the Charleston Gazette, wrote an editorial and a brief history article about the importance of Blair Mountain, suggesting that the state even build a museum on the site.Below are photos taken by WVLHA vice president Dennis Rhodes. (more…)

 John Lilly performing at The La Belle for his CD Haunted Honky Tonk

John Lilly is one of the finest folk musicians in the country and even the world, often traveling to European folk festivals, etc. I have known him for a long time and have truly enjoyed not only his singing, but also his writing and editing of Goldenseal magazine. He has performed at The La Belle as part of a film program, and had a new CD party at the La Belle that I attended. He is one of the best! Below is a press release concerning his program in April 2010 at the Theater. I hope many people come to enjoy him and his great music!

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The West Virginia Labor History Association, in cooperation with Harvard Ayers and his work to re-list Blair Mountain on the sites of historic preservation, will be presenting a display in honor of Blair Mountain, one of the most historic sites in the state.

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 Ken Hechler with Professor Robert Watson of Lynn University

Ken Hechler does more than anyone realizes, including me. This week he is touring with Prof. Robert Watson of Lynn University, visiting his classes and community groups. In July, Ken will be spending a week at the Chautauqua Center outside Jamestown, New York, talking about interviewing many subjects including President Truman, etc. (more…)

The Kanawha State Forest Foundation has produced an excellent video showing why they are fighting the new large strip-mine that will be placed within 100 yards of the forest. It shows a winter tour of the forest and interviews many of the people who have saved it over the decades, most recently from gas well drilling. (more…)

Ray Schmitt has created “Out of the Blue,” another masterpiece of personal cinema therapy, as he did with “Six Months,” creating a film about his life since the tragic loss of his wife Judy several years ago. He travels the country and to Mexico in search of spiritual peace, showing on camera how deeply he misses his wife.

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