The Appalachian Voice
Acme McCrary: Shaping legs and sustainability in the textile industry
“A successful merchandise lineup hangs on the right products…and the right partner. Coincidentally, we offer both.” – Acme McCrary —Story by Kyle Wolff Textile plant Acme McCrary is out to prove that big industries can make a big impact. The company’s Pritchard Street facility in Asheboro, N.C., is home to one of the country’s largest…
Read MoreExplore the highlands of Kentucky
Kentucky’s Pine Mountain Trail By Sam Adams The first impression when entering the southern end of the Highland Section of the Pine Mountain Trail is that it is going to be an easy walk. The trail enters the forest where U.S. 119 crests Kentucky’s second-highest mountain near Whitesburg, and abruptly starts downhill. The word “trail”…
Read MoreEnvironmental Summer Camps
Summer is just around the corner and that means it’s time for summer camps! Environmental programs can help your child become a stronger individual, make lifelong friends and foster independence while learning about the outdoors. We compiled this list of environmental summer camps to help you get your kids outside and learning. —By Kaley Bellanti…
Read MoreEarth Day 2011
Story by Kaley Bellanti The first question everyone should ask folks in Appalachia this April is, “What are you doing for the 41st annual Earth Day?” The answer is a little more complicated, because of the array of events taking place throughout the region. From a recycling contest to dumpster diving, the fairs and exhibitions…
Read MoreSolar decathlon, JOBS solar project… see what’s happening Across Appalachia
ASU in the Running for Solar Decathlon By Jesse Wood Students at Appalachian State University are striving to be shining examples of sustainability by building the best model home on the planet. ASU’s Solar Homestead team is one of 20 universities from around the globe competing in this year’s U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon,…
Read MoreTake Me to the River(Fest)
By Parker Stevens, Festival Coordinator Start your summer with a splash at the 2nd annual Appalachian Voices’ RiverFest and membership gathering, slated for June 4 in beautiful Valle Crucis, N.C., on the banks of the Watauga River. At this year’s RiverFest, folks will have the opportunity to try their hand at making Japanese-style fish prints,…
Read MoreMountain Musicians
ongs for Justice | Reel World String Band Story by Jillian Randel In 1977, a group of twenty-five women in Kentucky gathered their instruments to perform for the International Day of Women. Of that group, four women (later joined by a fifth) decided to keep stringing and singing, playing traditional tunes incorporating country, swing, blues…
Read MoreExtraordinary Educators
Marie Daly | Founder of Ivy Academy By Jesse Wood In the fall of 2009, Marie Daly founded Ivy Academy, a unique and successful tuition-free charter school outside of Chattanooga, Tenn. After teaching English for 20 years and witnessing apathetic students, she knew she had to do something different to help children regain their natural…
Read MoreMarvelous Artists
Kari Gunter-Seymour | The Art of Empowerment By Jillian Randel Three years ago, Kari Gunter-Seymour was sitting at her monthly potluck supper surrounded by her closest female friends, when she had a vision. “People think of an Appalachian woman and look down on her,” said Gunter-Seymour. “I started thinking about women and art out there…
Read MoreSaluting the Women I Want to Be
By Jamie Goodman My grandmother was a true Appalachian mountain woman. She stood a mere 5 feet 2 inches, but she was as tall as a tree in my eyes. Her skin was weathered by years of working on the farm; her eyes were water-blue, and her hands scarred and tough. Her back was hunched…
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