VFH - Media - Humanities Feature Bureau

Humanities Feature Bureau Fall 2005

September 2005

Mandolin Making (September 23)

In the shadow of Mount Rogers near Galax in southwest Virginia, it’s easy to find "old-time" traditional music --- mountain music, it’s called. It’s handed down from one generation of musicians to the next. Look a little closer and you'll find a tiny workshop where a master craftsman and his apprentice create world-class mandolins in the same tradition. Connie Stevens has their story.

China-America Festival (September 30)

While New York and San Francisco each lay claim to substantial Chinese populations, it’s Richmond , Virginia that’s hosting a ground-breaking, Sino-American cultural gathering for five days in October. Nancy King, with VFH Radio, has a report.

October 2005

Latino Soccer Leagues (October 7)

In many Latin American countries, people start playing soccer as toddlers. They bring their love of the game with them when they immigrate to the U-S. As Latino immigrants have moved beyond big metropolitan areas, Latino Soccer Leagues have sprung up in some unlikely places... including the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC. For immigrants, soccer is a lifeline to their hometowns, a safety net for their families and maybe a ticket to a better life. Nancy Marshall Genzer explains.

George Garrett (October 14)

On the occasion of writer and teacher George Garrett's seventieth birthday, former student Richard Dillard posed the following question: "How does one claim to understand or even fully appreciate such a richly complex man and artist?" Martha Woodroof seeks to answer that question.

Flatfooting (October 21)

Flat Footing has been called THE dance of the southern Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains . Though it’s considered a cousin of clogging, buck dancing, even tap, Flat Footing has a heritage all its own. Connie Stevens has the story of a Patrick County , Virginia native who's dancing to her own tune--drummer or not.

Steamboats on the Chesapeake Bay (October 28)

At the turn of the 19th century, steamboats provided the major link between the remote areas of Virginia ’s Northern Neck and East Coast cities. The steamboats are now gone but a small Virginia museum is trying to preserve their memory. Nancy King has a report.

November 2005

Our Lady of the Angels (November 4)

Our Lady of Angels Monastery is nestled in the foothills of Central Virginia ’s Blue Ridge Mountains . Reporter Nancy King recently made a two-day retreat to the monastery to learn more about the Sisters who live there, and what insights this 12th century way of life may offer us today.

Jamestown Discoveries (November 11)

On November 10th, scientists announced that they believe remains unearthed at Jamestown , Virginia are those of Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, one of the founders of the Jamestown Colony, and the man John Smith says found financial support for the colony. As Nancy Marshall Genzer reports, this may help them correct some historical inaccuracies about Jamestown.

Salsa! (November 18)

American and Latino cultural cross-pollination occurs freely these days in everything from cuisine to clothing. As part of this, Afro-Cuban music and dance – or Salsa – has entrenched itself here in Virginia . VFH Radio’s Martha Woodroof has this report.

Lost Communities (November 25)

They used to hustle and bustle. Today they are little more than a few empty buildings at a quiet crossroads. In Virginia , there are dozens of small communities that are now considered "lost." These towns are the topic of an upcoming book, as we hear from reporter Connie Stevens.

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