Humanities Feature Bureau Summer 2006
A Production of VFH Radio
Archives:
June 2006
Moving Grundy (June 2)
The southwestern Virginia town of Grundy is probably best known for the nearby Breaks Interstate Park- often called the “ Grand Canyon of the South.” Grundy is also the birthplace of writer Lee Smith…and it’s just a few miles away from Jolo, West Virginia, famous for its Pentecostal snake handlers. But Grundy has never been known for Flood Safety…or Flat Land. Now, residents will get both…they just had to move a mountain…and the town itself.
The Jamestown Experience (June 9)
A replica of one of the ships that brought the first English settlers to North America is making its maiden voyage up the East Coast. The Godspeed was built as part of a year-long commemoration of the 1607 Jamestown settlement, leading up to ceremonies on the settlement's 400th anniversary next May. Nancy Marshall-Genzer caught up with the Godspeed at its first stop, in Alexandria, Virginia.
Grayson Chesser (June 16)
On Virginia ’s Eastern Shore, hunters carry on the tradition of carving their own duck decoys. In the hamlet of Jenkin’s Bridge, one man’s working decoys are becoming prized by collectors.
Juneteenth and Independence (June 30)
Institutionalized slavery in the United States did not end with Lincoln ’s Emancipation Proclamation on Jan 1, 1863 – at least in Texas. Texas slaves weren’t told they were free until June 19 th, 1865 . Juneteenth – as that day is known – is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery. Martha Woodroof attended a Virginia Juneteenth celebration and filed this report.
July 2006
Miner Baseball (July 7)
The boys of summer have taken the field and folks across Virginia are cheering on their favorite baseball teams. Out in far southwest Virginia, back in the days when coal was king, you could find teams of miners knocking the coal dust from their cleats, preparing to play against the Brooklyn Dodgers and other big city touring teams as a way make mining camp life a little sweeter. Connie Stevens has the story.
Virginia Indians Abroad (July 14)
A delegation of 55 Virginia Indians from eight tribes is in Britain this week. Their visit is intended to promote next year’s commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. The tribes are also hoping to promote greater understanding of the descendants of the Native Americans who first encountered the English settlers who established Jamestown . Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Heirloom Plants (July 21)
In 1822, when he was 79 years old, Thomas Jefferson wrote that he was too old to plant trees for his own gratification, but he would do it for posterity. Reporter Nancy King spoke with three gardeners around the state who are cultivating flowers, vegetables, and fruit for future generations, with an eye to the past.
Don't Grieve After Me (July 28)
Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying that history is not history unless it is the truth. One group of authors has come together twice in 30 years to collaborate on and update a book that seeks to reveal the truth of a vital part of Virginia’s history. Sondra Woodward reports.
August 2006
Inside Galax (August 4)
Back when it began in 1935, the Old Fiddler’s Convention in Galax drew a paying crowd of 897 people. It’s since grown a little, to be the biggest musical event in Southwest Virginia. This year's Galax Fiddler's Convention runs August 7 th through 12 th, and organizers predict a crowd of up to 50-thousand. As Connie Stevens reports, they’ll get a weeklong fix of old-time and bluegrass music.
Buying Local Food (August 11)
Even despite the sweltering heat, farmers' markets across Virginia are filled with buyers this summer. Martha Woodroof investigates what draws consumers out of the grocery stores and towards the bounty of local growers.
Psychoanalyzing Global Conflict (August 18)
Two Virginia psychiatrists are taking their training in psychoanalysis around the globe, helping head off conflicts….or deal with their aftermath. They analyze suicide bombers, and get different ethnic groups that have hated each other for centuries to sit down and talk. Nancy Marshall Genzer explains.
Leslie Garland Bolling (August 25)
Thanks to some good old-fashioned detective work, a new exhibit at the Library of Virginia resurrects the reputation of a long-forgotten sculptor. Reporter Nancy King traveled to Richmond to see the artistry of Leslie Garland Bolling and has this report.
