Stories from Southwest Virginia

On today's episode of the Stories from Southwest Virginia podcast, I had a conversation with Western Front & Sessions Hotel partner, Hal Craddock. Hal took the time to tell us about what you can experience at these hotels as well as the areas that surround them. We covered the idea of storytelling and how boutique hotels offer such a unique experience to guests.

I myself had the pleasure of staying at the Western Front Hotel in St. Paul in July of 2020. It was a great downhome and inviting experience I wish to enjoy again. The next stop on my list is to visit and stay at the Sessions Hotel in Bristol.

If you would like to learn more about these beautiful hotels, feel free to visit their websites at:

The Western Front Hotel

The Sessions Hotel

This week, we sat down with Mark and Justen of Tumbling Creek Cider Company out of Meadowview, Virginia. A relatively new cider company of only a few years providing a fine variety, Tumbling Creek Cider Company is a statement of SWVA entrepreneurship. Holding true to SWVA style, Tumbling Creek works with local businesses and orchards to keep their stock here at home. 

Tumbling Creek offers around five main ciders in their taproom:

Aside from these noticeable names, the guys at Tumbling Creek also experiment with seasonal flavors and offerings throughout the year which can be found at their taproom in Abingdon, Virginia. 

The team is made up of four professional individuals from different backgrounds: Jerry, Justen, Thomas, and Mark. Each partner brings to the team a different set of skills, which aids in the successful production of delicious cider. Their cider can be found in local eateries, grocery stores, and businesses within the SWVA region. 

My first experience with Tumbling Creek Cider Company was in the Fall of 2020 during a visit to the Harvest Table in Meadowview. I had a glass of Hellbender, which was in a perfect company to my New York Strip steak. 

If you would like to learn more about Tumbling Creek and their cider, please be sure to visit the links below:

Tumbling Creek Cider Company Website

Tumbling Creek Cider Facebook

This week we had the opportunity to speak with 'Round the Mountain Artisan and writer, Greg Lilly of Abingdon, Virginia. Greg has written a number of books such as Stray, The Wolf Crystal, and The Devils Bridge. It was great to get to hear first hand how Greg got his start, learn about his life and his love for the Southwest Virginia area.

From Greg's biography: 

Greg Lilly grew up in Bristol, Virginia then lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. The rich storytelling tradition of the South captivated him and he began writing. He first turned to creating short stories after plot lines emerged from the technical manuals he wrote for a large family-owned corporation.

Moving to Sedona, Arizona, Greg chronicled the high desert characters – past and present – in his books, Under a Copper Moon and Scalping the Red Rocks.

Greg relocated to Williamsburg, Virginia, where he wrote and edited a regional magazine.

Today, he lives and writes in Abingdon, Virginia.

To learn more about Greg, his work, and the links mentioned in the episode, please see below:

Greg Lilly Website

The Virginia Writers Club

Appalachian Writers Guild

You can view Greg's work at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace in Abingdon Virginia. You can also purchase it from our online shop.

In this episode of the Stories from Southwest Virginia Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Adda "Addie" Leah Davis. Ms. Davis is not only a member of 'Round the Mountain but also a wonderful writer, currently living in Russell County, Virginia. 

Adda or "Addie" as she was nicknamed took the time to tell me stories of her childhood, her writing processes, and life living in both West Virginia and Virginia. 

Addie has written a number of books, many of which a series. Her most well known series, Fatal Love, currently includes four books. If you would like to learn more about Addie or purchase a copy of one of her books, please sure to visit the following links:

Ms. Davis's Website

Ms. Davis's Facebook Page

You may also obtain a copy of her book by visiting the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace in Abingdon, Virginia or shop online!

Welcome to the first of our Artist interview series! For this premiere episode, we had the chance to sit down with Daniel Scott of Artistic Kindling to talk to him about his craft. The type of work Daniel performs is called marquetry.

Marquetry (also spelled as marqueterie; from the French marqueter, to variegate) is the art and craft of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns, designs or pictures.

Daniel creates beautiful wooden works of art using various pieces of wood to create a character or scene. Daniel's works come from his own mind or in commissioned pieces. Daniel has been practicing his craft for over 20 years and is happy to teach others how to do the craft themselves. 

If you would like to learn more about Daniel, you can visit his Artistic Kindling Facebook page to stay up to date and view his work.

What is ecotourism you might ask? 

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In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with guest Austin Counts from Appalachian Voices. Appalachian Voices is an organization located in Southwest Virginia that aims to reclaim abandoned lands within the region. Their goal is to claim these lands which were once used for things such as mining and turn them into clean and natural habitats once again. 

They take the time to make these areas clean, safe, and presentable for locals and SWVA visitors alike. These areas once left abandoned and isolated became used for hiking and biking trails, fishing spots, and much more. 

It's a great thing that Austin and Appalachian Voices are doing. Aside from reclaiming and repurposing lands, the group also helps to educate others on how we might preserve our lands. Sticking to trails, keeping things neat and tidy, and not littering are just a few examples.

If you would like to find out more about Appalachian Voices and the current projects they are working, please feel free to visit their website at:

https://appvoices.org/

I would like to welcome everyone to Season two of the Stories from Southwest Virginia podcast. I really enjoyed everyone I got to meet and speak within season one. During season one we focused on the arts and music of the SWVA region, while here in season two we are going to be looking at the outdoor beauty and recreation of the region.

If you would like to be on an episode of the podcast, please feel free to reach out and email me at:

[email protected]

To find out more about the Stories from Southwest Virginia podcast, please visit our website at: https://visitswva.org/stories-from-southwest-virginia/

There is no question that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was an important one. This Amendment gave women the right to vote. Today, we pay respects to the women who fought hard for this prestigious cause. It's hard to imagine a time when women were not treated equally as men in regards to their privilege to vote. 

Today I speak with two very special guests, Karen Hester and Jan Medeiros. Two amazing ladies who are successful both in life and in business as well as believe in their ability to vote. 

Karen Hester, born in Marion, Virginia, and currently living in Bristol is a successful small business owner. She owns two businesses on State Street in Bristol, Virginia, Cranberry Lane, and The Southern Churn as well as Hester's Country Store  & Fudgery in Marion, Virginia. Her stores are all about decor, sweets, and treats! To learn more, please visit one of the links above and pay Karen a visit.

Jan Medeiros from Marion, Virginia is also a small business owner with her husband Keith. They run Past Time Antique Emporium and General Store in downtown Marion, Virginia. Their location features a wonderful selection of antiques as well as handmade goods from Southwest Virginia and North Carolina. Jan also believes in the power of your vote and voicing your opinion. Be sure to pay Jan a visit on your next stop in Marion or by visiting the link above.

To learn more about the Stories from Southwest Virginia Podcast, or to plan your next trip within the region, you can also visit our website at VisitSWVA.

In today's episode, I had the chance to speak with Michael Gillman about the work he does at the Thomas J. Boyd Museum in Wytheville, Virginia. Michael is the Coordinator of Heritage Sites and Programs for the Wytheville Department of Museums. The Department of Museums includes three museums and a museum gift shop located in downtown Wytheville.

I had the pleasure of visiting the Thomas J. Boyd museum for a feature story on the Polio pandemic, while there I also had the chance of seeing Michael's feature exhibit on pioneer SWVA decor. I highly recommend to anyone wanting to see some great exhibits and learn about Southwest Virginia history in Wytheville, to pay these museums a visit. 

If you would like to learn more about the Thomas J. Boyd Museum, you can begin your journey here. 

If you would like to learn more about the Stories from Southwest Virginia Podcast and more fun things in Southwest Virginia, you can visit our website here.

If you would like to be featured on the Stories from Southwest Virginia Podcast, you can do so by vising our webpage linked above, or by emailing [email protected] for more information. 

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with country music artist Ella Patrick (Momma Molasses). We have a delightful conversation about music, roots, fun stories, and life during COVID as an artist. Patrick has spent the majority of her life in the world of music. She was born and raised in North Carolina and just a couple years ago moved to Bristol, Tennesse, the Birthplace of Country Music.

From her Facebook Page:

"Momma Molasses' music interlaces; Classic Country, Folk, Piedmont Blues, Soul, Swing, Bluegrass, and Old-Time which blend into a uniquely timeless sound. Harnessing her rolling contralto voice which scales over homespun finger-picked guitar, her sound is warm, rich, and passionate, with songs that embrace, and captivate listeners, soothing well warn hearts with vulnerable lyricism"

Her music has been likened by listeners to Patsy Cline, "Mother" Maybelle Carter, early (pre-rock n’ roll) Janis Joplin. 

Prepare yourselves for an energetic and fun-loving chat with the one and only Momma Molasses!

Below are a few links mentioned in today's episode:

Momma Molasses Website

Momma Molasses Facebook

Radio Bristol - The Birthplace of County Music

Farm and Fun Time

To find out more about the Stories from Southwest Virginia podcast you can visit our webpage here.

With the events going on around the world today, there was little hope for live theatre performances in 2020. The Barter Theatre in Abingdon Virginia had other plans, however. An idea sparked of an outdoor theatre, perhaps at the old Moonlite Drive-In, just a couple exits down the road. This idea would become a reality, a one of a kind idea because after all, "The show must go on."

On today's Stories from Southwest Virginia podcast episode, I had the chance to speak with Terrance Jackson, a resident actor at the Barter Theatre. Terrance tells us all about this amazing idea of outdoor, drive-in theatre and how it went from just an idea to something real. Terrance is performing in both scheduled plays of The Wizard of Oz and Beauty and the Beast Jr.

It's been wonderful seeing and hearing about all the great things Terrance and the rest of the Barter Theatre actors, staff, and crew have been working on over the past few months. They have even been showcasing behind the scenes videos, where you can view backstage footage of the production, preparations, and more.

Terrance also talks to us about how the cast and crew remains safe during the pandemic. He discusses the necessary precautions and guidelines they have been utilizing to not only keep themselves safe, but also visitors to the outdoor theatre.

If you would like to find out more about the Barter Theatre, their productions, and the Moonlite Drive-In shows, you can visit:

Barter Theatre Website

Barter Theatre YouTube

Barter Theatre Facebook

If you would like to find out more about Abingdon Virginia and the Stories from Southwest Virginia podcast, you can visit:

Abingdon Virginia Website

Stories from Southwest Virginia