Disclosure In a perfect world I would be making baskets of money from all of the time and effort I put into this family of websites. In that perfect world I would be writing these posts on my deck with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains always above my monitor. I would, in that perfect world, be living my "Mountain Dream."
Since none of the above is true, my "Mountain Dreams" are still in the dream form and this site is one of the places I use to envision the dream. As part of the dream is to earn a living in these mountain I love, this site is envisioned as a commercial endeavor.
So...To be upfront right here at the top of the page...While not all links found in these pages will earn anything toward living that dream, some will. So if you follow a link and it leads to a sales page, or you see a link in my sidebar...There is a good possibility that I will receive a fee or commission.
Thanks for stopping by.
The Dream Continues...
|
To West Virginia Mountain Dreams.
This site is in the process of being grown. As I spend time learning about the West Virginia mountains I’ll be sharing my thoughts and discoveries, my old blogging friends and new acquaintances, my general sense of wonder at everything having anything to do with the mountains of West Virginia…Bear my upbringing in mind…We don’t have many hills even on the Texas Gulf Coast where I was reared.
If you like the concept or wish to add anything to the site, please leave a comment and let me know what changes you would like to see.
In the meantime, since you are already here, wander around and kick the tires, check the closets, poke into the corners…Enjoy your stay.
Gary Boyd, Head Dreamer
Clay, W.Va. – Stomping the ground with a hoot and a holler, Mack Samples dances with a rhythm and beat entirely his own.
The 2003 Vandalia Award-winner – a singer, dancer and musician – was born into a family of musicians in Clay, W.Va. At the time, it was fine for music to be in your blood, just as long as it wasn’t in your feet.
I first ran across Mack Samples on the Two-Lane Living website where he writes a monthly column called Rural Free Delivery. This months column is entitled From Neckties to Carhartts and is about the transition from a job to retirement and what he’s learned along the way.
You can find out more about Mack at his website
via West Virginia Uncovered | Clay County Dancer | West Virginia University.
Washington, D.C.—According to a new assessment released today by the National Parks Conservation Association NPCA and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy ATC, one of the most beloved recreational footpaths in the United States, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, faces many challenges that put the experience of visitors and trail resources at risk. Adjacent land development on privately owned land, sources of air pollution, and funding shortfalls impacts the ability of trail managers to protect historic structures and preserve trail resources.
“The Appalachian Trail attracts millions of hikers each year, and we must ensure its unique American experience is protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Ron Tipton, NPCA’s senior vice president of policy. “This report demonstrates clearly that a strong commitment by government agencies and trail advocates is essential to preserve the AT’s unique natural and cultural values for future generations.”
via New Study Highlights Challenges Facing the Appalachian National Scenic Trail • Appalachian Mountain Dreams.
WV Operation Wildflower
The Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation invite the public to submit entries for the 8th Annual West Virginia Operation Wildflower 2011 “Roadsides in Bloom” Calendar contest. The following rules apply:
- Photographs must be taken in West Virginia.
- Entries must be submitted as an 8″ X 10″ color print and must be landscape orientation (PORTRAIT ORIENTATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED).
- Flowers must be growing along a road and the road must be prominently visible in the photo. They may be growing naturally or in an Operation Wildflower bed planted by the Division of Highways. Pictures of cultivated species planted in arranged beds, such as marigolds, pansies, etc. do not qualify.
- Name, address, phone number, e-mail address (if you have one) and a short description of the photo, including location and county where photo was taken, must appear in the upper left hand corner on the back of the photo. Photos become property of the state and will not be returned.
- No more than three entries per person. However, only one winning photo will be selected from any photographer’s entries. Winners will be required to submit a digital copy of photo.
- Twelve winners will be selected to represent the months of the year. A grand prize winner will be chosen to appear on the calendar cover.
Entry Deadline October 1, 2010
Mail entries to:
WV Operation Wildflower
Roadsides in Bloom Calendar Contest
WV Department of Environmental Protection/REAP
601 57th Street, S.E.
Charleston, WV 25304
The Annual Civil War Weekend in Hurricane, West Virginia.
This event actually commemorates two engagements of the Civil War separated by a space of several years. Reenactors commemorate the skirmish of 1863 at Hurricane Bridge and the Scary Creek skirmish held at the Valley Park (Wave Pool location). This event includes exciting battle maneuvers and tactical demonstrations, “true-to-life” campsites and sutler merchants who handle authentic supplies for reenactors as well as gifts and collectibles. Period Crafts, Storytelling, Night Firing of the cannons, Parade Drills, Ladies’ Tea, Historical Lantern Tour and a Military Dance round out this very special weekend event.
Beginning in 1998, and held annually the last full weekend of March, the Civil War weekend is our area’s tribute to the brave men of the South and the North who were willing to lay their lives down for what they believed. We invite you to walk through the camps and ask questions. The reenactors are happy to talk about this period in time that dramatically shaped the future of our nation. Held annually the last full weekend of March. EXCEPTION: If easter falls on the last weekend of March, the event is held the following weekend.
PUBLIC NOTICE: CAUTION! This event involves gunpowder, firearms & potentially dangerous activities. Please exercise caution at all times. Sponsors, hosts and participants are not responsible for accidents. via Civil War Weekend.
The Battle Of Scary Creek
The Battle of Scary Creek was a minor battle fought during the American Civil War across the Kanawha River from present day Nitro in Putnam County, West Virginia on July 17, 1861.
The battle occurred four months after the beginning of the war and days before the first major battle at Manassas (Bull Run). Union forces under General Jacob Cox began a push up the Kanawha Valley from Ohio.
Confederate General Henry A. Wise commanded a few thousand troops stationed near present day St. Albans, WV.
The battle occurred when Colonel John W. Lowe and several Union regiments advanced toward the Confederate camp. Captain George S. Patton, the grandfather of the famous George S. Patton of World War II, commanded the Confederate line behind Scary Creek, several miles from the main Confederate camp. A heated firefight took place in which Captain Patton was wounded, with Captain Albert Gallatin Jenkins taking command. After several Union attempts to charge across the bridge near the mouth of the creek were repulsed, the Federal forces withdrew.
via Battle of Scary Creek – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section is requesting original wildlife art for the 2011 edition of the award-winning DNR Wildlife Calendar, according to Curtis Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the Division of Natural Resources. The deadline for submission of artwork is Feb. 15, 2010. A 35-mm color slide or a high resolution electronic image of each entry must be submitted by this date. Artists may send in multiple entries.
“This is our 26th calendar and it offers a wonderful opportunity for artists to feature their work. Besides distribution in West Virginia, our calendars are enjoyed by people all over the United States and are sent to countries around the world,” Taylor said.
Artists are encouraged to submit paintings of a wide variety of wildlife topics. These may depict popular game and fish species, landscapes, or feature the state’s diverse array of wildlife. Paintings depicting lesser-known animals such as snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, bats, songbirds, small mammals as well as nongame fish are also encouraged.
Artists are reminded that the calendar format is horizontal with measurements of 14 inches by 11 inches and should keep this ratio in mind when creating paintings. Paintings not chosen in previous years may be resubmitted. “Just because the artwork is not selected one year, doesn’t mean it will not be selected in the future,” Taylor said. “Often, there are several submissions of a particular species or season and only one can be used in a given year.”
“We encourage all artists, especially those from West Virginia, to submit their work,” said Taylor. A $100 prize is awarded for every month’s painting and $500 for the cover. Paintings are chosen based on overall composition and quality, along with anatomical and contextual accuracy. The quality of the submitted slide or electronic image is very important for judging the artwork.
The 2010 West Virginia Wildlife Calendar, featuring a male turkey on the cover, is available at WVDNR District Offices, newsstands, convenience marts and retail food stores throughout the state. For a listing of retail stores that sell the calendar visit www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeCalendar.shtm.
To obtain 2011 calendar art rules or to purchase a 2010 calendar, please contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Calendar Art, P.O. Box 67, Elkins, WV 26241, phone 304-637-0245. Make checks payable to WVDNR in the amount of $14 for each calendar, which includes shipping and handling (W.Va. residents add $.60 for tax). Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are also accepted.
Press Release ~ WVDNR Seeks Paintings for 2011 Wildlife Calendar.
|
|
Recent Posts: