For our readers- Gatewood Galbraith and Dea Riley may be running a long shot campaign for Governor and Lt. Governor, but from Dea's email blasts, they are certainly the campaign having the most fun on the campaign trail. Here's Dea's report of a weekend in Appalachia.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
This weekend the campaign attended MARS Fest sponsored by Appalshop and Summit City Lounge (Whitesburg center for music and entertainment). The weekend was filled with art, music and a genuine representation of Appalachia at it’s finest. Mr. Jim Webb hosted the event on his private property in Letcher County, KY located atop Pine Mountain. A must see for everyone. Jim Webb http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Webb_%28poet%29 is well known for his dedication to Appalachia through his poetry, essays and plays and his continuing contribution to the success of Appalshop http://appalshop.org/. He has transformed his own property into a community resort appropriately titled Wiley’s Last Resort http://www.wileyslastresort.com/- equipped with stages, a vending area, and a variety of historic Kentucky log cabins used to showcase artist. Follow the pink Flamingos to Wiley’s Last Resort. Thank you Jim and Katie for including us. Thank you Jim for your endorsement.
Mr. Bill Andy Farley, a historian and DJ for WMMT Community Mountain Radio, interviewed me. He was very astute on those issues most affecting Appalachia and it made for a great interview. Our discussion focused on Kentucky’s failing economy and lack of assistance to Appalachia from countless administrations. Appalachia will be a top priority for our administration and after countless decades of failed plans, forgotten promises and neglect – we promise to make known to the world the beauty of Appalachia through the development of an effective and versatile economic plan. By the way Bill Farley is the master of the best playlist going so if you get a chance go online and check it out. WMMT is streamed live and you catch Bill’s show Friday evenings beginning at 6pm.
Saturday morning we shared coffee and conversation with Kentucky’s Poet Laureate Gurney Norman. Truly an honor. Casual conversation with Gurney is a gift. His depth of understanding for Appalachia and his love for the culture is beyond my ability to describe. Gurney is an Appalachian Hero. See our website as Gurney Norman models his new Gatewood shirt.
One artist stood out among all others: Jeff Chapman Crane. After having seen his art on display at the cabin we were invited to his gallery Valley of the Winds. On display was a sculpture he created to depict the destruction of Mountain Top Removal. Breathtaking. His many award winning portraits and scenic paintings hung throughout the gallery. You can reach Jeff at the gallery 606-633-8652.
We were hosted for two evenings at the Oven Fork Mercantile by proprietor Barbara Church. It was as though we had stepped back into time. Barbara has dedicated the Oven Fork Mercantile to the preservation of all those things Appalachia – for display and sale. Thank you to Pam Meade another Appalachia artist for sharing this little known mountain treasure with us. Make your reservation by calling 606-633-8909.
See www.Gatewood.com for photos, directions and contact information.
We look forward to working together to bring prosperity to Appalachia.
www.GATEWOOD.com
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