It is said that there are now over one million weblogs, or ‘blogs’ maintained and published around the world. I am coming to appreciate my place in a minority in that population, since I am among a very small number who write from the Appalachians. (more…)

Black powder is a type of gunpowder invented in the 9th century and was practically the only known propellant and explosive until the middle of the 19th century. It is still manufactured today but primarily for use in fireworks, model rocket engines, and reproductions of muzzleloading weapons. (more…)

My name is Randall Weddle. I recently learned that my ancestors arrived in the New World well before the Revolution and settled in Virginia. Through the assistance of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, (Charlotte Atkins, Library Assistant), I was able to identify my GGGGreat Grandfather, Benjamin Weddle, who was an early settler in the Floyd County area. I have also learned that my GGGreat Grandfather, Andrew Weddle, and his son, John B. Weddle, lived and died in Floyd County, and that my Great Grandfather, Callahill Weddle, moved on to Ohio. (more…)

A fella I don’t know all that well called back in October. Said he and his wife wouldn’t be burning wood any more, now that they had the heat pump and all. Why didn’t I come pick up the wood that came down in that last hurricane. He had stacked it back up the holler.

And so I did, and while he was helping me load it, he mentioned that the old road there goes back up the valley to the waterfall. (more…)

by Rajal Cohen, AmSat Certified teacher of the Alexander Technique

Beyond Ergonomics

As our society becomes increasingly mechanized, more and more people are suffering from repetitive strain injuries. From debilitating carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, to the chronic neck pain that everyone who works at a computer takes for granted, we are all showing the effects. (more…)

Are you puzzled by the tax law and which credits and deductions you still take? Free help is available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, sponsored by New River Community Action, Inc. Floyd office. (more…)