In the Appalachian Highlands, we are conditioned to view the first hard freeze as an ending. It’s the signal to drain the hoses, close up the high tunnels, and say goodbye to the peppers and tom...
A Highland Holiday Tradition Perched in the highlands of Appalachian communities, a rare breed of farmer faces challenges that ultimately bring forth cheer. Christmas tree farms located in a small poc...
ABINGDON, Va. —The rain dampened the ground on November 30, 2025, turning the late autumn sky a bruised shade of gray. It was a cold day in Southwest Virginia—the kind of weather that makes you apprec...
The Spirit of Small Business Saturday If you were anywhere near Bristol this past Saturday, November 29, 2025, you didn’t just see a market; you felt a movement. The energy wasn’t that fra...
From Doodles on Bills to Books: The Creative World of the Simpson Family It’s not every day you stumble upon a creative dynasty at a local event, but that’s exactly what happened when we met the Simps...
Trail Town, USA: Damascus, VA We have had the privilege of writing about the town of Damascus, VA, before, and now we are going to do it again, at least sort of. Damascus is just the kind of place tha...
Preserving the Past, Building the Future in Bristol I met Kris Truelsen first at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and three very friendly people met me there. Grace Shoun, Steve Tauscher, ...
Celebrating National Farmers Market Week There’s a special energy in the air in our Appalachian communities when the local farmers market is busy. It’s the sound of people gathering, the s...
LEBANON, Va. — The air in Lebanon on a market day is thick with more than just the scent of ripe tomatoes. It carries a sense of community and quiet pride from people who work with their hands to nurt...
The Lebanon, Virginia, Farmers Market was bustling with activity on a rare calm and breezy Saturday after weeks of stifling heat. Amidst the lively crowd, I was drawn to a particular stall where a you...
