Appalachian Traditions Celebrated

By Erika Westbrook
Appalachian Heritage Day returned to campus for a third annual year on Oct. 13, providing a unique way of celebrating the Appalachian culture. Many students, including fourth graders from local elementary schools, participated in saluting the area’s culture.

In addition to displays, discussions and performances, there were a variety of demonstrations, such as soap making, weaving, blacksmithing and apple-butter making.

Martha McGoskey, a weaving teacher who has been inducted in the Mountain State Arts and Crafts Fair Hall of Fame, showed her weaving skills which she has obtained from nearly 55 years of experience. Dressed in a 19th Century costume, she spoke with students about the history of weaving.

“There is no record of the very first weaver, but we know that it was being done during biblical times,” said McGoskey.

Beth Ann Weber, a self-taught soap maker of four years, demonstrated the art of soap making as she described the differences between a quick-setting and slow-setting soap. She also displayed a variety of handmade soap balls, lip balm, liniments, herbal salves and lotions.

Performances were given by the West Virginia Mountain Pride Cloggers, who showed a variety of barn dancing and clogging in the theater, and by Mike Morningstar, who played music in the lunchroom.

Handmade instruments, animal traps and furs, art sketches, books, photographs, turkey calls and woodwork were among the many displayed items that participants could enjoy.

The event also gave programs such as Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood, WIC, Faith Link, The Family Crisis Intervention Center, and Disability Services of WVUP a chance to discuss their programs.

Skillet throwing, hay rides, apple-butter making and a blacksmithing demonstration were among the activities held outdoors. Rock climbing was also made available by the U.S. Army.

A bonfire with ghost stories performed by local author and Ghost Tour founder Susan Sheppard concluded the events.