This pandemic has hurt small businesses all over our nation. Our region already faces economic headwinds w/o the lockdowns. Tune in for this and a bright spot that may lay ahead in for our tourism industry, especially in outdoor recreation.

#Appalachia #outdoors #pandemic #smallbusiness

Have you ever wondered why the Blue Ridge Mountains are blue? Ever wondered if that's a real gold dome on the West Virginia State Capitol Building? Also, a short tribute to Melinda Elswick, one of our founders and board members...and one heck of an amazing sister. 

#Appalachia #COVID #BlueRidgeMountains #WestVirginia #goldendome

www.supportappalachia.org

In this episode we talk with Mayor Bill Hartley about the coming Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to Bristol, VA. We discuss the economic benefits and what it will mean for the region.

#BristolVA #Virginia #HardRockCasino #Tourism #jobs #gambling #culture

Gist led a complicated life. He was tasked by George Washington with keeping alliances with the Cherokee in order to keep strength in the raging French and Indian War in the north. His ties with the Cherokee was a blessing and a downfall for him, as he was charged with treason and accused of being a spy for the Cherokee, but later pardoned. History finally corrected itself in 1976, more than 200 years later, in Kingsport, TN. 

#Kingsport #Tennessee #Cherokee #Appalachia #Appalachianhistory #GeorgeWashington

He rode into TN on a race horse, seldom missed a shooting contest, and would often hunt before he'd show up in court. Andrew Jackson was not just our 7th Presendent and hero of the War of 1812. He was an Appalachian lawyer!

#AndrewJackson #JonesboroTN #Appalachia

www.supportappalachia.org

Appalachian League baseball took a bow and exited stage left in 2020 after cancelling its final season due to COVID-19. Here's a brief history of our favorite pastime and what's next for baseball in the mountains.

#AppalachianLeagueBaseball #AppyLeagues #baseball #Appalachia 

www.supportappalachia.org

Rediscovering our local history is vital to preserving our rich cultural heritage here in Appalachia. Every town and community has stories to tell. Busthead, VA has one. So does Jewell Ridge and Maiden Springs. Where did your town get its name?

#Appalachia #AppalachianHistory #CentralAppalachia #mountainlegends

Nearly everyone in our region has been to visit the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. But have you visited the most haunted locations there? 

#Gatlinburg

#SmokyMountains

#Appalachia

#Cherokee

#Spearfinger

#CadesCove

www.supportappalachia.org

www.facebook.com/supportappalachia

Since the era of silent film, Hollywood has consistently portrayed Appalachians as uneducated, backwards, and poverty stricken. Many times even worse! But that doesn't represent Appalachia at all. Dr. Benko and I talk about how to change this perception and about the endless opportunities here in Appalachia. 

#hillbilly

#Appalachian

#Appalachia

www.supportappalachia.org

In this episode, we explore some local history and the importance of Col. William Russell. 

#RussellCounty

#Lebanon

#Castlewood

#StPaul

#Appalachia

www.supportappalachia.org