Coal Railroad Days canceled

2020 Coal Railroad Days CANCELED

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, associated Virginia regulations, and in the best interest of health and public safety, the Appalachia Special Projects Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Coal Railroad Days Festival. We will certainly miss all the fun of Coal Railroad Days and will look forward to being back in 2021 bigger and better!

Be sure to follow our Facebook page for details concerning upcoming events and activities. An announcement regarding our annual Oktoberfest will be posted once an informed decision can be made.

Former Minister Passes

Former Appalachia First Baptist Church minister Rev. Lenwood Nichols, 90 years old, passed away on June 7. He was buried this past Friday in Frankfort, KY. Rev. Nichols served as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Appalachia from 1962 to 1969. His wife, Louise Nichols, taught at Big Stone Gap Elementary School. She passed away in 2015. Their daughter, Linda Young, now lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Their son, Rev. Steve Nichols is the director of the Black Mountain Worship and School of the Arts at the Meridzo Center in Lynch, KY. At the funeral, Steve read from the Bible that his father acquired in 1967 while pastoring in Appalachia.

Upon leaving Appalachia, Rev. Nichols moved to serve the Stamping Ground Baptist Church near Georgetown, KY. David Fraley attended the graveside funeral on Saturday, June 13 in Kentucky. David replied that Rev. Nichols had a big influence on many people in Appalachia from 1962– 1969.

Prayer Request

Remember Bobby Reynolds Sr in your prayers. His son Bobby, Jr. told us that his dad is scheduled for triple bypass surgery on his heart this week at Holston Valley Hospital.

Celebrates Birthday

Today, Thursday, June 18 our dear friend Charlotte B. Green will be celebrating her 76th birthday. Charlotte and Sam have been staying in at their home due to the Corona virus threat. Better to be safe than sorry.

Happy Birthday Charlotte.

Enjoyed Sitting

on Porch

Staying home is not too bad when the weather is nice and you can sit on the porch or work in your yard.

Last Friday night my niece, Karen VanWinkle, came over for a visit and we sat on the porch to talk and it reminded me of my earlier years growing up in Inman with my family. We sat on the porches and talked till time to go to bed and family and neighbors were much closer like families are supposed to be.

We have too many distractions in our life and we forget the simple pleasures of getting to know our friends and family.

Birthday Party

We attended our grandson Connor Bush’s 16th birthday party last Friday at his home in Wise.

This was a family sorta party and one little fellow was in awe at the gifts Connor received, Iron Man t-shirt, the Avengers items like statue and poster. Anyway, Marshall Longworth is 6 years old and he is Connor’s best friend. He told his mom, with tears in his eyes, “I want everything Connor got!” Now this was like Christmas. He went away sad but Chad and Christie will make sure he gets his Avengers.

In Need of Prayer

I talked to our friend Jenny Taylor this week after she returned home from a week long stay at Holston Valley Hospital. Jenny needs prayer from all of us! Her spine is in need of healing. She is scheduled to have shots injected in the spine soon.

Right now she uses a wheel chair or a walker. Jenny and Bob have lived their 62 years of married life in Appalachia, Bob teaching at AHS and Jenny driving a school bus and raising their 4 children (I believe) and attending the Methodist Church.

Now she needs all her friends to lift her name up in prayer so she will be able to walk again. She believes in prayer.

Recovered from Virus

My niece, Karen VanWinkle got the OK from the health department that she was not contagious or positive for the Corona Virus anymore.

She wears a mask because “we all” are supposed to wear a mask when we are out in public places.

We thank God for bringing her out of this horrible virus. I had not seen her in person since April 24 until this week, due to the “quarantine.”  Karen reminded me God had brought her through this horrible ordeal.

Belated Birthday Wishes

Happy Belated Birthday to Nicole Brewer and Carrie Wells on Monday, June 15.

Beautiful Views

Gary and I are privileged to take a drive several times a week just to see all the beauty there is to see in our local area.

This month of June we have seen the most beautiful blue skies and the white fluffy clouds! Roses are in full bloom and the smell of the honeysuckle bushes are great!

I love to see all of God’s handiwork. 

We always take a trip to visit our local cemeteries, Glenco, RiverView, Powell Valley. They are all unique in their own way.

One thing for sure, they are mowed and look very well manicured.

If you have family or friends that is resting in RiverView Cemetery please send your donations to pay the contractors for the mowing of the grass. More donations are needed. This will continue until October 15th. 

Mail your donations to Randall Hicks, P.O. Box 162, East Stone Gap, VA 24246.

No Scheduled Activities

There are no scheduled activities in Appalachia. The distancing and wearing masks in public is hard to do and  talking to people is impossible.

Going to the grocery store is a chore anymore. We do not recognize our neighbors in their masks. Now we are waiting for the school principals to announce how they plan to handle the return of the students to school this summer and fall.

That’s about it for the town of Appalachia.