The Mountain Eagle
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First Roots session was big success






Cooking over an open fire was demonstrated at the first session of the Back to Our Appalachian Roots program held May 6 at the Hemphill Community Center. Pictured (left to right) are Mabel Johnson, George Gibson, Greg Bentley and Gemma Bentley.

Cooking over an open fire was demonstrated at the first session of the Back to Our Appalachian Roots program held May 6 at the Hemphill Community Center. Pictured (left to right) are Mabel Johnson, George Gibson, Greg Bentley and Gemma Bentley.

Go to our Facebook page for announcements and pictures posted after each event, www.facebook.com/ pages/Hemphill-Community Center.

We had our first Back to Our Appalachian Roots session on May 6. It was a huge success. We want to thank all our volunteers, the beekeeper, the musicians, and the cooks. It was a labor of love shared by many strong backs and helping hands. The children and young adults in our community helped, as well as the elders. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to smile, laugh, break bread, sing, dance, and play together.

Hemphill Community Center is presenting the Back to Our Appalachian Roots Project, a series of events to be held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. throughout the summer. There will be demonstrations, food, music and open jam sessions on each of the Saturdays.

Bring the family and your instruments. There will be fun and activities for all.

June 10: Gardening demonstrations, cooking fresh meat over an open fire, oldtime music and a community jam session.

Playing old-time music at the Hemphill Community Center’s first session of the Back to Our Appalachian Roots program are (left to right) John Haywood, Kevin Howard and Jaden Sturgill.

Playing old-time music at the Hemphill Community Center’s first session of the Back to Our Appalachian Roots program are (left to right) John Haywood, Kevin Howard and Jaden Sturgill.

June 24: Canning and preserving foods, cooking breads over an open fire, old time music and a community jam session.

July 8: Old-time traditional dance, outdoor games for kids, soap making, cooking greens and foraged foods over an open fire, old-time music and a community jam session.

July 15: Dutch oven cooking stews over an open fire, soap making, quilting, oldtime music and a community jam session.

Aug. 5: Quilting, cooking seasonal vegetables over an open fire, old-time music and a community jam session.

Aug. 26: Woodworking, Dutch oven bread cooking over an open fire, old-time music and a community jam session.

Sept. 16: Blacksmithing, old-time music and a community jam session.

Sept. 30: There will be a grand finality to close out the summer with all the above representatives invited back to participate for questions and answers; there will a community dinner with oldtime traditional music and a square dance, to be held from noon until done. Free to all.

Every visitor participating in the events from 10 a.m. until noon will receive a ticket for a free meal sampling the open fire cooking of the day along with sides. Those that do not participate can stop by and have a meal for $5.

For more information, contact Gwen Johnson 606- 671-7023, or Mable Johnson 606-855-7316.

This project is funded by an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Flex-EGrant through the Kentucky Department for Local Government and administered by Brushy Fork Institute at Berea College. Flex-E-Grant funds are made available to economically distressed ARC counties in Kentucky for projects that build local capacity.

Weekly quote:

“I won’t be old till my feet hurt, and they only hurt when I don’t let ‘em dance enough, so I’ll keep right on dancing.” Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.

Schedule of events:

May 12, at 7:30 p.m., The Country Troubadours will be on hand with honky-tonk country at its finest. The dance appeal and showmanship of this ensemble is outstanding. We always enjoy the times they play for us. They are a crowd pleaser. Come on out and enjoy them with us. We will be watching for your sweet face.

May 14, from 12 to 2 p.m., Mother’s Day dinner with a rose for mothers. Lasagna, salad, garlic bread, dessert, drinks. Advance tickets being sold. Call to purchase from board members. By reservation only. Call 606-821-8723, or 606-855-7316.

May 16: The Senior Fellowship 10 a.m.

May 19: Cross Country Bluegrass.

May 26: The Right Fork Ramblers.

May 28, from 2 to 5 p.m. The monthly shape note singing in the do re mi tradition. This is an ancient art form. It will feed your soul’s need for creative expression. No experience necessary, no talent necessary, no church affiliation necessary! Come out and join us for this community effort to rebuild the singing culture in Hemphill, for which we were once well known. Please bring a snack to share and a dollar or two for a love offering for the facility. Coffee and water will be provided. All are welcome!

June 2: Will Caudill and RT 7.

Friday Nite Pickin’: Children get in free when accompanied by an adult. Open mic at intermission. Family friendly environment.

Inclement weather policy: If the main roads are clear and our parking lot is clear we will generally have scheduled events. Check our Facebook page for cancellations. Cancellations will be posted at least two hours before any scheduled event.

Hemphill Community Center is located at the old Hemphill Grade School building at 2514 Hwy 317, Jackhorn, KY 41825.


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