Hollow

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from the HOLLOW team. Check out this short audio story about appreciation and thanks by Willie Weaver of Kimball, West Virginia.

West Virginia University’s School of Journalism invited me to come to campus yesterday and screen “Tales of an AP Journalist” at a George Esper memorial event. When I started the film in April of 2011, I never thought George would not be around to see the final product. However, before he passed away in February he had seen every cut and bragged about how much he loved it. People who had known George for years said that they learned things about him last night that they never knew before. 

It was so great to see familiar faces and so many people come out for the screening. By the time credits rolled, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room…a true testament to Esper’s impact on everyone. The only complaint was, “It needs to be longer!” 

Before heading back up to Boston today, Christa Vincent interviewed me about HOLLOW and my experience at the J-School (I graduated 4 years ago). Here are some screenshots from the shoot by the very talented photographer and videographer, Alex Wilson.

If McDowell leaders truly believe that tourism is the key to the future, why are they providing no goods/services to visitors? 

All summer I have heard some people say that is would be hard to attract tourists without a major highway. But the truth of the matter is: the tourists are here.

The photo above was taken today at Northfork a town where three trails from the Hatfield & McCoy system drops into. Northfork has the potential to be the “model” town for the county yet there are no grocery stores or gas stations in the town. Shawn Penwarden does ATV repair and sells bbq but most of the goods and services bought by the riders are purchased in Mercer County. Ashland Resort brings in hundreds of new tourists each weekend but what is the town of Northfork doing to cater to these riders? Today, riders told me they came for the history and asked if there was a place where they could buy a postcard in town. Others said they were looking for fresh produce. It was heartbreaking to have to tell them, “no, I’m sorry, you can’t find those things in this town.”

McDowell County’s racial diversity is unique in a state where 93% of residents are White. African Americans from the South came to West Virginia’s coalfields at the same time as immigrants from Germany, Hungary, Italy and elsewhere. That same diversity can still be seen across the county today where 72% of Keystone residents, 54% of Northfork residents, 19% of Welch residents and 35% of Gary residents are African American.

This evening I had the pleasure of interviewing Rose and Roland Henderson of Kyle, W.Va. The couple married 49 years ago after meeting at Elkhorn High School. Growing up in the coal camps of Kyle and Gilliam, Roland and Ruth say there was no differentiation between Black and White families. “When they all came out of the mines they were all black,” Roland said about his father and the other immigrants. 

The Black American couple told the story of their first experience with racism after moving to Louisiana.

“We went to a movie together and we went in hand-in-hand,” Roland said. “The man said, ‘You can’t sit here. You have to go upstairs and she has to go downstairs.’ And I looked at the man and said, ‘Wait a minute. Her body is just as black as mine and she’s my wife so wherever I go, she goes with me.’”

It was at that point they realized their unified upbringing in McDowell was a unique experience not seen in the deep south.

Mary McKinney’s drawings of her “future McDowell.” Really inspiring documents here, folks. This is just a few examples of ideas for Keystone and Landgraff out of a whole package she gave me. I dare anyone to tell me the people of McDowell don’t have ideas for improving their communities. It’s time we take these ideas to those in power and make things happen in the coalfields.

@hollowthefilm’s mascot -The Keez- celebrating our recent support by @TribecaFilmIns in Welch, West Virginia!

Read about the New Media fund on TFI, IndieWire, Variety and RealScreen.

Workshop 3 participants! These folks are working toward a more positive future for McDowell County.

(Left to Right back row) Shawn Penwarden, Tom Acosta, Brenda Goodson, Ron Serino, Mary McKinney, Gilbert Nash, Alan Johnston, Linda McKinney. (Left to Right front row) Michelle Miller, Matthew Goodson, Megan Bowers, Patricia Blevins, Renee Bolden, Elaine McMillion.

Stephanie Penwarden makes a mosaic table out of discarded tile for their BBQ stand in Northfork, W.Va. Just one of the many resourceful residents of McDowell.