MOUNTAINECHOES.COM CONTRIBUTORS

(This page is meant to be a complete list of all persons who have honored the mountainechoes.com audience by contributing their writing, art, or photography over all issues. If you find any errors, please notify us immediately. Thank you, and give them all a big round of sincere applause - they deserve it.)

Wilma Acree August 2004 (Featured Author)

Leigh Anne Allison August 2003
Belinda Anderson June 2003
Robert J. Andre August 2003

Benjamin K. Badgley April 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005

Ross Ballard, II July 2003
Lillian Bayer June 2003

George Begler June 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005
Megan Betts June 2003
Jerry Blair
Rae Anne Blair
Gilbert Brooks November 2003, December 2003, February 2004, March 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005

Betty S. Burdette July 2003, August 2003, September 2003, February 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005
Gail Burgess (Kutner) August 2004

Autumn Carter Mar./Apr. 2005

Jonathan Carts December 2003

Ginger Hamilton Caudill June 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005

Frank Ceravalo February 2004, March 2004 (March's Featured Photographer)

Jacob Clark June 2003
Judith Nell Clark December 2003, August 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004

Jean Clere March 2004

L. G. Coburn Nov./Dec. 2004
Elsa Colston September 2003, February 2004
Rebecca Conrad July 2003, August 2003, October 2003, October 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005

Charles Coon September 2004

Bev Cordone June 2004

Faith Crum November 2003, March 2004

Melissa (Badgett) Cunningham June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, October 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004

Jo Ann Dadisman June 2003
Boothe Davis December 2003, January 2004, June 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005

Ed Davis August 2004

Jennifer Davis May 2004

Judith A. Davis August 2003, September 2003 (September's Featured Author), October 2003, November 2003, December 2003, April 2004, May 2004, July 2004, August 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004
F. Keith Davis June 2003, July 2003, November 2003, Mar./Apr. 2005

Phillip Hunter Davis July 2004, August 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005
Sarah DeYoung June 2003
Rebecca DiClemente June 2003, September 2003, November 2003
Dick Dixon June 2003, July 2003, August 2003, September 2003, October 2003, November 2003 (November's Featured Author), December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005
Natalie Seabolt Dobson June 2003
d Kate dooley June 2003, June 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005

Heather Dooley July 2004

Sarah Dooley July 2004
Megan Everhart June 2003

Ashlee Fairfax May 2004
Lolita Delgado Fansler August 2004

Vickie Fincham August 2003

Mindi R. Fitzpatrick Mar./Apr. 2005
Cassidy Ford February 2004

Kathleen Ford June 2003

Friends of Mountain Echoes Tag Writers April 2004
Alexa Gant June 2003
Eileen Garnreiter June 2003
Mildred L. Gibson June 2003, July 2003, October 2003
Kathy S. Hartwell June 2003, July 2003, August 2003, April 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004 (Featured Author)
Lynn R. Hartz June 2003, July 2003, August 2003, September 2003, October 2003 (October's Featured Author), November 2003, December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004
Nell Hartz June 2003
Teresa Hearl June 2003, October 2003, November 2003
Sally Higley May 2004

Stan Higley June 2003, July 2003 (July's Featured Author), August 2003, September 2003, October 2003, November 2003, December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005
Sandy Hogan September 2003

Jann Hoke June 2004

Faith Holsaert March 2004
Susanna "Granny Sue" Holstein June 2003, November 2003, October 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004
Keith R. Honey August 2003, September 2003
Bethany Hornbeck June 2003
Betty Ingram August 2003, September 2003, October 2003, November 2003, December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, May 2004, August 2004, September 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005

Jeannie Ferrell Jackson June 2003 (June's Featured Artist), July 2004, October 2004
Beverly Cash Jacobs December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005

Tara Jewell June 2004

Caitlyn Johnson June 2003, September 2003, December 2003, March 2004, April 2004
Chase Johnson June 2003

Jennifer Jones June 2004
Kirk Judd June 2003, July 2003, August 2003, April 2004 (April's Featured Author)
Becky Sue Judy June 2003
Alice Brown Juergens August 2003, September 2003, October 2003, November 2003, December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005
Paul Elmo Keenan August 2003

Caroline Ketner May 2004
Margaret Knorr June 2003

Cheryl Kobe February 2004
Chris Kuell January 2004, August 2004

Joy(ce) Lackey May 2004, August 2004 (Featured Author), October 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005

Dick Lewis June 2003, July 2003, August 2003, September 2003, October 2003, April 2004, June 2004, October 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005
George M. Lies August 2003, December 2003
Renita Sue Loyd July 2003, August 2003 (August's Featured Author), October 2003, January 2004, February 2004, May 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005
Drema Perry-Mace July 2003
Alanna Markle June 2003
June Marie Martin February 2004

Amy Mason June 2004

Dottie McDonald June 2003

Allen McGill June 2004
Llewellyn McKernan June 2003, Jan./Feb. 2005 (Featured Author)

R. D. McManes May 2004, June 2004
T. W. McNemar August 2003, September 2003, November 2003, June 2004 (Featured Author), July 2004
Joy Strader Mealey February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004

Jenna Merandi June 2003
Salle Mickey June 2003
Stephen Minghini June 2003

Melissa Minsker Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005
Anne Montague August 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005

David Morris September 2003, October, 2003, November 2003, December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005
Edward Morris July 2003, September 2003, October 2003, November 2003, December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004 (Featured Author), Nov./Dec. 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005
Roger Morris September 2003, October 2003, November 2003, December 2003, January 2004, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004, May 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005
Neil Nicholas October 2003, March 2004, June 2004, October 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005 (Featured Author)

Amber Nixon June 2003

Eric Otto June 2004

Matt Petitte February 2004

Cathy Pleska Mar./Apr. 2005

Max Price February 2004, May 2004, July 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005
Kelley Rae Mar./Apr. 2005

Corey Reidy June 2003
Laurie Rendon October 2003, November 2003

Jeane E. Richardson October 2003

June Riffle June 2003

Kristy L. Roberson May 2004, July 2004
William C. Robinson August 2004, October 2004

Karen Roberts October 2003, November 2003, December 2003, February 2004, March 2004, April 2004

Sarah Schrader June 2003
Shoshanna Schwimmer June 2003

James Seyed-Ashraf October 2004
Stuart Patrick Shannon June 2003
R. Gregory Shaw June 2003
Barbara Smith June 2003, July 2003, August 2003, October 2003, November 2003, December 2003 (December's Featured Author), February 2004, March 2004, June 2004, July 2004, August 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Nov./Dec. 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005
Mark Smith June 2003
Virgil Smith September 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005

H. S. Sowards Mar./Apr. 2005

Lewis Staubs June 2003
Terri L. Ferrell-Stewart June 2003
Johanna Stoneking June 2003, July 2003

Natalie Sypolt June 2004

Fay Thompson February 2004 (February's Featured Author), March 2004, April 2004, June 2004, July 2004, September 2004, October 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005, Mar./Apr. 2005

Sandy Tritt March 2004, July 2004 (Featured Author), August 2004
Edgell Turley Nov./Dec. 2004

Courteney Tyner June 2003

Rebecca Tyner May 2004

Paul Ward May 2004, June 2004

Suzanne Westhaver May 2004, July 2004, September 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005
Billy Edd Wheeler January 2004 (January's Featured Author), June 2004, Mar./Apr. 2005

Rhonda Browning White July 2003
Carrie Williams June 2003

Kandie Wilson January 2004, April 2004, May 2004

Robert Wilson July 2004, Jan./Feb. 2005
Dr. Charles M. Wood, II June 2003

Lurhesa Young Mar./Apr. 2005

Wilma Acree

September's Featured Author: Wilma Acree

Wilma Acree writes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Her poems have appeared in various publications including Crazy River, Pudding Magazine, and Algonquin. She has published two poetry chapbooks: About Bee Robbing and Other Things (Tantra Press, 1995) and Wilma Acree: Greatest Hits 1985-2000 (Pudding House, 2001). Wilma serves as executive director of the Ohio Valley Literary Group and as editor of Confluence literary magazine. She has held numerous offices in West Virginia Writers, Inc. and has presented readings and workshops in West Virginia and Ohio. Lady, a fox terrier, and Willy, a Pomeranian mix, allow Wilma to live with them in Vienna, WV.

Wilma grew up on a farm near Ripley, WV. She read indiscriminately—cereal boxes, library books, books rescued from an abandoned one-room school. She never thought about being a writer, for authors were faraway, exotic people. Her family didn't have TV until Wilma entered seventh grade. For entertainment, family members read or, if visitors came, told stories or sang ballads or hymns. Wilma's poems reflect this influence.

The family love of story telling extends to younger members. Wilma's nephew Richard Southall writes fiction and nonfiction. Her great-niece Morgan (10) and her great-great nephew Jonathan Izzo (8) want to become writers.

Wilma taught seventh-grade English for thirty-two years. As she searched for ways to help students improve their writing, she applied these techniques to her own work. In 1986 she joined the Ohio Valley Literary Group. At writing workshops, she received advice and examples from more advanced writers. At a reading in 2000, Wilma met poet Jennifer Bosveld of Pudding House Press. Bosveld asked to publish "What Ripley Was," a poem Wilma had written in James Harms' class at a West Virginia Writers' annual conference. Wilma attended monthly all-day poetry classes at Pudding House for two years. Although she did not like the three-hour drive to Johnstown, OH, and the feeling of inferiority she sometimes had, Wilma met talented writers and learned from them. In 2003, Wilma applied for admission to The Kenyon Review's Writers' Workshop and was accepted. There she and eight other talented writers worked under poet Janet McAdam. Although she resisted the idea, Wilma learned that she could write on demand.

Wilma's favorite authors include Maxine Kumin, Billy Collins, Stanley Kunitz, Lucille Clifton, Diane Ackerman, Barbara Kingsolver, Denise Giardina, Lee Martin, and Sena Naslund.

Wilma's goals include publication of a full-length poetry collection, a collection of stories her parents told, and a Civil War novel set in West Virginia. Of course, she has to write the stories and novel first!

Wilma offers this advice to aspiring writers:

(1) Join a writers' group. Be receptive to advice from more advanced writers.

(2) Attend readings and conferences. You will learn something (even if it's what not to do).

Wilma dislikes writing about herself and finds it hard to tolerate pompous people. She likes to read and write poems, short stories, and books. She enjoys dogs, children, and computers.

Leigh Anne Allison is a senior at Hurricane High School in Hurricane, WV. She plans to go to Marshall University and major in Communications. Her hobbies include writing, listening to music, spending time with friends and family, and shopping.

Belinda Anderson holds a degree in news-editorial journalism and a master's degree in liberal arts studies. The former newspaper reporter established Writing & Editing Services in 1989. She conducts writing workshops across the state, makes presentations for the WV Library Commission, and is adjunct faculty at the Greenbrier Community College Center of Bluefield State College. Her fiction has received national recognition, including awards for several of the short stories collected in The Well Ain't Dry Yet, now in its second printing by Mountain State Press. Read more about the book at www.amazon.com.

Benjamin K. Badgley, who lives in West Virginia, USA was born in 1972 and has been writing for about twenty years. He enjoys writing mysteries and thrillers and has previously published a collection of poetry. He is currently working to establish a career writing and when he is not he likes simple country life with family and friends.

Ross Ballard, II is currently living in Martinsburg, WV where he produces Audiobooks for MountainWhispers.com and teaches for Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

Lillian Bayer is a freshman at Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia. Lilly enjoys extracurricular activities such as sports and singing. She also has entered many writing contests. Lilly lives with her family and is an aspiring journalist.

George Begler, a resident of Roane county, is a new entry in the world of literary arts. His decision to start writing was made easier in August of 2000 when he became a paraplegic as a result of a farm tractor accident. His short stories are composed from real life experiences as well as fiction themes. Influences from Edgar Rice Boroughs and Tannith Lee have helped shape his style of writing using simple wording to express themes. With one novel to his credit (Home in Chains), he is currently working on another novel that came about as the result of a dream he had while serving overseas in the Marine Corps in 1967 during the Vietnam period. George states, "Writing is the best way I know of to let our following generations know who we are, what our thoughts were, and how we got here."

Megan Betts lives in Inwood, West Virginia and is a student at Musselman High School. She is a varsity football manager and a member of her church's choir. Megan loves to write, especially poems and songs.

Jerry Blair is mountainechoes.com's co-founder and web architect. His biography can be found by clicking "About Us" on a menu.

Rae Anne Blair is co-founder and editor of mountainechoes.com. Her biography can be found by clicking "About Us" on a menu.

Gilbert Brooks has published historical articles for national and state magazines since 1990 following retirement from the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Articles published on Cities and Towns, West Virginians in Broadcasting (Wonderful West Virginia magazine), on Summersville, Broadcasting and Tri-State Racetrack for WV Encyclopedia and other media. He served as weekend host for West Virginia Public Radio for 21 years and was host for state Library Commission video series, WVAuthor, begun in 1999. His affiliations include WV Writers, Inc., St. Albans Writers, and Mountain State Press board. He is also associate Life Member and Old Gold Club member of WVU Alumni Association.

Betty S. Ferrell Burdette has been published by Noble House Publishing, England, UK (scheduled to press for summer 2003), Watermark Press, Washington, DC, and the International Library of Poets. She is also registered at The International Library of Congress with her poetry displayed. She was nominated Poet of the Year by International Library of Poets and invited to Hollywood California for the ceremony. Famous Poets of Hollywood, California named her as Famous Poet of the Year at the same time, August of 2002. She could not be present, so she was unable to receive the award. She feels it was an honor just to be nominated, for which she give thanks to God.

Gail Burgess (Kutner): "My ancestors were early settlers in Logan, Mingo and Boone Counties, and I resided in the small town of Blair (pop. 200) surrounded by beautiful mountains, in rural Logan County, Southern WV, until age 15 (1950's, 60s). At this time, my immediate family left their ancestral home and ventured into a remarkably different life in the enormous (to me), industrial city of Cleveland, Ohio. The transition was challenging, to say the least, but I think I finally understand both cultures, after 54 years of first one and then the other. I graduated from high school in Cleveland earned my BS in Education, and subsequently earned my Masters Degree in School Administration from Cleveland State University. I have taught Special Education, primarily at the high school level for 25 years. I have a deep love and reverence for my ancestral home and I write about it often, although not exclusively. I have written poetry for years and I am working slowly toward a novel about my home town of Blair, for which I have written several chapters. Since I work and I am a mother of two teenagers, it may take several years to complete. I am a member of the Poets and Writers League of Greater Cleveland, attend poetry sessions at Cleveland State and do readings at various Cleveland locations."

Autumn Carter is eighteen years old and attends Glenville State College where she is a sophomore studying for her Bachelors in English. She enjoys writing poetry and has several works published in the 2005 Trillium. She has also written several critiques of student and faculty art shows held at the college, which were published in the Democrat/Pathfinder. She hopes to be a writer, recording the history of our wonderful state, and inspiring those to come.

Jonathan Carts is a thirteen year old eighth grade student from Damascus, MD. He has been writing short stories, essays and poetry for the past two years. He is a Boy Scout, plays soccer, likes to read, and is on the school math team.

Ginger Hamilton Caudill writes to set free the ideas and characters in her head. If she didn't write she'd be like Aunt Ellie who lives in the attic, and nobody wants that.

Frank Ceravalo's formal photographic training consists of adult education classes and several seminars. The majority of his education has been from personal reading, analyzing the work and technique of the top nature and landscape photographers, and his own experimentation in the field. He has a BS degree in Chemical Engineering and feels that the training as an engineer has helped with the technical aspect of photography. But more importantly, he uses the engineering mind set of always looking for different ways of viewing a situation and adapting to it. A majority of his work is from West Virginia and Western Maryland, but also includes images from a variety of places like the Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Bavaria, Japan, and Italy. Over the years, he has competed and received awards in most of the local photography shows, including the annual Cumberland Valley Photographic Salon. Nationally, he received an honorable mention finish (top 20 out of 2000) in the Endangered Spaces Contest sponsored by Outdoor Photographer Magazine and Lowepro. His first individual showing was in the summer of 2001 at the Washington County Museum of Fine Art in Hagerstown, MD. His work has also shown at the David L. Dickirson Gallery at Tamarack in Beckley, WV & the MountainMade.com gallery in Thomas, WV. Frank's website is www.VistaWV.com. Comments on photos in the February issue: "The Grist Mill was taken while it was still snowing a little and when I drove down the long road to the mill in my Grand Am I thought I might not get back out of the park since that car did not do well in the snow.  But I told myself I'd just have to figure that out after I shot.   About an hour later I made it up the road.  It's just lucky no one else was coming the other way. The second shot along the Shenandoah River was taken after a nice snow but this time I did not worry about the snow so much since I change to a Subaru."

March's Featured Photographer: Frank Ceravalo

I was born in Martinsburg and have lived in West Virginia all my life. I took my first 35mm picture 21 years ago and gradually started to take more time taking pictures instead of doing other hobbies. Probably sometime around 1990, I was hooked. A good sign is when you start carrying your tri-pod around. What I enjoy most about landscape photography is the serenity of being out in nature. Usually I am out there before sunrise and I get to listen to the world waking up. Southbranch A.M. and Stonewall Jackson Lake are good examples of that since they were taken before sunrise. (See pages 39 and 50).

One of the big things I’ve learned is that all of the “rules” of photography and composition really need to be applied as guidelines. Of course composition is important, but the most important and the hardest thing to compose is light. Photography is all about light, and when I am able to include light and compose it in the image, I know that the image will have an extra attraction. Good examples of doing this are the Blackwater Trail (See the Cover), Slice of Autumn and Sandstone Falls (To see these photos, go to Frank's website at www.vistawv.com).

Another thing I try to do is not be so focused on what I want to see but notice what is around me. Many times I will plan or visualize what or where I want to take an image, but you can not control landscapes so you need to be flexible to take the image that is given you, not necessarily the one you want. For example, Evening Storm (see page 20) was taken when I was out to get a sunset picture and maybe a few deer shots. In fact, there were several people around me taking pictures and admiring the sunset to my right. But I looked and saw this image taking shape, taking several exposures trying to get the deer with their heads up and never did get the sunset.

My formal photographic training consists of adult education classes and several seminars. The majority of my education has been from personal reading, analyzing the work and technique of the top nature and landscape photographers, and my own experimentation in the field. I have a BS degree in Chemical Engineering and feel that the training as an engineer has helped with the technical aspect of photography. But more importantly, I use the engineering mind set of always looking for different ways of viewing a situation and adapting to it. A majority of my work is from West Virginia and Western Maryland but also includes images from a variety of places like the Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Bavaria, Japan, and Italy. Over the years, I have competed and received awards in most of the local photography shows, including the annual Cumberland Valley Photographic Salon. Nationally, I received an honorable mention finish (top 20 out of 2000) in the Endangered Spaces Contest sponsored by Outdoor Photographer Magazine and Lowepro. My first individual showing was in the summer of 2001 at the Washington County Museum of Fine Art in Hagerstown, MD. My work has also shown at the David L. Dickirson Gallery at Tamarack in Beckley, West Virginia and the MountainMade.com gallery in Thomas, West Virginia.

Frank's website is www.VistaWV.com. He will be showing his work in "Showcase West Virginia" at the Charleston Town Center in June.

Jacob Clark is a student at Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia. Jacob enjoys writing because the ideas of heroism, chivalry, and righteousness fill his head on a day-to-day basis. He is also an aspiring novelist in the process of producing his first book. Jacob is devoted to sharing his stories and telling them to others. Additionally, he plays paintball and works in a trade industry.

Judith Nell Clark is the youngest child of William Clark and Ruth Smith-Clark. She was born in her family's small home on Lyman Terrace Hill in Holden, West Virginia in 1948. Her father moved their little family to Indianapolis, Indiana, but West Virginia was always home, where they traveled to once or twice a year visiting grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She grew up hearing so many Logan County names and stories of life working the coal mines and growing up in Logan County that they are written on her heart. Her mother and father are gone now, and most aunts and uncles—just a few first cousins remain. West Virginia is still "home" to her and will be "Almost Heaven" until God calls her to (the not almost) "Heaven."

Jean Clere, a West Virginia Poet, is also known as Dorean Clemith, author of SIMPLICITY IN POETRY, 1995.

L. G. Coburn lives in Hollywood, WV, in Monroe County. She is a full time writer, wife, and mother of three children under the age of 12.

Shawn Cochran is 22 years old and lives in downtown Clarksburg, WV.  When he's not working, his favorite pastimes are biking, fishing, the outdoors, welding, and photography. 

Elsa Colston is 41 years old and just getting used to being on her own again. She has four children all gone from the nest. She lives and works in the Charleston area as a nurse and physical therapist assistant. She has always been a poet. She wrote her first one in first grade! She loves to read the work of others and is just now able to share her work.

Rebecca Conrad is totally blind and has been for 22 or so years.  She has her own monthly column on the EnableLink.com website as well as a craft column.  She’s had 14 essays and articles published on the site as well.  She won honorable mention in the essay category in the West Virginia Writers Competition in 2002.  She won the fellowship award grant from the WV Arts and History Cultural Center for literature this year.  Rebecca has written a novel that she is rewriting. She prays it will be published some day.

Charles Coon: I was born in the year 1978, in a dirty Cleveland hospital, I assume that's why I'm here. I once was referred to as a "pleasure seeker" by my father but he missed out I guess. My brain is littered with the world's trash and treasure. Well, at least confetti like pieces that make the collage that is me. I'm two dimensional. I'm seeking a collection of words that will set me free upon being written. Transcendence from this form into a vaporized veil of bliss for one and all is my life's ambition. I study everything. I break down and cry when I think of how the world really is and what it could be if people only loved. I sold my inhibitions and insecurities. I welcome myself to be free, crazed, and vulnerable. I welcome you to scrutinize and judge me, allowing me another home in the subconscious to be fruitful and multiply.

Bev Cordone was born in Prince George's County, Maryland, on June 18^th , 1989. She lived there with her grandparents until 1998 when she then moved to Anne Arundel County until March of 2003. She now resides in Berkeley County, WV, where she still lives with her grandparents, mother, uncle, and younger brother. Bev frequently takes trips down to Maryland where she visits her father on most weekends. She is currently a student at Musselman High School. Bev enjoys painting, reading, and photography in her free time. She recently placed Second Place in the WV Young Writers Contest in the ninth through tenth grade division. Bev enjoys writing short stories about her childhood memories and holiday events.

Faith Crum has lived in WV for 16 years. She has lived in many different parts of WV; however, she finds that none of them were as enjoyable as Flatwoods, the place she currently resides. She is a full time student at Glenville State College and plans to graduate in May with an associate degree in Business. Her passion is photographing the outdoors and small children. One of her favorite places to take pictures is Holly River State Park. (The photograph included in this issue was taken with a Fuji digital camera).

Melissa (Badgett) Cunningham is 25 years old and has lived her entire life in Calhoun County. She has been married for five years and has a four year old son, Trenten.  She graduated from Calhoun County High School and attended WVUP for two years.

Jo Ann Dadisman lives on the family farm in Preston County and teaches classes at WVU when she isn't busy with farm and family life. Her passion is all things Appalachian, and her degrees are in education and English education.

Boothe Davis is originally from New Jersey but moved to WV when he was in the 5th grade. He lived in Dingess in Mingo County for two years but then moved over the hill to Logan. He's lived in Logan or nearby ever since. Boothe states, "Photography is my career of choice though it's not currently my career of reality." He worked part time or free-lance for The Logan Banner for the most of the '90s and received a few awards from the WV Press Association. He traveled the state extensively shooting Logan High sports, and then he worked as a school photographer for Lifetouch.

Ed Davis, a native of Princeton, West Virginia, now lives in the village of Yellow Springs, Ohio, home of the Antioch Writers' Workshop (where he's taught and co-directed). He's taught writing at Sinclair Community College in Dayton for 28 years and has published many stories and poems, including three poetry chapbooks (Appalachian Day, Haskell  and Whispering Leaves).  His first novel,  I  Was So Much Older Then, now in its third printing, is being taught on college campuses in Ohio and West Virginia and is featured in his new website:  www.davised.com.  (Also available in mountainechoes.com's General Store).

Jennifer Davis is 15 years old. She attends Musselman High School as a ninth grader. Jennifer loves to cheer. Cheerleading has been in her life for seven years now. This year she was on the Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Her eighth grade year she was on the Freshman Cheerleading Squad. Ms. Davis loves to not only cheer, but to hang out with her friends, eat, and shop. Her favorite time of year is summer because she loves going to the beach. Jennifer lives with her mom, dad, and younger brother. Also invading the house is her lab mixed with terrier, Clause, her calico cat, Chelsea, and her father’s blue – healer, Coblin. At her family’s friend’s house is their big horse, C. J. The Davises do not have room for it in their yard so C. J. stays next door in a big field. Jennifer loves spending time not just her family and pets, but her loving boyfriend, Josh. She loves life and looks forward to every new day.

Judith A. Davis was born at Wolf Summit, WV. She graduated from Bristol High School, Fairmont State College and West Virginia University. Her undergraduate degrees were English and Social Studies. She has taught at a reform school for boys, a southern elementary school, early intervention Head Start and retired after teaching many years at Flatwoods Elementary. Among her many interests are writing, and researching historical sites in West Virginia. Many sites she has taken her elementary students to on field trips and also a Glenville State College night class she taught once re: West Virginia History. Much of her writing she actually used within the classroom. She successfully wrote several grants during her tenure at Flatwoods which enriched the curriculum, not only for her own class but involved the whole school. Judith's latest undertaking is the publication of her book, Rhymes & Riddles of a Country Teacher. This anthology includes poems for children arranged from September to June, following the school year chronology; riddles with clip art clues for answering; inspirational poetry written during her tenure as a Sunday School Teacher and a large selection of historical and reflective poems from her memories of childhood. Published by McClain Printing Company in Parsons, WV, the little yellow book with a black mouse is making its way into the homes of West Virginia as it is offered for sale in many towns and counties. Hopefully the leap between the "country mouse and the country teacher" will be made as people enjoy the poems, which are simple rhyming verse, not intended to confuse the reader or complicate the reading. Other interests include playing the piano and organ which she studied since her youth.

September's Featured Author: Judith A. Davis

During the twenty-seven years I worked at Flatwoods Elementary, I completed a Masters Degree from West Virginia University, wrote many grants, graded untold papers, settled disagreements, and revised strategies many times along the way. Now as a retiree with six grandchildren, I enjoy sending emails to them and seeing them whenever possible. All of them live out of state, which prohibits spending as much time as I would like with them.

Now my “children” are two dogs, Scout and Patches -- both “one-time” girls. They are a delight. Patches is a traveler and accompanies me to visit my daughters. Scout is contented to be a stay-at-home dog. She loves the porch and her fenced in yard. A neighbor graciously feeds her and spends some “quality time” with her until I return.

Most of my reading over the years has been children’s literature because I enjoyed writing extended materials to accompany or enrich classes I taught. For fun and relaxation, I read Louis L’Amour even reading one aloud to my classes—Down the Long Hills. For comfort, inspiration and guidance, I read the Bible and three or four guides to the weekly lessons for Sunday School.

My philosophy of education is that it is a lifelong learning experience. We have different goals when we are young than we do at middle age. The older we get, we become more introspective about what we have done, should have done, and where we will spend eternity. Therefore our tastes in reading likes or recreational activities change as we age. We read for enjoyment or to find out something we want to know, not because we have to.

My philosophy of life is “Be all you can be.” Don’t settle for second best or use that word “CAN’T.” Always say “TRY.” Then “TRY” again. Make attempts at many things. Strive to do better. Follow your own agenda—stay within the laws of nature and man but don’t be dictated to about how to do or whom to model, burn your own blisters, pick yourself up, dust off and go again. Don’t quit. Speak up for yourself. There are two or more sides to every issue. Do consider different options and make a decision but don’t be afraid to change course if need be. Admit to yourself that something isn’t working and do it differently.

Over the years, if no attempts had been made, nothing would have been gained. Just think -- if steam had not been harnessed; if flight hadn’t been conquered; if space had not been explored; if, if, if! If weaving hadn’t been learned, then we’d still be wearing the skins of animals. Heaven only knows there wouldn’t be enough animals to go around! The list could go on and on.

There have been few things that I have not tried to do in my life and there are few that I cannot do to some degree. I have been writing since I was a child. Maybe not the great American novel but I wrote many letters to my family members as a child. Then poetry as I matured some. I had an old neighbor that could quote many poems when I was little. I guess she inspired me.

Music I loved as a child. There was an old woman in our community named Mrs. Furner. Back in those days people had one of two first names: Mr. or Mrs. It was years before I realized that everyone had a first name like I had. Anyway, she played the fiddle. I remember the names of the tunes that I asked her to play anytime I saw her -- Soldier’s Joy and Ragtime Annie. I loved them then and I love them now. Common tunes that have been played over and over; yet, people still request them wherever the fiddle is played. I can play them somewhat on the fiddle although I ’m sure if I played one of them, instead of being asked to play the second one, I would be asked NOT to play it. This is one instrument I have not mastered. Perhaps if I had the time, I could. An old fiddler said I could note a fiddle better than anyone he knew for being a beginner. My problem is the bow. Don’t let anyone kid you -- the rhythm hand is the hardest on ANY instrument! BUT it can be mastered to a degree and it is up to us to find that degree.

I am a bred and born West Virginian I guess. For one year I lived and worked out of state. Daily I yearned for home and the mountains. People were courteous and friendly there; however, nothing was vaguely familiar to home. An old saying that “Familiarity breeds contempt” may be true in certain circumstances but not every circumstance -- the food, the speech, and the way of life -- NONE were like those at home. It certainly was great to return to the mountains which provides a feeling of security that nothing else can.

Retirement has been a boon to me. It’s wonderful to be able to sit down and write when I please, with no disturbances or interruptions. A lot of my time at first was spent getting together some of the poetry that I had written over the years and making sure it was “camera-ready” for McClain Publishing to make my book. My mother wanted me to get published so the book was for her in memory. It is called Rhymes & Riddles of a Country Teacher. (Ordering information is available in the mountainechoes.com General Store). I included poetry that I wrote on the board for the children to copy while I took attendance, collected lunch money or listened to a student read. That section is organized from September through June as the school year follows that pattern. The next section is a group of riddles that have clip art clues for the answers. Over my years of teaching I found that all kids, young and old, enjoy riddles. There are sections of inspirational poetry, reflections of childhood, and historical events from Braxton County. It is a poetry collection or anthology written for all ages, all seasons and all moods. My style is simplistic and I write for my own and other people’s enjoyment. It has never been my way to be complicated or complex. I am open and will tell you what I think on any given issue. Writing is something I do for fun and continually write about things which interest me or strike my fancy in some way. Already I am working on book two and have included many pieces of essay in it. Mostly I like to write poetry or historical tales.

To young writers or anyone of any age that may entertain the idea of putting their thoughts on paper, go for it. If you are using a computer, there’s always delete. If you are using a pencil and paper, use the erasers to make changes. Although I write and rewrite several times the same idea a different way, then I leave it, sometimes for days at a time, and then choose which one to use. Sometimes I write a new paragraph or beginning entirely.

Try to write about yourself first or something you know well. First person is always easiest because first person is “YOU.” Just be careful to not start all sentences with I, I, I. Add some variety to the sentence structure for interest.

Reread my paragraph about nobody being perfect the first time. Keep writing. A great way to do this is a diary or journal entries. Try not to write when it’s time for bed. By that time exhaustion will have taken over. Instead pick mornings if you are a “morning person like me” and keep a piece of paper handy with a pen in your purse or pocket in case something pops up during the day.

Encourage your family to participate. Read short excerpts at the table. Encourage conversation also. Above all, don’t use writing as punishment but rather for fun. One other important thing: there is no grade given for spelling or punctuation. Spell or grammar check can help a lot here or someone in the family can assist later.

Writing can be informative, relaxing, therapeutic or just plain fun. Whichever mood strikes at a given time, it is important that Americans get back to the pen and paper or computer. As a society, it is necessary that expressing ourselves in writing doesn’t become a lost art.

It truly is a joy to read the works of such diverse talent and share my submissions with the readers of mountainechoes.com. By supporting each other with words of encouragement and telling people about the site, we will expand its readership and spread the word that what we do here is important and interesting. Perhaps it will inspire others who nurture the dream of writing.

Keith Davis is a longtime newspaperman and a respected author in West Virginia. He is originally from Wapakoneta, Ohio, in the northwest region of the Buckeye State. However, he has called West Virginia home for the better part of twenty-five years, and now considers himself an adopted Mountaineer. He is a former advertising account executive, managing editor, graphic designer, and newspaper publisher. He has studied graphic design and desktop publishing in Phoenix, Arizona, and through several inter-company training programs and seminars. He has worked as a graphic artist for many years. Through the years, he has earned a variety of awards and honors in categories such as feature writing, graphic design, advertising, ad copy writing, newspaper design, editorial cartooning, large and small ad campaigns, and promotional development from organizations such as the West Virginia Press Association, Phoenix College, Smith Newspapers, Inc., and the National Newspaper Association of America. Keith is the general manager of The Logan Banner, a daily newspaper in Logan, WV and a member owner of Woodland Press, a small book publishing company in Chapmanville, WV. A member of West Virginia Writers, Inc., he is considered a skilled author in the Mountain State and has received public and critical acclaim for his first book, The Secret Life and Brutal Death of Mamie Thurman. Currently, he is completing a manuscript about mountain politics in Appalachia, which will be published in late summer, as well as working with another local author on a book project for Woodland Press LLC.

Phillip Hunter Davis was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on January 21, 1955. In his early years he lived at his native hometown of St. Albans West Virginia. He grew up with two brothers, a sister, one parent and an occasional stray dog. In his early youth, climbing apple trees in the summer time with a saltshaker was one of his favorite pastimes. Drawing was one his earliest exploits of expression as a child, while winning a scholarship to a commercial art institute. Learning to fly as a pilot was one of his memorable exploits as a youth, and he worked as a dishwasher to earn the money. Joining the Air Force in 1973 and just before retirement in the early 90's, Phillip turned to stage acting and freelance writing with a number of guest columns in the Shreveport Times and a piece in UpRiver magazine (out of print), Shreveport, LA. He has several published poems located at "The Penpoint View.": http://thepenpointview.net.

Sarah DeYoung is a freshman at Musselman High School in Inwood, West Virginia. She has already had two of her poems published. Sarah enjoys writing poetry because it gives her a different perspective. Her poems are always personal and deal with something of importance to her.

Rebecca DiClemente, from Morgantown, West Virginia, is currently attending her first year of high school. She's not like the average thirteen-year-old girl, she says: "I don't like to talk on the phone or go to the mall too often. However, I do enjoy reading, writing, watching television, playing on the computer, and yes, I enjoy school.  I think that is because I consider school my talent, in place of music ability and sports."  Her favorite subjects in school are West Virginia Studies (because of Mrs. Collins) and English.

Dick Dixon is a freelance writer and a life-long West Virginian. He is owner of the Dixonary, a powerful, easy-to-use resource for words and ideas, and makes his living writing advertising copy, brochures, websites, and other materials. He is also a marketing communications consultant for businesses and nonprofit organizations. He earned a BS in Journalism from West Virginia University in 1970 and has had poems published in literary magazines. He lives with his wife, BeeJay and cats, Harry and Callie, in Weirton.

November’s Featured Author: Dick Dixon

HOW A HACK AD WRITER

GETS FEATURED IN A LITERARY MAGAZINE

A Biography of Featured Author,

Dick Dixon

By Marcus Randy

I guess you could say Dick Dixon has known me most of his life. It is only through his knowledge of me that I know anything about him. He is not very revealing. Not a forthcoming fellow. So I was confused, but interested, when he called upon me to write a biography of him for mountainechoes.com. He thought that if he had to write about himself, it would end up sounding like an ad, given that is what he does . . . writes ads for a living. He’s basically a hack, huckster . . . whatever the term. I can’t believe a magazine would feature him for anything. I suspect maybe he is paying for the space.