Alan and his friend Mel Street
“These roots get embedded in our souls, and we're very connected to these mountains.”Marsha Timpson
“I've always been around music. My daddy was a musician, and his family before him were musicians.”
Alan and Wilma say “I do” at their wedding in his Aunt Marie’s living room in 1971.
“I felt that somebody ought to document this area now. So that’s what I have been doing for the past couple years.”Alan Johnston
I know I'm home when I'm in these mountains
Alan Johnston
My name is Alan Johnston and I was born in Welch, West Virginia. I have lived in McDowell County all my life. I have been a teacher, roofer, plumber, insurance salesman, janitor, furnace repairman, pinball machine mechanic and grocery store manager. I am finally retired and enjoy my hobby as a singer-songwriter and musician. I am also a novice photographer. I have been married to the same wonderful woman, Wilma, for almost 42 years.
“This place could be beautiful. It could be absolutely beautiful if everybody would pitch in.”Stephanie Penwarden
There is hope for the area
Shawn Penwarden
My name is Shawn Penwarden and I’m originally from Hawley, Pennsylvania. I owned an excavation and grading company in Denver, North Carolina before moving to McDowell to truck coal. I left the coal business to start S&S Parts and Service in Northfork. This year we plan to open Half Pint’s Cafe and serve breakfast and lunch to locals and tourists. I believe in the law of attractions; positive attitudes and actions attract more positives. My wife and I see tourism and the ATV industry as a the future of Northfork.
Stephanie Penwarden
My name is Stephanie Penwarden and I’m originally from Denver, North Carolina. We originally started coming to McDowell to ride four-wheelers before deciding to buy our house here in 2011. We came across the old dealership building downtown and decided to open a business to cater to locals and ATV riders. I serve my homemade North Carolina-style smoked barbeque outside in the summer. Nearly seven years ago, doctors told me I wouldn’t ever be able to get pregnant again. But to our surprise and delight we ended up having a child together last year. Her name is Jessica, but we call her “Half Pint” because she was born two and half weeks early.
“Not everybody in McDowell County has a lot of money, but we live comfortably and we live happy.”Nessie Hunt
People that live simplelive happy
Nessie Hunt
I'm Rita "Nessie" Hunt, born and raised in Marion, Virginia. I grew up in a very musical family, and I started playing the bass and guitar when I was 13. Since I learned the banjo in 1999, it has been my passion to play music and entertain. I moved to McDowell County in 2010 and made a home with my husband, Ronnie, and son, Jesse, in Premier. It's been the best years of my life. Ronnie, a roof bolter in a coal mine, also is a guitar player. Together we are a husband and wife team playing bluegrass music.
Logic dictates that most people aren'tgoing to come back
Josh Clevenger
My name is Josh Clevenger, and I was born and raised in Iaeger, West Virginia. I enjoy acting and directing in plays and short films with my friends. I am the Riverview High School Raider mascot and a senior with plans to graduate in 2013. I've been accepted into the Honors College and the College of Creative Arts at West Virginia University, and I hope to follow my dreams of becoming a director and actor; my biggest dream is to become a cast member on Saturday Night Live.
Footage shot by Renee Bolden and Alyssa Grahovac at the 2012 Veterans Day Parade in Welch, W.Va.
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The story of McDowell County, West Virginia is the story of America.
Of boom
and bust economies. Of small towns facing changes beyond their control.
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Explore this corner of America through the stories of over 30 residents who live here today.
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