“I want (my daughter) to be encouraged and inspired to do the best that she can wherever or whatever she's doing.”Robert Diaz
Sarah Diaz
My name is Sarah Diaz. I have lived in McDowell County for just about two years now. We moved from northwest Ohio. My husband, daughter and I moved here to work for the Community Crossing. Little did we know how quickly it would feel like home. I love the work I do, in-home developmental education prenatal-5 years. My hope is that as our family digs our roots deep into this county and that I may touch the lives of mothers with young children, supporting and caring for them as their children grow. In my spare time I spend time with our amazing friends in Kimball, hanging out at the fire station and Ya'Sou restaurant.
Robert Diaz
My name is Roberto Diaz, and my family and I moved here almost two years ago from northwest Ohio. Currently I work with youth boys in McDowell County in an air soft program called 27:17. My hope is to teach young boys what it means to be men and share Christ with them. In my spare time I enjoy volunteering for the fire department in Kimball and fellowshipping with people in this area at Ya’Sou restaurant.
“I would love to be able to put a bakery in here. This would be a place where I could see my kids taking over and raise their families here. That's what McDowell County needs is people who come to stay and they continue.”Jolene Justice
Starting a business could providestability for my children
Jolene Justice
My name is Jolene Justice, and I live in Welch with my three daughters, son and husband, John. I was born in Casper, Wyo., but I grew up all over the country and lived overseas before moving to McDowell. I moved back “home” to be closer to my mother, and a year later I met my husband, John. My dream is to open a bakery in Welch and create a stable business for my children to run. McDowell County needs families that come to stay and invest in their community.
“I would like a place that when my children graduate from college, they can come back. Right now, the chances of them finding a job here are not good. It will only get worse if we don't step in and do something now.”Elaine Lacaria
The Coalfields Expressway is a proposed four-lane highway between the W.Va. Turnpike near Beckley and Appalachian Corridor B at Pound, Va. The approximate total length in West Virginia is 60 miles. In 1992, a public involvement program for the project was initiated. The Corridor has been the subject of several million dollars in federal funding appropriations over the years however the cost to complete the the project is still is hundreds of millions of dollars. Construction is underway in Raleigh County, however additional construction will be dependent on the availability of funding. The Coalfields Expressway was proposed to intersect with the King Coal Highway in Welch and provide access to the area and potential for economic development.
To attract businesses we have to fix what we have
Elaine Lacaria
I'm Elaine LaCaria. I was born in Iaeger, W.Va., with the assistance of the great Doc Whitley. I have lived, for the most part, in McDowell County. I am a respiratory therapist. I am a bookkeeper and part-time legal secretary for my husband, Philip LaCaria, in his law office in Welch. I work next door to the law office at Laney's Boutique, which I own and operate. We have two children who are in college, Sara and Mark. We love to travel. It's always good to get away, but it's also good to come home.
Renee Bolden
My name is Renee Bolden and I recently resurrected the McDowell County Historical Society to help preserve the remaining history here in the county. My husband and I work on a photoblog project about the empty churches in McDowell County. With each visit, I take photos, write about our experience in that church, and attempt to find some history about the church if it is not provided for me.
Jean Battlo
My name is Jean Battlo and I am a local playwright and author. I am the director of McArts and Coal Camp Creations where we create figurines out of coal. I am currently working with several state and county groups to renovate the Houston Company Store in Kimball. We are working together to keep the 1923 Italian Renaissance building alive and use it as a museum to inform and educate the public.
Daniel Hillary Clark and Elisse Jo Goldstein-Clark
My name is Elisse and I was born in Manhattan in 1959. I am a veteran sergeant of the Israeli Defense Forces and artist. Dan was born in Chicago in 1946 and is retired from the U.S. Army. We met working for FEMA during the 9/11 disaster response operation in NYC. We've lived in McDowell County since 2002, when Dan was deployed here by FEMA after the flood. That fall, we bought the flood-damaged and last surviving historic building in Landgraff, built in 1922 as the Empire Coal & Coke Co. Miner's Clubhouse. Dan restored it, and in May 2003 we opened our new home as the Elkhorn Inn and Theatre to help kick-start the post-flood tourism economy of McDowell County. We entertain guests from all over the world who are interested in the railroad and coal history.
Video shot by Sky’s the Limit program participants Tyresse, Fred, Le’Ron, Nekeli, Lenise, Malik, Maliyah, Marla, Billy and Hope, who planted vegetables in Keystone.
“The fellowship with the townspeople is one of the things that keeps me here. You don’t get that just anywhere. The love you feel from these people is so special. You can move and make new friends, but I can’t make old friends.”Markella Gianato
I wanted Ya’Sou to be a place wherepeople feel at home
Markella Gianato
My name is Markella Balasis Gianato and I am the owner and operator of WV Grocery and Ya'Sou Restaurant in Kimball. I have always thought of myself as a "people person" and seem to be the happiest surrounded by my friends and family. I love running my business and visiting with all the wonderful people that come my way. Everyone who passed my way becomes a part of the labyrinth of my life. I like doing crafts, I love music and playing the piano and I enjoy giving my time as a firefighter and EMT at Kimball Volunteer Fire Department. I like to look for ways to help make my community a better place for all of us.
Video shot by Sky’s the Limit program participants Tyresse, Fred, Le’Ron, Nekeli, Lenise, Malik, Maliyah, Marla, Billy and Hope, who spent a day filming their recreation in Keystone.
The Hollow team’s cartographer, Eric Lovell, worked with youth groups in Berwind, Caretta, Elkhorn, Gary, Keystone, Panther and Welch to conduct balloon mapping. The high-resolution, aerial photography allowed the youth to document their communities from a perspective not seen very often.
“Coal was discovered, and we boomed. We were one of the richest counties in the nation then we went downhill. Now it's time to come back. It's got history and natural resources and the best one is the people.”Tom Acosta
Sketches of potential development by Mary McKinney.
It’s time tocome back
Tom Acosta
My name is Tom Acosta and I’m an artist. I was born in Iaeger, W.Va. and moved away in 1978. In 2006, I decided to move back and to help make a difference here. While I was away I realized that much of my art was influenced by my childhood here. Since returning I have worked on several murals in the area. We have painted the largest mural in the state thanks to Martha Moore, the previous mayor of Welch. With the exception of a high school art class, I am entirely self-taught.
Photo by Alan Johnston.
Video shot by Melissa Green.
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.
And of challenges
and triumphs of every size.
Explore this corner of America through the stories of over 30 residents who live here today.
Hollow is the story of their home.
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