the people of coalwood

I will attempt to include everyone who has helped me with my project onto this page eventually, either with a still photo or short video clip. It will take me a while to do this, so please realize that even this thank you page is a work in progress.

I hope that if you ever get to Coalwood and McDowell County you will look some of these people up and ask them to tell you about this part of the country.

I guarantee it will be worth the effort.

here are some of the wonderful people who have welcomed me and the other Minneapolis teachers to coalwood.

I got the idea for making a film about Coalwood after my first trip there in October, 2005. The landscape is beautiful, the history is interesting, but it was the people that captivated me. Red Carroll, Bill Bolt, Katie Jones, Helen Carson and others told us about the old days. Peggy Blevins welcomed a dozen strangers into her home and fed us dinner. Mayor Tom Hatcher, State Delegate Clif Moore and others spoke to us about the challenges and opportunities facing McDowell County. Their combination of honesty and optimism was infectious.

Ernest “Red” Carroll

Reba and Bill Bolt

The hospitality and kind spirit of these people and many others inspired me to try to record as much of them and their stories as I could. My film will be an attempt to tell the story of Coalwood -- past, present and future, through the voices of those who have lived there and remain there today. This project has already been a life-changing experience for me. There is no way I can begin to thank them for what they have given me.

Helen Carson

Alda Jordan

Alda Jordan (“Grannie”) cooks breakfast

at the Country Corner and welcomes visitors to Coalwood.

Rhonda Wilson (orange shirt) is in charge of traffic control during the October Sky Festival.

Rhonda Wilson

Carol DeHaven works tirelessly planning and helping run the

October Sky Festival. Here she catches up with Miss Katie at the 2007 festival.

Carol DeHaven

Janice grew up in Coalwood. Her father was a miner. She is in charge of the vendors at the October Sky Festival. She is also the star of the Coalwood women’s softball team.

Janice McClure with Homer Hickam

Janice McClure

Peggy Blevins is the President of the Cape Coalwood Restoration Association (CCRA). She has been an organizing force behind the festival since its beginning in 1999.

In this video clip, Peggy talks about riding in the parade with Scott Miles, the actor who played Homer Hickam’s older brother, Jim, in the movie October Sky.

Peggy Blevins

“Cigar”

Alvin “Cigar” Stanley reunites with boyhood friend Robert Quesenberry and the rocket boys at Cape Coalwood after 47 years. He talks about how he got his nickname.

Katie Jones

Katie and friends serve lunch to Minneapolis teachers (October, 2006)

“Miss Katie” is loved by the Minneapolis teachers. She always fed us very well during festival week in her church basement. She is a kind and generous soul.

Katie moved to Virginia in late 2006.

Eugene Turpin is a retired coal miner who has lived in Coalwood all his life. He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.

Gene and David Goad talk about working for Homer Hickam, Sr.