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Where the Past Meets the Future

Settlers moved here before America became a nation. Their history is revealed in music, art and architecture. But what brings folks like fishing pro Tony Grant are the giant muskies.

Visit Morehead

At the 42nd annual Western Kentucky University's Mountain Workshops, more than 90 visual journalists from across the country and around the globe spent October 24 - 28, 2017 documenting Rowan County's people and places. These are their stories.

Photo: James Collier

10 Photos

A rare breed

by Zac Popik
Tobacco farmer may call it quits for much-loved lifestyle reaching back three generations

2:35 Video

Somebody cares

by Ida Marie Odgaard
Donna Christian drives the windy roads of Rowan County, delivering mysteries and romances, but her true focus is connecting with locals.

10 Photos

Heart of the matter

by Mira Laing
Dr. Mansha Kahloon keeps his Muslim faith, career and family life in balance

3:33 Video

Fingerprints in space

by Nilo Tabrizy
Bob Twiggs is launching satellites into space, something he’s been doing for over three decades.

9 Photos

Father to all

by Mhari Shaw
A coach does more for kids than teach them sports

3:36 Video

My angel wing

by Chris Janjic
Greg Wing’s passion for playing his trumpet is only rivaled by his love for his wife, Paula.

10 Photos

Getting the job done

by Michelle Hanks
A veteran gives his all to recognize and support others whose sacrifice he believes far exceed his own.

1:55 Video

Serendipity

by Srijita Chattopadhyay
Joe Sartor has always been a painter, but he found his purpose after he met the love of his life.

10 Photos

Fishing for more

by Lydia Schweickart
Biologist Tom Timmermann passes on his love for nature to the next generation

2:52 Video

Raw beauty

by Andrea Cornejo
In a screen-obsessed world, David Dummer tries to pass along his love of nature to his grandchildren.

8 Photos

Where Morehead meets

by Soyoung Shin
Holbrook Drug is more than a drug store; it has been a community gathering place for generations.

3:18 Video

Days gone by

by Naomi Schware
Jeremy Short’s passion for the blues transports his audience to his inner world charged by grief, love, loss, and soul.

9 Photos

Denise's journey

by Shaban Athuman
After fleeing Africa as a refugee, Denise Luke found community and a path to success.

Data Visualization

Morehead in space

by Maureen Stewart
Morehead State University students have been instrumental in launching satellites for purposes of educational outreach and exploring the universe.

10 Photos

Farm family has it together

by Erin Ilisco
Everybody pitches in when the Pecco family handles chores on fields spread around the region

2:34 Video

All for this

by Eric Jenkins-Sahlin
Melissa Caskey, the self-proclaimed queen of part-time jobs, channels the blues to take on the challenges of life.

8 Photos

Dogs' best friend

by Nate Manley
Jackie Matthews came from New Jersey to Kentucky because the dogs needed her.

2:19 Video

Old mountain music

by Josephine Holtzman
A first-generation Kentuckian, Thomas Albert finds a sense of belonging through traditional music.

10 Photos

Don't judge, take care

by Madelyn Wigle
Leading Rowan County EMS, Danny Blevins encourages a growth mindset to help raise the town that raised him.

2:32 Video

Anchoring back

by Skyler Ballard
Lesley Jackson chose to return to Eastern Kentucky when she finished medical school, because she wants to make a difference in a rural community.

10 Photos

Mother en pointe

by Erik Kruthoff
A former ballerina finds joy in motherhood

2:37 Video

Finding peace

by Chi Zhang
Sherridan Keltner has devoted herself to family and God after her daughter Kinlee nearly drowned seven years ago.

10 Photos

A crucial camaraderie

by Brianna Spause
Logan Young embraces brotherhood on the road to recovery

Data Visualization

Surprising Morehead facts

by Jacob Lindberg and Addie Hogan
Rowan County is a stereo-type breaking part of Eastern Kentucky. Many think coal would be the driving economic factor but this assumption could not be further from the truth.

10 Photos

Beauty inside and out

by Caroline Brehman
Robyn Cline, beauty salon owner, connects her work to her relationship with God.

2:16 Video

Multiple impressions

by Sarah Baker
Robert Franzini carries on the tradition of print-making in a world filled with glowing screens.

10 Photos

The Queen of Morehead

by Daniel Krieger
Surmounting Down Syndrome, an 18-year-old Morehead senior was elected Rowan County Homecoming Queen by wide margin

2:42 Timelapse

A sense of belonging

by Ashley Cooper
Nestled into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Morehead combines traditional folkways with modern innovations. A time-lapse story.

10 Photos

Moving toward independence

by Sangsuk Sylvia Kang
Tony Wilburn meets health and cognitive challenges with the help of the community

2:16 Video

Chick’s game plan

by Chris Hintz
Claudia “Chick” Hicks might be retired from basketball coaching, but she is far from being done with following her passions.

10 Photos

Lumber legacy

by Carter Jones
A father and son lead a local lumber company through years of change.

1:58 Video

Sugar of the earth

by Elizabeth Young
The journey to happiness has a surprisingly simple solution for Debbie and Fred Howes: handcrafted traditions, love of nature, and a quiet existence.

10 Photos

Death and life

by Matthew Merchant
This coroner is much more: comforter, father and community leader

2:15 Video

Lifetime collecting

by Brielle Domings
Marty Stevens examines the world through collecting anything old: cars, signs, knickknacks, antiques and ephemera.

10 Photos

For the love of animals

by Fran Ruchalski
From horse-riding girl to farm-loving ambassador, this woman is happy to be ankle-deep in manure

2:07 Video

Rooted but free

by Min Xian
Toby Pettit’s loyalty to his home-place keeps him grounded, and also gives him the freedom he craves.

10 Photos

The last ride

by Abigail Dollins
Megan Newsome has always loved riding horses but has found an outlet for her passion through her programs of study, agribusiness and animal science.

Data Visualization

A pipeline dilemma

by Lesley Garrett
A nearly 60-year-old pipeline that crosses southern Rowan County is once again being used to transport highly volatile gasses leaving many residents concerned for their safety.

10 Photos

What a catch

by James Collier
Cave Run Lake unites a local guide with anglers in pursuit of muskie.

2:24 Video

Becoming Nadia

by Marianne Barthelemy
Nadia Richardson loves learning, despite the stresses involved in being a 17 year old in college.

9 Photos

The third place

by Nikos Frazier
Fuzzy Duck Coffee Shop and CoffeeTree Books bring two favorites under one quaint roof

2:11 Video

A sense of duty

by Perry Aston
Bill Miller, a Vietnam vet, is a master craftsman who builds hand-made wooden flag boxes to give to the families of deceased vets.

10 Photos

A cut above

by Brooke Warren
In this forested region, second-generation logger Mark Donahue is always in demand.

1:55 Video

Timber husbandry

by Jeff Gilmore
Tim Cantrell drives a truck but it’s his passion for his family that drives him.

10 Photos

Ahead of her time

by Anna Miller
A 17-year-old strives for academic perfection.

1:59 Video

Public figures

by Sean Loftin
For the last 35 years, Stephen Tirone has been on a mission to bring art into public spaces.

9 Photos

A burning passion

by Madison Simmons
Fire Chief Jeff Anderson lives apart from his family to run the department in Morehead

2:26 Video

Baker and the Bandit

by Matthew Atkins
After years of service to his country and his family, Baker Hollis has formed a close bond with his K9 partner, Bandit.

8 Photos

Soap and service

by Angelo Angel
Couple with a community commitment are out to reclaim a former brickyard property for use as a center for Haldeman

2:16 Video

The steady one

by Abbey Tanner
Dr. Phil Prater credits horses with teaching him patience and helping him grow into his best self.

10 Photos

Spreading healthcare across the valleys

by Morgan Lieberman
Two clinics, staffed by volunteer medical professionals, provide free services for Eastern Kentucky's uninsured.

2:40 Video

Friend, farm, food

by Patrick Connolly
Jenny and Lee Pennington are committed to fostering community and helping people connect with fresh local food, through their farm to table store.

8 Photos

The art of mentoring

by Nic Huey
Jason Ratcliff inspires Rowan County High School students with his passion for art.

2:17 Video

Raw inspiration

by Greg Biondo
Jason Jones overcame alcohol and drug addiction after ten years of using prescription pills.

10 Photos

A prayer answered

by Evan Mattingly
Caregiver Madge Plank is the saving grace for the Trent family.

3:21 Video

Fierce love

by Jonah Jabbour
Katina Solis navigates the busyness of life as a single mother of six, and love is the driving force.

10 Photos

All they want

by Alyssa Keown
Katie and Hershall Salyer fell in love because of their shared love of horses and dreamed of owning their own farm. Today they are living their dream.

8 Photos

Little man's world

by Kassi Jackson
Despite challenges, Alvie Bemount Jr. contributes to the community he\'s found at Heritage Place.

10 Photos

Making it on their own

by Nic Antaya
A single mom bonds with her daughter while running the family bakery where their laughter cuts through the stress of business and early mornings.

10 Photos

The art of loneliness

by Sung Chul Lee
A sculptor lives alone but finds solace in his work.

10 Photos

Love and pizza

by Kendall Warner
Jerry and Susan Hart infuse Rise & Roll Brick Oven Company with fresh ingredients, quality customer service and love for good food and each other.

10 Photos

It’s an Osborne thing

by Tyger Williams
For Joey Osborne, becoming a farmer means embracing a family legacy.

10 Photos

Closing season

by Jack Zellweger
Scott Creek Marina prepares for the coming winter at Cave Run Lake

10 Photos

Building a strong family

by Craig McClure
It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes strong families to create that village.

10 Photos

He teaches it, plays it, loves it

by Jennifer Kerrigan
Rowan County band director strikes many notes in lifetime devoted to music

11 Photos

To love is to teach

by Kelsea Hobbs
Suzanne Meadows home schools her children, but hopes to teach them more than the facts found in their textbooks.

9 Photos

The smoke you can taste

by Caitlin Penna
At Pop’s BBQ, you can trust two things: The smoker is on and the people are hungry.

9 Photos

Faith and empathy on the land

by Dimitri Staszewski
A couple return to create a family farm on the wife's homeplace

10 Photos

Up in the air

by Megan May
A flight instructor and airport manager shares his love of flying with his students

9 Photos

A veteran vet

by Carly Geraci
For four decades, Dr. Ralph Derrickson has cared for animals and earned their owners' trust.

8 Photos

Reaching for the moon

by Joseph Barkoff
Tech-savvy MSU students have space on their radar.

11 Photos

A Harley-Davidson family

by Jinhwan Hong
Motorcycles have been a part of Philip Cooper's life since he was a boy

10 Photos

Tall boats and fish

by Madeleine Cook
A fishing and boating community on the largest man-made lake in eastern Kentucky

10 Photos

The perfect pair

by Lex Selig
Music majors Caroline Copley and Elizabeth Bowman find friendship and a future in folk music.

10 Photos

The woman Hood

by Clint Datchuk
A life dedicated to a love for children

10 Photos

Coffee, conversation and more

by Donghoon Sung
The Hogtown Gas & Food Mart is the hub of the community

Data Visualization

Day in the life

by Mountain Workshops
Craig McClure is a photojournalist in Virginia Beach, VA. During his time at Mountain Workshops, 2017, he documented the Blevins family in Morehead, KY.