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Morehead, Kentucky
2017At 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.
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Discovering the spirit of Morehead
by Mountain WorkshopsCome visit Morehead, Ky. and take a look at how Western Kentucky University documented the lives and places that make up this Eastern Kentucky city.
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A rare breed
by Zac PopikTobacco farmer may call it quits for much-loved lifestyle reaching back three generations
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Somebody cares
by Ida Marie OdgaardDonna Christian drives the windy roads of Rowan County, delivering mysteries and romances, but her true focus is connecting with locals.
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Heart of the matter
by Mira LaingDr. Mansha Kahloon keeps his Muslim faith, career and family life in balance
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Fingerprints in space
by Nilo TabrizyBob Twiggs is launching satellites into space, something he’s been doing for over three decades.
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My angel wing
by Chris JanjicGreg Wing’s passion for playing his trumpet is only rivaled by his love for his wife, Paula.
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Rowan County in the camera's eye
by Mountain WorkshopsWith 48 photojournalists roaming the county for five days, hundreds of photographs reveal the beauty of the land and the spirit of its people. Here are some of the best.
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Serendipity
by Srijita ChattopadhyayJoe Sartor has always been a painter, but he found his purpose after he met the love of his life.
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Fishing for more
by Lydia SchweickartBiologist Tom Timmermann passes on his love for nature to the next generation
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Raw beauty
by Andrea CornejoIn a screen-obsessed world, David Dummer tries to pass along his love of nature to his grandchildren.
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Where Morehead meets
by Soyoung ShinHolbrook Drug is more than a drug store; it has been a community gathering place for generations.
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Days gone by
by Naomi SchwareJeremy Short’s passion for the blues transports his audience to his inner world charged by grief, love, loss, and soul.
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Denise's journey
by Shaban AthumanAfter fleeing Africa as a refugee, Denise Luke found community and a path to success.
Digital Storytelling Workshop
Morehead in space
by Maureen StewartMorehead State University students have been instrumental in launching satellites for purposes of educational outreach and exploring the universe.
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Getting the job done
by Michelle HanksA veteran gives his all to recognize and support others whose sacrifice he believes far exceed his own.
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Farm family has it together
by Erin IliscoEverybody pitches in when the Pecco family handles chores on fields spread around the region
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All for this
by Eric Jenkins-SahlinMelissa Caskey, the self-proclaimed queen of part-time jobs, channels the blues to take on the challenges of life.
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Dogs' best friend
by Nate ManleyJackie Matthews came from New Jersey to Kentucky because the dogs needed her.
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Old mountain music
by Josephine HoltzmanA first-generation Kentuckian, Thomas Albert finds a sense of belonging through traditional music.
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Don't judge, take care
by Madelyn WigleLeading Rowan County EMS, Danny Blevins encourages a growth mindset to help raise the town that raised him.
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Anchoring back
by Skyler BallardLesley Jackson chose to return to Eastern Kentucky when she finished medical school, because she wants to make a difference in a rural community.
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Finding peace
by Chi ZhangSherridan Keltner has devoted herself to family and God after her daughter Kinlee nearly drowned seven years ago.
Digital Storytelling Workshop
Surprising Morehead facts
by Jacob Lindberg and Addie HoganRowan 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.
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Beauty inside and out
by Caroline BrehmanRobyn Cline, beauty salon owner, connects her work to her relationship with God.
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The Queen of Morehead
by Daniel KriegerSurmounting Down Syndrome, an 18-year-old Morehead senior was elected Rowan County Homecoming Queen by wide margin
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A sense of belonging
by Ashley CooperNestled into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Morehead combines traditional folkways with modern innovations. A time-lapse story.
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Moving toward independence
by Sangsuk Sylvia KangTony Wilburn meets health and cognitive challenges with the help of the community
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Multiple impressions
by Sarah BakerRobert Franzini carries on the tradition of print-making in a world filled with glowing screens.
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Chick’s game plan
by Chris HintzClaudia “Chick” Hicks might be retired from basketball coaching, but she is far from being done with following her passions.
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Lumber legacy
by Carter JonesA father and son lead a local lumber company through years of change.
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Sugar of the earth
by Elizabeth YoungThe journey to happiness has a surprisingly simple solution for Debbie and Fred Howes: handcrafted traditions, love of nature, and a quiet existence.
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Death and life
by Matthew MerchantThis coroner is much more: comforter, father and community leader
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Lifetime collecting
by Brielle DomingsMarty Stevens examines the world through collecting anything old: cars, signs, knickknacks, antiques and ephemera.
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For the love of animals
by Fran RuchalskiFrom horse-riding girl to farm-loving ambassador, this woman is happy to be ankle-deep in manure
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Rooted but free
by Min XianToby Pettit’s loyalty to his home-place keeps him grounded, and also gives him the freedom he craves.
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The last ride
by Abigail DollinsMegan Newsome has always loved riding horses but has found an outlet for her passion through her programs of study, agribusiness and animal science.
Digital Storytelling Workshop
A pipeline dilemma
by Lesley GarrettA 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.
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What a catch
by James CollierCave Run Lake unites a local guide with anglers in pursuit of muskie.
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Becoming Nadia
by Marianne BarthelemyNadia Richardson loves learning, despite the stresses involved in being a 17 year old in college.
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The third place
by Nikos FrazierFuzzy Duck Coffee Shop and CoffeeTree Books bring two favorites under one quaint roof
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A sense of duty
by Perry AstonBill Miller, a Vietnam vet, is a master craftsman who builds hand-made wooden flag boxes to give to the families of deceased vets.
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A cut above
by Brooke WarrenIn this forested region, second-generation logger Mark Donahue is always in demand.
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Timber husbandry
by Jeff GilmoreTim Cantrell drives a truck but it’s his passion for his family that drives him.
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Public figures
by Sean LoftinFor the last 35 years, Stephen Tirone has been on a mission to bring art into public spaces.
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A burning passion
by Madison SimmonsFire Chief Jeff Anderson lives apart from his family to run the department in Morehead
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Baker and the Bandit
by Matthew AtkinsAfter years of service to his country and his family, Baker Hollis has formed a close bond with his K9 partner, Bandit.
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Soap and service
by Angelo AngelCouple with a community commitment are out to reclaim a former brickyard property for use as a center for Haldeman
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The steady one
by Abbey TannerDr. Phil Prater credits horses with teaching him patience and helping him grow into his best self.
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Spreading healthcare across the valleys
by Morgan LiebermanTwo clinics, staffed by volunteer medical professionals, provide free services for Eastern Kentucky's uninsured.
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Friend, farm, food
by Patrick ConnollyJenny and Lee Pennington are committed to fostering community and helping people connect with fresh local food, through their farm to table store.
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The art of mentoring
by Nic HueyJason Ratcliff inspires Rowan County High School students with his passion for art.
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Raw inspiration
by Greg BiondoJason Jones overcame alcohol and drug addiction after ten years of using prescription pills.
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A prayer answered
by Evan MattinglyCaregiver Madge Plank is the saving grace for the Trent family.
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Fierce love
by Jonah JabbourKatina Solis navigates the busyness of life as a single mother of six, and love is the driving force.
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All they want
by Alyssa KeownKatie 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.
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Little man's world
by Kassi JacksonDespite challenges, Alvie Bemount Jr. contributes to the community he\'s found at Heritage Place.
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Making it on their own
by Nic AntayaA single mom bonds with her daughter while running the family bakery where their laughter cuts through the stress of business and early mornings.
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Love and pizza
by Kendall WarnerJerry and Susan Hart infuse Rise & Roll Brick Oven Company with fresh ingredients, quality customer service and love for good food and each other.
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It’s an Osborne thing
by Tyger WilliamsFor Joey Osborne, becoming a farmer means embracing a family legacy.
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Closing season
by Jack ZellwegerScott Creek Marina prepares for the coming winter at Cave Run Lake
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Building a strong family
by Craig McClureIt may take a village to raise a child, but it takes strong families to create that village.
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He teaches it, plays it, loves it
by Jennifer KerriganRowan County band director strikes many notes in lifetime devoted to music
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To love is to teach
by Kelsea HobbsSuzanne Meadows home schools her children, but hopes to teach them more than the facts found in their textbooks.
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The smoke you can taste
by Caitlin PennaAt Pop’s BBQ, you can trust two things: The smoker is on and the people are hungry.
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Faith and empathy on the land
by Dimitri StaszewskiA couple return to create a family farm on the wife's homeplace
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Up in the air
by Megan MayA flight instructor and airport manager shares his love of flying with his students
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A veteran vet
by Carly GeraciFor four decades, Dr. Ralph Derrickson has cared for animals and earned their owners' trust.
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A Harley-Davidson family
by Jinhwan HongMotorcycles have been a part of Philip Cooper's life since he was a boy
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Tall boats and fish
by Madeleine CookA fishing and boating community on the largest man-made lake in eastern Kentucky
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The perfect pair
by Lex SeligMusic majors Caroline Copley and Elizabeth Bowman find friendship and a future in folk music.
Digital Storytelling Workshop
Day in the life
by Mountain WorkshopsCraig McClure is a photojournalist in Virginia Beach, VA. During his time at Mountain Workshops, 2017, he documented the Blevins family in Morehead, KY.