Jesse Stuart was a man of cyclonic energy and activity. He was a prolific author, a far-sighted conservationist, an active spokesperson for the people of his Appalachian homeland, and “first, last, and always,” said Stuart, “I am a teacher. Good teaching is forever, and [...]
In 1985, when I assumed executive leadership, the Jesse Stuart Foundation was an organization that lacked leadership and direction. Those early board meetings, between 1979 and 1985, had a clown-car atmosphere. I brought the Jesse Stuart Foundation to Ashland through the generous leadership of [...]
To celebrate Independence Day, I offer the following praise for the soldiers who won and preserved our independence. For the purpose of this article, I use the word soldier to mean any man or woman who served in any branch of America’s armed forces. [...]
The Jesse Stuart Foundation’s “Appalachian Murders & Mysteries: True Stories From West Virginia, Kentucky and Southern Ohio,” is now available in a softback edition. The more-than-400-page book includes 23 murder stories from the early 19th century to today. Among the true stories are accounts [...]
In 1957, Marty Robbins wrote and sang a song filled with teen angst that became number one on the country chart. “A White Sports Coat and a Pink Carnation” told the story of young man who was “all dressed up for the dance,” but [...]
Cliff Enyart was a typical Appalachian man—likable, strong, and good with his hands. He could do anything from motor repair to laying concrete. Born in 1930, Cliff quit high school, altered his birth certificate to make himself a year older, and served three years [...]
For forty years, the Jesse Stuart Foundation has been headquartered in Ashland, providing a wide variety of services to our home community. This spring we are hosting a writers workshop, and I invite the community to participate. The 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop, a [...]
The service that Greenup Countians rendered during World War II encouraged several young women from the next generation to pursue a career in government service. For Leona Sparks, Mildred Veach, Jerry Potter, and Mattie Lois Ferguson, the adventure began in March of 1951 when Willard [...]
James Still’s novel, “River of Earth,” continues to please old readers and to find new ones. Set in Appalachian Kentucky, it is a genuine classic. Told from the viewpoint of a small boy, the story encompasses about three years in the life of his [...]
In 1987, Jesse Stuart’s youngest sister, Glennis Stuart Liles, called me at home one Sunday afternoon and announced that she had an idea for a new money-making project for the Jesse Stuart Foundation. “I want to do a cookbook. I’ve wanted to do one [...]
