Appalachia Reach Out

Part Two

(continued from Part One)

Since the coal industry departed Martin County, one of the biggest employers is the federal prison known as “Big Sandy”. It’s built on the remains of a former coal mine and houses some of the most notorious and violent offenders in America. Dwayne drove us through the parking lot and shortly thereafter it was decided we should get some lunch.

Next to the prison is the regional airport (also Big Sandy) where we ate lunch at Cloud 9 Cafe ~ an independent restaurant with colorful airport themed decorations. We learned the county is largely controlled by Jim Booth. A self-made man who went from coal miner to coal baron, he founded Booth Energy and owns over thirty businesses in the region, including the only hotel, gas station, and a restaurant in Inez. He’s considered a hero by some, and a villain by others, and perhaps the reality lies somewhere in between. As we drove away from the airport, there were thousands of acres of apple trees built on the site of another former coal mine. It looked very well funded. Dwayne explained it was another Jim Booth project, AppleAtcha Orchards (get the pun?) that is aiming to expand.

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In mid-February of this year, a massive flood hit Eastern Kentucky. It was the biggest one since 1977. For the thousands of people who live on the river banks it was especially devastating. More than twenty people died. Others lost their homes, and all their possessions. Within hours of the flooding, Appalachia Reach Out, Inez Free Will Baptist Church and others stepped up to help.

Dwayne drove us through the bordering towns of Beauty, Warfield and Lovely before the road twisted South along the Tug River towards the border with Pike County. Many homes along the way were destroyed, most of them single and double-wide trailers. Occassionally we’d see a brand new staircase, ramp or home that ARO had helped build. At one point a person stumbled dangerously close to the busy road, probably overdosed on opioids Dwayne said. Before long we arrived at an empty building site. We got out of the car and met brothers Greg and Doyle Maynard.

The building site didn’t use to be empty. Each brother had a trailer where they lived. When the storm came through, the river rose faster and higher than Doyle had ever seen, and both trailers were destroyed. Luckily, they had some cousins who lived up the holler on high ground where they drove at 4am to escape with their lives.

Four months later, the brothers are still without a home, staying at a combination of family and friends as they await a couple of brand-new-trailers. They were deeply grateful to ARO, Inez Free Will Baptist Church and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for all the support.

Couple days later, drove back to film with the brothers. Here’s a rough portrait of Doyle below. More to come next Sunday.

best thoughts,

Graham

Rural Revival Project