Appalachian culture

Ruettiger explains how you should never give up on your dream. Shawn Grim and Rudy Ruettiger both know this too well. Rudy Ruettiger was a kid who had a dream to play football for Notre Dame, At the same time. Grim lives in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains and his dream was to go to college and graduate. Struggling with money was a big deal for Ruettiger and Grim. Rudy worked for a minimum wage job, helping clean up and stuff around the football field so he was a janitor. He was very…

people to apply for statehood! The idea of “the West” constantly changed as Americans pushed the farther and farther away from what had been the original 13 colonies. In the early 1800’s the "West" was generally considered to be the area west of the Appalachian Mountains to the territories and states in the Mississippi River Valley. Some people moved west because the eastern states were getting too crowded. Most people who lived in the west lived on small farms or had farm-related occupations.…

What I love most about Iron Mountain is you’re never too far away from the wilderness. I routinely have deer, rabbits, and other woodland critters in my yard, and it’s not uncommon to come across bears, coyotes, or even moose on the way to exams. Outside of work, there is no shortage of camping, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, hunting, and hiking opportunities. The Fumee Lake Natural Area, just outside of Iron Mountain, has miles of trails to enjoy scenic views, wild life and…

former colleague make the treck through the Appalachian trail. Along the way, Bryson doesn’t hesitate in elaborately detailing the dangers of the 2,000 mile journey alongside his snickers-loving and incredibly flirtatious friend,Katz, who although is determined to finish the trail, can’t help but become side-tracked along the way. Early on we, as readers, learn that Bryson is searching for happiness and bliss and he achieves it as he hikes through the Appalachian. The theme that is conveyed…

I really enjoyed the interview of Adaline Bloom. Her father came to the United States in order to escape the Russian army draft. Adaline talks about the effects of the Great Depression and World War II on her family. For example, she speaks about gas rationing for her family’s car. In an attempt to save gas for the United States military, limited supplies of gas were sold to the public. Therefore, Adaline’s family did not use the car for almost two years. It was difficult to find steady work…

The Great Smoky Mountains is where Thomas Wolfe’s play The Mountains takes place. Although Wolfe doesn’t delve deep into the environment of the mountains themselves one can feel the mountains surrounding the play itself. The Great Smoky Mountains is a place full of plant life and animals. Surrounding all this plant life and animals are the mountains themselves and the history they tell. The Great Smoky Mountains at its highest areas is roughly about 6000 feet above sea level (Hadley 1). These…

The Magnificent 60 Mountain Peaks Shenandoah National Park, in Virginia, protects over 19,000 acres of land, with more than 500 miles of trail, which include the 101 miles long Appalachian Trail. Admission is required at this national park however it is definitely worth it according to happy visitors. National Park, Shenandoah itself has about 60 wooded mountain peaks. Nearly the entire park is 2,000 feet above sea level. Along with hiking, people like to camp at Shenandoah, which requires a…

Sturnus Vulgaris (Common Starling) or (European Starling) The European Starling was introduced to North America in the 19th century. They were imported at great expense from Europe by Eugene Schieffelin around the 1890s to U.S and labeled as an invasive species. But unlike many other invasive birds, it was not protected under U.S law. Meaning no harm, Schieffelin goal was to just introduce all the birds mentioned by William Shakespeare in North America. Schieffelin released about 100 European…

The mountain community is very traditional when it comes to elders in the community. This is seen through Mrs. Taylor, Lace’s parents, Uncleome though. He also has a connection growing up in the mountains but feels work would come easier somewhere else. He likely resents the land for allowing itself to fall and become destructed because it is forcing him to have to leave. The younger boys seem to like the land. Tommy and Corey like being able to play and run around in the creek, Corey sees the…

For a portion of Charles Frazier’s novel Cold Mountain, a preacher named Veasey accompanies the male protagonist, Inman. Frazier uses Veasey’s reckless and spontaneous nature to contrast Inman’s well thought out and war torn traits. Veasey’s actions represent the way that the Civil War has affected even people who were not in it, and allows the audience of the novel to view Inman’s morals and understand how they may have been altered by his experiences in the War. The audience follows Inman’s…