Published: April 25, 2008 10:15 am            

‘Every day is Earth Day’ — Volunteers invest time, energy in green effort

PIPESTEM — Rain and wind couldn’t put a damper on those who wanted to make a positive contribution Saturday during the 2008 Earth Day celebration. The event, which took place at the Appalachian South Folklife Center, had something for everyone, from music to a discussion forum on environmental issues.

The day started at 11 a.m. with the annual planting project at the center. Volunteers dug deep into the earth to plant various flowers and trees. Cori Edwards, who spearheaded the project, said she was pleased with the number of volunteers who came to help.

“We do this every year. Last year, we planted fruit trees. It’s been a great turnout. This year, the center’s flower bed needed some work,” Edwards said.

Volunteers planted hostas, lilies and yellow sundrops, among other plants.

Lori McKinney, one of the organizers of the event, said it went beautifully.

“The planting project was a huge group effort; young and old cooperated, and it was very inspiring. Kim Nichols had a huge group for the nature hike, and they loved it,” she said.

Matthew Parsons, of Hinton, was one of the volunteers helping to plant.

“I’m home every weekend doing nothing. I figured I’d come out and spend some time doing something productive. Earth Day is extremely important,” he said.

Bridgette Morris, of Bluefield, was also excited about the event.

“I’m friends with the organizers, Lori and Robert. It’s good to take part in the community, and it brings people together. I love helping out. When the music starts playing, people relate. All the music at the event is related to environment, so people can take something from it,” she said.

Judy and Pete Peterson were on hand to register people to vote. Vendors offered temporary tattoos and food was available.

McKinney said the panel discussion was lively and productive.

Mary Ellen Griffith moderated the discussion on environmental issues.

“Every day is Earth Day,” she told those in attendance.

Dr. Delilah O'Haynes, a writer and professor at Concord University discussed mountaintop removal for her portion of the discussion.

She said the area needs to move away from coal and promote tourism, along with forms of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.

Robin Wilson, project assistant with West Virginia Citizen Action Group, discussed the problem of global warming and the war in Iraq.

“Every minute, $500,000 is spent on the Iraq war,” he said.

He discussed transferring to renewable systems and a protest he took part in April 15 against war taxes.

“We need to find ways to solve our conflicts peacefully. People need to realize the urgency of global warming,” he said.

Roger Angles, a resident of Bluefield, Va., discussed pollution in the Bluestone River for his presentation. He said he’s seen the river go from pristine to being very polluted with sewage. He said people have to get involved and support companies that offer green products.

“Invest in them,” he said.

Local artists were on hand to show those in attendance how to make “biscuit quilts” from old pantihose and shopping bags out of old T-shirts.

Music with a message was also offered during the event. Trees With Attitude, a performance art group out of Lewisburg, offered an idea of how trees might dance and what they would say to us if they could. The Electric Junkyard Gamelan offered music played on recycled instruments. Option 22 and Kathleen Coffee also performed at the event.

“The performances were a hit,” McKinney said. “Everyone had an excellent time and gained all kinds of valuable information.”

An all-night, open-mic session with The Captain Lazerblast Band followed the Earth Day festival that night. The RiffRaff Arts Collective, in conjunction with the Folklife Center, hosted the event.

— Contact

Mark Blevins at

mblevins@ptonline.net.

        

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