Lots of Congratulations Are in Order!

Congratulations to longtime OVEC member Congressman Ken Hechler. In an amazing proclamation detailing some of Hechler’s achievements over the years, the governor of New Hampshire declared September 23, 2011 as Ken Hechler Day in New Hampshire.

Read the entire proclamation at kenhechler.us/kenhechler/news.html

Congratulations to Coal River Mountain Watch’s Junior Walk who was one of seven recipients of Earth Island Institute’s 2011 Brower Youth Awards. The winners were selected from among hundreds of applicants. The winners distinguished themselves with their creative and effective work tackling environmental problems.

Congratulations to singer/songwriter Kathy Mattea, who was among several musicians inducted into West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. For the past several years, two-time Grammy winner Mattea has spoken out against mountaintop removal coal mining.

Congratulations to photographer Paul Corbit Brown who was named one of the top 100 human rights activists in 2011 by Frontline Human Rights Defenders.　Paul has photographed humanitarian issues throughout the United States, Mexico, Kenya, Jamaica, Russia, Israel, Laos, Thailand, Rwanda, Indonesia, Haiti and Northern Iraq. Paul has generously donated many of his MTR photographs to OVEC; regular readers of WOC will have seen his photos. www.paulcorbitbrown.com.

Congratulations to OVEC members Michael and Carrie Kline who received FOOTMAD’s (WV Friends of Old Time Music and Dance) 2011 FOOTbridge Award for their years of work to preserve traditional Appalachian music and stories. Check out their work at www.folktalk.org/about.html.