Kentucky Author Mountaintop Removal Tour

KENTUCKY AUTHOR MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL TOUR -- More than a dozen Kentucky authors will get a firsthand view of mountaintop removal and its impacts on the land and people during a tour of eastern Kentucky coalfields next week. Wendell Berry and Silas House will head the group which will view sites in three counties and hear the stories of those who live near the mines. The tour is being coordinated by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth with Kentucky Riverkeeper and Appalshop. "We are excited about giving these authors an opportunity to see an up-close view of mountaintop removal mining and to hear the stories of people from the communities who have to endure this," said KFTC leader Teri Blanton. The media and the public are invited to attend the following events:

Wed Apr 20, 7:00p.m. at Hindman Settlement School. A program featuring stories from KFTC members will help the authors understand the daily consequences of coal mining and the true cost of coal borne by all Kentuckians. Presentations will be made by coalfield residents, officials and researchers.

Thr Apr 21 at 1:00p.m., Posey Auditorium on the Eastern Kentucky University campus in Richmond. The concluding activities of the authors tour will take place at EKU as part of their Earth Days in the Cumberlands series of events. At an opening 1 p.m. press conference, the authors are expected to release a statement based on their observations and experience, and share their reflections.

Thr Apr 21 at 5:00-7:30p.m., at the EKU Center for Appalachian Studies Center (300 Summit Street) in Richmond. The public is invited to attend an informal reception with the authors that will include readings and their reflections. This is a fundraiser for KFTC and Kentucky Riverkeeper, $30 person/$50 per couple with dinner included. RSVPs are requested to 859-622-3065.
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Authors participating in all or part of the tour include: Wendell Berry, Mary Ann Taylor Hall, Bob Sloan, Kristin Johannsen, Gwyn Hyman Rubio, Silas House, Ed McClanahan, Anne Shelby, Bracelen Flood, George Brosi, Graham Shelby, Ann Olson, Artie Ann Bates, Warren Brunner, and Erik Reece.