While researching my book on coalfield baseball, I visited many coal camps in southwest Virginia, eastern Kentucky and in southern West Virginia. They ranged in levels of dereliction, from the bare skeletons of previous communities to some still filled with life although a little worse for wear. So many empty houses and company stores, offices and small businesses.
I saw the remains of a few New Mexico coal towns as well. Just as in Appalachia, it seemed like the spirits of the long gone idled on front porches and taptapped on the remaining glass in windows. These images of abandoned spaces haunted me until I began recreating them.
They still do.
This show is a testament to what is now lost to the coalfields, wherever they may be in this country. The camps are mostly deserted and the communities that lived and breathed baseball are gone. My books and my art are in tribute to them.
L.M. Sutter (Lynn)
By Evelyn Hoskins
I finished this quilt in August 2022. It was made, except for the white sections, from a precut package. It came from the big red Bargain Barn in the Ramsey section of Norton, owned by Gene and Faye Huff. When they began to close the store they told my good friend, Lottie Robinette, who was a former part-time employee and family friend, to pick out some things she would like, gratis.
She hand sewed all her quilt tops. This kit had so many pieces she put off getting started on it. In spring cleaning, she ran across it and offered it to me. I started on it by machine but couldn’t seem to get my head wrapped around the angles and dog ears. So I put it aside and made about 5 more quilts. Finally, I unearthed the kit and stuck with it. It is far from perfect, but I loved the bright colors and it is a great reminder of my friend, Lottie, and the many enjoyable things we shared as two old widows.
I was taught to sew on a treadle machine, sewing quilt pieces together for many of my mothers’ quilts. Then on to making clothing for myself and my daughter. I have made quilts for all my children, grandchildren and great grands. I wish I had written down and made pictures from the beginning!