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Members receive up-to-date information about environmental campaigns, fundraisers, and more. Please email us to join in our efforts.
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allows you to connect with fellow environmentalists, discuss pertinent issues, and read about worldwide issues. Please take a moment to visit our exclusive forum.
Each month we feature one book on our suggested reading list. Book suggestions may be submitted to info@alastingworld.com.

My Appalachia

written by Sidney Saylor Farr,
published by University Press of Kentucky, 2007, 264 pages

"Although Sidney Saylor Farr is renowned in the field of Appalachian studies, her own fascinating personal history has been little known until now. My Appalachia is Farr's story of growing up in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky, where her devotion to her family led her to accept crushing responsibilities that steered her away from her own goals. Her intense determination, however, compelled her to find her own path in life and gave her the strength to become one of the most influential figures in her discipline.

At the age of twelve, Farr was forced to leave school to care for her ailing mother and several younger siblings. Given the responsibilities of adulthood early in life, she pushed herself through countless challenges, including poverty, discrimination, and personal loss. Yet she managed to thrive--she educated herself, raised two sons, and became a voice for her family, community, and culture.

In My Appalachia, Farr shares the stories of her struggles and triumphs to create a vivid picture of a culture as enduring as the mountains. Composed of a rich mix of folklore, family history, and spiritual and intellectual exploration, My Appalachia reveals the beauty at the heart of life in Appalachia.

Sidney Saylor Farr is a former editor of Appalachian Heritage and a former Berea College staff member. Her writing has appeared in Mountain Life & Work, Appalachian Journal, Organic Gardening, and other publications. Among her books are More Than Moonshine: Appalachian Recipes and Recollections and Table Talk: Appalachian Meals and Memories." (Review from the Publisher)

News


 09.16.2008 - Yankee Candle Fundraiser: Click here [PDF | Word] to read about and get involved with the Yankee Candle Fundraiser. 40% of each candle item purchased benefits Camp H.O.P.E. 2009.

03.10.2008 - Remembrance Luminary Candles at Roots & Remembrance 2008: Each year, ALW holds a very moving, very emotional "Remembrance" luminary candle ceremony at at Roots & Remembrance, where literally hundreds of candles are lit to honor individuals (living and deceased), personal heroes, pets, special occasions, etc. The solemn reading of the names is part of an evening of wonderful music, special awards and presentations, and more. Download the candle donation form [PDF | Word] for the event.

10.24.2007 - FALL Fundraiser: Click here [PDF | Word] to read about and participate in the FALL (FUN)draiser.

10.23.2007 - Read the October issue of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink Section.

09.20.2007 - WILD(cat) Auction Fundraiser: Click here [PDF | Word] to read about and bid in the WILD(cat) Auction Fundraiser.

09.05.2007 - Read the September issue of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink Section.

08.14.2007 - Check out the August Earthlink for the latest environmental news and details about Kentucky Wildcat Weekend.

07.29.2007 - Camp H.O.P.E. 2007 Review: Click here [PDF | Word] to read about Camp H.O.P.E. 2007.

07.28.2007 - The 11th Hour: Leonardo DiCaprio's "The 11th Hour" is a feature length documentary concerning the environmental crises caused by human actions and their impact on the planet. The 11th Hour documents the cumulative impact of these actions upon the planet's life systems and calls for restorative action through a reshaping of human activity. Click here to watch the trailer.

07.06.2007 - ALW Giving Project: Click here [PDF | Word] to read about and get involved with our new fundraiser.

07.01.2007 - Read the July issue of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink Section.

06.29.2007 - Auction Winner: Congratulations to Priscilla Beckmann! She is the winner of the recent Slam Dunk Auction [PDF | Word].

06.19.2007 - Auction Winner: Congratulations to Amy Kessler! She is the winner of the recent Year of the Dolphin Auction [PDF | Word].

06.01.2007 - Check out the June Earthlink for an update on this year's Camp H.O.P.E.

05.01.2007 - Head over to the Earthlink section to read a review of Roots & Remembrance in the May newsletter.

03.12.2007 - Read the February and March issues of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink Section.

11.06.2006 - Holiday Fundraiser 2006: Click here [PDF | Word] to read about and get involved with our holiday fundraiser.

10.17.2006 - Read the October issue of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink Section AND click here to stream a special "thank you" message from ALW's Honorary Chairperson.

09.04.2006 - News, Updates, and More: A variety of ALW fundraisers are underway. Check out all of the latest details by clicking the links below:

October Fundraiser Update
ALW Auction [photos]
ALW Raffle [photos]
Kevin Kandy

Also, head over to the Earthlink section to read the latest edition of our newsletter.

08.07.2006 - Environmenal Camp Success: A Lasting World held its first-ever summer environmental camp in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky July 16-22, 2006. Besides the 10 adult ALW members (Ali, Becky, Betty, Jerry, Kizzy, Laura, Linda, Tabitha, Wen and Whitney) and one junior ALW member (Nick) who attended, we were able to bring in to the camp a group of 12 needy Appalachian students free-of-charge. We went hiking and we discovered much of the natural beauty of the mountains. We explored a bat cave, we tested and compared pond water with filtered water, we identified trees, insects and wildlife, we went rappelling and swimming and we enjoyed several different nature crafts. We listened to environmental speakers and watched environmental videos, we went on a boat ride with the Kentucky Riverkeepers, we visited Hummel Planetarium and we did some nighttime stargazing. We played outdoor games, we sat around a campfire and we even told ghost stories after a night hike! It was truly a week of growth, of learning and of environmental awareness for each of our campers. We hope the experiences at Camp H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Planet Earth) reconnected all our participants with the wonder of the natural world around them, and that they will now grow into more responsible caretakers of the Earth.

Here are a few photos of some of our camp adventures. We'll be posting more photos and more memories soon, so keep checking back here!

We're already starting to raise funds to bring more needy kids to camp in 2007! We hope you will ALL want to help us make ALW's Camp H.O.P.E. an annual event!

08.06.2006 - Read the August issue of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink Section for reminders and updates about Kevin's Birthday Bash FUNdraiser.

05.21.2006 - 2006 Roots & Remembrance Review: Read the review of our 2006 Roots & Remembrance event. The review is available in
PDF and Word formats. We also have two wonderful photo galleries that you may view here and here.

04.20.2006 - 2006 Roots & Remembrance Silent Auction: No matter where you live, and no matter where you are on May 5, this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to bid on the AWESOME items in our 2006 Roots & Remembrance Silent Auction. Details are available
[PDF | Word] here.

02.08.2006 - Kevin's Kids Project: Kevin's Kids Project is off to a successful start! Please review the updated [PDF | Word] details concerning this fundraiser.

02.07.2006 - Let's Light Up the Earth at Roots & Remembrance 2006: Each spring, A Lasting World hosts a "Remembrance" luminary candle ceremony; it is an evening rich with hundreds of glowing candles, with fine musical entertainment and with guest speakers. Read the [PDF | Word] details and download the candle donation form [PDF | Word] for the event.

02.02.2006 - Roots & Remembrance 2006: We are pleased to release the complete details and registration form for our 5th Annual Roots & Remembrance Weekend in Kentucky. Check out the [PDF | Word] details and download the registration form [PDF | Word] for the event.

02.01.2006 - Read the January and February issues of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink

12.21.2005 - Check [PDF | Word] out the details for the ALW Chocolate Coin Fundraiser.

12.01.2005 - Read the December issue of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink Section.

11.01.2005 - Read the November issue of our Earthlink Newsletter in the Earthlink Section.

10.31.2005 - Roots & Remembrance 2006: We are pleased to announce our 5th Annual Roots & Remembrance Weekend in Kentucky. Take a look [PDF | Word] at the itinerary and details.

10.11.2005 - Due to an overwhelming response, we added a list of on-going fundraisers.

10.09.2005 - Check out the exclusive ALW audio and video clips.

10.03.2005 - Giving Project: You can send in as much or as little as you wish - but we ask that every ALW Angel please find it in his/her heart to give a little. Click here for the complete details.

10.01.2005 - Read the October issue of our Earthlink Newsletter.

09.14.2005 - Read the summary [PDF | Word] of our lollipop fundraiser.

09.08.2005 - Get "Pinned" to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims: View the prototypes of the buttons we've ordered for ALW's fundraiser to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. The buttons will be 3" and $2.75 each. $2.00 from each pin will be donated to hurricane relief efforts. Pin fundraiser launched.

09.07.2005 - Read the September issue of our Earthlink Newsletter.

08.25.2005 - Welcome to our brand new web site. While you are here, take a moment and visit our ALW message board. We will continue to make minor content changes during the next 48 hours. Please email our webmaster if you experience technical difficulties.

08.01.2005 - Read the August issue of our Earthlink Newsletter.

07.01.2005 - Read the July issue of our Earthlink Newsletter.

06.20.2005 - Lollipop FUNdrasier: Let's have some fun - and let's help raise some money for a great cause at the same time! Lollipop FUNdraiser launched.

06.11.2005 - SOS (S.upport O.ne S.prout) Campaign: ALW believes that each child deserves the opportunity to grow in an atmosphere where he/she can develop positive and eager attitudes towards the natural world. SOS campaign launched.