Layla Craft

Layla Craft, Hair Stylist & Model, Jenkins, Kentucky:

"When I was in high school I was dead set on moving as far from the mountains as possible. As f@#&*d up as it sounds I've never felt like a country girl, and that there was nothing for me down here. So naturally I moved. I only moved to Morehead, but to me that was fine because it wasn't Letcher County and there were so many new and different types of people. I would go to Florence, (KY), Lexington, (KY), Cincinnati, (OH) etc. I was loving life. Then on summer break I came back home to work at the pool as I did every summer since I was 15. It was getting close time to going back and I was ready for it. But something insane happened. I was on my way home from work and I was passing by Fleming-Neon school. I looked over at their peewee football practice and saw coal miner men sittin’ in the back of their trucks. I thought 'only here'. But as I kept driving I looked around at the mountains, trees, flowers, creeks, everything and then thought again, 'only here' but in a beautiful 'only here' kinda way. I still can't explain to this day my exact thoughts on everything, but the next week I drove to Morehead, dropped all my classes and decided I wanted to be HOME. That was 11 years ago…

So here I am!! I've realized this is my home! I absolutely love to visit cities and stay weekends in bigger 'better' places, but as far as every day life this is where my heart is!"

Whompuss Cat

Whompuss Cat, Pikeville, Kentucky, Self Employed Carpenter/painter:

“Lack of human communication causes disorientation of utmost importance in meaningful situations. It takes only an action to prove just a fraction of how happy we all can be. We all make mistakes. The lessons are great and what we learn gives our life its shape. Let's not hate, judge, or discriminate, rather love, laugh and impregnate.....each other with the happy seed to fill the needs of the us's and we's. No need for hesitation, or procrastination in our generation, we are all bound to change the nation.

It's the simple things in life that make me happy, the Russell Fork, the Appalachian Mountains, my dog, and most of all my River Family. I couldn't be any richer, for these bonds are the only true currency in the world. Love y'all.

Sometimes I wish I was dyslexic, I have always wanted a pet God.

Neal Spears

Neal Spears, Kentucky Medical Marijuana Legalization Activist, Musician/Singer/Songwriter; Pikeville, Kentucky:

“It is imperative that if we want the same freedoms about marijuana that so many other states are enjoying, it is so important for the little man, or woman to rise up and let their voices be heard.”

“I believe in my heart I am doing what I should be doing right now. So, it is back to Denver, Cannabis Freedom, and all of the Medical Cannabis knowledge I can gather while I am there, to bring it home to all of you in Eastern Ky, once our legislature gets off of it's collective asses.”

Tony Mullins

Tony Mullins, Poet/Lyricist/Social Worker; Dickenson County, Virginia:

"Over the years, I've come to the conclusion that these mountains represent a cultural contradiction. Open arms going head-to-head with closed minds. Acceptance battling judgement. Geographical beauty sometimes tainted by psychological darkness. When writing, and seeking meaningful Appalachian subject matter, that's what I find the most inspirational, and the most disturbing....the Beautiful Darkness”…

"Let U$ Prey"