Coal Mining Museum Goes Solar

The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Harlan County is switching to solar power, reports the Washington Post:

“’We believe that this project will help save at least $8,000 to $10,000 off the energy costs on this building alone, so it’s a very worthy effort and it’s going to save the college money in the long run,’ Brandon Robinson, communications director of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, which owns the museum, told WYMT.”

“’It is a little ironic,’ said Robinson, ‘But you know, coal and solar and all the different energy sources work hand-in-hand. And, of course, coal is still king around here.’”

— “Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Harlan County switches to solar power,” Travis M. Andrew, Washington Post

Father’s Day and Disaster

Father’s Day began with a disaster. The holiday was first observed as a memorial to fathers lost in the worst mining disaster in American history at Monongah, West Virginia in 1907.

Hazel Dickens, 1935 – 2011

“Hazel Dickens, bluegrass pioneer who sang of miners and downtrodden, dies at 75,” Matt Schudel, Washington Post

“Hazel Dickens, Folk Singer, Dies at 75,” Bill Friskics-Riskics, New York Times

“Hazel Dickens: 1935-2011,” Moutain Stage, WV Public Broadcasting blog

 “Country music legend Hazel Dickens dies,” Kate Long, Charleston Gazette

 “2001 NEA National Heritage Fellow Hazel Dickens,” National Endowment for the Arts

 

Video: West Virginia Public Television

Comments are welcome if they are on-topic, substantive, concise, and not boring or obscene. Comments may be edited for clarity and length.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Yahoo Buzz | Newsvine