“Mountain Mourning” Christians for the Mountains Feature Film

The filmmaker uses photography and personal stories to create an epiphany, a personal awakening, as nature’s beauty is starkly contrasted with scenes of ruin. Powerful narration is supported by traditional gospel and Appalachian music to tell this story of tragedy and hope. “Mountain Mourning” calls upon Christians and their churches to summons moral courage and effective advocacy that will bring healing and justice to this land and its people. Produced by B. J. Gudmundsson, West Virginia Filmmaker of the Year 2005 Time approximate: 30 minutes.  

“Look What They’ve Done”

An outing with Maria Gunnoe in Bob White, West Virginia, provides a snapshot of the Mountaintop Removal Mining that has moved into her back yard. Filmmakers, B. J. Gudmundsson and Doug Chadwick, traverse the rocky road up Cazy Mountain to survey the aftermath of a strip-mining operation. Maria’s Native American ancestry is revealed through her memories of family and their respect for the land. Her story is one of courage and strength that is woven around the heart by musical recordings of her mother and father. Time approximate: 20 minutes.  

“Keeper of the Mountains”

Larry Gibson is the only permanent resident on Kayford Mountain, just 35 miles from Charleston, West Virginia. For 19 years he has held on to his fifty acres – that which remains of his ancestral home. What was once a living community is now an island of life surrounded by death. Patchwork filmmakers join Larry and his band of friends as they pass through “Hell’s Gate” and - in one breathtaking moment – come upon “the end of the world.” Time approximate: 18 minutes.  

The mountains of Appalachia are among the oldest mountains in the world. Appalachians are a proud people, with a unique culture and a deep connection to the land that surrounds them. This is coal country. Today, traditional coal mining is being replaced with Mountaintop Removal. As communities fall victim to valley fills, flooding, polluted drinking water, lost jobs and poverty, people of conscience are coming together to stop this destructive mining practice.    Mountains don’t grow back. 10,000 years from now, Appalachia will still show the scars of what has been done in our lifetimes.    Visit: www.christiansforthemountains.org

Running time: 76 minutes (30 + 20 + 18 + 4 + 4)

God's Gift of a Wild and Wonderful Land The Monongahela National Forest contains some of the wildest remaining forestlands in the eastern United States. The “Mon” holds over 919,000 acres in 10 eastern West Virginia counties. Its native ecosystem gives life to plants and animals and its rugged terrain embraces the headwaters of five major river systems. For decades this Forest has provided a fragile oasis for calm, peace and solitude in a world where these values are increasingly hard to find. God’s Gift of A Wild and Wonderful Land uses stunning photography, moving hymnal music and personal testimonies to articulate the way we feel touched by God in our wilderness experience. The film encourages viewers to learn more about what makes these areas special and why their advocacy can protect them for generations yet unborn. Christians for the Mountains is a non-profit, grass-roots organization that encourages the preservation of God’s Earth and its human communities. Contact us to Learn More! ChristiansfortheMountains.org or Call 304-799-4137 Time: 20 minutes PatchworkFilms.com (c)2007 BJ Gudmundsson

AN EVENING WITH CAL PRICE A Patchwork Film Directed & Produced by B.J. Gudmundsson For over 100 years, a rural county in the eastern mountains of West Virginia has remained connected to the lives and history of her people through the pages of The homespun weekly was the last newspaper in the country to use handset type. This intimate one-hour visit with the Sage Editor of the Times weaves words, music and historical photographs to highlight his life and career. Dr. Robert Conte, resident historian at The Greenbrier Hotel, brings the words of Cal Price to life in this one-man play that was filmed in front of a live audience at The Marlinton Opera House. Running time: 62 minutes

"Love to Share" A B.J. Gudmundsson and Joan C. Browning Film Honoring Liz and Mitch Scott of Lewisburg, West Virginia Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley “Community Service Award for 2007” “Lewisburg is really a nice town, because of shakers and movers like Mitch and Liz. They couldn’t have done it by themselves, but they certainly did more than their share.” John McIlhenny, Lewisburg, WV Liz and Mitch Scott are examples of the kind of people that make a difference in small towns all across America. Born and raised in Greenbrier County, West Virginia – Liz in Lewisburg and Mitch in Ronceverte – they each spent their early years under the influence of loving families and caring communities. “Love to Share” is their story. It is a memory trip through which they share with us their love and devotion to each other, to their families, and to this place we call home. Time: 48 minutes Format: DVD Price: $20.00

“He Went About Doing Good” is a celebration of Rev. Renick’s life, his faith journey, and his service to The Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia. B.J. Gudmundsson, Producer ~ Joan C. Browning, Executive Producer. Released: 2005 In March of 2005, The Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley presented its “Community Service Award” to the Rev. Carl W. Renick, Sr., of Lewisburg, West Virginia. The story of his life, his faith journey and his community service is presented as a short documentary produced by B.J. Gudmundsson and Joan C. Browning. Rev. Renick’s account of what it was like to be a black man living in Greenbrier County is a highlight of film. “In my own hometown, you’d want to go into the drugstore and sit down and have a sandwich, but you were refused – you had to go to the back door.” Today, at the age of 92, Rev. Renick lives in his childhood home in Lewisburg with his wife, Edna. Together they continue to minister to the sick and the elderly. Their life story serves as a reminder of what it means to live a life of faith. More on Rev Carl Renick Running time: 47 minutes

"Standing on Holy Ground"  the Rev Patricia Jarvis Story. B.J. Gudmundsson, Producer ~ Joan C. Browning, Executive Producer. Released: 2005 “This woman is a unique expression of the grace of God, and an illustration, at the finest, of what it means to be called to Christian ministry." Bishop William Boyd Grove, United Methodist Church, retired. “Standing on Holy Ground” follows the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Jarvis through her “home among the hills” of West Virginia. Born the granddaughter of West Virginia’s last Methodist circuit rider, she married Julian George Sulgit, Jr. in 1969. After teaching for 3 years in Sierra Leone, West Africa, Patricia and Julian returned to West Virginia. Declaring “whatever talents I have I want to give to the church,” her ministry led them to Charleston District Outreach Ministries, the integrated St. Stephen’s UMC at Coal Branch Heights and Trinity UMC in Glenville. Upon completing their doctorates, they were appointed the first husband and wife co-pastors of Trinity UMC in Bluefield, and finally, Lewisburg United Methodist Church in Greenbrier County, WV. This beautiful documentary is a portrait of a family living a life a faith, a couple with a strong commitment to social justice and the “disciples” that are following in their footsteps. Running time: 62 minutes

“A Sense of Values” The life story of Charles Mundy, mayor of Rupert, West Virginia. B.J. Gudmundsson, Producer ~ Joan C. Browning, Executive Producer. Released: 2005 Charles W. Mundy Shepherd’s Center of Greenbrier Valley Community Service Award Honoree ~ 2006 The year is 1927. In the coalfields of western Virginia and southern West Virginia families scramble to earn their daily bread. In the wake of the Great Depression, the family of five-year old Charlie Mundy experiences a terrible loss – the untimely death of his father. In this time of want and grief, how does a young boy learn to become the man he became? This is the story told in “A Sense of Values.” “I just have a different sense of values. Things that don’t mean anything to some people, to me they mean a great lot.” Charles W. Mundy, Mayor of Rupert, WV “I think it comes from how we grew up. He has all those ties in Tazewell… maybe when he came to Rupert it was just natural to become a part of the community. “ Dr. Vivian Crane, Rupert, WV Running time: 50 minutes

"Greenbrier on Parade"
Volume I A Holiday Musical Video Contents: Sleigh Ride - Part One (2:32) Sleigh Ride - Part Two (2:31) Sleigh Ride - Part Three (2:23) A Horse-Drawn Ride through the Streets of Lewisburg WV – Set to the Holiday Music of the Eastern Greenbrier Jr. High Band EGJH Band – A Salute to Mr. Charles Fauber “Thanks for the Memories” (2:52)	Volume II William Dysard - The last living son of a Civil War Veteran. Contents: Part 1 Boyhood Memories (3:52) Part 2 Boom Days (3:52) Part 3 Lewisburg Memories (3:19) Part 4 A “Real” Son (3:05) A Tribute to Mr. William Asbury Dysard 1909 - 2005 "A Real Son" of a Confederate Veteran Avg Run Time ea: 10 min.	Volume III Dr Roland Sharp - First O'School President. Contents: Part 1 Early Years (2:55) Part 2 One-Room School (2:00) Part 3 Walking To School (2:49) Part 4 Medical School (4:59) Dr. Roland P. Sharp First President WV School of Osteopathic Medicine

World Famous Trains of the New River Gorge

A D. J. McCoy Film from Oceangate Entertainment

Also, for us old fashions folks who still like to read, there is a wonderful train book written by William P. McNeal called The Durbin Route. Click here to order the paperback from the Pocahontas Times Newspaper Web Site Book Store.