The official definition of a storyteller is “one who tells stories”; however, stories are not just told on paper. Sometimes they are passed through generations orally. Other times, families have heirlooms or objects that link them to their past and the experiences of their ancestors.

Beyond your own family, the area in which we live is rich in history. The farming culture, largely built on tobacco, is still seen in our current way of life. Another aspect of our local culture is moonshining. Family and local history can sometimes be scandalas. Bootleggers broke the law, but were often seen as heroes. In this phase of the project, we will be looking at the role of such people in history and the circumstances within our country that created those heroes. One such circumstance is the ratification of the 18th Amendment, in which the Prohibition Act was put in place in 1918. The outlawing of liquor consequently made the making and consumption of it, all the more appealing.

It is a wild ride . . . but no need to buckle up- the cars didn’t have seatbelts.

Let that sink in.

Good Luck Agents-

Your Facilitators: Mr. Moore, Mrs. Arrington, Mrs. Cook, and Ms. Via