TWV FILE PHOTO
Chris Hollingshead and Ron Buchanan jam in the commons area at East Fairmont High during PattyFest 2015.
TWV FILE PHOTO
Justin Michael and his grandfather Luther Michael sit in on the jam session in the commons area at East Fairmont High during the PattyFest 2015.
PHOTOâBYâTAMMYâSHRIVER
MANNINGTON â You canât shake a stick around Mannington without finding an admirer of Patty Looman. And for good reason. Looman, who died in 2012, has become almost legendary in her role as a champion of mountain music.
Dozens, if not hundreds, of former students over the years have embraced Loomanâs teachings and passed on the traditions of playing and teaching old time music. Some years ago, a number of her students started PattyFest, a joyful festival of playing, teaching and enjoying old time music whose roots run deep in Appalachia.
Pattyfest organizers inviting old time music lovers to join their open jam at the Mannington Fair timeswv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timeswv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
PHOTO BY DAVID KIRK
PHOTO BY DAVID KIRK
FAIRMONT â An entire professional life devoted to schooling is one thing, but 46 years devoted to one county is truly exceptional.
Randy Farley was born and raised in Mannington, and went to school for all 12 grades in Mannington. His family was well known in the school system, or at least by Mrs. Regillo, Farleyâs first-grade teacher. This same teacher at the same elementary school in Mannington taught all six of Farleyâs siblings. As the youngest, Farley was the last to pass through Regilloâs classroom.
âOur whole family had the same first-grade teacher,â Farley said. âThatâs something special.â