Hey everyone ~ Lil' Debbie wants you to know that this week on the Hayride you all are invited to call in with a request for your favorite Christmas Song! Be it Bluegrass, Bluegrass Gospel, or even a little bit of Country Christmas, call it in, Debbie wants to know what your favorite Christmas Song is.

And - if you have a loved one serving overseas - call in with your special holiday greeting and Debbie will send them out over the airwaves! Please do remember those brave guys and gals over there this special time of year! We love you guys and gals and appreciate you all!

WMMT's BIRTHDAY STORY!

After an arduous journey, the Appalshop, convinced that its mission to let mountain people speak for themselves should be expanded, brought to the airwaves of central Appalachia an incredible new voice, 88.7 WMMT-FM.

On Mountain Talk this evening at 7:00 we will step past the debate about whether global warming is real or not and simply ask the question - If it is real what does that mean for Kentucky, our energy policy, and our economy? Join the discussion call 1 888 396-1208!

The conversation about climate change has gone from a debate about whether it is fact or fiction to a global dialogue about what can be done to address it. In the coalfields, the conversation is also being incorporated into discussions about economic conversion. Communities in located in coal producing areas are beginning to examine the prospects for economies not based on extractive industries like coal and natural gas. Recently a regional alliance of citizen groups came together to talk about coalfield community economic conversion. The guest speaker was Dr. Lloyd Jeff Dumas, professor of economics and political economy at The University of Texas at Dallas. Visit the Community Correspondent Corps to listen to this story.

Some lucky friend of WMMT who donated at least $20 to WMMT during the recent Fall Fund Drive will win this fine quilt made by our own Jesse Pauline. She will announce the winner this Saturday November 3rd during her Awesome Americana show. So listen in this Saturday from 5 - 7 PM to find out if you won. And a big thanks to everyone who pledged during the Fund Drive, and if you missed the opportunity last month you can make a donation now, just click on the support WMMT button on this page to make a secure donation online, or just mail your check to WMMT 91 Madison Ave Whitesburg KY 41858! THANKS!

October 25, 2007 - Public hearings were held Wednesday night in five communities throughout the coalfields of Appalachia, to allow public comment on a proposed change in the “stream buffer zone” rule by the US Office of Surface Mining, or OSM. At the hearing in Hazard, KY about 140 people turned out on a rainy autumn night, and the majority of those who signed up to speak, were opposed to the change. Listen to the story at www.appalshop.org/ccc.

On Friday October 19th, WMMT (and Appalshop) will be upgrading our Internet capacity. So we may be offline briefly on Friday morning around 10:00 AM. But when the switch is made we will have, we hope, improved streaming of WMMT, among other user advantages. So if you are an internet listener please let us know if you notice a difference in the coming days. You can post a comment to this post, add to our web forums, or just email us at wmmtfm@appalshop.org!

Check out the first radio piece by new Community Correspondent, Ellis Keyes. It is the first in a series of investigations about stereotypes, in and out of the mountains. Visit the Community Correspondents Corps website to listen.

WMMT's fall on-air fund drive is winding down. If you missed the opportunity to call in your pledge, feel free to go ahead and make your contribution now. Send your check or money order (payable to WMMT) to WMMT, 91 Madison Ave., Whitesburg, KY 41858, or simply click on Support WMMT on the web site and use your credit card to send in an instant and secure donation. Please feel free, also, to increase your contribution.

Ray Slone, a great musician and a special friend.