Generations are like waves in the sea – inexorable and eternal, no two alike. Each has its storms and struggles, and as they look forward and back, the elders see the new coming on – all green and untried –and memories of the past are lit with the light of the golden hour of age. While the young are eager and emboldened – the past, its authors and authority to be relentlessly questioned and challenged. Today on Radio-Gram – generations asking and telling – but as you may know – the answers lie within. I’m Mia Frederick and this is your Radio-Gram for April 28th 2008, but - lets begin with the Regional Roundup and the return of the Coal Report.

Though weary you may be of the seemingly endless primary campaign being waged by Barak Obama and Hilary Clinton, we thought this piece by Jerome Shaw fit this Radio-Gram about generations. When Bill Clinton came to Pikeville recently to campaign for his wife – Community Correspondent Jerome Shaw was struck by a number of things Clinton said and even more so by what he didn’t say –

The connection between the generations here in Appalachia is perhaps a little firmer still that in other places. Traditions and ways are passed down with care. Robert Burke 97, of Virgie, Kentucky talked with his great grandson Joe Burke about his life. From the coalfields of central Appalachia to Ohio and back to Kentucky, a life of hard work and faith have been keys to Robert’s life well lived.

It can be bittersweet growing up, becoming an adult. But for awhile the world is theirs and their dreams and fears are ones that can be lived in a day or shoed away by lamplight and a soothing voice. Here's a Radio-Gram by and Tommy Anderson.

Thanks for listening to Radio-Gram today. I had help producing today’s show from Jerome Shaw, Joe Burke, Tommy Anderson, the staff of WMMT, and someday maybe, you. If you would like to join the Community Correspondents Corps and become a radio producer for WMMT and Radio-Gram – we want YOU! Email radiogram.wmmt@gmail.com or call me Mia Frederick– at 606 633 0108 extension 316. In the meantime – stay tune to wmmt, your intergenerational giant in the mountains.