The unveiling will take place from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 4 at the Pomeroy Library. The event will feature a brief talk by Jean Andrews, an oral historian and video producer at Ohio Landscape Productions, Inc. of Athens as well as a public reading of one of the book’s stories. Light refreshments will also be served. Call 992-4282 to RSVP to the free event hosted by the Meigs Soil and Water Conservation District.
The book features 20 stories collected from residents of the Leading Creek Watershed, a 150-square-mile section of land encompassing Leading Creek and its tributaries. The watershed spans the western half of Meigs County and small portions of Athens and Gallia counties.
The book’s stories, which were collected by local volunteers, are described as a collective voice of residents’ experiences, memories and opinions about events which have taken place over the years within the watershed. The stories hope to reveal a glimpse of the watershed from the perspectives of those who live there, as well as showcase a rich, Appalachian culture. Simply put, the book is meant to collect and preserve oral histories of the watershed which may be lost if not documented in writing.
Funded in part by the Ohio Humanities Council, a number of the books will be donated to various organizations, individuals and agencies. Donated books are meant to promote education about the area and stewardship of the watershed. The books will also be available for purchase on amazon.com.
The region the watershed calls home in Meigs County has been described as historically significant and is believed to be the site of the first church and school in the county. Also, according to local history buff and Middleport Mayor Mike Gerlach, the last mountain lion in Meigs County was killed in the watershed and Morgan’s Raiders cut across the area on their way to their waterloo at Buffington Island.
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