A Coal-Camp Christmas

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Places helping with storm damage: Helping Hands & Deep River Farm Hurricane Relief: centralasheboro.org/events-opportunities/hurricane-relief/ Samaritan’s Purse: www.samaritanspurse.org/ NC Baptists: ncbaptist.org/hurricane-helene-response/ 8 Days of Hope: eightdaysofhope.com/ Cajun Navy Relief: www.cajunnavyrelief.com/ Please add any other organizations in the comments. Thank you!!

[@PellyjellyMom]

We need to keep reading these stories to our kids. When I was in Kindergarten we had a classmate, George, who for this lunch brought a half piece of bread sometimes with a little butter but most times nothing. He was so thin. We all had bologna, or lunch meat or cheese. He never had a piece of fruit or veggies or a cookie. I ask my mom if she could cut my sandwich in half and I started giving George half of mine. Others starting sharing their apple and we shared cookies. George wasn’t there for 1st Grade. I wonder what happened to George K and his family. I hope they went on to better times. That was 1957.

[@bluebird218bn]

This story brought tears to my eyes. I can identify with the kids. We didn’t live in a coal camp but just about everyone was a tobacco farmer like Daddy was. I knew we were poor but so was everybody else. We lived on a narrow dirt road that dead-ended at the river. We had an outhouse, a smoke house, a corn crib, and a “dairy” for storing food. A lot of my clothes came from a second hand store except for what Mom made for me. What a time my cousins and I had!

[@lorettataylor9902]

Lot of good memories

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing a bit about your childhood 😊

[@buzsalmon]

Thank you Tipper as always we think of you all everyday. Still stuck in bed and pain. We pray for you and I am so lucky to have Sandra. Merry Christmas to all of your family. We really love you 🎄

[@mamawfrancy]

I was a coal camp kid.. my dad & many in our family worked in the coal mines so I can heartily identify with this story. We along with the lower pay coal miners (not bosses & company men's children) owed our soul to the company store. Still thinking back & in lots of ways those were the good old days and now realize how very rich we were.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

@@buzsalmon Bless you Buz! I pray for you and Sandra every day too. I hope 2025 is a better year for you both!! Merry Christmas!

[@ronbass8136]

I also grew up poor. My parents were tennant farmers. When I was young I knew we were poor but I also knew that rich people couldn't be any happier than I was.

[@candacebradley7335]

My mom use to tell us “Quit wishing your life away”, my mom & dad’s been gone 20 years. Love that story ❤️ Merry Christmas to you all!

[@schs1977]

When I was 15 or 16 years old, complaining about how much homework I had one evening, I remember my dad telling me, "Son, believe it or not, right now is one of best times of your life. All you have to worry about is getting schoolwork done." How right he was!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

That’s so true, it’s hard to see it when you are young. Thank you for watching!

[@lindamcgee3651]

Such a heartwarming story. There's always great joy in giving to others 😊 Praying and Blessed! 🤗🙏💕🌄🎄

[@AShyLily]

Tipper and family, sending you Christmas blessings. Merry Christmas!🎄🎆🎄🎇🎀🎄🎇🎀🎄🎇🎀

[@M2ElviSMuSic]

Another lovely story, Tipper. You and your family are lifting some of the lonely off our shoulders during some Christmas seasons that have become so different than we ever imagined they could be. I believe our lives are our ministries for Christ and you do more than you realize. Merry Christmas!!❤🌲🌟🙏

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

You are so kind thank you and God bless you!!

[@christyjohnson6967]

These stories are so priceless. Children in school today should hear these. Thank you, Tipper.

[@ginnyandersen8527]

I loved when he said he didn't know they were poor. I remember thinking that, too. Thank you for the story, Tipper.

[@lindahays8444]

That was a sweet story. It is better to give. Yall know the rest of that. Merry Christmas Tipper and family and to all on here.

[@MattieAnnBrown]

Another wonderful story. ❤

[@JonJaeden]

We lived in the Berwind, WV, coal camp in 1956-1957. My father pastored a church there. There was an alley between the houses on the paved road and our houses. The railroad tracks were up the embankment. I can still remember my mother running out to get the clothes off the line when the train was coming so they weren't dirtied again with the coal soot. We kids played in the coal bin on the ally and always needed a scrubbing in the 20-gallon tub. I once was dressed up to go somewhere and, instead of staying clean, ran around and fell. A small piece of black clinker got embedded in my side and was visible below the skin for decades. Our outhouse was one of the few that had a light in it. The switch was inside the house. Whenever we had company, my father liked to prank them by turning off the light while they were out there at night. He did it again when his cousin Roland was visiting and everyone had a good laugh when Roland came back in the house. But they had forgotten Roland was blind, so the joke was on them. Until she passed away in 2021, my mother always spoke of the people of Berwind with great affection. She would tell how she would make her grocery list and cut it up into individual pieces of paper for each item. The pieces of paper would be placed in the offering plate at church and passed around, with someone from each family reaching in and taking one of them. The groceries would appear sometime during the week. That's how the church provided for its pastor. One day when I was 5, I could tell something was coming. The creek on the other side of the paved road was higher than I had ever seen it before. The next morning there was water everywhere. Men -- perhaps from the National Guard -- lifted us out of our house through the window. I believe we stayed with a family from the church who lived up the hill above the railroad tracks. Even though the houses on our row were built up on posts or blocks -- high enough that we as kids could play under there -- the flood waters rose and filled the interior with deep mud. We left Berwind after that. I last visited Bewind in 1976 while driving cross-country. Our old house was gone then but the church was still there. It still is.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you for sharing your memories!!

[@bhale7904]

i remember visiting Berwind a lot as a kid...my parents were "tent preachers" although a lot of the time they still preached in churches or in peoples homes...

[@chubs1701]

Great reading love the Christmas story thanks for another great reading Tipper thanks for sharing 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁

[@livvyweimar7362]

Oh, the beautiful imagery of this story. The tree's construction paper ornaments and being proudly displayed in the 8 pound lard can. The little snag on the elbow of the sweater. The brown crumbs and discarded paper cups where his chocolate covered cherries would have been. What a delight! Thank you for another great reading, Tipper!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So glad you enjoyed it!!

[@KathysTube]

What a wonderful story! Thanks Tipper ❤️🎄🎀

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@marthaanthis3980]

Merry Christmas to all of you❤️🌲❤️

[@debbiehills2928]

Thanks!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Debbie! We appreciate you so much! Merry Christmas 😊

[@debbiehills2928]

@CelebratingAppalachia Merry Christmas tipper!

[@skipsalmon6728]

Great story. This one prompted two memories. My next door neighbor had a small black and white TV where I watched through the rose bushes my Dad had,,, through their window to see Dragnet. They also had a daughter who was my first "flame". Her name was Alberta. Skip Salmon Cave Spring Roanoke, VA

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Great memories Skip!! Merry Christmas 🎄

[@bethmichaud3209]

A pleasing, practical living, story🎄

[@ramonahierholzer3163]

Thank you for a sweet, quiet moment, of remembering what the Christmas spirit should look like. 🎄🙏❤️

[@paxtonhicks7985]

MERRY CHRISTMAS tipper an Matt an all ur family God Bless u all enjoy watching

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Merry Christmas! Glad you enjoyed the video. 😊

[@wandagordon6453]

Thanks Tipper! God is good! God bless y’all! 😀♥️🙏

[@TeresiaLemaster]

Another great story Tipper.My grandma use to say to us kids instead of wishing for something we dont have be thankful for what we do have because there are always somebody out there that are wishing for what we have we had so much love and closeness and money just cant buy that.

[@Tonytherf]

Hey Tipper, Happy Sunday. I have a life lesson quote I'd like to share. "Words are free. It's how you use them, that may cost you." I don't know how many times I needed to open my mouth and insert my foot. Merry Christmas and my prayers for Granny and Everybody!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Tony!! Happy Sunday and Merry Christmas 🎄

[@bobbiek2960]

Back in the 60’s visiting my grandparents house down in Minden West Virginia were my fondest memories. My twin aunts never married and took care of my grandparents and me while visiting. My mom left when I was 8, so it was like having two mamas. Reading this story reminded me of my aunts reading to us cousins before bedtime. So many stories to tell. Thank you for ur story and merry Christmas.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@kathyphillips1230]

Merry Christmas Tipper and family Tipper you are a very special person and I love your videos God bless you for everything you do

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you!

[@marsillaaitken370]

I love to hear you reading very calming love all of yall so so much

[@robinhaupt9119]

What a wonderful story. It's always good to be reminded of the blessings I have. Thank you Tipper. ❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! 😊

[@lindabuchanan1185]

Tipper, I just love this sweet story!💕 It just goes to show how little or how much something means to someone. Times were so different back in the 1950s. Some people didn't have much, but they were happy. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.🤗 Merry Christmas to you, Matt, and all your family. ✨️🎄🌟 Sending blessings to you all. 💗🙏

[@tammyatkins18]

Thank you for the reading ❤

[@jeannetaylor2217]

Tipper, this is so beautiful and special ❤ I love this story 💕🙏🙏

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@SueMorris-f4s]

Such a beautiful story. ❤❤

[@carolynpurser7469]

What a sweet story. I remember how exciting that last day before Christmas vacation was. We'd have a party in the afternoon sponsored by the PTA. It was very simple, a little cup of ice cream, a cookie and a little candy cane. But oh we so looked forward to that every year.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love those memories 😊

[@BlessingsfromNorthIdaho]

That was such a sweet story. The thought of gas at 19 cents a gallon is mind boggling.😂. I wish! Am just getting around to Fridays reading. Whew! Thank you for the well wishes for my husband. You are so sweet. We go to town (the settlements 😂) tomorrow to get his stitches out. I keep hoping that life is going to settle down. 😅. TeresaSue

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you 😊 I hope everything goes well tomorrow!

[@saner6888]

So sweet made more meaningful by being a true story❤️ would be nice to share with a child also🎄🥰

[@mags102755]

As always Tipper, your stories help a lot. Thanks.

[@sandrabritt7640]

Beautuful story thank you for reading Tipper..Merry Christmas

[@chattan3018]

Heartwarming story.

[@GalesPress]

❤ Thank you for sharing this story. Loved hearing this reading.

[@joanndeland7969]

Great story ❤

[@debbiehills2928]

❤loved this story!!!🎉😊❤😊❤ 🎉

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

I'm so glad Debbie 😊

[@bhale7904]

loved the story... having grown up on the headwaters of the "La VI see" river i found it interesting the way you pronounced the Levisa River.. Merry Christmas to yall...

[@RuthCollins-g1g]

Hi Tipper good story can't wait to hear more God bless you all and Merry Christmas

[@maryannpepe5200]

What a darling story!❤❤❤

[@JimmyJolly-d8v]

Merry Christmas 🤶

[@debbiebowman2726]

❤ Merry Christmas ❤

[@jsellick6468]

Tipper, you are so dear! I loved this little story and was wishing you would read another one. I’ll be looking forward to next week’s reading. Please know that you and Granny are in my daily thoughts and prayers for a happy and blessed Christmas …….. along with everyone in your amazing family. I hope you’ll tell Paul how much I enjoy his blogs, his music, his lovely harmonies with Granny and the way his Faith shines through all of it! I find him brilliant when it comes to music! Thanks to each of you for bringing so much Joy into our lives. God bless you! Love, Jackie (from Maine)

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you so much Jackie! Merry Christmas 😊

[@lindabuchanan1185]

Tipper, I just love this story! 💖 It just shows how little or how much something means to someone. Times were so different back in the 1950s, and some people didn't have much. Thank you so much for sharing this sweet story. 💕 Sending blessings to you and all your family. 💗🙏

[@frankscarborough1428]

This a good story. His mom was a caring person so it was passed on to him. I'm sure in other ways as well. Merry Christmas to you and yours

[@helenfincannon7367]

Merry Christmas to you all

[@kevindevine5102]

That was beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@joemabry9643]

Thanks mom. Merry Christmas. Love.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Glad you enjoyed!!

[@debr2577]

By the basement fire. Even better. ❤❤❤❤❤🎉😊

[@lanagonzalez3359]

Hello , Tipper , hope you’re doing well. I’m Listening to Jared Kings channel talking about Mountain Christmas Traditions, Some you may not have thought about, he spoke of something you talked about on one of your recent videos. Being the first one to shout out “Christmas Gift”on Christmas morning , I thought of you immediately. The more I read about Appalachia , the more I love it. Found out about Jared Kings channel through watching Donnie Laws channel. Love and Christmas Blessings to each and every one of your family. 🙏❤️🎄

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you!!

[@stevenarnold2616]

great story thanks

[@bszardom]

Merry Christmas to you and all of your family! Thank you so very much for your quiet, caring ways. I truly appreciate them.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas 😊

[@bszardom]

@@CelebratingAppalachia 💜

[@smoothvern165]

I sure appreciate you sharing these sweet Christmas stories. Thank you!

[@natalieames6355]

Merry Christmas Tipper

[@lorettataylor9902]

Sweet story 😊

[@brendaleach-kv7if]

Sweet story..yes Roberta there is a Santa Clause!

[@jeannettenewbern824]

I enjoyed the story.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

I'm so glad 😊

[@NormanChester882]

Merry Christmas and God bless you, thanks for the story ❤️

[@SRAshley100]

Great story! Merry Christmas to you and your family! So happy to see y’all enjoying being grandparents!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

So glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@ShelleyClott]

Great story Tipper. Thank you for reading it to us. I loved it. Be well & take care.

[@billiep4338]

Merry Christmas ❤🙏🏻❤️

[@Tomboy_Brooke]

I remember a Howdy Dowty lunch pail

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😊

[@Tonytherf]

Hey Tipper, I sure did enjoy this one. Merry Christmas to you all! I chuckled to myself when you bought some orange slices candy on your other video cus I just bought some myself a couple days ago. Ain't nothing but sugar and maybe Matt's right. They might be like eating play dough. 😅

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😊 thank you Tony 😊

[@Gregory-en5kq]

We had a Fenway Park, the green monster was an old house.

[@Nightbird1914]

You have an amazing voice. Locals in Kentucky pronounce Levisa with long i; however we also pronounce the community of Regina with a long i which raised eyebrows from some visitors! 😉

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you 😊

[@Tomboy_Brooke]

I think I h had a Howdy Doedy lunchbox back in the day.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😊 love that

[@lorettataylor9902]

I like watching howdy doedy