Explorations & Jam Tent

Explorations Tent

11 AM Karen Lau: Autumn in Traditional Chinese Medicine - Supporting Your Body Through the Season

Autumn is a season of transition, and its cooler, drier conditions can affect energy, immunity, the lungs, skin and overall well-being. This presentation will explore how seasonal changes may influence the body and why certain health concerns can become more common as temperatures drop. Karen Lau will share simple, TCM-inspired approaches—including nutrition, daily routines, self-care and seasonal practices—to support balance, strengthen the body and promote wellness throughout the colder months.

NOON Rayelle Davis Book Talk: Money in the Mountains: The Cultural Trauma of Appalachia

Drawing on her work as a therapist in the Appalachian community, local author Rayelle Davis examines addiction, suicide and other “diseases of despair” through the lens of cultural trauma, exploitation and systemic neglect. Her work explores the lasting effects of generational adversity and the ways economic and social systems have shaped Appalachian communities. Davis argues that Appalachian trauma is rooted in a history of extraction and exploitation, challenging conventional ideas about identity, sovereignty and the American Dream while asking us to consider the human cost of inequality.

1 PM Building Pollinator Habitat - Ben Cooper, Certified Pollinator Steward

“You don’t have to become a beekeeper to improve pollinator habitat, but it certainly helps!” Certified pollinator steward and beekeeper Ben Cooper will explore simple ways we can make a difference for the pollinators that play an essential role in our food systems and ecosystems. Attendees will learn what pollinators are, why they matter, and practical steps they can take to create more pollinator-friendly spaces. The session will also highlight resources for those interested in becoming a Pollinator Steward or getting more involved in pollinator conservation.

2 PM Navigation and Wilderness Survival Then and Now

It's no surprise that navigation and wilderness survival were critical to the expansion of our burgeoning country. During this presentation, the Frostburg Outdoor Recreation Economy Institute's Program Coordinator, Mark Bowling, will talk about the early tools and methods used and how they have changed (or stayed the same) all the way to the 21^st century.

3 PM Against Absence Contributors Reading

This session will feature readings from contributors to Against Absence, a public literary arts project exploring the rare, threatened and endangered species of Allegany County, Maryland. The project brings together poetry, fiction, nonfiction and hybrid works inspired by species identified on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ list of rare, threatened and endangered species in the county.

Featured contributors include Ben Brooks, Jennifer Browne, Naomi Gades, Alana Hartman, Kevin Kehrwald, James Kirk, Gerry LaFemina, Patsy Newell, M.C. Pratt, Kathryn Reilly, Mary Spalding, Jody Walker and Cathy Wittmeyer.

Against Absence was sponsored by Rocky Gap State Park, the Allegany Arts Council, the City of Frostburg and several offices at Frostburg State University, and was inspired by the CVNP Poetic Inventory, a collaborative project of Kent State University’s Wick Poetry Center and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

4 PM Folkways and Traditions of Wild Foods and Medicinal Plants in Appalachia with Andrea Lay

The Appalachian region has a rich history and tradition of using wild plants for food and medicine. We will look at samples of local medicinal plants, and discuss ways to identify, grow, gather, and use them. The session will include a brief demonstration of extraction methods for making herbal tinctures and infused oils.

Jam Tent

Bring your instruments! The Jam Tent will be open throughout the day. Grab a few musicians and sit and jam. All are welcome.