Ronald Cole is the operations manager for Virginia-Kentucky Broadcasting in Grundy, Virginia. He has been in broadcasting for over 26 years, primarily in Kentucky and Virginia. Cole was involved in broadcasting during the flood in Buchanan County, Virginia, in 1973. He received a phone call from the civil defense director, John Hash, warning of an impending flood due to heavy water systems moving in. Cole was responsible for opening the radio station early to announce the flood and provide information to the public.

Roni Gilpin was born and raised in Sassafras, Kentucky, a small community in the Appalachian region. Her early life was marked by the rural traditions and close-knit family ties characteristic of the area. Growing up, Roni attended Yellow Creek Elementary School, where she received her primary education before moving on to Carr Creek High School. The educational values were deeply ingrained in her family, as her mother pursued a career in teaching, influencing Roni's perspective on learning and community service.

Roy Crawford is a retired forensic engineer with a specialized background as a licensed coal mining engineer. His professional journey is deeply rooted in the Carr Creek area of Knott County, Kentucky, where his family has historical ties through the ownership of mineral rights. Crawford's career encompassed a pivotal role where he bridged the gap between administrative offices and the operational frontlines of the mines. His expertise in the field of engineering, coupled with his intimate knowledge of the local mining industry, positioned him as a key figure in legal proceedings.

Rubie Lee Norris (1916-2012). Then still living in a pre-Civil War house built by her great uncle near Topping on the Rappahannock River, Norris remembered riding the steamers to college in Fredericksburg and told vivid stories of clerking in her father’s store, which was supplied by steamers. 

Ruth Ann Toth and Holly Meadows, 10-8-1986 interviewed by M. Kline 

Sarah Briscoe is an individual with a rich personal history deeply rooted in the seafood industry and domestic work. Born into a family where her father was a significant influence, Sarah was raised with a strong work ethic and a diverse skill set that was imparted to her at a young age. Her father, a man who shucked oysters and cleaned fish for a living, took on the role of both parents after the untimely death of Sarah's mother during childbirth.

Scott Rotruck was born on August 7, 1955, in Huntington, West Virginia, and grew up in Keyser, West Virginia. He attended Potomac State College before transferring to West Virginia University (WVU) in 1976, where he attempted to join the football team, but an Achilles tendon injury ended his athletic career. Rotruck then pursued a career with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, where he worked as an engineer and later moved into management after completing his MBA.

Sherry Becker-Gorby was born on December 30, 1952, in Wheeling, West Virginia. She was raised outside of Wheeling in a predominantly farming area. Her father's passion for working with animals and being outdoors influenced her upbringing. Despite her father's family not being farmers, he moved them to a small acreage outside Wheeling to provide an experience of rural life. Sherry's mother grew up in town, but her family had agricultural roots among the Mennonites in Virginia.

Sherry Parks was born and raised in the rural landscapes of Kentucky, where she spent her formative years immersed in the tight-knit community of Carr Creek. Her upbringing was characterized by the simplicity and warmth of rural life, where education often took place in modest one-room schoolhouses. Sherry's family roots in Carr Creek run deep, with her ancestors having settled in the area, contributing to the local culture and economy.

They paid the shuckers and the employees with scrip. Of course, the only place they could spend the scrip was in the store.