“Improving The Community One Project At A Time” PO Box 117 -  Alderson W Va.  24910 © Alderson Main Street 2014 Beautiful Hooked Rugs & Talented Authors in Alderson Melinda Russell finds joy and a continuing challenge to excellence in rug hooking--a craft  born in nineteenth century Canada and New England. Starting with loosely woven fabric  stretched taut on a frame, Russell pulls strips of wool cloth, bits of yarn, roving and other  fabrics through the foundation fabric with a wood-handled hook. Depending on the finished  dimensions, hand and hook make hundreds or thousands of loops that together comprise  floor rugs, upholstery fabric, pillows and wall art. Russell's work has been exhibited at the  Farnsworth Art Museum in Maine and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Highly regarded in  the American rug hooking community, Russell is a frequent contributor to "Rug Hooking  Magazine".  Melinda's exhibit of rugs will be at the Greenbrier River Interpretive & Visitor's Center July  11- Aug 9. Opening reception is 5-9pm Friday July 11. (Look below for sample art) That same evening local Alderson authors will be around to do readings from their published works. Tammy Smith-Scaggs will be reading Sammye Lewis' piece, "Aunt Rose Tells a Ghost Story". Both ladies are  known for their droll wit.  Prize winning authors Brenda and Bob Clark write short stories for children and young adults. Their story "My Evil  Twin and Max" will be read by Lanny Howe.  If you like campy and fun, Beverly Pauley's "Gothic Bedtime Stories" is for you. Her wonderfully twisted imagination  has created a WV Vampire with dentures and an allergy to ramps (and chocolate), a werewolf with fleas, and a  vegan zombie.  Belinda Anderson is an award-winning writer and has authored four books, including, "The Well Ain't Dry Yet", "The Bingo Cheaters", "Buckle Up Buttercup" and "Jackson Vs. Witchy Wanda: Making Kid Soup". Her literary work was  selected for inclusion on the first official literary map of West Virginia, published by Fairmont State University. Click photo for larger view