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["Vernon John Burky was born to a Swiss family in Helvetia, West Virginia in 1925. He grew up speaking Swiss on his family farm, where his parents raised animals and managed a sawmill, and his grandparents operated a cheese house. They made Helvetia cheese, a type of Swiss cheese, similar to Emental, that was made throughout the Helvetia community and a staple in the diet of residents. As a child, Burky raised chickens and tapped maple trees on his family farm. As an adult, he was an active winemaker, a common pursuit in the Helvetia community. During his working years, Burky worked as a truck driver for a saw mill and a coal company. He learned to play fiddle as a child and started playing in the Helvetia Star Band, the local dance band for generations and the namesake of one of the villages two dance halls. He still plays in the group, which performs regularly for Helvetia square dances and events. Yeah; just kept that smokehouse full of smoke all day and night. Theyd put a big hunk of wood on it; it wouldnt burn but it--they had fire under it and it would sit there and smoke that little room half as big as this. They just smoked up tight. They had the sausage on rods; nothing could come in or get up on there. There it would sit; it was just dried up real solid and my uncle was--I stayed with my uncle when I was in high school. And he said, hey Vernon; come over here. (Laughs) He had rheumatism and he couldnt move around. He was in bed all winter. Go up there to the smokehouse and get me a link of that sausage. (Laughs) And Id go up and clip one of them off and bring it down. Hed get a hold of one piece and put the rest under the pillow and hed start eating that. He wasnt supposed to have red meat because of rheumatism.This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted with foodways practitioners in Helvetia, West Virginia, as part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/"]%

37. Portrait of Vernon Burky at the Helvetia Community Fair

Identifier:
4224.BurkyVernon.001.Photo.9.10.16
Title:
Portrait of Vernon Burky at the Helvetia Community Fair
Date:
2016-09-10
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Helvetia (W. Va.), Square dance music--United States, Old-time music, Waltz, Fiddle tunes, Fiddling
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)

Listen to Audio

38. Oral history of Vernon Burky, 1 of 2

Identifier:
4224.BurkyVernon.AudioInt.001.11.14.16
Title:
Oral history of Vernon Burky, 1 of 2
Date:
2016-11-14
Creator:
Morgan, Thrayon, Burky, Vernon, Burky, Sandy
Contributor:
Whipp, David, Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Sheep farming, Old-time music, Helvetia (W. Va.), Sawmills, Food habits, Fiddle tunes, Maple syrup, foodways, Canning and preserving, Square dance music--United States, Fiddling, Cooking (Sauerkraut), Cooking (Sausages), Eggs, Waltz, Pickling, Cooking, Swiss, Cheesemaking
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)

Listen to Audio

39. Oral history of Vernon Burky, 2 of 2

Identifier:
4224.BurkyVernon.AudioInt.002.11.14.16
Title:
Oral history of Vernon Burky, 2 of 2
Date:
2016-11-14
Creator:
Morgan, Thrayon, Burky, Sandy, Burky, Vernon
Contributor:
Hilliard, Emily, Whipp, David
Subject:
Food habits, Cooking (Sausages), Eggs, Sheep farming, Cooking (Sauerkraut), Cheesemaking, Cooking, Swiss, Fiddling, Square dance music--United States, Wine and wine making--United States, Maple syrup, foodways, Canning and preserving, Sawmills, Helvetia (W. Va.), Waltz, Old-time music, Fiddle tunes
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["Vernon John Burky was born to a Swiss family in Helvetia, West Virginia in 1925. He grew up speaking Swiss on his family farm, where his parents raised animals and managed a sawmill, and his grandparents operated a cheese house. They made Helvetia cheese, a type of Swiss cheese, similar to Emental, that was made throughout the Helvetia community and a staple in the diet of residents. As a child, Burky raised chickens and tapped maple trees on his family farm. As an adult, he was an active winemaker, a common pursuit in the Helvetia community. During his working years, Burky worked as a truck driver for a saw mill and a coal company. He learned to play fiddle as a child and started playing in the Helvetia Star Band, the local dance band for generations and the namesake of one of the villages two dance halls. He still plays in the group, which performs regularly for Helvetia square dances and events. This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted with foodways practitioners in Helvetia, West Virginia, as part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/"]%

40. Vernon Burky and friends play the fiddle tune "Ragtime Annie" at the Helvetia Community Fair

Identifier:
4224.BurkyVernon.Video.001.9.10.16
Title:
Vernon Burky and friends play the fiddle tune "Ragtime Annie" at the Helvetia Community Fair
Date:
2016-09-10
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Old-time music, Fiddling, Fiddle tunes, Helvetia (W. Va.)
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["Vernon John Burky was born to a Swiss family in Helvetia, West Virginia in 1925. He grew up speaking Swiss on his family farm, where his parents raised animals and managed a sawmill, and his grandparents operated a cheese house. They made Helvetia cheese, a type of Swiss cheese, similar to Emental, that was made throughout the Helvetia community and a staple in the diet of residents. As a child, Burky raised chickens and tapped maple trees on his family farm. As an adult, he was an active winemaker, a common pursuit in the Helvetia community. During his working years, Burky worked as a truck driver for a saw mill and a coal company. He learned to play fiddle as a child and started playing in the Helvetia Star Band, the local dance band for generations and the namesake of one of the villages two dance halls. He still plays in the group, which performs regularly for Helvetia square dances and events. This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted with foodways practitioners in Helvetia, West Virginia, as part of the Helvetia Foodways Oral History Project in partnership with the Southern Foodways Alliance. Learn more: https://www.southernfoodways.org/oral-history/helvetia-west-virginia/"]%

41. Vernon Burky and friends play a short fiddle tune at the Helvetia Community Fair

Identifier:
4224.BurkyVernon.Video.002.9.10.16
Title:
Vernon Burky and friends play a short fiddle tune at the Helvetia Community Fair
Date:
2016-09-10
Creator:
Hilliard, Emily
Subject:
Fiddling, Helvetia (W. Va.), Old-time music, Fiddle tunes
Location:
Helvetia (W. Va.)
["Shirley A. Campbell (March 17,1949-January 10, 2021), a native of Pinch, West Virginia and a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, was a lifelong songwriter and poet. Two of her songs were recorded by Grandpa Jones and Ernest Tubb, respectively. Campbell married into the Reed-Campbell family of the bluegrass musician Ola Belle Reed, who was her mentor. Read Campbells obituary:Shirley A. Campbell, 71, of Charleston, WV, passed away suddenly at home, Sunday, January 10, 2021.Born March 17, 1949, in Pinch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Francis Jarrett and Jack White.She is survived by her two children, daughter Carlie Campbell of Charleston and son Jeremy Campbell of Elkton, MD; and pets.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dachshunds, Buckwheat and Alfalfa.Shirley studied at Oklahoma University and Marshall University. She was a nurse for 20 years, a dog groomer for 15 years, and a small business owner for approximately 10 years. She was a woman of endless talents, for many of which she received recognition. She was deeply devoted to animal welfare; throughout her life caring for ANY and ALL that she found in need.There will be a symphony of animal calls greeting her at the gates of heaven; and it will be glorious!As per her request, there will be no services. She asks that, in lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal charity in her honor.You may send condolences to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements."]%

42. Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 1 of 13

Identifier:
4224.CampbellShirley.Letter.001.5.16.16
Title:
Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 1 of 13
Date:
2016-05-16
Creator:
Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002
Contributor:
Campbell, Shirley A.
Subject:
Old-time music, Working class--Songs and music, Women lyricists, Bluegrass music, Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002
Location:
Rising Sun (Md.)
["Shirley A. Campbell (March 17,1949-January 10, 2021), a native of Pinch, West Virginia and a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, was a lifelong songwriter and poet. Two of her songs were recorded by Grandpa Jones and Ernest Tubb, respectively. Campbell married into the Reed-Campbell family of the bluegrass musician Ola Belle Reed, who was her mentor. Read Campbells obituary:Shirley A. Campbell, 71, of Charleston, WV, passed away suddenly at home, Sunday, January 10, 2021.Born March 17, 1949, in Pinch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Francis Jarrett and Jack White.She is survived by her two children, daughter Carlie Campbell of Charleston and son Jeremy Campbell of Elkton, MD; and pets.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dachshunds, Buckwheat and Alfalfa.Shirley studied at Oklahoma University and Marshall University. She was a nurse for 20 years, a dog groomer for 15 years, and a small business owner for approximately 10 years. She was a woman of endless talents, for many of which she received recognition. She was deeply devoted to animal welfare; throughout her life caring for ANY and ALL that she found in need.There will be a symphony of animal calls greeting her at the gates of heaven; and it will be glorious!As per her request, there will be no services. She asks that, in lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal charity in her honor.You may send condolences to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements."]%

43. Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 2 of 13

Identifier:
4224.CampbellShirley.Letter.002.5.16.16
Title:
Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 2 of 13
Date:
2016-05-16
Creator:
Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002
Contributor:
Campbell, Shirley A.
Subject:
Country music, Women lyricists, Working class--Songs and music, Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002, Old-time music, Bluegrass music
Location:
Rising Sun (Md.)
["Shirley A. Campbell (March 17,1949-January 10, 2021), a native of Pinch, West Virginia and a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, was a lifelong songwriter and poet. Two of her songs were recorded by Grandpa Jones and Ernest Tubb, respectively. Campbell married into the Reed-Campbell family of the bluegrass musician Ola Belle Reed, who was her mentor. Read Campbells obituary:Shirley A. Campbell, 71, of Charleston, WV, passed away suddenly at home, Sunday, January 10, 2021.Born March 17, 1949, in Pinch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Francis Jarrett and Jack White.She is survived by her two children, daughter Carlie Campbell of Charleston and son Jeremy Campbell of Elkton, MD; and pets.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dachshunds, Buckwheat and Alfalfa.Shirley studied at Oklahoma University and Marshall University. She was a nurse for 20 years, a dog groomer for 15 years, and a small business owner for approximately 10 years. She was a woman of endless talents, for many of which she received recognition. She was deeply devoted to animal welfare; throughout her life caring for ANY and ALL that she found in need.There will be a symphony of animal calls greeting her at the gates of heaven; and it will be glorious!As per her request, there will be no services. She asks that, in lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal charity in her honor.You may send condolences to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements."]%

44. Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 3 of 13

Identifier:
4224.CampbellShirley.Letter.003.5.16.16
Title:
Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 3 of 13
Date:
2016-05-16
Creator:
Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002
Contributor:
Campbell, Shirley A.
Subject:
Country music, Working class--Songs and music, Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002, Bluegrass music, Women lyricists, Old-time music
Location:
Rising Sun (Md.)
["Shirley A. Campbell (March 17,1949-January 10, 2021), a native of Pinch, West Virginia and a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, was a lifelong songwriter and poet. Two of her songs were recorded by Grandpa Jones and Ernest Tubb, respectively. Campbell married into the Reed-Campbell family of the bluegrass musician Ola Belle Reed, who was her mentor. Read Campbells obituary:Shirley A. Campbell, 71, of Charleston, WV, passed away suddenly at home, Sunday, January 10, 2021.Born March 17, 1949, in Pinch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Francis Jarrett and Jack White.She is survived by her two children, daughter Carlie Campbell of Charleston and son Jeremy Campbell of Elkton, MD; and pets.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dachshunds, Buckwheat and Alfalfa.Shirley studied at Oklahoma University and Marshall University. She was a nurse for 20 years, a dog groomer for 15 years, and a small business owner for approximately 10 years. She was a woman of endless talents, for many of which she received recognition. She was deeply devoted to animal welfare; throughout her life caring for ANY and ALL that she found in need.There will be a symphony of animal calls greeting her at the gates of heaven; and it will be glorious!As per her request, there will be no services. She asks that, in lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal charity in her honor.You may send condolences to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements."]%

45. Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 5 of 13

Identifier:
4224.CampbellShirley.Letter.005.5.16.16
Title:
Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 5 of 13
Date:
2016-05-16
Creator:
Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002
Contributor:
Campbell, Shirley A.
Subject:
Country music, Bluegrass music, Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002, Women lyricists, Old-time music
Location:
Rising Sun (Md.)
["Shirley A. Campbell (March 17,1949-January 10, 2021), a native of Pinch, West Virginia and a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, was a lifelong songwriter and poet. Two of her songs were recorded by Grandpa Jones and Ernest Tubb, respectively. Campbell married into the Reed-Campbell family of the bluegrass musician Ola Belle Reed, who was her mentor. Read Campbells obituary:Shirley A. Campbell, 71, of Charleston, WV, passed away suddenly at home, Sunday, January 10, 2021.Born March 17, 1949, in Pinch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Francis Jarrett and Jack White.She is survived by her two children, daughter Carlie Campbell of Charleston and son Jeremy Campbell of Elkton, MD; and pets.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dachshunds, Buckwheat and Alfalfa.Shirley studied at Oklahoma University and Marshall University. She was a nurse for 20 years, a dog groomer for 15 years, and a small business owner for approximately 10 years. She was a woman of endless talents, for many of which she received recognition. She was deeply devoted to animal welfare; throughout her life caring for ANY and ALL that she found in need.There will be a symphony of animal calls greeting her at the gates of heaven; and it will be glorious!As per her request, there will be no services. She asks that, in lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal charity in her honor.You may send condolences to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements."]%

46. Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 6 of 13

Identifier:
4224.CampbellShirley.Letter.006.5.16.16
Title:
Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 6 of 13
Date:
2016-05-16
Creator:
Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002
Contributor:
Campbell, Shirley A.
Subject:
Old-time music, Bluegrass music, Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002, Country music, Women lyricists
Location:
Rising Sun (Md.)
["Shirley A. Campbell (March 17,1949-January 10, 2021), a native of Pinch, West Virginia and a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, was a lifelong songwriter and poet. Two of her songs were recorded by Grandpa Jones and Ernest Tubb, respectively. Campbell married into the Reed-Campbell family of the bluegrass musician Ola Belle Reed, who was her mentor. Read Campbells obituary:Shirley A. Campbell, 71, of Charleston, WV, passed away suddenly at home, Sunday, January 10, 2021.Born March 17, 1949, in Pinch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Francis Jarrett and Jack White.She is survived by her two children, daughter Carlie Campbell of Charleston and son Jeremy Campbell of Elkton, MD; and pets.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dachshunds, Buckwheat and Alfalfa.Shirley studied at Oklahoma University and Marshall University. She was a nurse for 20 years, a dog groomer for 15 years, and a small business owner for approximately 10 years. She was a woman of endless talents, for many of which she received recognition. She was deeply devoted to animal welfare; throughout her life caring for ANY and ALL that she found in need.There will be a symphony of animal calls greeting her at the gates of heaven; and it will be glorious!As per her request, there will be no services. She asks that, in lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal charity in her honor.You may send condolences to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements."]%

47. Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 8 of 13

Identifier:
4224.CampbellShirley.Letter.008.5.16.16
Title:
Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 8 of 13
Date:
2016-05-16
Creator:
Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002
Contributor:
Campbell, Shirley A.
Subject:
Working class--Songs and music, Old-time music, Bluegrass music, Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002, Women lyricists, Country music
Location:
Rising Sun (Md.)
["Shirley A. Campbell (March 17,1949-January 10, 2021), a native of Pinch, West Virginia and a resident of Charleston, West Virginia, was a lifelong songwriter and poet. Two of her songs were recorded by Grandpa Jones and Ernest Tubb, respectively. Campbell married into the Reed-Campbell family of the bluegrass musician Ola Belle Reed, who was her mentor. Read Campbells obituary:Shirley A. Campbell, 71, of Charleston, WV, passed away suddenly at home, Sunday, January 10, 2021.Born March 17, 1949, in Pinch, WV, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Francis Jarrett and Jack White.She is survived by her two children, daughter Carlie Campbell of Charleston and son Jeremy Campbell of Elkton, MD; and pets.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved dachshunds, Buckwheat and Alfalfa.Shirley studied at Oklahoma University and Marshall University. She was a nurse for 20 years, a dog groomer for 15 years, and a small business owner for approximately 10 years. She was a woman of endless talents, for many of which she received recognition. She was deeply devoted to animal welfare; throughout her life caring for ANY and ALL that she found in need.There will be a symphony of animal calls greeting her at the gates of heaven; and it will be glorious!As per her request, there will be no services. She asks that, in lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal charity in her honor.You may send condolences to the family at: www.barlowbonsall.com.Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, Charleston, WV, has been entrusted with the arrangements."]%

48. Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 9 of 13

Identifier:
4224.CampbellShirley.Letter.009.5.16.16
Title:
Letter from Ola Belle Reed to Shirley Campbell, dated April 21, 1966, 9 of 13
Date:
2016-05-16
Creator:
Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002
Contributor:
Campbell, Shirley A.
Subject:
Bluegrass music, Working class--Songs and music, Reed, Ola Belle, 1916-2002, Old-time music, Women lyricists, Country music
Location:
Rising Sun (Md.)