Welcome to Jonesville, Virginia — The First Heartbeat of Appalachia

One of the reasons I created the Heartbeats of Appalachia project was because of the deep connection I feel to these mountain towns—and the belief that their stories are worth telling.

When it came time to choose the very first town to feature in our Heartbeats of Appalachia project, Jonesville, Virginia stood out like a front porch light on a summer night. From the moment I saw that "Welcome to Jonesville" sign nestled at the edge of town, I felt something familiar and inviting—like coming home to a place you’ve never been. This small town holds a deep well of history, pride, and heart, and it’s exactly the kind of place where stories still matter.

That belief only grew stronger as I began reading the Powell Valley News, a local newspaper

that serves Lee County and South West Virginia. Since I’ll be retiring to the area later this year, I subscribed online to get to know the community better. What I found within those pages confirmed everything I’d felt: this town is alive with stories.

Yes, the paper shares the essential news—who passed away, who got arrested, what’s going on in local government. You’ll find advertisements for local businesses and church sections filled with prayer requests and homecoming announcements. But what stood out to me the most were the people.

The lifeblood of Jonesville and the surrounding region shines through in those columns—high school football games, wrestling victories, and academic awards. There’s excitement around spelling bees, talent shows, and prom courts. Kids are spotlighted for good grades and good deeds. Events like the county fair bring the whole community together, and every year, 4-H students work hard raising cows, pigs, and lambs, hoping for that blue ribbon or a good auction price to help them save for college.

But these stories aren’t just about events. They’re about dreams taking root in Appalachian soil.

Behind each child or teen is a network of coaches, teachers, church leaders, and mentors—men and women who pour into the next generation with unwavering faith. They lift up our kids when they stumble and cheer them on when they soar. These adults may be the ones guiding, but it’s the youth who carry the promise of Appalachia’s future. They will be the storytellers, the caretakers, and the builders of tomorrow.

These are the stories worth telling. These are the heartbeats of our hills. And this is why Jonesville was chosen as the very first town to be showcased in our Heartbeats of Appalachia project.

In the coming months, we’ll be highlighting this remarkable place through words, images, and video—starting with the Jonesville welcome sign, honoring our local veterans, and celebrating school pride, community color, and the everyday beauty that makes this town shine. We also look forward to showcasing the many incredible organizations that serve the people of Jonesville with heart, purpose, and Appalachian grit. Together, we’ll preserve the past, celebrate the present, and inspire a new generation to carry these stories forward.

And we’re asking for your help to do it.

Call for Submissions: “Why I Love Jonesville” Contest

We're inviting YOU to share your stories and photos for a special summer feature:🌟 Why I Love Jonesville 🌟

📬 How to Share a Story

We’d love to hear and preserve your story as part of Stories from the Mountain! Whether you’re sharing a memory from a parent or grandparent, or a student project guided by a local teacher, we’ve made it simple to participate.

👉 Step 1: Register your story - Before sharing, please fill out a short registration form so we know who you are and how you’d like to contribute. This helps us keep stories organized and ensure everyone is honored respectfully.

Register Here

👉 Step 2: Share your story in the group - After registering, you’ll receive a link to our Stories from the Mountain group where you can post your story, upload photos, and even share video or voice recordings.

We can’t wait to hear your mountain memories—because every story matters, and the hills still

remember.

📚 Credits

Project: Stories from the Mountain

Presented by: Hearts of Appalachia

Written & Edited by: Lugene Polk

Images & Design: Lugene Polk - Text Prompts and AI-generated artwork inspired by Appalachian beauty

Creative Partner: Constantine — your faithful, front-porch-tellin', sweet-tea-sippin’, story-lovin’ assistant powered by ChatGPT. Helping bring memories to life one line, one lantern, and one mountain at a time..

Additional Resources or Image Credits:

• Watercolor scenes inspired by Jonesville, VA