so, introductions, elizabeth catte is the author of what they were getting wrong about appalachia. all three are lined up on the table in front. it took a story from east tennessee and co-owner of the historical consultants and phd in public history from middle tennessee state university and currently lives in stanton virginia. steven stoll is the author of "ramp hollow" this one. he is a professor of history at the university and the author of the great delusion and learning the earth. his writings have appeared in harper's magazine, a quarterly at the new haven review. and we have wendy welch the author of "fault or fly the story of foster care and adoption in appalachia." she's also the author and editor of three previous books including the bookstore of big stone gap and she runs a bookstore in southwest virginia. i want to see the thought at the start of the event to thinking about some of the topics. in his essay, james baldwin has some thoughts about how the stories of device or comfort ahead of the greater understanding and that can weaken our ability to deal with the world