Mark Lynn Ferguson

@friedoystercult Hey! That's my shop. If anybody needs funky, Appalachian crafts, we got you. woodshed.life

Me buying MegaMillion tickets:

My team of flying raccoons is hitched up & ready to deliver Appalachia's best gifts! All year, I've combed hills & hollers, and my shop's collection has never been cooler. From needle-felted ornaments to possum cards, we've got something for everyone. woodshed.life/blogs/art-amp-…

Did you have a Cabbage Patch Kid? And did your parents throw punches to get one? Our magazine looks back at the craze surrounding these dolls, which started as cute Appalachian crafts. woodshed.life/blogs/history-…

This can be looked at in many ways. What I see: Roanoke’s historically Black neighborhoods haven’t significantly gentrified like in so many other cities. The ratio of Black residents in historically low income and blue-collar, white neighborhoods has increased, suggesting that racial barriers have softened since 1970. Roanoke’s well-off neighborhoods remain consistently white, which could indicate that the Black community has not made significant economic gains. This, sadly, wouldn’t be surprising in a city where about 20% of the population has lived below the poverty line for decades and many more struggle just above it.

In Roanoke, historical lines of segregation have proved hard to erase. The city has long been considered one of the most segregated in Virginia. From Sinclair Holian, @Report4America, explore how Roanoke's racial divides have evolved via these interactive maps. Link in reply.

From our magazine: The feds may have shut down, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is open! And these 6 experiences can kick your fall drive into overdrive. woodshed.life/blogs/outdoors…

25 yrs ago, a gunman opened fire in a #Roanoke queer bar. The 1st mass shooting to target LGBTQ+ people, it 4ever changed my hometown. 1000s attended vigils. Queer-affirming churches surged. We now have a queer mayor & vice mayor plus queer history tours. img.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/1…

What's tastier than pawpaw? Pawpaw with chocolate liquor! This decadent recipe from our magazine archives delivers a pawpaw cocktail you can enjoy all year long. #pawpaw #cocktailrecipe #mixology #Appalachia woodshed.life/blogs/food-1/p…

@historydefined So who are the other place settings for?

Marlon Brando having breakfast at his home in California. (1949)

As summer wanes, take those last batches of tomatoes to the next level. #Tomato #Sandwich woodshed.life/blogs/food-1/n…

@BrentTerhune @traecrowder, give this boy some tips, please.

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Whether you’re rocking on the front porch or swinging in a hammock, our magazine's summer reading list packs more heat than an August afternoon! #novels #novelslover #fictionbooks #fictionwriter #literature #appalachia woodshed.life/blogs/art-amp-…

@berkie1 I’m a huge advocate for smart urban planning, but can we zoom in on those Sotheby’s real estate listings? Nantucket is hardly a model for the other 99.9%.

The walkable urbanism of Nantucket.

Where's your favorite spot to watch lightning bugs? One of my magazine's top writers, Lauren Stepp, found reservation-only locations that take the spectacle to the next level! #fireflies #lightningbugs #Appaalchia woodshed.life/blogs/outdoors…

As Juneteenth BBQs unfold, thinking about Edna Lewis — the Affrilachian chef who shared our region's recipes with the world. Saveur Magazine: "[She wrote] one of the most important cookbooks of the 20th century." woodshed.life/blogs/food-1/c…

Father's Day gifts mean more when they're handmade! Shop now in my online store — woodshed.life. #FathersDayGift #crafting #Appalachia

Who wanted a treehouse as a kid but didn't get one? 🙋‍♂️Here's our second chance — this time with A/C and swank furniture! #treehouselife #mountainlovers #Appalachia woodshed.life/blogs/outdoors…

From my magazine: Edna Lewis served Appalachian dishes to the likes of Salvador Dali and Truman Capote, but even many chefs don't know about her. A new @PBS documentary is out to change that. #blackchef #blackpreneur #blueridge #Appalachia woodshed.life/blogs/food-1/c…

Newsflash! In D.C., I recently showed off #Appalachian #crafts from my shop and discussed my favorite things about #Roanoke. Big thanks to @fox5dc for hosting us and @visitvbr for spotlighting our region. #BlueRidge #Virginia #Appalachia fox5dc.com/video/1636632

For Mother's Day, I dedicate this song to my momma and every other woman who gets by with a formidable mix of grit and grace. #mothersday #oldtimemusic #countrymusic #Appalachia woodshed.life/blogs/music/on…

Harvard don’t fool. Proud alumnus.