b'The inspiration for Living Traditions is our community and the customs we share. For instance, in the early 1960s, lifelong Athens County residents Tickie Fuller and Helen Manda purchased a copper kettle, thus beginning an annual neighborhood gathering for making apple butter. Since then, thousands of apples have simmered down to amber perfection. The tradition continues and has expanded into a mini festival that includes demonstrations of folk ways, displays of art, and music.Keeping these roots alive means uplifting our regional culture bearers.Those of us raised around practices like making apple butter, basketry, quilting, music, storytelling, and herbal folk remedies know how precious these traditions are. When I left home, I realized not every town has a vibrant independent arts and music scene, or a reliable farmers market. It took leaving home to realize what a gem of authenticity we have here in Southeast Ohio. There are so few communities left where the rooted traditions that founded the region remain tangible, accessible, and are celebrated in acts of everyday art.Keeping these roots alive means uplifting regional culture bearers and sharing our ever-evolving trades. Our traditions and histories live through hand-stitched quilts hung alongside interactive quilt art and upcycled quilted 32 VISIT ATHENS COUNTY | ATHENSOHIO.COM'