Greetings and welcome to the Appalachia newsletter. I am the editor of the Appalachia site at BellaOnline -- my name is Phyllis and I am very happy to be here for you.

Within this vast range lie 420 counties in 13 states. This is the current definition made by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The region defined by the ARC currently includes all of West Virginia and 14 counties in New York, 52 in Pennsylvania, 32 in Ohio, 3 in Maryland, 54 in Kentucky, 25 counties and 8 cities in Virginia, 29 in North Carolina, 52 in Tennessee, 6 in South Carolina, 37 in Georgia, 37 in Alabama, and 24 in Mississippi. We have a lot of country to explore and talk about -- so, I hope you join me in exploring the beauty and history of the Appalachia country.

The Appalachia site is an exciting place for me to write for, because it is filled with the history of America in the very early days and way back into prehistoric times. I am happy to be here and have the opportunity to create a wonderful, exciting place for you to visit at BellaOnline. I invite you to join me and help me expand this newsletter and my forum with your questions and interests. If you live in or have visited any of the states/regions of Appalachia, I will love to hear from you about your experience.

My newsletter will be sent out each week on Wednesdays. If you would like to share your favorite places to visit, historical sites, restaurants, events & festivals, history, anything that interests you in Appalachia, please feel free to contact me and let me know. I can write articles on your favorite interests or discuss them in the forum. What would you like to read in my articles and newsletters? I will do my best to provide information on your requests.

My newsletter is free and it is easy to sign up for. On any page of my site there is a box where you can sign up. All your personal information will remain confidential. BellaOnline never gives out any private information and will never spam you -- that is a promise and our policy. When you sign up for my newsletter, please make sure you put me on your white list in your email in-box so your newsletter will not be considered junk or spam.

My forum is also free and easy to sign up for. Once you sign up, you will have access to all of the over 400 forums on BellaOnline. Come join me in the forum discussions. You can reply to any post or start your own thread.

I will be providing you with all kinds of information in my articles from arts & crafts, recipes, history, tourism, cultures, whatever is of interest. You are most welcome to participate by emailing any questions or notes of interest. Each newsletter will feature my latest article.

I look forward to meeting you and getting acquainted.

Thank you for subscribing!

Phyllis Doyle Burns
Appalachia Site Editor
Appalachia Forum Moderator