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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 2, 1993                   TAG: 9303020221
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BIG STONE GAP                                LENGTH: Short

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FOLKLORE SOCIETY FORMS AT MOUNTAIN EMPIRE

The recently-formed Southwest Virginia Folklore Society will meet Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Mountain Empire Community College.

It was formed to collect, preserve and publish the folklore of the counties of Washington, Lee, Wise, Scott, Dickenson, Buchanan and Russell and city of Norton.

"This area's traditions are among the richest in the United States," said Ramond Burgin, assistant professor of theater at the community college and founder of the organization. "Songs, ballads, tales, legends, superstitions, traditional crafts and techniques, and other lore have survived here, sometimes for centuries."

He said membership is open to anyone interested in the society's goals. For further information, call Burgin at 523-1826 or 523-2400, extension 315. - Southwest bureau

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