The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – Appalfolks of America Association (AAA) founded by M. Ray Allen in 1985, to promote the literary and performing arts in Southern Appalachia has announced its “I Have a Heart Fund Drive.” Allen said, “AAA has completed 40 years of community service that has had a positive impact on many here in Southern Appalachia and beyond as a result of our programs: The Virginia Opry, STARS, Mountain
Empire Publications, and Appalfolks of America Cloggers.”
“I Have a Heart Fund Drive” is one of two annual events that AAA holds to garner support for its programs, and the current fund drive will begin on Valentine’s Day and run till May 31. The other fund drive was completed at the end of 2025, when “The Giving Tree Fund Drive” reached its goal of raising $3,000 in support of AAA.
“The positive impact area that our programs have reached are mainly in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia, but via our musical benefit performances, AAA has been able to raise significant funds that have been donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, Tunnel to Towers, The 9/ll Fund, Children’s Miracle Network, and the Chron’s Foundation,” Allen noted.
One of AAA’s most significant achievements is the role the 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization played in saving the Historic Masonic Theatre (circa 1905) at 510 Main Street in Clifton Forge. Irvin R. Cohen, owner of the theatre, donated the facility to AAA on Dec. 20, 1991. AAA spent 12 years at the cost of more than $200,000 restoring the theatre from a twin-cinema to its original purpose, a performing arts venue.
Allen recalled, “The Historic Stonewall Theatre was renamed the Historic Masonic Theatre after AAA donated the theatre to the Town of Clifton Forge in 2003.”
During the time that AAA owned and operated the theatre, AAA established The Virginia Opry which made its debut on stage on Oct. 17. 1992. The Virginia Opry was honored by the Virginia General Assembly in 2017, via “Resolution 397” passed to honor The Virginia Opry for completing consecutive years of producing country music shows in the Alleghany Highlands.
In 2020, Governor Ralph S. Northam signed “Senate Bill 283” to designate The Virginia Opry as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s official Opry, and Governor Glen Youngkin was on stage at the Virginia State Fair with The Virginia Opry in 2024. Only three other entertainment entities in the 250-year-history of Virginia have received such designations: Barter Theatre in Abingdon, The Richmond Ballet and The Virginia Opry in Norfolk.
Special Theatrical Artists Revue & Showcase (STARS) made its debut in the theatre in 1996, as a outreach program to performers who have physical disabilities and/or intellectual challenges. STARS has been featured in the Loyal Order of the Moose’s national magazine, “Moose. A 2006, documentary film about the troupe won a Bronze Telly. STARS has grown from its original 10 members to 36, and three variety shows have been scheduled to be performed at the Historic Masonic Theatre in 2026, May 3, Aug. 30, and Dec. 6.
The Virginia Opry has four shows scheduled at the Historic Masonic Theatre in 2026, May 16, Aug. 8, Aug. 29, and Nov. 28. Additionally, The Virginia Opry is set to perform two benefit concerts for Hulls Drive In Theatre in Lexington where The Virginia Opry completed an 11 summer concert series in 2025.
The Appalfolks of America Cloggers is based in Covington at A-1 Studios under the directorship of Amanda Patterson Burns, and award winning dance instructor who serves on Appalfolks of America Association’s Board of Directors. She formed the troupe in 2022, and the troupe has won performance awards in competitions in North Carolina and Virginia.
“Anyone who wishes to help AAA may mail their tax-deductible check made payable to Appalfolks of America to P.O. Box 613, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, and the donation will help AAA reach its goal of raising $10,000 by the end of May,” Allen concluded.
The “I Have a Heart Fund Drive” is being held in conjunction with AAA’s planned entry into the Giving Tuesday Fund Raising event sponsored by The Alleghany Foundation, Mighty Cause, and the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce that will culminate on Tuesday, May 19. In 2025, AAA was able to achieve its goal of raising $10,000 by competing in the Giving Tuesday event.
Anyone interested in learning more about AAA and its programs may visit the Clifton Forge Public Library and view “STARS” or read what the editors of The Encyclopedia of Appalachia wrote about AAA and its programs that help Appalachian youth. Also, The Virginia Opry has a website: www.thevirginiaopry.com
