Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”Corning, Ohio a small coal mining town nestled among the foothills of Appalachians with a population of about 400. In the past, it was a prosperous town with coal mines, train hub, and oil industry. The trains stopped, then the mines shut down and now the last oil company is soon to be closed. Residents have limited employment opportunities and travel for work. The residents stop their cars in the middle of the street to have a conversation. Because there is no traffic and everyone knows everyone stopping and chatting in the street is fairly usual. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”For many traveling along the Ohio State Route 13, Corning is a stop, but never a destination. Once a land of relative prosperity as a result of "extractive industries" in Southeastern Ohio, Corning seems to be in a time capsule. Years went by after most coal mines closed, few economic opportunities left. Yet, the resilience and close bond within the community manifest in locals who chose to stay where they call home for generations. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”The Corning Eagles, a non-profit organization, holds an annual 4-wheeler side-by-side ride to raise funds for local charities. It is one of the largest festivals in the area, attracting residents from Shawnee, New Lexington, New Straitsville, Hemlock, and Glouster. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”From left, Lana Isham, 63, of Baltimore looks at the smiling hair stylist Annette Cox, 41, while she works on the hair of Jennifer Beal, 49, of Corning while Tre Mccoy, 18, and his mother Dusti Mccoy, 40, of Shawnee wait at the Hair factory saloon in Corning. The hair saloon is one of the places people catch up with other residents. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”Zoie Tesner, 1, looks outside of the main door as her father Clinton Tesner, 42, moving the snow from the sidewalks. Clinton works for the Corning village council. Not lot of employment opportunities are left in town. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”The Corning veterans regularly organize events and give the residents an opportunity to meet and greet each other following up on each others lives. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”Bethany United Methodist Church has a smaller following and less funding, with roughly 20 individuals attending the weekly service, the majority of whom are 60 and older. St. Bernard Catholic Church is one of Corning's most important churches. Many churches have closed as the population of neighboring "Little Cities of Black Diamond" villages declines. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”Landon Park, 13, (center) aims and shoots the BB gun while his father John C. Park Jr, 40, (left) watches him shoot. " He is really mature for his age, takes care of his brothers." says John. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”Corning is known for its abandon houses and trailer houses. Many long-time inhabitants have had difficulty identifying their neighbors and town mates in recent years. People come and go, renting homes and then leaving them after a few months to pursue greater chances. The building in the photo is been safely taken down as it was a hazard being old, on the verge of falling down. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”Aside from John's place and Altier Brothers Oil Company, there are no other job options in the village. The village's primary enterprises are owned by the Altier family. Susan Altier is in charge of the accounts for the Altier Brothers Oil company, which is about to shut down soon. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”On a Monday evening, Jerald Forgrave, a graduate of Miller High School, speeds through Corning's main streets. There isn't much else to do in town for teenagers or young children. Many leave town searching for work or go to college right after high school graduation. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
Feature Picture Story - Award of Excellence, “Corning, Ohio”As the sun sets, downtown Corning comes to a halt. For the most part, the village is deafeningly quiet. People get up early for bed and go to bed early in order to be on time for work the next day. (Akash Pamarthy / Ohio University)
