For filmmakers Justin Stevens and T.J. Chinaski of Tamaqua, there is no better place to call home than Schuylkill County.
Ask the duo why, and they’ll tell you that no matter how far you travel, there’s no other place that has the same cultural and historical stories.
Stevens, 29, who has lived in the region his entire life, says it is the ethnic food combined with the history right on his block that tells a big part of the tale.
“Where else in the country can you find cultural homemade ethnic foods at a local church bazaar such as bleenie, halushki and scrapple?” Stevens said. “I also look at the row homes on my street that were built by anthracite coal miners back in the 1920s, compare them to the more urban areas up the block, and it’s fascinating to me how you can literally see not only where the urban growth started, but where it spread out in time as well.”
Stevens added that the families of those coal miners still live in the homes, calling themselves “coalcrackers” in honor of their coal mining ancestry, which tells the importance of history within the area.
Chinaski, 42, who moved to the area in 1979, enthusiastically agreed but added that the story also develops from a culture where everyone is connected in one way or another.
“It’s that small-town charm aspect of the area where you’ll find that even though there’s a large influx of families who moved from places like New York City and New Jersey, people become a part of the town in which neighbor really does know neighbor,” he said.
Put those two stories together along with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 digital camera, and you develop an idea for a cultural and historical documentary series titled, “Skook Tales: Written By You.”
The project will be filmed by the group’s independent film company, Lavender Lady FX Group.
Stevens, with Chinaski, are asking Schuylkill residents to join them for interviews that they will be holding throughout the county, allowing residents to share their own personal “Skook stories.”
Some examples the pair have heard include a former teacher that Stevens had who drove his mother to the hospital to have his younger brother and having a fun experience of attending a “bush party,” — a gathering with friends in the woods, over a fire, while sipping Yuengling lager.
The way Stephens and Chinaski met is a Skook tale in itself.
Eight years ago on a Thursday night, Stevens walked into Schick’s Cafe in Tamaqua for the “Sink or Swim: Are You In?” drink special. Once he got his beverage, Steven noticed the bar was jammed and no seats were available except for one. Chinaski, who was the door guy on that night, had a stool sitting next to him in which Stevens asked if he can join. Chinaski graciously accepted, saying that nobody ever sits with the door guy.
The two later found out that Chinaski was friends with Stevens’ grandfather who Stevens never had the chance of meeting. Stevens’ grandfather was also godfather to one of Chinaski’s siblings. Chinaski said that for them, there is no better example of a Skook tale and in some ways Stevens reminds him of his grandfather.
Along with the personal tales of residents, “Skook Tales” will also feature interviews with historical society members, sharing some history of areas within the county.
Some of those areas include Tamaqua, which was the staple of the coal mining industry back in the 19th century; Girardville, named after Stephen Girard, who owned land in the area while donating a wealth said to be at the time, more than Bill Gates to charities once he died; and Shenandoah, that not only turns 150 this year but also operates half of its town by wind farms.
According to Stevens, the term “Skook” is a slang term defined as a Schuylkill County resident who has regional pride in the area.
He added that like their coalcracker generation, it’s their way of being proud of their roots.
“Skook” sometimes has a negative connotation associated with it for being unintelligent. However, for him, it’s a way for the generations to come together.
“No matter what we call ourselves, it’s nice to know that no matter how far you move away, you can always come back and experience the same smells, food and people,” Stevens said. “It makes me want to trademark coalcracker and Skook.”
Chinaski added their message to the public is to be proud to show off your “Skook,” and show your hidden cultural talent.
“Our generation and the generation of the future needs to know that this area isn’t bad,” he said. “We want to inspire others who may be afraid to come out of their shell and get a chance to share their talents with us.”
They hope to eventually show their series on PBS or WVIA, which helped inspire the group to get into documentary filmmaking.
For now, the film will have a YouTube release on their channel before the end of the year that can be found at youtube.com/undeadlavender. Follow the progress of the series by liking Skook Tales and Lavender Lady FX Group on Facebook.
For those interested in participating in the series, call Justin Stevens at 570-573-8687 or email undeadlavender@gmail.com.