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Uncle Jack Fultz’s Memories of Carter County: Making our own music

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

One of the things that has always struck me about the folks of Carter County is how willing they are to create their own entertainment and celebrate their own artists. 

When they wanted to see paintings, the people of Carter County supported the Grayson Gallery, and the Gallery brought us paintings, sculptures, photography, and art from local and regional talent. 

When they wanted bluegrass, they put on shows at Rattlesnake Ridge, and organized their own festivals. 

And when they wanted drama, and music, and dance, and all the trappings of pageantry and production, they’ve had On With the Show. 

But On With the Show, and the newer Trail Town Stage, aren’t the first dramatic and musical productions to take place on the stage of a local school building. That local tradition is at least 100 years old, if not older. 

In February of 1921 the Herald noted at least two local performances gracing the “new school building (auditorium)” stage. 

The first was a series of skits and productions on a Friday night that impressed the local editor who noted, “Little would one think that such talent was in Olive Hill had they not heard them.” 

Then, a couple of days later, the community choir and orchestra were back on the stage for a Sunday performance. 

The community had “some real musicians” the Herald read, and organizers, “(were trying) to get out of them some of what they really possess.” 

This could easily be a quote about a modern production, and it’s worth keeping in mind as the community organizes events like Trail Town Stage, that this is an important part of our heritage. 

Of course, there is one other thing besides entertainment that the Herald reminds us of – that keeping the community safe from infection during pandemics is also part of the organizers duty. 

“The crowd enjoyed it immensely,” the paper said of the Friday, February 18 event, adding the brief note, “diseases quarantined.” 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com 

Minnows, memories, and magic

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

We have some huge minnows in the little hole next to our driveway tile. 

There are also almost always crumbs of some sort in the toddler’s car seat. So, when I take the garbage down to the end of the road, or stop to check the mail, I’ll clean out the area underneath the cushion and throw the crumbs to the minnows. 

Today it was popcorn. But sometimes it’s peanut butter crackers, Pop Tarts, cookies, or cheese puffs. Potato chips, like French fries, are a big favorite because they send an oil slick across the surface that really seems to trigger a feeding frenzy. They’ll make the surface boil, looking almost like a school of feeding piranha in films from the Amazon. But, instead of stripping livestock to the bone, they’re going crazy over Chex Mix. 

I keep saying I’m going to throw a minnow trap in there, for bait, but the truth is I haven’t been fishing in years. Not really, anyway. 

I buy my sportsman’s license every year, so I usually have a fishing license as part of that package. I’ve thrown a line in the water a couple of times. I’ve even caught a couple of big bluegill on a crappie jig while checking to see if there was anything in a farm pond.

But I haven’t done any serious fishing. The kind where you catch a bucket full of minnows, and a cup full of worms, and have nothing else on your schedule. 

We used to do that kind of fishing when we were kids. We not only set minnow traps, we’d use a seine to catch minnows and crawdads in the shallower water. We’d even catch eels in the side branches of Tygart Creek back then, at least sometimes.

It was probably a seasonal thing, to be honest. Like in the spring, when the seasonal flood waters would back up from Tygart and the white bass would run up into the side creeks to spawn. When the water went back down, there would always be some large fish stranded in those smaller holes until the otters, and the birds, and us boys made short work of them. But while I remember when the white bass would come up the creek, I don’t remember exactly when the eels showed up. Or if it was really even a seasonal thing, or just so sporadic my juvenile brain couldn’t put a pattern to it. 

There was one other thing that happened on the creek, that I’m sure was seasonal too. But I don’t remember exactly when it happened. I was very young, and I’m sure it was sometime in the summer or spring. But one night, on a bright moonlit evening, when the weather was warm enough for us to be out wading the creek after dark, my father and I saw what must have been a group of minnows spawning. 

It’s the only thing it could have been, in hindsight.

I don’t remember why we were out so late, or why we were at the creek. Maybe it was to check our minnow traps before an evening of night fishing on the Ohio River. I just know that as we rounded the corner, the moon reflected off an undulating mass of flashing silver and iridescence. The creek bottom, even where the water was so shallow you could cross in tennis shoes without getting them wet, wriggled and moved and shimmered in a way that was otherworldly and beautiful. 

It was like nothing I had ever seen before, and like nothing I’ve ever seen since. And I’ve never been able to figure out exactly what species it was or when I might see it again. 

Maybe that’s part of what made the whole experience almost magical. It was unexpected, and wonderful, and rare. A truly once in a lifetime experience, at least so far. 

I’d love to see it again though. Maybe someday, I’ll be blessed with a repeat performance. Creek shiners in all their natural splendor, egged on by the pull of a full moon, dancing an encore just for me. 

I’d like that. 

Jeremy D. Wells can be reached at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Mouths of babes can speak profound words

By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

Sometimes we adults overthink the challenge of explaining to children what we believe are complicated ideas or concepts.

We tend to forget that, in most cases, a child’s mind has yet to be cluttered with all of the useless stuff like old jokes and personal trivia we’ve been absorbing since our own childhood.

My experiences as a father and grandfather tell me that children often find a way of explaining things in simple terms based on their limited life experiences.

For example, one of our daughters was trying to explain the basic concepts of repentance and forgiveness to her seven-year-old son.

She felt she was struggling to make him understand the similarity between relationships with our earthly parents and those of our Heavenly Father.

At both levels, we human beings regularly make mistakes and seek forgiveness. The part about having our slate wiped clean seemed difficult for the little guy to grasp.

In what his mother came to describe as an “a- ha” moment, his face lit up and he asked:

“Mom, is it like those of us on earth are pencils and God is the eraser?

—————-

My wife recalls the struggles she had with our first son who didn’t like to put things away and who believed that keeping his room tidy was a waste of time. 

Rather than put his personal belongings in their assigned places, he preferred to hide them either under his bed or in his closet covered by a blanket.

He and his mother were coming home on the freeway one night with a new moon that suddenly disappeared behind a cloud bank. Noticing him searching the sky, his mother asked if he knew what had happened to the moon.

With a slight chuckle, he responded:

“It’s either behind those clouds or Heavenly Father is hiding it in his closet like I do.”

Keith Kappes can be reached at keithkappes@gmail.com

AS WE SEE IT: Remembering 9/11

An editorial is supposed to be the view of the paper, and the entire editorial board. It is not supposed to be the view, memories or opinion of one single person – even the editor. 

This week we’re breaking that rule a little bit. 

This Saturday will mark the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

That day in 2001 was a Tuesday. Our editor, Jeremy Wells, remembers that clearly, because he was on his way to a Scioto County Commissioners meeting when he heard the news. 

“I didn’t have television in my house, and the radio in my car was broken,” he said. “I didn’t hear the news until I pulled into the Super America to get gas. From the car next to me I heard a report that a bomb had gone off at the Pentagon. It was early, and they weren’t reporting that it was an airplane crash yet. I didn’t hear the full news of the plane until I made it across the river, to the courthouse in Portsmouth, Ohio.”

“I was still a new reporter. Still very young. I had no idea what to expect when I made it to the courthouse, but I figured the meeting would go on as normal. County roads still needed maintenance, after all. Bills still needed to be paid.”

“Instead, though, I went to the meeting room to find it completely empty. Down in the basement of the courthouse, where the commissioners kept their offices, I found them packed into a small office, huddled around a tiny, grainy television with its rabbit ears angled toward the open window high on the basement wall. Huddled together in that office – two Democratic commissioners, one Republican commissioner, two secretaries, and a still-wet-behind-the-ears reporter – we watched the footage of the planes crashing into those towers repeating on a loop as the entire nation tried to make sense of what we were seeing.”

“In the days that followed, partisan bickering would return, both in regard to local issues and how the President should handle the response to the attacks. But on that day, we were all Americans first. And we consoled each other and hugged each other and cried together like family.” 

It was a short-lived silver lining, as we all know. But it was a silver lining for that dark, dark day. 

Now, as we prepare to remember the 20th anniversary of that dark day, America finds itself fragmented and divided once again, quite possibly in ways that we haven’t seen since the late 19th century and the lead up to the Civil War. 

We argue about our rights to forego masks while our neighbors struggle on respirators. 

We argue about infrastructure spending that would benefit every American, simply because some part of the plan came from the opposite side of an arbitrary line down the middle of an aisle.

We regularly cut off our noses to spite our own faces and, even worse, to spite the faces of our family and those we share our community with. 

It’s no different as we approach this solemn anniversary. 

There are discussions to be had about the way we left Afghanistan this year. There are criticisms to be leveled, and there is work still to be done to help those who helped us in our mission over the last two decades. We need to figure out the best way to do that, and that is going to involve discussion, debate, and disagreement. 

But we can’t let the debate and disagreement be the meat of the matter. They must be a part of the process, but not the point of the process itself. Too often that becomes the case in Washington D.C. But it’s time to demand our Representatives, our Senators, and our President and his cabinet do better. 

We need to set our petty partisanship aside, and demand they do the same, and focus on those issues and those projects that will benefit us all. 

New bridges. New roads. Better internet access. 

These things help Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike. 

Our partisan ideas, ideals, and opinions didn’t go away on September 11, 2001. They were still there, inside each of us. 

But they weren’t the most important thing to us that day. Holding each other up was. 

Two decades on, let’s remember that part of that day, and let’s commit to recapturing that feeling, that touch of silver lining on a dark, gray day. 

Pet of the Week 9/8/21

Eddie is a one-year-old male Malinois mix. He’s a friendly, happy boy who would love to come home with you. Eddie’s $75 adoption fee includes rabies vaccination and being neutered. Stop by the Carter County Animal Shelter and meet him or call 475-9771 for more information. 

Shelter hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday by appointment.

Livestock and Grain Market Report 9/4/21

Extension Notes: Mulch mushrooms and other fascinating organisms

By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Mulches provide numerous benefits in our landscapes, including conserving soil moisture and suppressing weeds, as well as providing a pleasing background to highlight landscape plantings. However, mulch can also provide a perfect growing medium for a diverse group of fungi and slime molds. While gardeners may be alarmed when they see an abundance of mushrooms or a yellow slime mold suddenly spread across their mulch, these organisms often do not infect plants or cause plant diseases. In fact, there’s good in that unusual slime mold or odorous stinkhorn. 

Saprophytic fungi and slime molds get their nutrients from nonliving organic materials, such as wood mulch and plant residue, and in the process contribute to their decomposition, releasing nutrients back into the soil and improving soil fertility. A variety of saprobes are needed to completely recycle nutrients, so it is advantageous to have a diversity of beneficial saprobes present and growing in your garden. Slime molds, in particular, are indicators of healthy soils with high organic matter. 

Mushrooms are the visible reproductive structures of Agaricomycetes fungi, most of which are beneficial (though not always edible). These fungal bodies survive within mulch or soil and go unnoticed for most of the year. The mushroom phase of their lifecycle usually appears after prolonged periods of rain. Common mulch fungi include tiny Mycena mushrooms as well as larger mushrooms. Other fungi have different above-ground reproductive structures that emerge after rainy weather. Some of the most interesting fungi include stinkhorns, puffballs, bird’s nest fungi, and artillery fungi. 

While most saprobes do not cause damage, the tiny artillery fungi, which often goes unnoticed in mulch, eject masses of sticky spores up to 20 feet away. The tar-like specks cling to house siding, cars and other nearby structures and can be extremely difficult to remove, because they often leave a stain. 

Slime molds may initially appear bright yellow but darken with maturity. They are harmless and, like fungal saprobes, emerge temporarily during wet weather. Dry weather will halt their growth and dry them out. You can remove them with a rake, but they may reappear when rains return. Managing moisture or improving drainage may help limit or discourage their emergence if their presence is problematic such as on sidewalks. 

Even if you don’t mind their appearance, there still might be a few other reasons to remove fungal fruiting bodies. Some mushroom species are poisonous, and you may want to remove them to prevent children or pets from eating them. Wear gloves when removing poisonous mushrooms by hand. Because of the damage artillery fungi spores can do, you may want to remove the mulch that contains these fungi. 

You can find more information about mulch mushrooms and slime molds in extension publication https://plantpathology.ca.uky.edu/files/ppfs-gen-06.pdf or contact the Carter County Office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. 

Veterans invited for “Hidden Cove” paddle

Email alice.f.hall@usace.army.mil for more info

East Carter grad receives Deborah’s Porch Scholarship

ASHLAND. – Makenzie Burnett, a graduate of East Carter High School, is the 2021 recipient of the Deborah’s Porch Scholarship. She is the daughter of Scott and Lisa Burnett and plans to attend Morehead State University in the fall.

This award was established in 2016 by the Combs family to provide a scholarship to a graduating senior at East Carter High School who demonstrates an outstanding record of community service, good behavior, and proven leadership skills. The Friends of Deborah’s Porch are a special group of friends who were inspired by Deborah Meenach Combs. She loved to sit on her porch to read, contemplate, study, and dream of getting things done for her community, whether that community was her classroom, school, neighborhood, civic group or county. It was a place of comfort and relaxation. Deborah was proof that a small place like a porch can be a jumping off point to help people and places far beyond your own backyard. 

The Deborah’s Porch Scholarship is one of 44 scholarships and awards, totaling $50,320, that have been presented in 2021 to young men and women from funds at the Foundation for the Tri-State Community, Inc., according to Foundation CEO Mary Witten Wiseman. “The organizations and individuals that provided the funds for these scholarships make it possible for these talented students to pursue their dreams and goals,” Wiseman said. “These scholarships help offset the cost of college and other continuing education.”

Weekly arrests report 9/8/21

 The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Carter County Detention Center over the past week. This list includes local arrests only. It does not include federal inmates being housed at or transported through the detention center. 

  • Adam Ritchie, 38, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of first degree criminal mischief, arrested and booked August 30. 
  • John Henry, 62, of Ashland, arrested by Boyd County Jail staff, on two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked August 30. 
  • Joseph Jordan, 29, of Cannonsburg, arrested by Boyd County Jail staff, on a charge of first degree wanton endangerment, arrested and booked August 30. 
  • Darrin Gilbert, 23, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of second degree criminal trespassing, arrested and booked August 30.
  • Tristan Watkins, 23, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of non-payment of court costs/fees/fines, arrested and booked August 30. 
  • Carrie O’Kelley, 36, of Grahn, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of second degree criminal mischief, arrested and booked August 30. 
  • Donald Robinson, 36, of Portsmouth, Ohio, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of failure to maintain required insurance, driving on a DUI suspended license, failure to surrender revoked operator’s license, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance with aggravating circumstances, arrested and booked August 30. 
  • Brian Hedge, 50, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license, no registration receipt, possession of drug paraphernalia, first degree possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and failure to produce an insurance card, arrested and booked August 30. 
  • Jeffery Newell, 40, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on charges that include four counts first degree trafficking in a controlled substance – less than two grams of methamphetamine, trafficking in a controlled substance – less than four grams of cocaine, and trafficking in a controlled substance – carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, arrested and booked August 30. 
  • Phillip Johnson, 44, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance – heroin, and failure to appear, arrested and booked August 31.
  • William Thompson, 45, of Garrison, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of public intoxication from a controlled substance – excluding alcohol, first degree possession of a controlled substance – heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to maintain required insurance, and failure to produce insurance card, arrested and booked August 31. 
  • Hozia Spearman, 45, of Rush, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of possession of marijuana, giving an officer false identifying information, non-payment of court costs/fees/fines, and failure to appear, arrested and booked September 1. 
  • Anthony Light, 50, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of fourth degree assault – domestic violence with no visible injury, second degree disorderly conduct, alcohol intoxication in a public place, and third degree criminal trespassing, arrested and booked September 1. 
  • Rose Allan, 53, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of fourth degree assault – domestic violence with minor injury, arrested September 1, booked September 2.
  • Richard Allan, 53, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a charge of fourth degree assault – domestic violence with minor injury, arrested September 1, booked September 2. 
  • Brian McDowell, 48, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of failure to appear, arrested and booked September 2.
  • James Cochran, 42, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges including two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, five counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – heroin, first degree trafficking in a controlled substance – drug unspecified, second degree trafficking in a controlled substance – drug unspecified, tampering with physical evidence, and first degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, arrested and booked September 2.
  • Wayne Puckett, 46, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of third degree burglary, receiving stolen property – more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, and on a warrant for parole violation, arrested and booked September 2. 
  • Jeremy Kilgore, 43, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges including two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – heroin, two counts of being a persistent felony offender, and non-payment of court costs/fees/fines, arrested and booked September 3.
  • Kevin Skaggs, 34, of Hitchins, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of first degree assault, first degree possession of a controlled substance – heroin, and two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked September 4.
  • Leah Horton, 33, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges including two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance – heroin, arrested and booked September 4. 
  • Timothy McClurg, 40, of Olive Hill, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of first degree possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, third degree possession of a controlled substance – drug unspecified, and on a warrant for parole violation, arrested and booked September 4.
  • David Phillips, 34, of Olive Hill, arrested by Olive Hill PD, on a charge of failure to appear, arrested September 4, booked September 5.
  • Haeberle Bradford, 43, of Olive Hill, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of failure to appear, probation violation for a felony offense, probation violation for a misdemeanor offense, public intoxication from a controlled substance – excluding alcohol, giving an officer false identifying information, and resisting arrest, arrested and booked September 5. 
  • Rae Jackson, 41, of Webbville, arrested by Grayson PD, on a charge of public intoxication from a controlled substance – excluding alcohol, arrested and booked September 5. 

All of the charges listed are arrest charges only, and do not indicate an indictment or a conviction for the charges in question. All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Information is compiled from publicly available sources, but may not be comprehensive. Individuals who are released or post bail shortly after arrest may not be listed. 

 Gearing up for Relay: Relay for Life is back in a different form

Cancer survivors, and their caretakers, family, and friends, participate in a Relay for Life event. (submitted photo)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 Last year was Relay for Life’s 25th anniversary, but this year is the organization’s 25th run. Like a lot of other things, last year’s event for the American Cancer Society was postponed due to COVID restrictions. But this year, the Relay for Life is back – with some safety precautions. 

“We’ve had to make some changes,” explained Relay’s Brenda Kiser. These changes were made for safety, she continued. 

“The purpose of the relay is to recognize and honor our (cancer) survivors,” Kiser said. But, because of their recovery and treatment, they are among the high-risk population. If they happened to contract the virus, they would be among those most likely to experience the worst effects of COVID-19. 

So, while they’ll be encouraging masking and social distancing, award presenters will also be wearing gloves, and there will be plenty of hand sanitizer available. 

They’ll also be doing the relay, this year, as a vehicle parade. 

“This was a very difficult decision to make,” Kiser said, but they felt like it was the safest way to go forward with the event. 

The Relay for Life Survivor/Caregiver Parade, as it is being billed, will take place on Saturday, September 18, at 6 p.m. in downtown Grayson. 

Those who wish to participate can pre-register through the Relay for Life of Carter County Facebook page, or on the day of the event. Participants will line up at the old courthouse location, in the First Baptist Church parking lot. Lineup will begin at 5 p.m. 

The parade will then travel slowly down Main Street, stopping briefly at Merchant Parking Lot so survivors and caregivers can be recognized. Survivors will be given their t-shirts and medals during this stop. 

The parade will then turn down Pomeroy to exit the route. 

Family, friends, and team members are encouraged to line up along the street to watch for and cheer survivors. 

Survivors can ride the route in a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other form of transportation. They’re also encouraged to decorate their vehicles. 

The Relay for Life Committee will be set up in the Commercial Bank parking lot at the end of the route, taking donations for cancer research and selling luminarias and sky lanterns for the second part of the celebration. 

The second celebration, scheduled for October 17, beginning at dusk, will include displays of luminarias on both ends of the county. In Grayson they will be on display on the steps of Merchants Parking Lot. In Olive Hill they will be placed on the steps leading up to the Olive Hill Historical Society. 

Those who purchase a luminaria will receive two – one at each location – for the purchase price. Depending on COVID numbers, and whether it feels safe to gather, as well as weather conditions, the group may also be releasing sky lanterns, Kiser said. 

Kiser said the group has raised about half of their $50,000 goal so far. In addition to purchasing luminarias or donating during the event, those who wish to support the American Cancer Society, and cancer research, can drop of donations for the organization directly at Commercial Bank locations in both Grayson and Olive Hill. 

They may also contact Brenda Kiser at (606)548- 0304, Aimie Walker at (606)255-0833, or Linda Arnettt at (606)255-0573, to make a donation or for more information. 

Registered teams will have a bank night on September 13, at 7 p.m. Teams will turn in any money raised through their pledges for the American Cancer Society at that time. 

Kiser said they appreciated the community support, and said that despite the complication caused by the virus over the last year, they would continue to work to recognize the survivors, remember those lost, and “fight for an end to this terrible disease that has affected all our lives.” 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com 

 Hitchins man charged in stabbing:  Kevin Skaggs arrested on assault and possession charges

Kevin Skaggs (submitted photo)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 A Hitchins area man is currently being held in the Carter County Detention Center on charges related to the stabbing of a second Carter County man near Soldier on Saturday. 

Officers with the Kentucky State Police Post 14 responded after receiving a call that a man had sought care at St. Claire Regional Medical Center, in Morehead, after being assaulted with a knife outside of a residence in Soldier. 

Detective David Boarman responded at the hospital and took statements from witnesses who reported that Kevin Skaggs, 34, of Hitchins, had stabbed Brock Porter, 37. According to witnesses the stabbing allegedly occurred when Porter attempted to “intervene in an altercation between (Skaggs) and a third party,” according to a release from the Kentucky State Police. 

Porter was later airlifted to University of Kentucky hospital with life threatening injuries. 

Skaggs was located later that same day, in Olive Hill, and acknowledged stabbing Porter. But, according to police, his version of events differed markedly from other witnesses. According to Skaggs the stabbing was an act of self-defense. 

Skaggs was still in possession of the knife he used in the stabbing at the time of his arrest. He was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance believed to be heroin. 

Skaggs was arrested by Kentucky State Police on a charge of first degree assault for the stabbing, as well as first degree possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of failure to appear stemming from previous incidents. 

Skaggs is currently lodged in the Carter County Detention Center and the case remains under investigation by Detective Boarman. 

The police have not released any additional information on the victim at this time. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

 Bringing music back to the Ridge:  Rattlesnake Ridge plans for first bluegrass show since pandemic 

Hammertowne play at the Rattlesnake Ridge Community Center in this file photo from the 2019 season. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 Last year the COVID-19 pandemic completely shut down shows at the Rattlesnake Ridge Community Center. The community center, which serves as a gathering place for various community and private events, rents the hall out for private functions. Most of their funds, however, come from the bluegrass shows they put on every Fall and Spring. 

With the shows shut down, along with everything else, the community center wasn’t bringing in any money. 

“That’s how we keep it open,” show organizer Chad Gilbert said. 

They still had bills to pay though, even without money coming in. Things got pretty tight for a while. 

“We got down to 93 cents in the bank,” Gilbert said. 

But thanks to community support, including from a couple of anonymous donors, Gilbert said they were able to pay the utility bills and keep the building up during the lockdown. 

“We really want to thank the community members who have donated and helped through the pandemic,” he said. 

Because of that support, he said, they’re ready to start the shows again, beginning with Hammertowne on the last Saturday of this month. Or, at least, that’s the plan for now. 

“I know everything is getting bad again,” Gilbert said. 

If they feel like they can’t do the show safely, he said, they may move the date back. For now, though, they plan to move forward with the September show as scheduled. 

The show will begin at 7 p.m. on September 25, with a $10 cover charge at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Concessions at this show will also be offered for free. Carter County coroner and director of Globe Funeral Chapel, William Waddell, is sponsoring the food for the evening. 

Hammertowne guitarist David Carroll said they were excited for the show, and honored to be the first act to play after the lockdown. 

“There’s nothing like playing on the Ridge,” Carroll said. “Getting to play to friends and family is absolutely the best.” 

He also wished to extend his thanks to those who helped support the venue during the down time, and during the regular season shows. 

He said the band wanted to extend, “a special thank you to, not only our friend, but a true friend of the area, Carter County coroner William Waddell for providing free food and concessions for everyone at our show.” 

“William has been a valued sponsor of Hammertowne for years,” Carroll continued. “He’s great people.” 

Following the Hammertowne show in September, the community center will skip October shows before returning with Larry Sparks on November 5. Advance tickets are currently on sale for that show at $20, or for $25 at the door on the day of the show. 

Rattlesnake Ridge’s December show will feature Don Rigsby, on December 11, for a Christmas themed program. 

Gilbert also reminds the community that Rattlesnake Ridge Community Center club meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m. 

“Everyone is welcome to come out and get involved,” Gilbert said. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com 

Donald Lee “Donnie” Carroll

1949-2021

Mr. Donald Lee “Donnie” Carroll, age 72, of Grahn, Kentucky passed away Saturday evening, September 4, 2021 at Kingsbrook Lifecare Center in Ashland, Kentucky.

He was born on Saturday, March 19, 1949 in Boyd County, Kentucky, a son of the late Everett “Kenneth”
Carroll Sr. and Althea Wilburn Houston.

Donnie was a member and baptized in Friendship Old Regular Baptist Church, where he was very strong in his faith and everyone knew it. Donnie loved attending church meetings, but in later years he looked forward to having services in his home among his church family and friends. He was a proud ambassador for Globe Funeral Chapel since 1979, keeping up with local obituaries was just one of his things. Donnie was a Kentucky Colonel, he was known as the “ Mayor of Grahn” where he lived all his life and knew everyone. Donnie started everyday by drinking his coffee and talking on the telephone to all his family and friends, most often starting with his brother, Pat. He enjoyed sitting on his front porch, but mostly keeping up with current events. Donnie will be missed by all, he touched so many lives, and those memories will always be cherished and never forgotten.

In addition to his parents, Donnie was preceded in death by his step-mother, Fredia Jordan Carroll; and two brothers, Ronald D. Carroll (Donnie’s twin) and Everett “Junie” Carroll.

Donnie is survived by one brother, Stephen Wayne “Pat” Carroll (Shirley) of Ashland, Kentucky; two sisters, Frances Reddicks (Chris) of Daytona, Florida; and Vickie McKinny (Richard) of Ashland, Kentucky; one sister-in-law Sheila Carroll of Olive Hill, Kentucky; two nephews, Stephen Carroll II. (Julie) of Ashland, Kentucky; and Steve Carroll (Mary) of Olive Hill, Kentucky; two nieces, Stephanie Shafer (Duane) of Fidley, Ohio; and Kim Edison (Tae) of Olive Hill, Kentucky; a special friend whom Donnie thought of as his own, Nathan Eldridge (Danni) of Olive Hill, Kentucky. He leaves behind many great nieces and great nephews, and other family members and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2021 at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky with Elder Gary Adkins, Elder Gary Blevins, and Elder Curt Segraves officiating. Interment will follow in the Carroll Cemetery on Rattlesnake Ridge in Carter County, Kentucky.

Friends may visit 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, September 9, 2021 and after 9 a.m. on Friday until the service hour, 17277 West Highway US 60, Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive hill, Kentucky.

Stephen Carroll II., Steve Carroll, Little Steve Carroll, Nathan Eldridge, Mike Bailey, Harley Bailey, Grayden Shafer and Todd Humphries will serve as pallbearers.

Ollie Boggs, Tyler Eldridge, Jeff Eldridge, Sod Buster Roe and William Waddell will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Marguerite Blair Skaggs

1942-2021

Mrs. Marguerite Blair Skaggs, age 79, of Webbville, Kentucky passed away Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky.

She was born Saturday, March 14, 1942 in Letcher County, Kentucky to the late Charlie and Irene Fugate Blair.

Marguerite was a member of Marantha Bible Church, she worked at U.S. Biotex for 20 years. Marguerite loved going to church, singing, music, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two brothers, Douglas Blair and Gerald Blair.

Marguerite is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Donald Ray Skaggs. Two sons, Donald E. Skaggs (Arenja) of Lexington, Kentucky and John Niale Skaggs (Marti) of Webbville, Kentucky. A special pet, Abbey, along with a host of other family members and friends whom will sadly mourn her passing.

Memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the Marantha Bible Church with Pastor Jesse Fyffe and Assistant Pastor Steve Owen.

David Wayne Williams

1969-2021

Mr David Wayne Williams, age 52, of Grayson, Kentucky passed away Thursday, September 2, 2021 at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky.

He was born on Sunday, February 16, 1969 in Boyd County, Kentucky to the late Joe and Mary Coburn Williams.

David was of the Baptist faith, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family and friends.

David is survived by one daughter, Katrina Williams of Greenup, Kentucky. Two grandsons, Joseph and Zachary Salmons. Three brothers, Edward Williams of Hitchens, Kentucky, Mark Williams of Hitchens, Kentucky and Joey Williams of Greenup, Kentucky. One sister, Mary Ann McGlone of Grayson, Kentucky. Along with a host of other family members and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.

Funeral service will be held at a later date.

Roy Raven Crisp

1941-2021

Mr. Roy Raven Crisp, age 80, of Newport, Tennessee, formerly of Grayson, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at his residence.

He was born Monday, January 6, 1941 in Ward, West Virginia to the late Fred and Juanita Caincross Crisp.

Mr. Crisp was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed playing games with his family, watching Gun Smoke, playing his guitar, working on his yard and spending time with family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Roy is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Bee Eloise Jenkins Crisp and one son-in-law, George Mendez.

He is survived by two daughters, Michelle Mendez of San Antonio, Texas and Kimberly Howard (Tim Webb) of Newport, Tennessee. One brother, Paul Crisp of Willard, Kentucky and a host of family and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September l, 2021, at the Grayson Funeral and Cremation Services in Grayson, Kentucky with Brother Delmar Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in the Edison Cemetery on Mayhew Flats, Grayson, Kentucky.

Friends may visit from 10:30 until the service hour.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Grayson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Grayson, Kentucky.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.graysonfh.com.

Jeffery “Jeffro” Davis

1957-2021

Mr. Jeffery “Jeffro” Davis, age 64, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, September 2, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia.

He was born Sunday, September 1, 1957 in Rowan County, Kentucky to the late Dewey and Marie Hargett Davis.

Jeffery was a logger and a carpenter, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one step-daughter, Donna Jo Menix. One Brother, Phillip Davis and one niece, Kelly Jo Lucas.

Jeffery is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Patricia Cox Davis. One daughter, Samantha Barker (Curtis) of Olive Hill, Kentucky. Three grandchildren, Madison Davis, Kenneth Barker and Colton Barker. One special cousin, Norman Hargett. One nephew/son, Jesse Cox. Along with a host of other family members and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.

Funeral service will be held at a later date.

John Franklin Bishop

1955-2021

Mr. John Franklin Bishop, age 65, of Grayson, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

He was born on Monday, October 31, 1955 in Carter County, Kentucky to the late Homer and Dolly McDowell Bishop.

John was of the Christian faith and was a retired social worker. He enjoyed playing his guitar and spending time with his family and friends.

John is preceded in death by two brothers, Homer Bishop Jr. And Harold Bishop. One sister, Faye Sparks.

He is survived by one brother, Jerry Bishop of Olive Hill, Kentucky. Five sisters, Carolyn Middleton, Phyllis Howard, Loretta Newman, Paula Bishop and Wendy Stone all of Olive Hill, Kentucky. Along with a host of family and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.

Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Friday, September 10, 2021 at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky with Brother Gary Sparks officiating.

Due to COVID-19 regulations, we ask that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.globefc.com.

Mae Gene Whitt Henderson

1941-2021

Mae Gene Whitt Henderson, age 80, of Olive Hill, Kentucky passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky.

She was born Sunday, August 3, 1941 in Elliott County, Kentucky to the late Arlie Stevens and Gladys Whitt Sammons.

Mae was a member of Bairtown Church of God. She was a homemaker who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Mae is preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years, Virgil Henderson.

Mrs. Henderson is survived by her special nephew and his wife, Billy Ray and Dorsie Henderson, who provided special care for her for many years.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 3, 2021 at Henderson Ridge Cemetery with Brother Bobby Day officiating. Burial will follow in the Henderson Cemetery on Henderson Ridge.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

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