The Grayson Gallery and Art Center has been holding virtual shows for the past several months. This has included accepting art as usual and photographing it for the artist, as well as accepting photos of the art, for inclusion in a Facebook “virtual gallery” for the month. From there the board and the director have been choosing their winners as usual while the Viewers’ Choice award, usually chosen by the audience through small stickers placed below the artwork in the gallery, has been determined by Facebook likes.
For February’s popular Peace & Love art show, however, the Gallery is returning to a live and in-person event – with proper masking and social distancing requirements in place.
“All COVID-related guidelines will be strictly followed,” Gallery Director Dan Click said. “We want everyone to remain safe and well so we can continue to bring amazing art to our supporters in the region.”
But, he added, he feels folks are really missing the Gallery’s live events, and he’s eager to get back to those, even if it’s just for one night. The Peace & Love show, one of the public’s favorite gallery events, seemed like the right place to make that return in as safe and responsible a way as possible.
The art show and sale will have an opening reception on February 26, the Final Friday of the month, beginning at 6 p.m.
In the meantime, artists interested in submitting work for the show can beginning dropping work off – up to three pieces per artist – this Saturday, February 19 or Monday, February 21, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
As with other shows, art must be ready to hang with wires or other means of hanging or displaying. Each piece must include the artist’s name, the title, the medium, and the price to be shown or be labeled “not for sale.”
Registration forms are available by contacting Click through Facebook or by email at graysongallery@gmail.com, or may be completed at the time of drop-off.
Other upcoming show themes include Women in the Arts, in March, and Celebrate the Earth, in April.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
Camila Haney presents a $250 check to Christy Lewis, LGCHC director. (Submitted photo)
By: Christy Lewis for Carter County Times
The Laurel Gorge Cultural Heritage Center has gotten off to a slow start for the new year due to a combination of cold weather and COVID restrictions. Less activity at the center is fairly normal during January and February, but that allows time to plan for spring events. Among our plans for this spring are the wildflower garden project and a wildflower walk, both to be sponsored by CAMIL Adventures.
This “patchwork” group of friends and family, mainly from Carter and Greenup counties, embraces the differences among their group and have bonded through some common interests, mainly writing and hiking. In the five or six years that the members of CAMIL Adventures have been together, they have hiked a number of trails in various areas: Carter Caves, Hocking Hills, Greenbo, Grayson Lake, Natural Bridge, Gatlingburg, Jesse Stuart Preserve, Shakertown, Blue Licks, and the Laurel Gorge.
For one of the members of the group, Camila Haney, the Laurel Gorge is one of her favorite places to hike. Because of her love of nature, hiking, and the Laurel Gorge, her co-workers gifted her with a check for $250.00, made payable to LGCHC, as a retirement gift from First National Bank. The donation will be used to replenish the wildflower area behind the center.
Camila Haney delivered the check to LGCHC last week, and she was accompanied by a few members of CAMIL Adventures: Angela Barker Thomas, Lad Barker, Edd and Sheri Woods, Will Matthews, Sandy Litteral, and Layla Boone. The group came to honor Camila’s recent retirement from First National Bank, following a forty-eight-year career, and to plan some projects for the Laurel Gorge. Camila’s donation will cover the cost of seeds, bulbs, and other supplies for the wildflower garden, and she is relying on members of the group to help with the project. Camila says, “Each one can recruit one.”
The Kentucky Native Flora Garden, located between the rear of the center and the trail head, was originally dedicated in memory of Larry L. Rogers, a former Elliott County extension agent. A dedication sign is displayed in the flora garden in his memory, and an additional sign will be added in recognition of Camila Haney and her friends as caretakers of the flora garden. “The beauty of nature transcends our differences” is a quote, suggested by one of their members, that will appear on the dedication sign.
CAMIL Adventures will be keeping Camila busy during her retirement. In addition to the flora garden project, the group also plans to host a wildlflower walk in the Laurel Gorge this spring. More details about this event will be available soon. The group hopes to sell t-shirts for the event so the proceeds can go toward maintaining the flora garden the following year.
Participants on the wildflower walk will also be able to view the informational sign on the Cliff-Line Trail, which was sponsored by CAMIL Adventures in 2020. The sign features photos of wildflowers in the Laurel Gorge which were taken by members of the group.
It was an enjoyable afternoon with Camila Haney and the other members of CAMIL Adventures as we discussed the upcoming projects for the Laurel Gorge. The group reminisced about their adventures together and the relationships that have formed. Angela Barker Thomas shared a funny memory of hiking with Camila on a trail where Angela had previously encountered a small shed with a mysterious light. Suspecting illicit drug activity at this shed, Angela warned Camila as they neared the place. It was then that Camila assured her that this mysterious little shed was not a place for drug deals and then proceeded to enlighten her friend to the concept of a “blessing box.”
In addition to memories of their many hikes together, there were praises for the friend whom they had come to honor that day at the center. In addition to being “at home in nature” and loving flowers, Camila’s friends also described her as “a helping hand,” “a good neighbor,” and “a benevolent citizen.” Camila’s generosity in sharing her retirement gift with the Laurel Gorge Cultural Heritage Center is certainly most appreciated. We congratulate Camila Haney on her retirement, and we look forward to working with Camila and her friends from CAMIL Adventures in the upcoming months.
Camila Haney presents a $250 check to Christy Lewis, LGCHC director. (Submitted photo)
Olive Hill native Michelle Ciancio is featured in the WoAP exhibit. (Submitted Photo)
By Jeremy D. Wells Carter County Times
The Women of Appalachia Project has been focusing on art produced by Appalachian women for 12 years now. The show, held at the Dairy Barn Art Center near Athens, Ohio, was supposed to be a one-time exhibit and poetry reading when it first started, according to the project’s founder and executive director Kari Gunter-Seymour, but has grown into much more. The project still aims to do what that original show sought to do, though, breaking down stereotypes of the region and the women who call it home while celebrating their contributions to the arts.
“Literally hundreds of women from 13 Appalachian states have participated,” Gunter-Seymour said in a YouTube video and virtual tour highlighting participants in this year’s event, one of whom is Carter County native Michelle Ciancio.
“I grew up in Olive Hill, and will always consider Kentucky my home, however, my husband and I relocated to Hudson, Ohio three years ago,” Ciancio said.
The self-taught artist has been honing her craft since 2015, she said, when she embraced art as a way to battle postpartum depression.
“I began seriously painting in 2015 after the birth of my daughter. I struggled with postpartum depression and used art as a means of therapy and began teaching myself through YouTube tutorials,” she explained in an email interview.
She quickly realized that her art had value beyond the therapeutic aspects, though, and has used the proceeds from her paintings to support others, raising over $6,000 for various charities and other “benevolent causes” as she described them.
“I often describe myself as a benevolent artist, as all of the proceeds I collect from my arts activities benefit charitable causes,” she said.
The artist, who has “experimented in all mediums” says she has found acrylics to be her preferred medium. Her art has been featured in various local exhibitions, as well as the Doers and Dreamers Series for ArtsNow. Prints of her Louisa May Alcott portraits are also sold at the Louisa May Alcott Orchard House and Museum.
Participation in the Women of Appalachia Project was special to her, however, because of the struggles that all Appalachian people have in the wider world to overcome the stereotypes associated with our region, particularly as we are depicted in popular media.
“Appalachian people, and the culture as a whole, face a number of negative stereotypes,” she explained.
“The people of Appalachia are often portrayed as lazy, tobacco smoking, overall-wearing farmers,” she said. “The women are often portrayed even worse. Many people have assumed me ignorant due to my dialect and accent.”
And while there is nothing wrong with being a farmer, she said, the people of Appalachia are more than that. They are artistic, innovative, and self-sufficient. The women are strong and creative.
“We are more than stereotypes, we are artist, and art is everywhere,” she said. “The Women of Appalachia Project has given a voice to women to be proud of their culture, embrace it, and share their stories with the nation through beautiful art.”
Ciancio’s submission to the Women of Appalachia Project this year is a portrait of the writer Toni Morrison. Morrison, she said, is an inspiration to her, and to the work she does. She summed up her feelings on Morrison – and why she chose to feature her portrait of her – with a quote from the author, “Art invites us to know beauty and to solicit it from even the most tragic of circumstances. Art reminds us that we belong here. And if we serve, we last.”
We are currently snowed/iced in with no electricity, no internet, no telephone, and no cellular service. This is why physical papers are not available at retailers, and why we have not updated the website with content from this week’s paper. We will do this for our digital readers as soon as possible.
We were only able to get out and make this update (via cellphone) due to the kindness of a neighbor.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. Please, be safe. Stay warm. And check in on your neighbors.
Jeremy D. Wells – editor, Carter County Times
The view from our front porch. Beautiful, but ready for it to melt off. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
Mr. Charles Le’Chase Brewster, age 23, of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, formerly of Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away Thursday morning, February 11, 2021, at Appalachian Regional Healthcare in West Liberty, Kentucky.
He was born August 19, 1997, in Boyd County, Kentucky, a son of Johnny Brewster of Lexington, Kentucky, and Darra Walker Vance and his stepfather, Aaron Vance of Olive Hill, Kentucky.
Charles graduated from West Carter High School in Olive Hill, Kentucky, he was also baptized into the Christian faith. Charles was employed by the Pipeline Union Local # 798. He enjoyed his music, watching football, Hiking, and being outdoors with his dogs that he loved so much. He loved spending time with his family, especially with the love of his life Charli.
He was preceded in death by his son, Zander Le’Chase Brewster.
In addition to his parents, Charles is survived by the love of his life, Charli Noel Howard of Sandy Hook, Kentucky; two brothers, Johnny Blake Brewster and Dakota Raylei Brewster both of Olive Hill, Kentucky; two sisters, Haley Santana Brewster of Morehead, Kentucky; and Presley Savanna Brewster of Olive Hill, Kentucky; his maternal grandmother, Tempie Jarvis Bailey of Olive Hill, Kentucky; his maternal great grandmother, Anna Lea Stegall Seagraves of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one aunt, Christy Dawn and one great aunt, Debbie Jarvis Boggs of Olive Hill, Kentucky. He also leaves many other family members and friends who will sadly miss him.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky, with Brother Mark Burton and Brother Tippy Price officiating. Interment will follow in the Garvin Ridge Cemetery in Olive Hill, Kentucky.
Friends may visit from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 23, 2021, and after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West Highway US 60, Olive Hill, Kentucky.
Dakota Brewster, Trevor P’Simer, Austin Henderson, Tyler Glover, Darrin Gilbert, and Tristen Hall will serve as pallbearers. Travis Vayden, Johnny Blake Brewster, Shanna Leadingham, Jeremy Plummer and T.J. Brickles will serve as honorary pallbearers.
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.
Joe L. “Joe Bob” Conn, 79, of Olive Hill, KY, entered into rest Friday, February 12, 2021 at home. He was born April 11, 1941, in Elliott County, KY, to the late Golden and Agnes Evans Conn.
Joe worked for Shiloh Tool & Die in Mansfield, OH and after he retired, he did lawncare for several years. He attended Holly Fork Freewill Baptist Church. He enjoyed collecting knives, hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandbabies.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Gloria “Sissy” Middleton, Amanda (Roy) Roe and Pamela Carroll; two brothers, Thurman “Pudgy” Conn and Golden “Junior” Conn; and one half-brother, Robbie Gilliam.
Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara J. Maggard Conn; two daughters, Jennifer Lynn Conn and Paula “Susie” (Mike) Irick; two sons, Robert L. Conn and Freddy Joe (Denise) Conn; one sister, Verlina (Roger) Greenhill; three brothers, Ernie (Debbie) Conn, Johnny (Kathy) Conn and Billy Conn; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to these, Joe also leaves behind several friends and relatives who will deeply miss him.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at the Duvall & Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 149 Whitt Street, Olive Hill, KY with Bro. Ron Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at the Golden Conn Cemetery in Elliott County.
Friends may visit 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 and Friday, February 18, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service, at the Duvall & Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we ask that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Beech Edsel Osborn, 79, of Ripley, OH, formerly of Olive Hill, KY, entered into rest Thursday, February 11, 2021 at the St. Claire Medical Center in Morehead, KY. He was born May 8, 1941, in Knott County, KY, to the late Burton and Jussie Wicker Osborn.
Beech was a retired operator for Falcon Coal. He worked in the construction and strip mining industry throughout his life. He was of the Christian faith and a Kentucky Colonel. He attended Columbus Grove, OH schools until he moved to Fenton, Michigan his junior year of high school. Beech described himself as a self-proclaimed vagabond drifter and he traveled the county several times over.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Edna Osborn and his second wife, Patricia Osborn; one sister, Betty Wehrly; and one brother, Jerry Wayne Osborn.
Beech is survived by two step-sons, Robert Douglas Roar and Donald Ray McDaniels; two step-daughters, Priscilla Lynn Russell-Hicks and Connie Sue Erwin, four grandchildren, Edna Lemaster, Jasper Byron Lemaster, Nathaniel Ryan Lemaster and Brittany Desarae Sprouse; ten step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, Taylor Sprouse and Raylen Sprouse; twenty-five step-great grandchildren; and two sisters, Patricia Craft of Sardinia, OH and Sandra Jones of Ripley, OH. In addition to these, Beech also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews who will deeply miss him.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 PM on February 26, 2021 at the Duvall & Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 149 Whitt Street, Olive Hill, KY.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we ask that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
FLEMINGSBURG, – All lanes of I-64 are blocked in Boyd County from the 181 to 185 mile markers – between the Coalton (US 60) and Cannonsburg (KY 180) exits – after multiple crashes this morning. The following detours have been established:
Eastbound I-64 traffic, use Exit 181 to eastbound US 60 (left at bottom of ramp), then right onto south KY 180 at Cannonsburg to return to I-64 at the Exit 185 interchange.
Westbound I-64 traffic, use Exit 185 to northbound KY 180 (right at bottom of ramp), then left onto westbound US 60 at Cannonsburg to return to I-64 at the Exit 181 interchange.
Emergency crews on scene report I-64 could remain blocked throughout the morning, possibly into the afternoon. Motorists should watch for traffic changes and expect delays on detour routes, and plan travel accordingly.
Allie Stone shoots a free throw for the West Carter Lady Comets. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
By Jeremy D. Wells Carter County Times
The East Carter Lady Raiders and West Carter Lady Comets came into the second period fairly close in the score department, ending the first period with the Comets up three, 17-14. By the time the first half ended, though, the Lady Comets held a commanding lead that they’d fight hard to keep until the end of the game.
The Lady Raiders didn’t make it an easy game for the Comets. They continued to add to their score, keeping West Carter on their toes and working to maintain their lead. No matter how hard the East team played, though, it wasn’t enough to catch Allie Stone and the Comets.
Stone took West from a four to a six point lead early in the second period, on a two point field goal that put the Comets at 30 to East’s 24. The Comets would build that lead with a three-pointer from Beth Middleton, a two point field goal from Kylie Gilliam, and another three pointer from Stone. East’s Makyla Waggoner scored for the Raiders between Gilliam and Stone, putting the score at 38-26 as the second period came to an end, but the trend would continue in the second half.
The Lady Raiders scored first in the third, on a free throw, to take the score to 38-27, but that was quickly followed by a Gilliam field goal to take things to 40-27. Another free throw, from East’s Sarah Tussey, took the Raiders to 28, but West’s Gilliam then scored on two free throws of her own. Jascie Greene delivered on a pair of free throws for East too – twice – and with two other penalty shots it almost looked like fouls could help the Raiders narrow the gap as the score went to 42-34. A basket by Kayleigh Rayburn, free throw from Stone, and field goal from Beth Middleton took the score to 47-34. A three pointer from East’s Halle Swanagan took the score to 47-37, but a field goal from sophomore Alexis Bond put the Lady Comets up another two points, for a score of 49-37 as the third period drew to a close.
Middleton started the final period scoring a field goal and a free throw for the Comets, taking their lead to 52-37. A pair of free throws for East Carter’s Alyssa Stickler took the Raiders to 39. Stone followed those with a two point basket, followed by a field goal from Alexis Bond, and another Stone basket to put the Comets ahead by 19 points at 58-39.
A three-pointer from East’s Swanagan, and back to back two point shots from M. Waggoner, narrowed that gap, though, bringing the score to 58-46 as the Lady Raiders began clawing their way back.
Senior Peyton Steagall broke that trend though, taking the score to 60-46 before another free throw for Waggoner took the Raiders to 47 and a pair of free throws for Stone bumped the Comets to 62.
Stickler tried to rally another Raider comeback with a three-point shot that took the East Carter team to 50 points, but there was no coming back from the Comets’ lead. As the clock ticked down a pair of free throws from Stone and another pair of good foul shots from Middleton took the final score to 66 for the Lady Comets and 50 for the East Carter Raiders.
Stickler was the top scorer for East, with 13 points on three three-pointers, a field goal, and a pair of foul shots. Waggoner, Swanagan, and Jaelyn Steele all scored nine points each while Greene had eight points and Tussey two points on free throws.
On the West Carter side, Stone was a house on fire with 20 points from six field goals, one three-pointer and five free throws. Middleton was next with 12 points, Bond with ten, Henderson nine, Gilliam eight points, three points from Jordan on a field goal and a free throw, two from Rayburn, and two from Steagall.
The 2021 West Carter Comets are the 16th Region All “A” champions, prevailing over Raceland in a tight contest last week (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
By Jeremy D. Wells Carter County Times
For a while last week, things were looking grim for the West Carter boys. They ended their first period down by three points against the Raceland Rams, 15-18, and in the second they just didn’t seem to be connecting on their shots, despite ample opportunity. With the Comet’s lackluster performance, and an energized Raceland team, the spread continued to grow first on a Raceland three-pointer, then a field goal, pair of foul shots, and another three-pointer. The Rams had stretched their lead to 13 points, 15-28, before Logan Berry connected with a basket to take the score to 17-28. It didn’t last long, though, as Raceland came back with another basket to take the score to 17-30.
A pair of foul shots from Sam Jones made the score 19-30. But Raceland scored again before Jones took another free throw for 20 and Tyson Webb scored on two more, making the score 22-32. Another Raceland field goal and pair of free throws took the Rams to 36, but Gage Leadingham and Jones each scored again before the period ended, leaving the Comets down by ten, 26-36, as the teams broke for half time.
Raceland scored first after the break, but a three-pointer and field goal from Webb, and a break away layup from Leadingham on a steal, took the Comets within five points, at 33-38. From there, it would stay a close, back and forth game, with the Comets teamwork, passing, and renewed vigor in the second half eventually giving them the edge, if only just so.
Landon Nichols scored next for the Comets, taking the score to 35-38, within a three-pointer of tying up the game, and it was Raceland’s turn to be rattled. They’d score one more point on a free throw, but Trevor Callahan’s basket took the score to 37-39. After another Raceland basket Nichols scored again for the Comets, keeping the West Carter team on basket behind the Rams at 39-41. Raceleand’s Landyn Newman took the score to 39-43, but a three pointer from Leadingham ended the third period 42-43.
Berry brought the Comets back into the lead as the final period opened, 44-43, and though the Rams would take the lead back on a three-pointer, it wouldn’t last long as Leadingham returned the favor, taking the score to 47-46. The Rams would hit yet another three-ponter, for a 47-49 lead. But a Callahan basket on the rebound tied things up again at 49 all with just under six minutes left in the game.
Raceland would take the lead again on a field goal, and add to it with another goal, 49-53. But a three-point shot from Webb brought the Comets back within a point. Raceland would score two points on free throws, bringing the score to 52-55. Nichols would score again though, making the score 54-55. Hunter Sammons then brought the Comets back into the lead on a pair of free throws, 56-55. Leadingham would score again, taking the West Carter score to 58, and the Rams would tie things up, 58-58, on three free throws.
It was still anybody’s game when Nichols scored again for the Comets, taking the score to 60-58 with just over half a minute left on the clock. With seconds left on the clock, Leadingham took the score to 62-58 on a pair of free throws, leaving Raceland without enough time to come back, even after ending the game on a three-pointer at the buzzer for a final score of 62-61.
“For two and a half quarters, they really had us on our heels,” coach Jeremy Webb said. “We weren’t playing very good basketball, then finally in that third quarter we finally got some traction and started playing a little better there the rest of the way and gave ourselves a chance to win, and our kids made enough plays to win it.”
Tyson Webb, Gage Leadingham, and Trevor Callahan were scoring leaders for the Comets, with Webb scoring 15 points on three three-pointers, a pair of field goals, and a pair of free throws, Leadingham 14 points on a pair of three-pointers, three field goals, and two free throws, and Callahan ten points on five field goals. Landon Nichols had eight points for the Comets, Hunter Sammons six points, Sam Jones five points, and Logan Berry four points.
It was a big turn around from the first half where Webb connected on one two-pointer, one three-pointer, and a pair of free throws for seven points, Callahan had six points on three two-point baskets, and Leadingham only had two points.
Coach said that turn-around and leadership was what he expected out of his senior boys, though.
“That’s senior leadership,” Webb said. “It’s what they’re capable of and it’s what we expect out of our seniors, and they took advantage of that opportunity.”
The Comets next home game is February 12, against Boyd County, at 7:30 p.m.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
The 2021 West Carter Comets are the 16th Region All “A” champions, prevailing over Raceland in a tight contest last week (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
Tyson Webb breaks away from a Raceland defender for a drive at the basket. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
Gage Leadingham stands off against three defenders with backup from Trevor Callahan. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
I got Nicole an air fryer for Christmas. It was something she asked for and that I didn’t quite think we needed since I do a fair amount of the cooking in our home and I just couldn’t think of a single use that our convection oven and range top couldn’t meet. Granted, she’s correct. It has sped up our presentation of items like chicken nuggets, fish sticks and french fries for the kids. It also made some decent home fries in the rotisserie basket – though still not as good as my broiler crisped version.
But I’ve now found the perfect use for it. A use that honestly would have made it worth the purchase price alone. The air fryer, with the use of the fine mesh rotisserie basket, is the perfect tool for roasting your own coffee at home, and at a fraction of the cost of specialty home roasters. For me, that makes the other uses bonuses. (Though I am, admittedly, looking forward to doing a whole rotisserie chicken sometime soon.)
In the past I’ve done home roasting on the stovetop and in the oven – on both convection and conventional settings – and found the roasts to be inconsistent no matter what method I tried. Some beans would be barely roasted blonde, while others would be nearly burnt. Sometimes within two sides of a single coffee bean! No matter how hard you try, it’s hard to turn and stir consistently without some beans spending more time on one side in a hot spot.
The air fryer solved this problem with it’s consistent air blown heat and the constant tumbling of the basket. It also helped with some of the chaf removal. It was a mess inside the air fryer, but easy enough to suck up with a hand held vacuum cleaner.
I’ve just roasted my first batch of beans, from a farm in Guatemala, and I have some African beans I’m especially excited for. African beans like Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, or Tanzanian peaberry, have fantastic floral and fruity flavor profiles that are among my favorites, but only when they are freshly roasted. That subtlety is quickly lost as the coffee ages and if you find them in most grocery stores, most of those flavors are already lost.
Yes, it’s coffee snobbery, I know. But I’m absolutely giddy at the opportunities.
None of this means I’ll be giving up my subscription for twice monthly bags of Goose Bridle Coffee, though. Nicole doesn’t share my taste for “weird coffees” as she calls them, and has an active dislike of the fruity flavors that some African coffees can have. Will’s coffee, however, she deems acceptable and I more than agree.
The home roasting is just something fun for me to play with. I’m glad I listened to her. It usually pays off when I do.
I was sitting in a physician’s waiting room when a young father came in with a boy about four years old.
The little boy wanted to wander around but quickly climbed onto a chair when his father said in a threatening tone:
“Get back up on this chair or I’ll have that nurse give you a shot.”
The dumb dad said it three or four more times with the same terrifying effect on the little boy. I walked out rather than confront him about how wrong he was to create fear of something intended to protect us from disease.
I could imagine that family not having their children immunized against childhood diseases because the kids started screaming when someone mentioned getting a shot.
That statement ranks up on top of the bonehead chart with those by parents who threaten their misbehaving kids with being arrested whenever they spot a police officer in uniform.
Police officers have rescued untold numbers of lost kids, even kidnap victims, because those children learned at an early age that the police are here to protect us.
Rather than dwell on the negatives of mothers and fathers who either are too ignorant or too arrogant to be good parents, I want to share 10 simple phrases I believe parents and grandparents should use freely with their kids and grandkids.
I found this list on the web site of a youth minister in Texas named Trey Morgan. I don’t know if he wrote them but they are definitely worth sharing.
The comments following each phrase are mine.
I love you. Three simple words that always provide security and a sense of belonging.
I’m proud of you. This will be remembered long after the milkshake or pizza at the postgame party.
I’m glad you asked. The perfect way to start answering a tough question.
Thanks for checking in. Parents always breathe more easily after saying that into a phone.
I forgive you. Three words that show our love is unconditional.
Thank you. The best two-word response in any language.
Good job. Better than cash after an errand or household chore.
You can do it. We all need confidence boosters.
Don’t give up. Doing your best each time never goes out of style.
No matter what, I’m here for you. That pledge brings joy and comfort if you’re 13 or 53.
This week the Kentucky General Assembly decided to push back against Governor Andy Beshear, with the Republican supermajority in the House and Senate overriding several of his vetoes with a simple majority vote.
Those overrides included passage of House Bill 1 (HB1), Senate Bill 1 (SB1), SB2, HB2, HB3, and HB5. Most of these bills are related, in some way, to Beshear’s orders intended to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd handed down a thirty-day restraining order on HB1, SB1 and SB2, HB2, HB3 and HB5 were allowed to stand as passed.
Senator Robin Webb decried the partisan game playing and praised the actions of Judge Shepherd in her legislative update for the week, writing, “We are facing a deadly public health crisis, and these laws could hinder the progress Kentucky has made in the battle against COVID-19.”
“Emergencies call for swift action, especially when there are lives at stake,” Webb continued. “We need a clear-cut solution that is not at the expense of Kentuckians’ health and one that does not cause more confusion.”
We couldn’t agree with Webb any more if we tried.
The Republican supermajority certainly has the right to do what their constituents elected them to do. This includes standing up to what they see as gubernatorial overreach. There are definitely some examples of them voting on behalf of their constituent concerns with their overrides.
The override of Beshear’s veto on HB2, which gives the Commonwealth’s Attorney General authority to enforce abortion clinic laws in Kentucky, would be one example. With Kentucky’s strong “Right to Life” advocacy, there is no arguing with the fact that lawmakers were acting in the interest of those who voted for them on this veto (though, like with any expansion of power, it’s one that could come back to bite the GOP if a Democrat Attorney General is elected in the future).
On HB1, SB1, and SB2, however, the overrides are purely examples of partisan posturing – posturing that could hurt Kentucky’s response to the pandemic crisis. Judge Phillips, pressuring the governor and assembly to come to a consensus and resolve issues with negotiation rather than legislation, wrote that HB1, SB1, and SB2, “could create chaos and undermine any effective enforcement of public health standards to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.”
HB1 would allow restaurants, businesses, churches, local governments, and school districts to remain open at their own discretion, throughout the remainder of the year, as long as they meet CDC guidelines related to gatherings.
SB1 limits the effective dates for orders and regulations issued under executive emergency powers to 30 days, unless the General Assembly grants an extension, as well as prohibiting the governor from issuing new orders during an emergency without approval from the assembly. While this would definitely limit Beshear’s power – and efficacy in dealing with the pandemic response – like HB2 it’s the kind of limitation that could frustrate Republicans in the future if the tables are reversed.
SB2, which is also subject to the 30-day restraining order, requires agencies to submit evidence to the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee before declaring an emergency. It would also expand the legislative review to committees beyond the regulation review subcommittee and limit regulations to 30 days if they directly impact education institutions, private businesses, nonprofits, churches, and political or social gatherings.
Let’s be clear, we’re all ready for a return to normal. We all want an end to restrictions that have hurt the viability of our small businesses. We definitely want a return to school for our children. But we can’t force these changes before they are safe simply because we want a return to normal. Doing so will lead to more illness, more death, and could cause an end to the pandemic – and a true return to normal – to drag out even longer.
Kentucky’s COVID-19 response was very successful at helping curb and control the spread of the virus early on, and cited as a model for neighboring states to follow. When our neighbors from other states didn’t follow Beshear’s example, however, their high numbers impacted Kentucky’s numbers – extending the time needed for a true recovery.
A year later, with vaccinations slowly trickling out as available, an end to restrictions may actually be in sight. But we can’t skip straight to the finish line simply because we’re tired of running the race. We need to let this run its course, and part of that is allowing the governor to do what has been proven to help slow the spread. It is not the time to play politics with the lives of our friends, family and loved ones.
We have two choices right now as a state. We can keep picking at the scab, making it take longer to heal and possibly leading to long-term scarring. Or we can stay the course, leave the bandages alone, and let our wounds heal fully before we go peeling the band-aid off.
We thank Senator Webb for her consistent leadership on this and other topics important to her constituents, and urge her colleagues across the aisle to work with, rather than against, the governor, for the good of all Kentuckians.
ASHLAND – King’s Daughters is pleased to announce a collaboration with Three Rivers Medical Center and Kentucky Department for Public Health to provide COVID vaccine clinics to residents living in Lawrence, Carter and the adjacent counties in Kentucky. The clinics will be by appointment only and focus on providing vaccine to Kentuckians age 70 and older who live in these areas.
Lawrence County The Lawrence County first dose vaccine clinics will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, February 12 and 19 at the Lawrence County Community Center, 205 Bulldog Lane, Louisa, Ky. Second doses, which will be administered 28 days later, will be given at the same location. Eligible people who wish to receive the first dose of the vaccine on those days may request an appointment through the LCHD Facebook page, facebook.com/LawrenceCountyKYHealthDepartment (preferred) or by calling (606) 638-4389.
Carter County The Carter County first dose vaccine clinics will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 13 and 20 at King’s Daughters Family Care Grayson, 100 Bellefonte Drive. Second doses, which will be administered 28 days later, will be given at the same location. Eligible people who wish to receive the first dose of the vaccine on those days may schedule an appointment by contacting the Carter County Health Department at (606) 474-5109.
King’s Daughters is proud to partner with our many providers and agencies in our service area as we work as quickly as possible to deliver the COVID vaccine to our most vulnerable citizens.
While the vaccine rollout continues, please continue to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, avoid crowds, stay home as much as possible, and wash your hands frequently. These simple measures will go a long way toward keeping our communities healthy.
Robert Frazier’s story didn’t seem to add up from the start. Though he had injuries of his own, cuts on and about his wrists and hands as well as evidence of having been struck on the head, officials were suspicious. And his niece, Stella Kinney, was dead.
The girl, who had serious wounds to her head, died the morning after her attack, within ten minutes of being returned to her parent’s home in Pleasant Valley. She never regained consciousness, so no one ever got to hear Stella’s story.
Her uncle, Robert Frazier, claimed they had been attacked as they crossed Clark Hill on that late spring day in 1915. Two men stepped out into the road and took the horse by the reins, stopping their buggy, he said. He claimned to have gotten down and grappled with them, ostensibly how he obtained his wounds, but was choked and knocked unconscious. When he woke up he found that he had been robbed of $25 in cash and a check, and that Stella – who had been staying at his home in Fleming County as a hired girl – was injured.
Frazier’s calling, apparently, alerted folks living nearby who brought the pair into town for examination and attendance by a Dr. Rose, the coroner.
Frazier claimed he didn’t get a good look at his assailants because the sun was going down as they attacked, but officials suspected there weren’t any other assailants. Frazier was examined carefully by local authorities and the County Attorney, a man named Yates, before being taken to Grayson by Sheriff Potts for an examination by a county judge. Because Frazier was related to Judge Thornsberry, however, the honorable G.W. Armstrong presided at his examination trial. After holding an evening session Frazier was held over to the grand jury, without bond.
It wouldn’t be a quick journey to justice for Frazier though. He’d be convicted, and appeal his conviction multiple times, before being sentenced a final time to life imprisonment after his sixth trial. In June of 1916, for instance, just over a year after the attack, we see an item where his father, Evan Frazier, is expected in Carter County from Fleming to post bond for his son.
In February of 1917 we see that Frazier is ready to have his fourth trial, and his second in Lawrence County. Frazier’s first trial resulted in a hung jury, and the second in a conviction and sentence of life imprisonment. But Frazier apparently appealed that on grounds that the case was too well known in the county to get a fair trial. His third trial, his first in Lawrence County, apparently led to a hung jury as well. In his fourth trial, though, Frazier (sometimes spelled Frazure) would once again be sentenced to life in prison, with the sentence in his fourth trial handed down in March of 1917.
Frazier’s lawyer would eventually get two more trials, presided over in Lawrence County with jurors from Madison County in the sixth and final trial – jurors who insisted they had no previous knowledge of the case. After that trial, and associated life sentence, it seemed Frazier’s only recourse would be “to appeal to the Governor for freedom” through a pardon, according to the Herald.
After the Melvin Collins shootings, in 1918, there were those who tried to pin the Kinney murder on him, but the editor of the Herald considered those claims spurious and unworthy of further consideration.
Editor’s Note: This is the 30th in a series of articles drawn from historical newspaper clippings.
Ranger is a twelve-week-old male Great Pyrenees mix. He’s the sweetest little guy and needs a home to call his own. Ranger’s $75 adoption fee to an approved home includes rabies vaccination and being spayed. 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.
The following indictments were returned by the Grand Jury of the Carter Circuit Court on January 22, 2021. An indictment is not a determination of guilt or innocence. It is simply a charge that an offense has been committed and indicates that a case is pending on the charges listed. All defendants have the presumption of innocence until found guilty in a court of law.
Though it is a part of the public record, the Carter County Times does not make a habit of printing the names of minor children or the victims of alleged crimes, except under exceptional circumstances.
Lloyd Sexton aka Lloyd Bush, 48, of Grayson, on or about December 27, 2020, the defendant committed the offense of burglary in the second degree by knowingly and unlawfully entering a dwelling with intent to commit a crime, a Class C Felony.
William Jones, 30, of Olive Hill, on or about December 18, 2020, the defendant committed the offenses of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, a Class C Felony; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a Class D Felony.
Caleb James Campbell, 25, of Grayson, on or about January 6, 2021, the defendant committed the offenses of possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense, when he possessed methamphetamine, a schedule one narcotic, a Class D Felony; possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense, when he possessed heroin, a schedule one narcotic, a Class D Felony; possession of drug paraphernalia, when he unlawfully possessed drug paraphernalia with the intent to use it for the purpose of introducing into the human body an illegal or controlled substance, a Class A Misdemeanor; driving with a DUI suspended license, first offense aggravating circumstances, by operating a motor vehicle while having a suspended license for a prior DUI within the last ten years under aggravating circumstances, a Class A Misdemeanor.
If you have been farming in Kentucky for any length of time, you know the winter weather can make your farm quite muddy. Feeding livestock during the winter or moving equipment over unfrozen, wet ground can exacerbate the amount of mud on the farm.
Mud is not good for several reasons. It can cause topsoil erosion and increase soil compaction. Livestock that have to walk through mud require more feed for energy but actually eat and drink less because they expel so much energy getting to feed and water. Therefore, mud reduces daily average gains. Mud on animal’s coats makes it harder for them to regulate their body temperature−increasing the amount of energy they need to generate heat for warmth in the winter and cool themselves in the summer. For horses, mud can increase the risk of slipping and falling and can make walking or standing difficult.
Fortunately, you can reduce the amount of mud on your farm by installing hard traffic pads on areas of your farm that tend to get the most traffic.
You have many choices for materials to use for heavy-use pads. Some of these include concrete, plastic traffic grid and geotextile fabric and rock. The material you use depends on many factors, including material availability, installation costs and the size of your operation.
With the exception of horses which require softer surfaces, concrete pads are by far the strongest, easiest to clean and lowest maintenance material for most livestock producers to use. Concrete pads should be placed in areas that receive heavy animal traffic, such as around waterers, adjacent to feed bunks, in holding areas and near gates. While the installation costs of concrete pads may be higher than other materials, you are going to save money in the long term, because you reduce the amount of wasted feed and get better gains on your livestock.
The thickness of the pad will depend on the type of livestock you have, stocking density and whether the area also gets a lot of equipment traffic. Areas with livestock traffic require a pad that is at least four inches thick placed on several inches of gravel. Trucks, tractors and other heavy equipment need concrete pads at least five to six inches thick.
A hilltop or sloped surface is often the best location for a hard surface pad, as they tend to be away from most waterways and will allow nearby vegetation to filter stormwater runoff. Make sure the location also drains away from feed bunkers, waterers and roads.
Concrete pads need to have a solid foundation to be successful. Prepare the site by removing topsoil until you reach soil that is easily compacted and make sure the area is level. Use at least six inches of compacted dense grade aggregate to provide a solid base for a concrete pad. Inadequate foundation preparation can cause a concrete pad to fail or freeze or damage water pipes.
Horse owners should similarly prepare their sites but should construct their pads using geotextile fabrics followed by six-inch layer of crushed limestone and finished with two-to-three inches of dense grade aggregate. Create a more durable surface by compacting the dense grade aggregate using a small, smooth-drum roller like those used for asphalt projects.
More information about installing hard surfaces on your farm is available in the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service publications AEN 115: Appropriate all-weather surfaces for livestock and ID-164: High traffic area pads for horses. They are available online at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/aen/aen115/aen115.pdf and http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/id/id164/id164.pdf or you can get a hard copy from the Carter County Extension office.
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.
