April 9, 2008 — Editor,

On Wednesday, April 2, East Carter Middle School students were treated to a much needed day of Fun. Our second, “Student Activity Day” was a great success. Students signed up for different activities such as Make-Up/Nails, Basketball, Corn Hole, Board Games, Jewelry Making, Clogging, Tennis, Internet Games, Archery, Kickball, Scrapbooking and many others. These activities didn’t just happen. It took a lot of planning, hard work, and volunteer hours.

ECMS would like to thank Rent-To-Own for their donation of TV’s and game systems; Kentucky Christian University for allowing our students to use their gym for basketball and Bus Driver, Tommy Harris for taking our students to KCU. Other volunteers were Rachel Fankell who helped with cookie baking, Aimie Walker who helped students with preserving their memories through scrapbooking. Bill Robinson who showed our students how to clog, Barry Blair, with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and Mark Hall who did an archery demonstration, Juanita Greer and Rosie Huffman who taught make-up application to our young ladies.

A special Thank-You to ECMS Faculty and Staff for a great job of planning to ensure that our students enjoyed the day.

Shannon Wilburn, Principal, ECMS



Editor:

We would like to thank all of those who helped to make our father’s birthday so special. Edward G. Gee of Globe celebrated his 88th birthday on March 16. Senator Mitch McConnell and his aide, Patrick D. Justice, made a true effort to have the medals that Dad was awarded during World War II, but had never received, given to him on his birthday. Amos Maddix, who served with Dad in the National Guards, presented him the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal.

Too, we want to thank Pastor David Rayburn of the Globe Christian Church for making the arrangements for these medal presentations during the morning worship service on March 16. Pastor Rayburn, also, on behalf of the congregation, gave Dad a beautiful watch in recognition of his years of faithful service to the Church and this nation.

Those who sent cards and well-wishes made this a delightful day for our Dad, and we want to let you know that we all appreciate what you did.

Respectfully,

Kathy G. Wilson, Bob Gee,

and Patti G. Stamper



Editor:

National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), a nationwide initiative to promote living wills, has been set for April 16, 2008. Community Hospice has chosen to be part of this effort with events throughout the month of April.

As a participating organization, Community Hospice is committed to providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers. Community Hospice representatives will be at the Grayson Senior Center on Tuesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. Representatives will have the appropriate forms and be available after the presentations to assist individuals in completing a standard living will.

We are currently scheduling events throughout our service area. If you would like a Community Hospice representative to speak to your club, church, organization or business, please call us at 606-329-1890 or 1-800-926-6184. For additional information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit their website at www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth V. Taylor

Director of Development

and Community Relations



Editor ,

This February, I had to be transferred from KDMC to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Due to a deteriorating heart condition, I needed a rare heart surgery that could only be performed by one doctor in the world and he was at the Mayo.

=There was one problem however. The cost to transfer me by a medical evacuation jet was $27,000. This money had to be paid up front before the transfer could take place.

When the social worker from KDMC told us this news, she was as shocked as we were. After a short time, she returned to my room with good news. The KDMC Foundation would pay the full $27,000 I needed for my life saving transfer. Without them, the hospital-to-hospital transfer would not have been possible and there is a good chance my life would have ended.

Also, my sincere appreciation goes to my cardiologist, Dr. Ahmad Elesber. Although Dr. Elesber specializes in my condition, he realized that my condition was too severe to be treated here. He used his contacts to get me admitted to the Mayo Clinic where he knew that I could be treated. I truly believe that God used Dr. Elesber and the prayers of so many people to save my life.

Gina Wilcox

Grayson



Editor:

I am needing help to locate the final resting place and death of Joseph Stamper who married Martha Evelyn Erwin; both from Carter County. Joseph was born January 1854. He would have died between 1900 and 1932. Joseph was in the 1900 Carter County Census.

Martha died March 11, 1932 and was widowed.

Who was Joseph’s father?

Martha is resting in the Highland Cemetery, Ft. Mitchell, with one of her children, Tennyson Stamper. There were other children namely, James Daniel, Mary Susan, Thomas, Charlie, Van and George Washington “Watt”.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Betty Wellman

313 Walnut Street

West Portsmouth, OH 45663-6346



Editor,

We, the board of directors of Pleasant Valley Cemetery have tried the past several years to explain to all plot owners the critical financial situation our cemetery was headed. A few of you understood and responded to our financial situation but most of you didn’t. Now we are in the critical situation that we were trying to avoid.

In 2007, we received $1,170.00 in contributions. Our balance after the mowing season is now $320.15. Therefore, we do not have enough money to mow the cemetery one time. If we do not get enough money for the mowing season we will be forced to make everyone responsible to mow his or her own plots.

When the original board set the contribution amount they never foresaw the escalating gas prices and therefore the maintenance cost of the cemetery was recommended at $25.00 a plot. Due to high gas prices we are asking you to send extra if possible. If everyone contributed and sent his or her contribution for their own plots (occupied or unoccupied) it would make it much easier for the one’s who faithfully contribute every year. And those of you that do, we really appreciate it and thank you.

Without having enough money to start the mowing season we will need contributions made in a timely manner to be able t o have the cemetery mowed for Memorial Day. Please mail all contributions to:

Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Inc.

P.O. Box 123

Grahn, KY 41142

Thank you for your time and consideration

Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Inc.

Board of Directors



Editor,

On March 27, the Louisville Courier-Journal announced on its website that Gov. Beshear was conceding defeat this legislative session in his efforts to bring casinos to Kentucky. In an attachment comment responding to the article, one individual suggested that had it not been for the “hillbillies” the casino effort would have passed.

Although somewhat offensive for those of us living in rural areas, the comment does however contain some element of truth. It is true indeed that the efforts of representatives from rural districts prevented HB 550 (the casino bill) from being passed in the House. What the narrow-minded individual failed to realize is that four of Beshear’s staunchest allies in the casino battle are representatives from the hills of east Kentucky. Those four are Rocky Adkins (D) Sandy Hook, Greg Stumbo (D) Prestonsburg, Robin Webb (D) Grayson, and John Will Stacy (D) West Liberty.

On March 24, Gov. Beshear held a last ditch, televised rally at the Capitol in hopes of reviving his casino initiative. As reported in the Courier-Journal, 20 faithful representatives joined him at the rally. The four identified above were among the 20 in attendance.

When legislators from rural district go to Frankfort to do the state’s business, it is critical that they faithfully represent the values and voice of their rural districts. If they do not, Lexington and Louisville will dictate Kentucky’s moral destiny and will force their liberal agenda upon us all. Case in point, Greenup and Boyd counties were targeted for casinos.

Brett Green

Argillite