Sept. 24, 2008 — Editor,

As an old retired Army Sergeant, I have been to many different places through out the world. As an old Army Sergeant, I was always taught that when someone does something good, you pat them on the back, and when someone does something bad, you kick’em in the butt. So this letter contains all pats on the back.

Olive Hill is not the best town in Kentucky; it is the best town in the entire world. Since my arrival here several years ago, I have yet to meet a community and this place is a community of a bunch of wonderful people.

Normally a business is for the purpose of making money but with the business people in Olive Hill, they are there to be very friendly people who go out of their way to serve you not only with products, but also with friendship.

Go to the Smokey Valley Truck Stop and you will meet the most fantastic people you could ever meet. Service is with a smile and fantastic food all for a good price. McDonalds, Subway, Valley Dairy and the others are full of just wonderful people.

I go to the Post Office every day and the people there are fantastic in their ability to help you. This newspaper has an office there and the lady who works in that office is exceptionally nice.

As a Veteran, I’ve been to American Legion Posts all over the country. The best of all of them is Post 138 in Olive Hill. Just a fantastic group of veterans who still love their country.

And the kids are terrific which shows they were raised by wonderful parents. That’s helpful in making a wonderful city, now, and for the future.

I live in the Pleasant Valley area of Olive Hill and I don’t know who gave it that name but it’s the most pleasant place I’ve ever lived in. So thank you Olive Hill and vicinity – You’re the Greatest!

Clair P. Yeagen, Olive Hill



Editor,

We have all seen the big banks failing, because they were greedy, thinking they would have big profits when the interest rate increased. What they saw were these people couldn’t afford these homes to start with. Many government officials have investments in this profit, and are now concerned that they may loose this windfall. Therefore, they want to saddle the hard working taxpayer with 700 billion dollars - so they don't lose funds they have invested.

We've all seen hard times, and the government has never bailed us out- we have to watch our funds, and we don't take risky ventures, such as this government has. Many are living in homes that we could never afford, and most are not citizens of this country. We know there is real concern regarding this bail out, since legislature is working over the weekend. However they are not concerned about home foreclosures, they are concerned about a loss they may occur, and have chosen to pass it on to the citizens, we are already strapped and borrowing to fund this war - our grandchildren and their children will be paying for years to come. Let's all e-mail our congressman, and president Bush and tell them we can't afford to bail you out.

If this passes we have saddled our children and grandchildren with huge taxes that they will not live to see paid off, while the good old boys in Washington can continue to live in luxury. If bad decisions were made, they were not decisions the American people made. This government needs to step up and lay the responsibility on their back where it belongs we cannot afford any more taxes especially to bail out the foolish ventures of these law makers. Say no by writing to your congressmen.

Gladys Gilbert

Olive Hill



Editor,

In my previous article I was seeking biological kinfolk of my great grandmother, the late America (Hicks) Hays, Berry, Shields. This week my search is for relatives of my great grandfather, the late George Allen Berry. My great grandfather, like my great grandmother, was born in Lawrence County. George Allen Berry was born in 1855. He was a son of the late William Henderson (Hoadley) Berry and Artie Frances (Thornsberry) Berry. Brother and sisters of George Allen Berry were Alice Berry, Rhoda Berry, Rutherford (Rupert) Berry, Louvene Berry, Nancy Jane Berry, William Monteville Berry, Andrew Berry, Artie Fransis Berry, Missouri A. Berry, John Martin Berry, Ida Lane Berry, and Lily Jefferson Berry.

George Allen Berry was born October of 1855 in Lawrence County and died September of 1940 in Naples. He was a grocer and Postmaster at Naples. His first wife was Georgia Ann Dougherty, who he married in Greenup County on January 26, 1882. She brought two children to the marriage that George Allen adopted. They were Andrew (Dougherty) Berry and Rebecca Ann (Dougherty) Berry, George Allen Berry and Georgia Ann (Dougherty) had six children. They were Arthur Berry, Issac Berry, Albert B. Berry, Samuel Berry, Usylles Berry, and J. Norman Berry. Georgia Ann Berry died at Willard in 1901. The 1902 George Allen married America (Hicks) Hays who was born in 1880 at either Blaine or Cherokee. This marriage produced four children. They were Ossie Theodore Berry, Dolly Jane Berry (my grandmother), Carrie Ada Berry, and Belva Marie Berry. I would love to hear from anyone that is a descendent of anyone mentioned, as you are family. Thanks to J. Norman Berry’s daughter, Wanda, and her husband, Robert, I have been given documentation that I am a fourth cousin, once removed, to Naomi Judd of the country music duo… The Judds. In the event that country music legend Tom T. Hall or any of his family is reading this then I want to share some named that are tied to my Berry family that they may be tied to. They are Doctor J. C. Hall, and his son, George Richard Hall. Anyone that related can contact me as follows: Terry Underwood at P. O. Box 952 Loyall, Kentucky 40854 or call (606) 664-2884.

Terry Underwood

Loyall, KY