July 28, 2010 — Thanks to volunteers

Editor,

Tragedies often produce heartache and loss of loved ones, but they also bring out the love and compassion people can have for one another.  At about 4:00am on Wednesday, July 21, a flashflood in the Fultz Rd. area of Carter County washed away the trailer of one of its residents.  A four day search finally ended in the recovery of Mary Littleton, a Christian woman loved by her family, friends, and neighbors.

     During those days of searching, the outpouring of individual volunteers, businesses, and agencies was overwhelming.  The Grayson Fire Department under the direction of Chief Greg Felty organized the search and rescue effort but could not have operated without the tremendous assistance of Norton-Branch, Webbville, Carter City, Grahn, Load, and Hitchins’ Fire Departments.  Many of those volunteer firefighters, who responded, took time off from work and stayed on the scene from 8:00am to 8:30pm each day.

Volunteering their specially trained dogs, Commonwealth Cannine, Grand Paws, and Canine Search and Rescue of Kentucky drove to the scene from as far away as Owenton.  Morehead, Morgan County, and Loyd (Greenup Co.) responded with trained personnel.  The Kentucky State Police, Carter County Sheriff’s Department, and Carter Co. EMS provided assistance with security and medical concerns.  A special thank you goes to Becky Burton, EMT, who volunteered her time away from work.  Air Methods flew over the the scene assisting in the search.

With up to 100 volunteers working feverishly in mid 90 degree temperatures, providing food, water, and drinks became a priority.  However, all those involved in the search were never without.  Losing everything, Marvin Sparks bought meals for everyone saying that “material things can be replaced but not a loved one”.  There was Bobbi Jo and Kris Hall, family members, who helped wherever needed at a moment’s notice.  There were so many individuals who helped that a thank you doesn’t seem enough:  Mark Hall, Tara Morgan, Christy McHenry, Pastor Jim Varney, Terry Sexton, Jami and Kristin Horton, Micha Griffith, Dicky Tiller, Donna and Mike Hutchinson, and the many family members and neighbors. Donations of food were also received from Subway, McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Conley Groceries, Meals on Wheels, Grahn Community Center, and the American Red Cross.  

Businesses that donated their services were Baker’s Septic Service, C & W Electric, Prichard’s Excavation, and Carmel Holbrook who assisted rescuers by providing heavy equipment – backhoes and excavators.

Bonnie McDavid, Sarah Everman, Marsha Riffe volunteered to assist with keeping track of the searchers’ efforts and the dozens of people who answered the call for public volunteers on the last day of the search with some being on foot while others provided their ATV’s.

The Grayson Fire Department thanks each and every individual, for it was a team effort.  Not one team, person, business, or agency can take full credit.  It was a team working together to bring closure for the family of Mary Littleton.  If anyone has been missed, please accept our apology; your assistance was greatly appreciated.  

JoAnn Dunfee

Grayson EMS





Memorial golf scramble

Editor,

Area golfers, family, friends, and local businesses participated in a memorial golf scramble to honor Andy Blevins on Saturday, July 24th at Cater Caves State Park Golf Course. It was a very special day to honor a very special man. Funds raised by the scramble went toward the Andy Blevins Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will establish an endowment in Andy’s name that will offer an annual scholarship to a KCU nursing student who exhibits a commitment to caring. The award will be monitored by Andy’s sister who teaches at the Yancey School of Nursing.

“It was important to us to sow seeds in Andy’s honor. We personally know the importance of having a caring nurse and Andy was a very caring person. It is fitting that we do this in honor of such a wonderful person and we are blessed to have so many family and friends who love Andy and are committed to honoring him this way,” said Abigail Beck.

    Several prizes were awarded: $500 1st place went to team Armstrong; $250 2nd place went to team Blevins (which included Randy Blevins, Andy’s Dad); Longest Drive--Jim Armstrong; Longest Putt--Michael Beck; Closest to the Pin--Melvin Kelley; and Team that ‘Tried the Hardest’ went to Team Mackenzie.

    Lunch was provided by a donation from Grayson KFC and Andy’s Aunts. The family would like to thank area businesses and individuals who sponsored holes for the golf scramble. Sponsors included:

Ashland Women’s Health

First Church of Christ, Grayson

Grayson RECC

JMK Electric

Brown’s Mobile Homes

Melini Cuzina Italian

Turning Point Surveying

McFarland Murray Chevrolet

Horton Bros. and Brown Pharmacy

Commercial Bank of Grayson

Edison Elliott for PVA

Papa John’s Pizza

Dyer’s Big Sandy Furniture

Kentucky Christian University

David and Kay Miracle

Becky and Daven Copeland

James Family Outfitters

Rand Blevins, Electrical Inspector

Ed Woods

Globe Funeral Home

Wilhoit Law Offices

Rupert Wilhoit, District Attorney

Paul and Gerldene Fitch

Thanks,

Abigail Beck

Grayson





What if?

Editor,

A few years back - all you could hear was "Stop the Kyhoe Dam"! All you could see on stickers on vehicles was "Stop the Kyhoe Dam"!

I wonder if we had the Kyhoe Dam, would we have had the terible drought a few years back or the devestating floods the past few years,especially the two this summer?        

Deanna D. Dunaway

Olive Hill