August 16 , 2007

Where has all the love gone?
by James Cook, Times Editor
Everyone has an opinion. That is what makes America great. We all have different ideas and we want to express them. I am all for the First Amendment and all that goes with it. But I also think that sometimes we need to think before we speak. Or in the case of columnists, before we put our thoughts on paper.
This past week Stu Bykofsky, a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, wrote a piece that was titled, ‘To Save America, We need another 9/11.’ He goes on to say that after 9/11 we, as Americans, joined together to fight a common foe. But now that foe is unclear and that “America’s fabric is pulling apart like a cheap sweater. What would sew us back together? Another 9/11 attack.”
WHAT !!???
I could not believe my eyes as I read this. A columnist, in a major U.S. newspaper would like to see another 9/11 style attack, so we could pull together again as a country. Has it gotten so bad in our nation that we have people wishing for terrorist attacks, so we can care about each other? Do we need to see another 3,000 people killed to make us love one another?
Apparently, Mr. Bykofsky needs to get out of the hum-drum, fast-paced, I’m-in-too-big-of-a-hurry-to-care metropolitan area and see what small town folks already know. Our neighbor, be it right next door or a mile down the road, or even on the other side of the county, is worth caring about.
Oh sure, we may not always be congregating or visiting with each other. But we try to look out for each other. And yes, in times of tragedy, we are there to lend a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on and an ear to listen to you. We do this because we still believe in three basic principles: the “do unto others” rule, right is right and we still put God first (at least most of us do). For some, WWJD is more than a neat bracelet or t-shirt slogan, it’s a way of life.
With those three principles in tact, we may not be as active in community events because slowly the hustle and bustle of life has crept into our hometowns. But I know people who will still leave garden fresh vegetables on neighbors porches, others who will go out of their way to make sure our elderly neighbors have been safe during the recent heat wave and even some who just like to call and see how you're doing.
We don’t need a disaster to come together and maybe we don’t come together as much as small towns used too. I know it is old fashioned, but you don’t see town picnics, ice cream socials or special gatherings as were once common.
Sure, I know some of you think I’ve hit my head and believe we are back in the 40’s and 50’s. You may think that things like that cost too much, there are insurance concerns for the city for such big events and what about all the other issues cities should worry about, not some silly old ice cream social. You may even say, things have changed Cook, your crazy Cook.
Your right – things have changed. Especially after 9/11, our whole world changed. Now we have people wanting another attack to pull us together. Some are giving the terrorist ideas of where to strike. In fact, another newspaper, The New York Times, has a blog set up so you can give them your ideas of how and where to perform terrorist attacks.
Now who sounds crazy!
I know we can never go back in time. And I know that time marches on, as well as all the other time clichés. But wouldn’t it be nice if all of America would just take small town principles back and try to remember we are all in this together.
Sure small towns have problems. Water and sewer issues, taxes, drug problems are on the rise, gas price increases causing food prices to rise – we all have to face it, big or small cities. But how we handle it makes a difference. If we get complacent, cold, uncaring about our neighbors and their well being;if we allow events to make us become hard hearted and develop the “out-for-myself” attitude, then haven’t we already let the enemy win? Whether that enemy is a terrorist group, a country, a drug dealer or of a spiritual nature, don’t we need to make a stand. Especially when it comes to our hometown, our way of life, our children and our values.
So let the rest of the world come up with crazy notions of needing another earth shattering event to feel closer to their neighbor. I'll stick with the small town where we try to look out for each other. That feeling left for a while, but after recent events, nationally and locally, we all understand what has to be done. In small towns, we do it.
I’m just saying . . .

(Would you like to add your own opinion? Let me hear from you, good or bad. E-mail me at cctimesnews@bellsouth.net)

View from the Mountain
A View from the Mountain: Memories of Gwynn Island
by James Cook, Times Editor

A few weeks ago, my wife and I spent a Sunday afternoon enjoying a picnic at Calk Lake in Montgomery County. The private lake is located just over the Powell County line off KY 213. We spread our lunch on a picnic table under a large oak tree overlooking the lake. As I tasted the Colonel’s chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits, my memories carried me back to my youth and my first recollection of being on a public lake.
When I was just a boy, my brother (Al) took me and several of his teenage friends to Gwynn Island to spend the afternoon swimming in the pool. In those days, we had three choices for public swimming pools – driving to the city pool in Somerset, the Sunnyside Pool in Danville, or Gwynn Island on Herrington Lake.
There is a direct connection between Mt. Vernon and Herrington Lake. The Dix River originates in Rockcastle County and flows northward through Lincoln County, where it is impounded to form Herrington Lake along the Garrard-Boyle County line. The lake is a 2,335-acre artificial lake located in Boyle, Mercer, and Garrard counties. It was created in 1925 by Kentucky Utilities to generate electric power. With a depth of approximately 250 feet, the lake is the deepest in Kentucky.
One of the exciting things about swimming in the pool at Gwynn Island had to do with how it was constructed. The pool was part of the lake. It was built out of wood, and the boards were spaced far enough apart to allow small fish to enter the swimming area. The pools were created by large floating barrels and huge pieces of Styrofoam. There were three of them positioned side by side – two for diving and adult swimming and one for the children.
A concession stand near the pool sold candy, chips, sandwiches, and a variety of soft drinks. After a few hours of jumping in and out of the water, Al took me to the counter and fed me hotdogs and chips for my lunch. I thought I was something special spending time with the teenagers. The girls paid me lots of attention, and you know I loved that.
When I became old enough to drive, my friends and I traveled to Gwynn Island on a regular basis. However, by that time the attraction was more than the pool. In those days, a sunbathing deck had been created on the roof of the concession stand, and most of the girls spent their time lying on towels “soaking up the rays.”
Hanging across the adult pool was a series of chains with rings for the guys to show off their “manly” talents by swinging across the pool and dropping into the deep end. Of course, there was also a diving board to show off on.
It was common to leave home early on Saturday morning and drive to the Herrington Lake pool to spend the entire day with our friends. I remember one weekend when several cars filled with teenagers from Mt. Vernon traveled to Gwynn Island to swim away the afternoon. Included in the group were Buddy Cox, Penny Nunnelley, Howard Coffey, Gary Coffey, Bobby Sweeney, and several others that I do not recall by name.
One thing that I do remember is the trip home after the swimming party. All of the guys put their swimming trunks in the windows of their cars with the glass rolled up so the trunks would blow dry by the time we got back to Mt. Vernon. It was a sight to see several cars driving down US 150 with a variety of swimming trunks blowing in the wind.
By the time I was a junior in high school, the routine for spending time at Gwynn Island was on Sunday afternoons. Several of my friends and I “doubled dated” at the pool. After spending the afternoon swimming, we took our dates to one of the restaurants in Danville for a nice meal to cap off a great day at the lake.
Even after moving to Lexington to attend UK, I still traveled to Herrington Lake for recreational activities with my girlfriends. The atmosphere there was very satisfying, and everyone that ever went with me loved the area.
I haven’t visited the lake in years. I guess it is too much to hope that the same atmosphere exists, but I hope that it is just the same as it was in the ‘60’s. If not, then the memories become that much more valuable.

(You can reach me at mtnman@mis.net I appreciate your responses to my column. They provide ideas for future editions.)

Letters to the Editor

To the editor,
The Recycling Trailer has a new home. It now sits on the lot next to the Powell County Jail. There’s no excuse for not recycling now that you know where the trailer sits.
Anyone who knows me is well aware of my stand on recycling. I’m an avid recycler and I find it difficult to accept excuses for not recycling. I hear how much work it is to recycle and it takes too much time and effort and the cans and bottles will attract ants. Then there’s the really lame excuse of what real difference is my recycling going to make. I’ll comment on those excuses by telling you how I recycle. I hang grocery bags off my kitchen door handle. One for the pop cans, one for the plastic, one for pop tabs and when needed, I have one for glass jars. When a bag is full I tie it closed and put it in the back seat of my car. I shred all of my mail—no worries about identity theft and I protect my privacy. Shredded paper is recyclable, too. I fill bags and pop cartons with newspapers and magazines. I’m in Stanton two or three times a week so there’s no excuse not to stop at the recycling trailer and empty my back seat. I just bet a good percentage of Powell Countians are in Stanton at least once a week so they can remember to drop off their recycling. Give it a try! you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to recycle.
I lived 20 years in Orlando, Fla. where recycling is mandatory and there are thousands more cities and towns in the U.S. of A. where recycling is mandatory. There simply isn’t enough land to devote to landfills. All households, apartment and condos recycled and schools and businesses were encouraged to recycle, too. We can become a recycling county and lead the way in recycling for so many small towns in Kentucky. In all honesty, I feel good when I take my recycling to that trailer because I know I’ve done something good for my neighbors, the environment and my county. Recycling is the easiest and cheapest thing you can do for Powell County. So stop making excuses, make recycling mandatory at your house; then at your business; then at your church; then at the schools and government buildings. Set a good example for your children and grandchildren and show your respect for Powell County and Kentucky by recycling.
The following items are ACCEPTABLE for RECYCLING: all newspapers, inserts, magazines and cardboard, aluminum cans and green/brown/white glass bottles, plastic packaging, bubble wrap, protective wrap, plastic bottles and jugs. Please wash out milk jugs, pop cans, glass bottles and detergent bottles.
These items are NOT ACCEPTABLE for RECYCLING: food cans, grocery bags, waxy covered boxes (used for produce), styrofoam, aerosol, pain or oil cans, no window glass, ceramics, mirrors, light bulbs, hazardous materials and no household garbage. Large Kroger stores have a recycling center for their grocery bags. Please make recycling mandatory at your house!
Let’s talk adoption. . . Randall is doing a terrific job as dog warden and at keeping the pound and animals clean. But, he needs our help. He has such cute puppies, kittens and lovable older dogs, cats that need homes. Please check the pound first if you’re looking for a pet. (He can always use more dog and cat food and volunteers).
Let’s talk low-cost spaying and neutering. It will take place on Sept. 15 at Clay City Elementary School for both dogs and cats. For an appointment call Amy at 663-1631.
Joyce Walker, Clay City

To the editor,
Although possibly not much difference in county. Here in Powell it seems cancer is taking its toll.
I believe some could be prevented if people could afford and early screening was made. For over four decades it has been my belief that millions of dollars per year is being paid out for Medicaid that is not necessary. Wasted due to being free to recipient. Due to statements made. May be responsible for most street drugs while some homes remind of pharmacies. Medicaid provides the best can be offered for most recipients yet, others including those who have worked and presently work including people who purchase and pay high prices for insurance that have large co-payments and those who have Medicare, mostly elderly have to suffer and sometimes pay the ultimate, due to not being able to afford. Surely, with today’s technology, much of the abuse could be eliminated if desired. Workers, past and present deserve better treatment after-all, they are the ones who made possible.
There is also the food purchase allowance. Former food coupons. Is children, others going hungry due to mismanagement? Spending all first few days of receiving. Purchasing the costliest. If happening. Surely, there is a way to correct.
I have hear stated. We can give but cannot tell how to use. Both programs was designed to help needy. Is it not true that a law was signed into effect that dictates the sue of private property relating to nursing home care.
I have hear stated. If you have ever worked you hurt self, concerning health care. Seems to be true.
Odra Ledford, Stanton