A Commentary....

Livingston Elementary School Why should it be saved? By: Elizabeth Bos

By now, mosi of you arc aware thai Livingston Elementary School (LES) is in danger of being closed forever. You may also be aware that the battle lines have been drawn between the Rockcastle County Board of Educa-tion and residents of Rockcastle County (not just Livingston resi-dents?) in an effort to save the school. Meetings have been held, newspaper reports have been written, the televi-sion stations have picked up the story. . .but for many people, the reason for wanting to keep the school open still seem unclear. Why should LES. and other small schools across the coun-try, be allowed to stay open? To me, the answer is simple: preservation of precious community.

"Community" is not just a cluster of houses, or people who happen to sec eac h other at the Laundromat. 11 is not defined by city limits or voting districts. Community is people who share a set of common value, work-ing together for the good of the whole, not just looking out for one's personal interests. The Livingston community, like others in Rockcastle County, values its close-knit families, natural resources, and friendly relationships

and Uicy want to cducate tbeir chif-dren to have these same ideals. Deci-sions arc nqt based on greed, but the potential impact on the whole area. Similarly, because of closc, personal tics, the impact of individual deci-sions, whether right or wrong, arc felt throughout the community. A com-

just as well from a shell in a smftll-school classroom as in a large oncC Small community values arc not so flexible.

The present dilemma over the Livingston school is not unique to the southern end of Rockcastle County. Thousands of other communities, i

values are threatened. In Livingston, the Elementary

School is one of the last institutions which keeps arcaresidents connected. . .without it, we stand to lose our community identity. The argument is viewed as being too emotional and unrealistic; and people from Living-ston who want to maintain a sense of identity for their children have been accused of "standing in the way of progress" and "not giving their kids the best of opportunities."

The truth is, there is nothing more real in this big world than being edu-cated with a sense of identity and community history. A brand new desk in a large school is no guarantee of increased opportunity. Honest Suc-cess is not dependent on the size of your school.. .just ask most any LES alumni and look at LES's current test scores. Opportunities such as com-puters and new books can be used

Kentucky, have the same belief sys-tem, and the same desire to keep it intact to think that Livingston is fight-ing to keep its school for any other reason would be to deny that these values ever existed, or are in danger of being eliminated. Our local Board of Education and the statewide trend of closing small schools is just one example of this endangcrment. The same type of struggle could happen to Brodhead or Roundstonc, unless we all stand together and preserve what is precious to us.

The battle is not over! Although the teachers have been told to start "moving out," and although the local Board would have everyone believe that there is nothing that can be done to save the school, they are just plain wrong. Please join the Livingston community in preserving our com-munity and our school, and setting the precedent for small community issues in Rockcastle County.

Renfro in Country with the Pops When the Lexington Philharmonic

and Renfro Valley entertainers meet on the S ingletary Center concert stage on May 12 and 13, the union will be dynamic. This is the promise made by Dean L. Hcnricksen, Executive Vice President/CEO of Renfro Val-ley Entertainment Center and Lex-

time followers of the Lexington Phil-harmonic who have watched other pop offerings become Bluegrass tra-ditions: "Picnic with the Pops" and our most recent "Rock Around the Pops" at the Red Mile. So, if you love the Pops as it goes classical, rock or pop, youH love us when we go coun-

ington Philharmonic Music Director Dy! Well look for you when we begin and Conductor, George Zack.

"The program for Country with the Pops offers the best music to show-case the talents of the Philharmonic and of Renfro Valley entertainers," said Henrkksen. "These concerts will be a first for Lexington and will shine as examples of how country and symphony can "Meet in the Middle."

The program selections bear out Henricksen's enthusiasm. The Phil-harmonic will command the spot-light iii selections by composers Aaron Copland and Albert Coleman with special arrangements by Carle-ton Palmer. The orchestra's opening number is a special symphonic coun-try medley arranged by Jay Flippin.

Renfro Valley entertainers will showcase both vocal and instrumen-tal talents in the full spectrum of country music-traditional, contem-porary and Bluegrass. Master guitar-ist Glenn Thompson and left tiddler Bobby Slone will shine with full symphonic back-up as will clas: sically trained pianist Bill Morris. Renfro Valley vocalists Steve Gul-ley, Jeff Watson, Bonnie Runge and Dale Ann Bradley will debut in se-lections from country's contempo-rary side. Bluegrass recording artists The New Coon Creek Girls will be supported by the Philharmonic, as will Renfro Valley entertainer Donna Dailcy who will present a Patsy Cline medley.

"The Lexington Philharmonic has bccome a popular performing arts group precisely because we are de-voted to oqr audience's diversity," says Geoorge Zack. "Our job is not to change the public's taste in music, but to serve the public's taste with superb performances of all music. Our new-est offering. Country with the Pops. should come as no surprise to long-

Hunter Education Class

There will be a Hunter Education Class held at the Rockcastle County Extension office on Richmond Street, May 19,20, 21. The class is spon-sored by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rockcastle Sportsman's Club and the Rockcastle County 4-H. Thursday and< Friday classes will be 6 - 9 p.m. Saturday's range work will be 9 a.m. -12 pjn. Call 256-4150 or 256-5246 for more information.

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a new Bluegrass tradition on May 12 and 13."

"Country with the Pops" is spon-sored by Show Place Homes and will be presented on Thursday. May 12

and Friday, May 13 at the Singletary Center for the Arts on the University of Kentucky_campus. Both perform-ances begin at 8 p.m. Reservations are recommended and may be made through the Singjetary Box Office (606-257-4929) or the Renfro Valley ticket office (800-765-7464). Pro-ceeds from the concert benefit the Lexington Philharmonic.

Classified deadline is noon Tuesday

Meresav" ifont, from

ing a majority makes lor Irullt. Any one who disagrees with them is a hcrctick (King James spelling).

But take heart, dear heart. I do haw a good word for the fundamentalists. The more they control our schools, colleges, and seminaries, the closer will be the Second Coming. When the liberals were in charge, that wasn't possible. The Bible says the F.nd will come "when ye think not."

Until next week, dearly beloved, remember Rev. Elias P. Dembottom that mild and peerless pastor of the First Christian Church in Campbell. Tennessee -- and a partimc mortician -- who. after buying a used car. dis-covered he didn't have the vocabu-lary to drive it.

"Roamin" Rockcastle" (Cont. from A 2)

the toughest part. Then he was here this last few days

in September a short time before his 86th birthday when he. Clcve and I celebrated the last Payne Family Reunion and joked about our coming to Bluford's house for the next reun-ion.

Even as I laughed about it some-thing told me it would be the last one.

He and wife tiRira stayed two days with us. Then it was all over I said goodby as the rest did.

We talked on the telephone several limes after they went home.

Then the call came. His heart-had stopped beating. .

Bluford doesn't have to be lonely anymore. He is with dad, mother, George. Vergia, Stanley, Ruth, Angic, Howard, John and Edna who was the first to go.

Bluford was not a member of any church as I know but in the last few months of his life he professed a faith in the heavenly father.

I had been concerned about him and told a good family friend, and former pastor. Stephen Cole, about this and Brother Cole quoted these

i n k lathe inch mustard scfil. then all will be well."

Bluford A as buried on Saturday. May (i :il J p.m. The funeral ccrc-mcmy was given by Brother Bill Hammond from Ottawa.

1 cc and Kaye Abney from Galilee Baptist Church sang, as I had asked ihcm, two songs as part of the cere-mony. One called "In the Shelter of His Arms," and another one callcd "These Holy Hills'" which are twool my favorites.

Bodic Barneti came to the Bcrca hospital while I was a patient there and brought along a girl friend. Katharine Alexander.

Bodic told us a joke which made m'c laugh until my stomach was sore.

It seems a man from the country came to town and went into a restau-rant to cat.

After the meal, the waitress came around and said,"WcII, I see you haven't eaten all yourfood. Don't you like Jcllo!"

He said, "No, lady. I feel a little nervous today and I'm not going to cat anything more nervous than I am!"

In Kentucky Fried Chicken one night, we saw a nice, handsome look -ing fellow who came up to John and I and asked. "Aren't you the one who writes the Rockcastle News in the Signal!"

I turned from my chicken which I was about to make disappear.

"Yes, but who are you?" I'm the head flunky at the Taylor

Produce Company in Brodhead and I sure like your column. My name is Ricky Kirby. I'm Bin to a lot of people that you write about. You know Dewey Ballinger who was once a deputy then made Rockcastle Sher-iff. He was my uncle.

I'm also kin to Bronco and Edith McCracken Abney at Wildie. I've another aunt, Edith Hale, who mar-, ried Elmer Hale, at Roundstonc," he stopped for he was out of breath.

"Well, I sure like you for being a reader of mine!" I said.

We had been to see Elmer and Edith Hale that afternoon so he told

•'tay. May 12 1994 • P-A3 me a laic about Uncle Chalt Bullcn <.rbo was asked by someone how he felt if ho died and went to heaven.

Bullcn said, "Well, I'd rather wait and not go for awhile for I'm better acquainted down here!"

More on these folks nexi week. Have run out of space.

Hunks, Richard, for the welcome I « ; words in headlines.

car had been giving mc some .l.i.iculty so John took it out to Joe Anglin's Body Shop to have it checked.

Now. Joe advcrti/cs in the news-paper with a slogan that says,"Whcn you have been toall the rest, now you can come to the best"

After I camc home we went to a restaurant one night and saw Joe walking behind us.

"Oh, I'm glad to see you fori wanted to know about my car and how soon you'll he finished with it?" I said.

Joe had a straight face as he talked to me." Don't know just when we'll have it done.

We got it all broken down in picces but don't know how to put it back together again. I've been trying to get a fellow from Cincinnati to come down and do that for mc!"

My mouth fell open and I tell you I was sick until I saw Joe wink at John and I knew I "had been taken on a deal!"

Till next time. Faith is spelled R-I-S-K!

The latest man in my heart -- great grandson, Chase Cornett, who has absolute control over me.

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