the ballard county weekly

There was a lot to dis-cuss at this month’s Bar-low City Council meeting. A whole lot.

The meeting started with the reading of the minutes. After the minutes were approved, the fire de-partment reported it had received two calls for the month of October. Includ-ing one in which it was re-ported children playing on

their phones. Once the call was traced, the children were warned of the conse-quences. The second call was from Cut-Mart, which reported a gas leak.

According to reports, there will be a Christmas dinner for the firemen and their families on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., following the completion of the regular

RichaRd h. Blankenship

The Ballard Weekly

On Nov. 11, people all around the country cel-ebrated Veterans Day. In ways big and small, Amer-icans tried to show the gratitude it takes every day to express. Among some of the smaller celebrations, was a sincere gathering of veterans and compatriots at the Kentucky Veterans

and Patriots Museum in Wickliffe.

The guest speaker for the day was WWII and Korean War veteran Bill McGee. McGee joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 at the age of 17. During his time, he was responsible for tending to submarines and destroyers. His job consisted in part of keeping the vessels in good repair and well sup-plied. When his original

tour of duty was over, Mc-Gee joined the reserves as a second-class petty officer, where he stayed for two years until he was called up to serve with his fellow countrymen in Korea.

Aside from sharing some of his military track record with the audience, McGee also shared some of the events and honors which he received since his time in the service. Among

the honors received was a letter from the President of South Korea addressed to all Korean War veter-ans, which in part thanked them for all that they done. Another honor McGee re-called was not in the form of paper or metal, but in the form of a personal show of gratitude from a South Korean student attending college in America. Dur-


The Ballard Weekly

On Friday, Nov. 22, Sen. Mitch McConnell and his wife, Elaine Chao, stopped by the Kentucky Veteran and Patriots Museum in Wickliffe. The sen-ator and his wife stopped by to show their gratitude to the vet-erans and all they have done for the country.

McConnell and his wife also commended Sandy Hart and all that she has done at the mu-seum to keep the memories of the country’s defenders of free-dom alive. Before heading to Paducah to make other appear-ances, Sen. McConnell and his wife were able to hear the story of “The Cool Fool,” a museum favorite.

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RFL kick-off luncheon set

Parade, chili supper is Dec. 14

THE BALLARD WEEKLY

The Only NewspaperIn The World Published just for YOU. HELLO! to

our newest subscribers...Ky Great River Rd ... ClintonCindy Boulton ......La Center

THURSDAYNovember 28, 2013

Vol. 10, No. 41

WEEKLYBRIEFS

WEEKLY DEADLINE IS5 P.M. ON MONDAYS

P.O. Box 6 • 350 CourtWickliffe, KY 42087

(270) 335-3700E-Mail: [email protected]

Except for advertising, all articles, photos or information submit-ted on Monday will be published on a space available basis only.

Plans are underway for the 2014 Relay For Life of Ballard County event on Friday, June 13, from 6 p.m.-6 a.m., at BMHS.

A kickoff brunch is also planned Saturday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m.-noon at First Baptist Church in LaCenter to recognize 2014 Relay For Life teams and ac-complishments from the 2013 Relay For Life event that raised $61,040.48 to support the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.

The 2013 Christmas in Ballard County Pa-rade and Chili Supper will be held on Dec. 14 in LaCenter.

To enter a float in the parade please contact Anissa John-son at (270) 339-2368 or Lori Chadwick at (270) 564-6281.

The parade will line up at 5 p.m., and begin at 5:30 p.m. with Leon Story serving as Grand Marshall.

The chili supper will begin immedi-ately following the parade.

All proceeds from the chili supper and pictures will go to the Ballard Memorial Project Graduation. See BARLOW on Page 7

See VETS on Page 2

See KVPM on Page 2

Area vets honored at Nov. 11 event

Sen. McConnell, wife visit with area veterans

Clearwater Project nearing completion

Bill McGee ...... Korean War veteran

Sen. Mitch McConnell (second from left) visited with area veterans on Nov. 22 at the Kentucky Veterans & Patriots Museum. Show above are (from left to right) are Jim Vance, McConnell, Earl Gidcumb and ????

Sen. Mitch McConnell and his wife, Elaine Chao, stand on the KVPM stage with museum director Sandy Hart during last week’s visit.

The Ballard County Wheels and Wings bike ride committee held its first organizational meeting for next year’s event, setting the date for May 24, 2014. This will be the fourth an-nual event, with attendance growing every year.

“We started with 22 riders in 2011, and have grown to 75 last year,” said Ballard County Com-

‘Wheels and Wings’ ride set for May 24

See RIDE on Page 6

Fall fun ...A young boy plays ring toss during the Ballard County Fall Festival last week.

meeting. The maintenance department also reported the need for tires on a 1-ton truck and a tie rod fixed on the other. The motion to have both trucks repaired was approved.

City officials said the mowing of residents homes will be handled differently, and that the city will get a better grip on this issue af-

ter the first of the year.The water treatment

plant that had been struck by lightening is not 100, according to a council re-port. City employees are still waiting on estimates to have it up and fully op-erational.

On the Clearwater up-date, the project is 92 per-cent percent finished. The project is currently mov-ing along faster than an-

ticipated.The council also noted

that a sale of playground equipment, boat trailer, and extension ladder will be set at a later date.

In the hazardous build-ing and nuisance report, as of Jan. 1, 2014 the city will be going around look-ing for yards that need to be better maintained. All dogs, if kept outside, should be kept in a pen or

an electric fence. If you are walking your dog, they must be on a leash and have on a muzzle. Council members also noted that pet owners should look into pet insurance.

Also, the city has opted not to go with the state’s insurance. It is currently looking at four different companies due to none of the city employees being registered on insurance.

Also visiting the KVPM facility was John Salonim-er.

Salonimer was present to celebrate his 59th birth-day which, as fate would have it, falls on the same day as President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Only age nine at the time, Salonimer recalls shopping

with his mother for a birth-day present in Kresge’s in his hometown in Michigan when he heard the news. Not fully aware of it at the time, he would be sharing his special day with one of the darker days in Ameri-can history. Though Salo-nimer didn’t have much of a celebration that day, this birthday was hopefully enough to make up the dif-ference.

ing the WWII veteran’s trip to D.C., the student approached McGee and thanked him for all that he and his fellow veterans had done. Acts that had saved him and his family from communist rule and allowed him to come to America for a “prized edu-cation.”

After his speech, the group joined McGee and

Earl Gidcumb in a chorus of “Amazing Grace” and “America the Beautiful.” After this Bro. Richard Pigg lead all in attendance in a closing prayer dedi-cated to our troops and vet-erans.

Following the ceremo-ny, KVPM director Sandy Hart gave her thanks to all the veterans and everyone else who made it out. Hart was named the recipient of the 2013 Patriot Award.


The Ballard Weekly

The agenda for the Tuesday, Nov. 19, meet-ing of the Ballard Coun-ty Fiscal Court meeting was packed. To begin the meeting, the court was presented with the ambu-lance service report. For the previous month, the service made 95 calls, 56 of which were transports. Just recently, the service sent one truck to aid the citizens of Brookport. Due to the recent sequester, the

revenue has been compar-atively lower than usual. Between this, the service has received a resent cut in its reimbursement from Medicare. It has been some two years since the rates were reviewed so the court approved the presented re-quest that the service rates be raised.

In further ambulance service news, the court also approved the purchase of new equipment for the two front line trucks. The new equipment will be needed as the paramedics of the

service become qualified to perform critical care transports, which means a higher level of pre-hos-pital care for the county. The new equipment will be roughly $13,000 in price. The purchase will be largely offset by a reim-bursement from the annual Senate bill.

In the emergency man-agement report, the county has been cleared for the $5,000 Homeland Secu-rity grant they applied for. Funds from the grant pay for a new piece of

sonar equipment and four new protective suits. Ap-proved at the meeting was a request from the rescue squad to purchase hood-ies for their personnel that will help to identify them when on scene or during an event. The hoodies are to be acquired at a cost of $1,450. In light of the situ-ation in Brookport, EM is collecting items such as hygiene items, cleaning supplies, etc. that will go to the damaged communi-ty. Collection sites can be

EMS nears critical care qualification

The Ballard Weekly hasa new number!

CALL 270-335-3700

Kentucky Press Association

The Ballard County WeeklyProudly published every day except Monday, Tuesday,

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.The Ballard County Weekly (USPS 243-160) is a family-owned and operated newspaper published by Dale & Lisa Turner. The Ballard County Weekly is published weekly 50 times a year. The newspaper is not published the week of the 4th of July and the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Periodical postage is paid at LaCenter, KY. POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: The Ballard Weekly, P.O. Box 6, Wickliffe, KY 42087.

HOW TO CONTACT US:

Dale & Lisa TurnerOwners and Publishers

Tommy J. WellsManaging Editor

Richard H. BlankenshipReporter

Amanda BensonCirculation

By Snail Mail:The Ballard County Weekly

P.O. Box 6350 Court Street

Wickliffe, KY 42087

By Phone:Office:

(270) 335-3700FAX:

(270) 335-3701

By E-Mail:[email protected]

Website:www.ballardweekly.com

HOME COOKINg!Steaks • Seafood

464 Hwy. 51 North, Bardwell, Ky 42023(270) 628-3351

This column proudly sponsored by:

By Kay PressonThis is considered to be

the holiday season, for two very important occasions will soon be here. Thanks-giving is Thursday, No-vember 28, and Christmas is Wednesday, December 25. Families will meet, enjoy dining and review memories.

Friday, I attended the wonderful ceremony at Kentucky Veteran and Pa-triot Museum in Wickliffe. Like everyone who was in attendance, I thought back to that sad day in Novem-ber, when President Ken-nedy was assassinated. Mitch McConnell and his wife, Elaine, were gracious in their attendance.

Years ago, as editor/publisher of Carlisle Week-ly, I interviewed Mitch many times in his visits. He was always polite and considerate. One of the at-tached photos is of Mitch McConnell, Ed Whitfield and Connie Whitfield at

the Fancy Farm Picnic...I think in 1997. The other photo is one I took at the event Saturday.

Throughout my life, there have been so many people who have encour-aged me, and Mitch Mc-Connell is among those folks. When he and his wife came through the door of Kentucky Veteran and Patriot Museum, I greeted them and asked her

if I could give Mitch a hug. Graciously, she smiled and said, “yes, and I will hug you also.”

So, thanks to everyone who participated in this wonderful, yet sad event...the 50th anniversary of our President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. God bless you, and God bless America.

KVPM ceremony was truly great

THE BALLARD COUNTY WEEKLYPAgE 2 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013

KVPMContinued from Page 1

Sen. Mitch McConnell, Ed Whitfield and Connie Whit-field at the Fancy Farm picnic in 1997.

Sen. Mitch McConnell and his wife, Elaine Chao, talk with KVPM’s Sandy Hart.

Thanks for the service ...Masonic Lodge had its veterans breakfast on Nov 16. Wickliffe singer Amanda Benson sang and the flag video was played. Also, Sandy Hart spoke to veterans.

BARLOWContinued from Page 1

VETSContinued from Page 1

John Salonimer celebrated his 59th birthday at the KVPM ceremony last week. Salonimer was nine years old when JFK was assassinated.

See FISCAL on Page 7

Holiday tour of homes to start Dec. 1

The annual Christmas in Ballard Holiday Tour of Homes will be held on, Dec. 1, from 2-4 p.m.

Tickets for the tour are $5 and are available at Ballard County Extension Office or at each home day of event.

The tour is sponsored by the Ballard County Exten-sion Homemakers Associa-tion.

BandanaBANDANA

BAPTIST CHURCH157 Allen Street, Bandana

BANDANA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

11524 Oscar Road, Bandana

LITTLE UNIONBAPTIST CHURCH

5601 Bandana Rd., Bandana

BarlowANTIOCH

BAPTIST CHURCH315 Antioch Church Rd, Barlow

BARLOWBAPTIST CHURCH135 N. 6th Street, Barlow

BARLOW UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

198 So. 5th Street, Barlow

FIRSTGENERAL BAPTIST

255 S. 4th, Barlow

OHIO VALLEYBAPTIST CHURCH

538 Hazelwood Rd., Barlow

HinklevillePLEASANT HILL UNITED

METHODIST CHURCH1718 Credo Rd., Hinkleville

KevilBETHEL

CHRISTIAN CHURCH12245 Woodville Rd., Kevil

HEATH CHURCH OF CHRIST10025 LaCenter Rd., Kevil

KEVIL UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

1072 N. 1st Street, Kevil

NEW LIBERTYMETHODIST CHURCH

Kevil

PROVIDENCEBAPTIST CHURCH

4409 Monkey Eyebrow Rd., Kevil

SPRING BAYOUBAPTIST CHURCH

4575 Old Hobbs Rd., Kevil

GRACE VALLEYBAPTIST CHURCH403 Kentucky Ave., Kevil

KEVIL FIRSTBAPTIST CHURCH986 N. 1st Street, Kevil

NEWTON CREEKBAPTIST CHURCH

12800 Ogden Landing Rd., Kevil

LaCenterFIRST BAPTIST

CHURCH OF La CENTER421 Broadway, LaCenter

GRACE UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH3752 Paducah Rd., LaCenter

HOUSE OF PRAYERPaducah Road, La Center

LaCENTER CHRISTIANCHURCH

414 Walnut Street, LaCenter

MT. PLEASANTBAPTIST CHURCH

576 Mt. Pleasant Rd., LaCenter

NEW HOPEBAPTIST CHURCH

901 Monkey Eyebrow Rd.,LaCenter

OSCARBAPTIST CHURCH

7820 Oscar Rd., LaCenter

RESURRECTIONFELLOWSHIP CHURCH

6914 La Center Rd., LaCenter

ST. MARY’SCATHOLIC CHURCH624 Broadway, LaCenter

LovelacevilleLOVELACEVILLE MISSIONARY

BAPTIST CHURCH253 N. Broadway, Lovelaceville

WickliffeBETHEHEM

BAPTIST CHURCH2346 Bethlehem Church Rd.,

Wickliffe

BLANDVILLEBAPTIST CHURCH

5576 Bethlehem Church Rd.Wickliffe

CALVARY CHRISTIANFELLOWSHIP CHURCH

54 Linda Circle, Wickliffe

FAITHBAPTIST CHURCH

585 Barlow Rd., Wickliffe

FIRSTCHRISTIAN CHURCH326 N. 4th Street, Wickliffe

FULL GOSPELTEMPLE CHURCH754 Court St., Wickliffe

NEW LIBERTYGENERAL BAPTIST4214 Gum Corner Rd.,

Wickliffe

VICTORYBAPTIST CHURCH

2456 Mayfield Rd., Wickliffe

West PaducahHARMONY

BAPTIST CHURCH9215 Ogden Landing Rd.

West Paducah

Church Directory

The following businesses and individuals encourage you to attend the church or your choice. To be a sponsor of the

Church Page please contact Lisa at (270) 335-3700.

THE BALLARD COUNTY WEEKLY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 PAgE 3

Obituaries

LaCENTER - Jack Lambert Weir, age 74, died at Methodist North Hospi-tal in Memphis on Mon-day, Nov. 18, 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Weir; three sons, Greg Weir, Rick Weir (Terri), Tony Weir; one daughter, Betty Daugherty (Mike); two brothers, Dr. Bill Weir and Ticker Wil-son (Teresa); two sisters, Nancy Bass and Patty Tan-ner. Eight grandchildren, Alison, Alison, Breelyn, Adam, Amanda, Mason, Alicia and Bryce; and five great-grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his first wife of 30 years, Alice Ann (Coo-per) Weir; one brother, Eric (Moose) Weir, and his father, Dr. Ruby Ashby Weir and his mother, Mrs. Louise Wilson.

Memorial services were held Saturday at 4 p.m. at Morrow Funeral Cha-pel in LaCenter, Ky. with Bob Morrow officiating. Interment followed at St. Marys Catholic Church Cemetery.

Visitation began after 3 p.m. on Saturday.

LaCENTER - Betty Jacqueline Pippel, age 80, died Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 at 4 a.m. at Life Care Cen-ter in LaCenter.

She was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved to California in the 1950’s where she was a pioneer with the Pacific Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator and later was promoted to management. In 1981, she moved to LaCenter to care for her mother, Euple Guy. She was a writer for the Advance Yeoman for 12 years. She wrote the LaCenter News.

Jacque was a member of LaCenter Christian Church and was a Kentucky Colo-nel.

Jacqueline is survived by one son, Bruce Wayne Owens of Santa Cruz, Cal-ifornia; two half brothers, Rocky Rhodes of Mor-ganville, New Jersey, and Mark Rhodes of Toms River,

New Jersey, and several cousins.

She was preceded in

death her father, Elmo Rhodes, and her mother, Euple Guy.

Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 25, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Morrow Fu-neral Chapel in LaCenter, Ky.with the Rev. Patrick Reynolds officiating. Inter-ment followed at LaCenter Cemetery.

Visitation was at 11 a.m. Monday at Morrow Funeral Chapel in LaCen-ter, Ky.

Memorial Contributions could be sent to St. Mary’s Food Pantry, P.O. Box 570, LaCenter, Ky.

BARDWELL - Ellen Converse, age 67, passed away at 2:30 p.m. on Sat-urday, Nov. 23, in the Countryside Rehab Cen-ter of Bardwell. She was born on Sept. 23, 1946 in Cairo, IL. to parents, Hen-ry Thomas Converse and Betty Rue Lee Converse. She was a former resident of Madisonville, Hen-derson and Paducah, KY. Miss Converse was of the Methodist faith.

Miss Converse is sur-vived by her mother, Betty Rue Lee Converse; one brother, Tom Converse and wife Myra of Colum-bus, GA; and one niece, and Emma Converse of Columbus, GA.

She was preceded in

death by her father, Henry Thomas Converse Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Tues-day, Nov. 26, 2013 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Bardwell with Rev. David Fullen offici-ating. Burial followed in the Roselawn Cemetery of Bardwell. Friends could call after 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Bardwell.

You may leave a mes-sage of sympathy or light a candle at www.milneran-dorr.com

Jack Lambert Weir

Betty Jacqueline Pippel

Ellen Converse

Betty Jacqueline Pippel

Woodmen of the World will donate $5,000 to the Southern Illinois Com-munity Foundation (SICF) to benefit the Brookport-Unionville Disaster Relief Fund.

The public is invited to a formal presentation of the funds on December 2, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Brookport city hall, located at 209 Ohio Street. Community mem-bers and SICF board mem-bers will accept the dona-tion from Woodmen of the World representatives.

Greg Robertson, state manager, said many Wood-men of the World members and members’ families live in and near the communities affected by the tornadoes.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are recovering from the tornadoes, especially those who lost friends and fam-

ily,” said Robertson. “We hope these funds will help the people of Massac Coun-ty rebuild.”

SICF is a 501c(3) non-profit community founda-tion serving Southern Illi-nois. Funds marked for the “Brookport-Unionville Di-saster Relief Fund” will be used to provide assistance to those affected by the torna-do in Brookport, Unionville and surrounding areas. Tax deductible donations con-tinue to be accepted at local banks and online at www.sicf.org.

Woodmen of the World members affected by the tor-nadoes may be eligible for the Woodmen Natural Di-saster Benefit to help cover costs arising from property damage. To find out how to apply for the benefit, call the state office at 270-753-4382.

Woodmen of the World was founded in 1890 as a not-for-profit. We give back to our member-customers and the communities we live in. Today, Woodmen of the World offers insurance, annuities, mutual funds,* and 529 College Savings

Plans.* More than 700,000 Woodmen of the World member-customers across the country share a commit-ment to family, community and country. To learn more about Woodmen of the World, visit woodmen.org.

Woodmen reach out to help Massac Co.

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, Ballard County Pre-school held this year’s Scholastic Book Fair and Family Picture Night.

At the event, each preschooler who was accompanied by a par-ent or guardian received a free book. Additional-ly, each attending fam-ily receives a free 4x6

family picture made that evening.

Attending the event were representatives from Mid-Continent University, Kynect, and the Ballard County Extension office. Pro-viding the food for the evening’s affairs was Panera Bread, Red’s, Chick-fil-A, and Mu-nals.

Family night gala held at Ballard Preschool Book Fair

Local banker elected chair of Ag Banking Committee

Kreg Denton, the se-nior vice president at First Community Bank of West-ern KY, has been elected chairman of the Ameri-can Bankers Association’s Agriculture and Rural Bankers Committee for the 2013-2014 association year.

The committee is made up of 11 agricultural and rural bankers from around the country, Committee members volunteer their time to provide guidance and recommendations to ABA. The committee meets three times per year.

“It’s an honor to be chair of this national committee in order to work with other ag bankers to educate and motivate industry leaders about the challenges and opportunities in rural com-munities,’ said Denton.

Denton has 24 years of agricultural banking expe-

rience and is responsible for managing a thirty-two million dollar agricultural loan portfolio.

Kreg Denton ...... chair of ABA committee

PLEASANT HILLUNITED METHODIST CHURCH1718 Ceredo Road, Hinkleville Community

LaCenter, KYATTENTION:

CHURCH NEWS2013 HOLIDAY BAZAAR

SATURDAY, NOV. 309 a.m. - 2 p.m.

VENDORS/CRAFTS/BAKED ITEMSLUNCH/CHILI/SOUP/BEANS/DESSERTS

Recent findings show small children remember more at a younger age than first thought. I believe it. Shortly after I married Ray, he told me about sitting on his Uncle Billy Wayne’s lap before he went over-seas during WWII. He whispered in Ray’s ear that he may not make it back. I have talked to other family members through the years & no one else had that connection but I believe Ray’s memory because Billy Wayne Chapman never made it home. His ‘grave’ is at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in a sub-marine known as the USS Scamp. I don’t think Un-cle Bill meant to burden a small child. I truly believe he thought it was safe to whisper his fears in the ear of a small nephew’s ear,

that he didn’t understand, wouldn’t remember.

Ray has always remem-bered & passed the story onto me & our children. People mistakenly believe brave men have no fear of anything. This is not true. Brave men know their fears but they also know what is right. They over-come their fears & per-form unbelievable tasks for the sake of others.

Sometimes they don’t sur-vive but heroic acts should never be forgotten! Billy Wayne Chapman never had a chance to marry, have children or grow old with ones he loved. Ray’s memories have become our memories & I have the privilege of passing it on at the Kentucky Veteran

& Patriot Museum. When you visit, search for him on the wall along with all the others who will never be forgotten.

I thank God for these memories passed on to me & giving me the honor of telling their stories of what they did for our Country, what they did for all of us. Actions performed before we were ever born have shaped out freedom today. Let’s not lose what they fought so hard to give us! Think about them & their museum by giving a dona-tion to KVPM to keep it going for them.

IN ORDER TOHAVE HEROESTOMORROW

WE MUST HONOR THE HEROES OF

YESTERDAY& TODAY!

Thanksgiving has al-ways been my favorite holiday. It’s that time of year when families get together to have a meal, play games, watch foot-ball and shoot ducks! For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving Day always brought with it the open-ing day of the early duck season. For four days we get to scratch that itchy trigger finger that has been waiting to blast something from the sky since Sep-tember’s dove season.

I still remember my first Thanksgiving duck hunt. I was only nine years old. My dad, Wayne Batts, had to carry me on his back to the duck blind because the water was so deep. I killed my first duck that day; even though I’m pretty sure it was a crippled duck that had been shot down, I had the task of putting it out of its misery. But I’m counting it!

After the hunt always

came the part of Thanks-giving that I enjoyed most. That’s when we got to go to my grandmother, Doro-thy Batts’ house; we all affectionately knew her as Big Mama. It was so fun playing with all my cousins and telling tales of the day’s hunt. Eating that amazing food was a true highlight. These are mem-ories I will never forget.

As for this year, the duck hunting looks to be on the rise with numbers increasing in the Missis-sippi Flyway. This year’s estimate of almost 1.6 mil-lion breeding ducks was similar to last year’s es-timate and the long-term average. Populations of all common duck spe-cies were statistically un-changed in 2013—except for Green-Winged Teal and Scaup, which decreased, and American Widgeon, which increased—relative to last year’s estimates. DU Canada Conserva-

tion Programs Specialist, David McLachlin, reports that 2013 appears to have been another good year for waterfowl production in Ontario. “Very wet condi-tions have continued this spring and summer across much of the province. Mallard breeding chronol-ogy appears to be normal, with a protracted breeding effort reported in a number of locations. Overall, duck production is expected to be above average in On-tario this year,” McLachlin says. This is good news for us, providing they get some bad weather up north as expected.

The Thanksgiving of my first duck hunt, in 1978, I hunted with a Winchester 20 gauge single shot. Shotguns have changed a lot since then. I asked Benji Stringer, owner of Dunn’s Outdoors in Pad-ucah what he thought were the 5 best waterfowl shot-guns for 2013. Benji says, “The Beretta A400 would be my choice with the best recoil system there is on the market. We all like to shoot a lot, and young or old the Beretta A400 not only has NO recoil but

cycles shells faster than any gun on the market.” Benji adds’ “ My next four favorite waterfowl shot-guns would be the Brown-ing A5 3 ½inch, Browning Maxus , Winchester Super X 3, and the Escort made by Legacy, which is the most economical of all of these.” These great shot-guns today certainly out match my old Winchester 20 gauge single shot, but I assure you I shot three times at every single flock that came in. The adults got to shoot three times with their fancy pumps and semi-autos so why couldn’t I?

Always remember, Thanksgiving is about be-ing thankful. We have so many blessings today to be thankful for; A God who loves us, our fami-lies, our 2nd Amendment rights and our health. In light of the recent torna-dos that devastated Brook-port, IL and other parts of our region, some aren’t as fortunate. So when you sit down to eat on Thanksgiv-ing Day and you ask the Lord to bless the food, also ask Him to bless those who lost homes and fam-ily members. Thank Him for your family and tell them how much they mean to you. Also remember to thank Him for waterfowl. Duck hunting on Thanks-giving Day is a Ballard County tradition. And that’s the way we like it. If you have any questions or comments you can reach Tim Batts at [email protected]


Opinion

Tim’sOutdoor Talk

ByTim Batts

Letters to the Editor PolicyThe Ballard Weekly welcomes letters from readers. To be con-

sidered for publication, letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and a daytime telephone number so we can verify that you wrote the letter. Letters that cannot be verified will not be published.

The editor reserves the right to edit or reject any letter. Short, concise letters are encouraged and, in most cases, a maximum of 300 words is requested.

Photocopies, reprints from other publications, letters to third par-ties, personal attacks, and thank you letters listing businesses will not be published. The number of political endorsements for any political candidate will be limited, if needed.

Letters from out-of-area contributors will be printed only if they relate to local issues.

While we do not limit the number of letters to the editor, repeat contributions from the same person will be printed at the editor’s discretion. Letters from the same person regarding the same topics are discouraged.

Sandy HartKVPM

Director

Last memory of Billy Wayne Chapman

A little about family, food and fowl

Making no time for bullying problem at schools

I was an excellent speller, in my opinion, and I had a lot of pride on having a legible signature and correctly spelling and proof reading what I wrote. In the last few years and the advent of the computer and “spell check”, it has become obvious that my spelling and grammar probably weren’t as good as I believed. Recently, the “spell check” and I have been fighting over the word riverport! While the formal documents for the Wickliffe-Ballard County Riverport Authority obviously conflicts with the “spell check’s” effort to change riverport to river port, I insist on stay-ing with the legal name on the legal document! The spell check also wants to contest every name, but I’m finding that in my haste to write a fifteen minute article, that takes five minutes to read, I’m missing three or four correct spellings. Communication is a lost art and the texting process will soon destroy the understanding taught by the old (40 years of teaching) female perfectionists that taught at BMHS in the 1950’s through the 1970’s. All of them were women and older than your grandmother and still teaching! Most had little use for joyful expres-sions, unless they came out of literary novels or poems. And most would not have put up with much mischief at school. But having a “spell check” on your computer makes a good speller.

Now everyone wants to make everyone comfortable and happy, and most teachers want to be popular. My high school teachers of didn’t give a hoot about anything but requir-ing some effort on my part. The last thing you wanted was to draw attention to yourself! An underachieving student that was exposed to this bunch of “old school” teachers, with forty years of experience under their gray hair, could go into the real world having a chance to be successful! Most of my tradesmen school-mates had a good taste of math and reading skills necessary to be dependable and edu-cated in their trade. The focus has shifted from the scowling and demanding “old biddies” and disciplinary teachers to teacher “cheer leaders”, that can motivate little Johnny by the sheer power of optimism. Most of these “cheer lead-ers” wind-up in management, by being sexy and getting the notice of the administrators but they will always tell you sweetly that “they miss the classroom”! If they had spent another day in the classroom, they would have been selling insurance the next year! Mrs. Littlepage, Ms. McElya, and Mrs. Page, and Mrs. McAllister and Mrs. Travis, Williams and Williamson would not be about this foolishness of finding a Fed-eral solution

Corporations really don’t want you to have an opinion or “think outside the box”! In Japan, they discard the ones that don’t excel before high school or college. When some discipline and responsibility is accepted, and this socialist state is too poor to provide for everyone, then parents will understand why some discipline and tough love would be better than immature children running the household and school. Why are our schools not protected with metal detectors? Why are bully’s still tolerated! Why is there never enough money for the schools and Federal Education? Let’s leave the nap times in Kindergarten and force feed our kids with their interest, vocation training, that is flex-ible and job specified. College is not the big answer! Having a great high school or voca-tional training is the foundation for specializa-tion, the 21st Century key to success! College is no longer the option for more than 40-50% of the graduates from high school. If you don’t believe me, find the nearest restaurant and ask your waiter, what their degree from college is. Why do students have time in school to bully? Why is there any free social time in school versus being in the attention of the teacher or school programs? All year school is a cop-out for cheap babysitting! If high schools had an intense and busy learning schedule and the slow learners were given attention on an in-tense scale, there wouldn’t be time for bullying.

Billy Wayne Chapman

City of WickliffeBy Lynn Hopkins, Mayor

Column is sponsored by City Of Wickliffe(270) 335-3557

Have you ever felt down, so down that it hurts so bad you can hardly see the rainbow for the dark clouds? Well, I who have felt so thankfull from the very core of my heart hit a very unexpected blow last week. Here goes my faith? What I have felt has been a very hard step back for me.

I have been having se-vere trouble with authritus in my right knee for some time. At times it was al-most impossible to keep going. I had faith that

I could make it through the winter. Now, here I am at least two weeks off work, looking at surgary right away if the brace and injection don’t help me this time. You talk about a blow!

At first I cried, felt sorry and very helpless by myself. This is my big first trouble since Bobby has been gone. The one who

held my hand through all my sickness, troubles and trials was not here for this one.

While I was having this feeling from somewhere only faith can bring. I be-gan to feel hope, peace, strength for what is ahead for me. Strength for one day at a time. I said , Thank you God!

Hope you have the best Thanksgiving ever! We will always have some-thing to be thankful for, no matter what comes our way it could be worse.

Kay’sCorner

ByKay Jones

Hang on, faith will see you through all

THE BALLARD COUNTY WEEKLYTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 PAgE 5

Sports

Ballard spikers honored at volleyball banquet

BMCS hoopsaction ...

The Ballard County Middle

School boys’ basketball team

played Lone Oak last week.

The BCMS girls played CCA.

Members of the Ballard Middle School cheerleading squad perform at the basketball games last week.

Advertise in theBallard County Weekly

TODAY

The Ballard Memorial High School and Ballard County Middle School volleyball teams capped their 2013 seasons last weekend by holding their annual volleyball banquet last night. Approximately 120 players, parents and fans attended the gala.

At the banquet, the members of the middle school and high school were recognized. Also, several key awards were

presented to athletes.Among the middle

school athletes honored at the event were Jordan Wood, Karley Poloski, Jenna Thomas, Charley Steinbrink and Madison Williams.

Wood was named the BCMS’ Most Improved player for the 2013 sea-son. Poloski was selected by the BCMS coaching staff as the C Team MVP

Thomas was named the

B Team Best Offensive Player, while Williams was selected the B Team Best Defensive Player. Steinbrink was named the A Team MVP.

During the high school awards portion, McKin-sey Laster walked away with one of the night’s top awards. She received the Most Improved Freshman honors. Teammate Lind-sey Miller was tabbed the 2013 Freshman MVP.

Madison Trusha was chosen the JV Best Serv-er, while Jillian Babb was selected the JV MVP.

Kaylee Stover earned the varsity Lady Bomb-ers’ Most Improved award, while Bekah Ho-gancamp was tabbed the Best Server. Taylor Fos-ter won the X-Factor, while Jade Tilford and Elizabeth Goodin won the Lady Bombers’ MVP ac-colades.

Members of the BCMS volleyball team were honored at the Lady Bombers’ volleyball banquet last week.

Members of the BMHS volleyball team were honored at the Lady Bombers’ volleyball banquet last week.

Cathy’s Cottage Flowers & Gifts would like to invite you to their

Christmas Open HouseFriday, Dec. 6th10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Refreshments will be served and there will be drawings for door

prizes plus20% off all Christmas

Decorations cash and carry.Look forward to seeing you there.

338 Court St. • Wickliffe, Ky

munity Education Director Julie A. Thomas. “We’ve changed the date several times, but got such a good response last year that we’ve decided the Saturday of Me-morial Day weekend will be the ride’s ‘home.’”

The “Wheels and Wings”

name is a nod to the coun-ty’s waterfowl and wildlife heritage. A duck’s head is incorporated in the logo, and organizers are making buffalo-style wings a sig-nature item for the post-ride fuel-up. Routes include a 15-, 30- and 60-mile trek, and riders tour nearly all of the county.

Organizers had planned a

century, or 100-mile, route last year, but have decided it is too early in the riding sea-son to continue. In addition to the start/finish stop at Bal-lard County Preschool, there are five additional rest stops planned along the routes for 2014: Lovelaceville, Oscar, Wickliffe, Monkey’s Eye-brow and Barlow.

The committee is expect-

ing over 100 riders this year, and is seeking the commu-nity’s help to stock and staff the rest stops

The committee will of-fer a $150 cash prize to the group that hosts the best rest stop, including decorations, entertainment and extra food items.

“Because of cyclists’ nu-tritional needs, especially on the longer rides, the committee will help these groups get ready. To qualify for the prize competition, they’ll need to send at least one person the day before the race to help us prepare the snacks we’ll all serve,” Thomas said. The commit-tee will provide all neces-sary food (sandwich mak-ings, fruit, hydration); rest stop volunteers will come to Ballard Memorial High School to help with prep, and then will be able to take the food back with them to serve the next day.

To volunteer for this first-time opportunity, interested groups are asked to contact Thomas at 665-8400, ext. 2011, or email [email protected].


School

By Elizabeth goodinIf you’ve ever seen se-

nior Shelbi Wiggins walk-ing in the hallway, you’ve probably noticed that she is always smiling, one thing that she wants to be remembered by. Her unique laugh makes her turn red in the face and her dedication to BMHS is remarkable. At first impression, Shelby seems quiet, but that is just a fa-çade – she is really one of the nicest, most outgo-ing people you will ever meet.

Currently residing in Kevil with her parents Carol and Tony Wiggins, Shelbi regularly attends Heath Church of Christ. During her high school career, Shelbi has been in FBLA for four years, in which she has been chap-ter secretary, vice presi-dent, and currently serves as president. Shelbi has also been FBLA Region 1 Treasurer for two years, while also being involved in Beta for three years,

where she is currently trea-surer; FCA for three years; HOSA for two years; and FFA for one year. Outside of school, Shelbi likes to drag race. She hopes to leave all the drama behind at BMHS and her favorite thing about school is the teachers. Shelbi hopes to one day become a Para-legal or a middle school math teacher after she continues her education at WKCTC.

FAVORITESClass: Office AideTeacher: Mrs. AllenMovie: “Right on Track”Band: Florida Georgia LineTV Show: “Pass Time”Food: Chicken Strips

BALLARD MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Senior Spotlight

Students’ take on trending topics

BOMBER BEAT

By Jessica JonesBefore describing the

lifIf there is a joke to be played in the halls of Bal-lard Memorial, senior Lau-ren Graves will be nearby. This fun-loving and light-hearted girl can always be counted on to get teachers off subject to get out of doing work. Distinguished by her laugh, Lauren can be found down in the vo-cational school where she takes a number of health classes and her passion for the medical field shows in her accomplishments. She passed her CNA test and won first place at HOSA State for Dental Science. As the Historian of HOSA and Secretary for BETA, Lauren has a busy sched-ule. She has also been in choir for 2 years.

Lauren also works at the Great American Cookie Company, where she truly gives service with a smile. In the spare time she does have, Lauren loves to go bow fishing and spend time with her sisters Mor-

gan and Emma. With a re-sume like this, how could her parents Michael and Kristi Graves not be proud of her?

Planning to go to WKCTC and becoming a dental hygienist, Lauren hopes to leave behind all of the drama and all the bad drivers at BMHS. So if you’re ever in the mall .

FAVORITESClass: MNA/ANATeacher: Mrs. Jewell Musician: Eric Church or Ja-son AldeanSong: “Wheels Rollin’”TV Show: “Ridiculous”Food: TacosSchool Food: Hot Wings

By Micah MedlinWaking up out of your

soft bed, taking a shower, and going to school is of-

ten something students complain about. Yet some-times we forget how fortu-nate we really are. Fresh water is something we use every day, and often take for granted. We frequently forget that some kids in other parts of the world don’t have a safe place to sleep at night, much less a place to go to school. This Thanksgiving, just remem-ber to be thankful for the

little things too. The car you go shopping in, the couch you take a nap on and the clean plates you eat off of. These things may not seem much to us, but to others, it would change the reality of their world. As you are enjoying the holi-days with your families, just try to think of things you aren’t often thankful for. After all, it’s the small things that count too.

Lauren Graves

Lauren Graves

Shelbi Wiggins

Things we forget to be thankful for

Shelbi Wiggins

Stop by Ballard CountyCo-op on Hwy. 60 in

La Center, Ky. to purchase your fall displays. Items for

sale include Mums,Pumpkins,

Corn Stalks and Straw.

BALLARDCOUNTY CO-OP

475 West Kentucky Drive • LaCenter

270-665-5101

BMHS Students of the Week ...Each week at Ballard County Middle School, three students (one from each grade) will be selected and named Students of the Week. Students are nominated by teachers for outstanding behavior or performance. Shown from left are BCMS Students of the Week for Nov. 18: sixth-grader Alex Overby, seventh-grader Charida Robin-son and eighth-grader Brian Harvell. Selectors said Overby shines in class participation, is helpful and kind; Robinson is works hard, always has her homework and has an outgoing personality; and Harvell is always on task, completes his work on time and is pleas-ant to be around.

30% off all Fall ItemsCash & Carry for the month of November.

Cathy’s Cottage Flowers & Gifts338 Court Street

Wickliffe, Ky270-335-5500

Board honors band ...Representatives from the Ballard Memorial Band of Pride were recognized for their 13th-place finish at state competition this year at the Ballard County Board of Education’s Nov. 11 meeting. Shown from left are (back row) Board Chair Haskell Sheeks, with students Michael Waldon, Johna-than Thompson, Tyler Pill, Anthony Byerley, Cheyenne Grey, Justin Debaun, Cody Howard, Amelia Chenier, (front row) Cassandra Pill, Mason Purcell, Molly Stokes, Abbi Nalley, Naoma Curtis, Josh Byerley, Mason Lefevre and Janie Curtis

Magnolia Manor 2700 Washington Avenue Cairo Illinois 62914

Hol iday Hous e AT

Magnolia Manor

November 29th – December 8th

1 pm - 4 pm

Luncheons December 2nd - 7th

Reservations Only Call (618)734-0201

Visit this historic 141 year old Italianate

Mansion decorated in its Christmas finery.

RIDEContinued from Page 1

THE BALLARD COUNTY WEEKLYTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 PAGE 7

FOR SALEChristmas Tree For Sale - Still in box. Never opened, paid $149 asking $75. Bought 1 tree too many. 7 ft color lights. Call 270-445-1223.

(tfn)

Want to E-mail aClassified or Display

Ad toThe Ballard

County Weekly?Send your ads to

[email protected]

The Ballard County Weekly Classifieds

• NOTICE • NOTICE

VOLUNTEERSNEEDED!

If you would like to be a trained and vital asset to your local area, the Wick-liffe Rural Fire Department would like you as a volun-teer firefighter. Call (270) 562-2724 for more info.

FOR SALEDrinks and snacks vending machine. $1,200.00. Has change machine on side. Call 270-748-5602.

• VOLUNTEERS

• FOR SALE

• FOR SALE

NOTICEAll new subscribers to The Ballard County Weekly from now until December, will automatically be en-

CLASSIFIED • LINE AD • INSERTION ORDER

Name: __________________________________________________________Address: ________________________________________________________City: _______________________ State: _________________ Zip: _________Daytime Phone: ________________________ Category: _________________Date of first run: _____________________ Number of runs: ______________Total Number of words: ________________ Amount enclosed: ____________

Deadlines are 10 a.m. on Monday prior to the date of publication.Payment must accompany the ad form.

Mail this form along with your check toThe Ballard Weekly, P.O. Box 6, Wickliffe, KY 42087

SUBSCRIBE TODAYThe Ballard County Weekly - Your Locally-Owned Newspaper

THEBALLARD WEEKLY

Business Card Directory

gBIgRAVES BROTHERS, INC

PLUMBING, HEATING& AIR CONDITIONING

La Center, Ky. (270) 665-5525

Kentucky Veteran& Patriot Museum

Hours of Operation:Thurs.-Sat., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

(Except 2nd Thursday - 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)or by appointment

Sandy Hart 335-3128 or 210-2452Earl Gudcumb 335-3177 or 519-4160

Jim Vance 444-6236 or 556-7487

Pamela E. Sloan

ADVERTISE YOURBUSINESS IN THE BUSINESS

CARD DIRECTORY.FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONTACT LISA AT THEBALLARD COUNTY WEEKLY

BUSINESS SERVICEDIRECTORY

CLASSUNDER GLA$$ AU-

TOBODY

500 Hwy 51 N(270) 562-3103

DC Vinyl Graphics and

Window TintingOwner:

Dustin Chandler270-665-9176 or

270-564-1623

tered into a drawing for a $50 gas card at the news-paper’s December open house.

found at the Dollar General in La Center, Wickliffe, or Kevil, at the Family Dollar in La Center, Gregg’s Mar-ket in La Center, Town & Country in Wickliffe, the Ballard County Weekly of-fice, or at the Food World on old HWY 60.

The county jail current-ly has 50 inmates; half of them are county inmates and the other half state inmates. At the current time the jail is running on limited staff do to unfore-seen circumstances. Dur-ing the proceedings, there was a request made to the court that all county ac-counting and financing be transferred to the county treasurer. This request was made on the grounds that the county treasurer believes the county is not getting all the funds they should be. The court ap-proved this, and as the first step, the county treasurer will be in discussions with the county attorney and the circuit court clerk.

The sheriff shared with the court the results of the tax revenue received last month. Overall, the amount collected is up from the previous year. Also shared with the court was the 2012 audit infor-mation. No problems re-ported the audit were ap-proved. Submitted early to allow for any questions or adjustments, the 2014 budget for the department was also submitted and ap-proved along with salaries. In the remainder of the re-port, the sheriff reported a total of three break-ins in the previous month with the incidence of meth-related crimes declining. Both the sheriff and coun-ty attorney reminded the judge and magistrates to contact their representa-tive about restricting the sales of pseudoephedrine drugs.

Animal control has been working to deal with re-peated escapes from cows on Slater Rd. and other areas. As the cows are the property of the owner, control will be looking into how to resolve the situation before any damages are incurred. Court approved the use of a spay and neu-ter grant for the amount of $1,650. This grant is not for strays picked up, but for underprivileged fami-lies who cannot afford the extra expense.

The solid waste report showed that the county is still taking in considerable amounts of materials. Cur-rently in progress is the transportation of recycla-bles from other counties to Ballard, in addition to the normal in county haul. In property maintenance, the owners around the county have been talked to about tidying up their properties have been making prog-ress. In one case, how-ever, one landowner was requested to show in court and failed to do so.

Culverts under parts of Ferren Landing and other roads around the county that are in need of repair or replacement are closer to

FISCALContinued from Page 2

See FISCAL on Page 8

being worked on. In regard to a recent repair bill on the road department’s John Deere, the judge executive drew attention to the labor charge. The charge on the bill was $2,280. The coun-ty’s blacktop contractor is soon to begin work on the unfinished portions of Ceredo and Antioch roads. For a sum of $2,682 the department has been ap-proved to purchase a com-pactor. Also approved for purchase, in an addendum to his report, was a $900 engine with an existing mileage of approximately 70,000 miles, which will be placed in the animal control truck. The engine for the animal control ve-hicle went out before the previous month’s meet-ing.

In the treasurer’s re-port, the county will be refunding Hayes Brothers Farm $337.80 due to an error made on the farm’s behalf. In the regular busi-ness of the report the court approved the 13 cash transfers, five cash trans-fers, public properties, and paying of the bills. The court has refused to pay for an ad supposedly taken out by the jailer for an available position. Not only was the $59 bill with-out a P.O. number, which

is required by the court, but the action was never authorized.

A grant has been award-ed to the industrial board from EDA for the amount of $13,084. This grant money is for the three-phase wiring at a local substation.

The court approved the tax rate for the Purchase District Health Depart-ment. Their tax rate is set at 3 percent, which is un-changed from the recent year. The court had to ap-prove this in light of re-cent regulation changes in the district.

Next, the court ap-proved the county clerk audit. In discussing the matter, the county clerk reiterated what she said in her appearance on WPSD news. Though the office is small and has limited staff that performs multiple jobs, they are never-the-less very effective in their work. This being said, the auditors still look closely at such offices.

Two Rivers Fishery has been named the small business of the month. The fishery’s request for land acquisition for their expansion is still under delegation. At the current time the court is discuss-ing simply leasing the land for a low amount un-

til such time that the busi-ness has proven that it will not falter. At that point, the county would then commit to selling the ad-ditional land.

In the bids for the court-house beautification proj-ect, the favorable bid went to Triple A Fencing for the sum of $54,000. At the current time they are wait-ing for state approval. The plan is that the company will take three trees from the front of the courthouse and erect a fence around the perimeter.

The Christmas Parade will be held in La Center on Dec. 14 at 5:30 pm. The court has made the decision it will participate in some fashion.

In the last order of business, one of the land owners from Holloway Landing Road attended the meeting. The citizen maintained that despite certain reports, the bridge on Holloway was not the sole cause for the flood-ing that occurs on that road during heavy rains. After discussing the mat-ter, Judge Executive Vin-iard once again stated that the road is a “bottom land road” and thereby will face certain issues. As a whole, the court again maintained that the issue will contin-ued to be worked with.


FISCALContinued from Page 7

Bandana United Methodist Church is pleased to announce M.O.B.I.L.E., a new ministry that will be serving the needs of

Ballard County. The acronym stands for: Moving Others By Inspiring Love Everywhere.

Our goal is to glorify God and his Son, Jesus Christ, by sharing the Good News of your salvation through Christ, and by providing free mobility equipment/assistance aides to the disabled and those of us who have been blessed with a long life and need a little help getting around.

We are still in the beginning stages and are not currentlyoffering equipment yet, but with God’s blessing and yourgenerous donations we should be soon. So please check your

garages and barns! The types of items we are looking for include:

Anything that will aid with a person’s mobility or enhance their quality of life will beaccepted. Items do not have to be in perfect condition as necessary repairs can be

made, however with such items as toilet risers and potty chairs sanitation is required and very appreciated! Of course, monetary donations will also be gratefully accepted as well.

Donations may be dropped off at the Bandana United Methodist Church basketball court or under the drive-through in case of rain. If you have multiple items, you may call (270) 224-2995.

Thank You and God Bless!

Give

To Those Who Ask,

Don’t Turn Away From Those Who W

ant T

o Bo

rrow

Mathew 5:42

BUMC M.O.B.I.L.E.

Gang wasall there ...There was a good turn out on Nov. 23 for the Customer Ap-preciation Event at From Me to You in LaCenter. Vicky had several customers waiting to get in so they could receive a gift bag and get in on the great deals she had through-out the store. Attending were (above) Jake Hannan and his mom. Cassie.

Recent history of BC agriculture

AG UPDATEBy Tom Miller

Ballard County Extension Agentfor Ag and Natural Resources

Last week, one of my favorite teachers from high school called for a favor. Margaret Dunn, the history teacher when I was in high school, is working with the Ballard/Carlisle Historical and Genealogy Society on a Family His-tory of Ballard and Carl-isle counties. She wanted a history of Agriculture in Ballard County over the last 30 years. This is a copy of what I sent her. The story would be almost identical for Carl-isle County except Ballard County had a little more tobacco. Carlisle still has a few large contract hog pro-ducers left and for several reasons, Carlisle ended up with several grain crop farms that dwarf the farms in Ballard County.

After the boom years of the 70’s, the decade of the 1980’s was a bust for row crop agriculture. Sev-eral years of drought, low commodity prices, infla-tion and enormous interest costs drove many of the young producers, who had started farming in the 70’s out of business in the 80’s. A big farm at the time would have been 1000 acres. Almost all farms produced corn, soybeans, and wheat. Many had to-bacco. Almost all farms still produced some form of livestock, either cattle or hogs. Family labor still did the majority of the work on the farm.

The decade of the 90’s would be considered a sur-vival decade. Farms got bigger as the number of producers dropped. Land prices started to rebound and climb a little from the bottom in the 80’s. Animal production stayed relative-ly flat, but a new option exploded on the scene. A commercial poultry pro-cessor built a plant in May-field in the early 90’s and poultry production became a viable alternative for farmers across the coun-ties in the Purchase Area. In a few years, poultry pro-duction went from almost

zero to being the largest livestock product in the county. Other animal pro-duction had been in steady decline through the 80’s and that continued through the 90’s, as the numbers of hog producers dropped, the number of dairies dropped and the number of cattle slowly dropped. Tobacco production was the bright spot as the number of acres climbed to a high of over 1500 acres in 1997. Fam-ily labor for tobacco pro-duction was slowly being replaced by migrant labor from Mexico.

The decade of 2000 to 2010 may have brought the most change to our coun-ty’s agriculture since the time of the settlers. The to-bacco buyout in 2004 was probably the biggest single event to change the entire ag landscape of the county. The federal government, with money from the to-bacco companies, bought out all the tobacco quotas and tobacco production in Ballard County dropped 90% in the next year. The number of producers went from over 100 to less than 10 overnight. At about the same time, oil prices exploded and took grain prices along for the ride. Grain production went from marginally profitable to extremely profitable in just a few years. When the smaller producers sold their tobacco base and quit raising tobacco, they also sold the cows that many had been raising on the side and all that pasture land went to grain produc-tion.

Grain production has remained highly profit-able up until the present time. That has led to much higher land prices, much higher rental rates and overall financial strength for grain producers. It has effectively doomed animal production in the county. Poultry production is still feasible and slowly grow-ing. Hog production has entirely disappeared with all large producers exiting

the business. Dairy pro-duction has declined until only 2 dairies are left in the entire county. The number of beef cows has declined by 70% since 2000.

Some of the changes to grain production that have occurred are that farms are much larger now. In the Ag Census of 1982, there was one farm in the county over 2000 acres. In the 2007 Census there were 12 farms over 2000 acres. Production has become much more efficient with the yield of corn probably doubling in the last 30 years. Size of equipment has more than doubled and even tripled over the last 30 years. The use of GPS and Precision agriculture has exploded with almost every grain producer tak-ing advantage of the in-crease in technology.

In conclusion, the last 30 years have brought tre-mendous changes to agri-culture in Ballard County that have mirrored the changes in Agriculture in the US. From small fam-ily farms that produced a little of everything, our farms have evolved into large, still family farms that focus on grain produc-tion. Tobacco production, which was the main prod-uct for most of the history of Ballard County has al-most entirely disappeared. Animal production, aside from large poultry produc-ers, has been on a steady decline. Unless you are born into it or marry into it, the avenues for a new producer to start farm-ing in our area are almost completely closed. That being said, the farms that are left are highly produc-tive, highly efficient, well run businesses that are positioned well for the fu-ture.

Programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, age, sex, color, religion, disability or national origin. For additional information, contact the Ballard County Extension Office, 110 Broad-way, LaCenter, 665-9118.

Mayfield woman hurt in Nov. 23 1-car accident

On Nov., 23, at 11 a.m., a Mayfield woman was in-jured in a 0ne-car accident near Barlow.

According to reports 22-year-old Allison Berry-was traveling west on U.S. 60, one mile west of Bar-low, when her vehicle left the roadway.

After leaving the road-way, Berry attempted to bring the vehicle back on the roadway, but could not and it struck an earth em-bankment, and rolled over, ejecting her from the car. Berry landed about 33 feet from the vehicle.

She was flown to St. Francis Hospital, in Cape Girardeau, M). with head injuries.

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