Not too early to think about Christmas in the Village

Saturday, December 5, will include story time with Katie Rollins at the FOPL building along with crafts for the children with Delta Lamb and her helpers.  The children pick up a stuffed animal or toy from under our beautiful tree decorated by Rickie Collett and others.  The volume rises when it’s announced that Santa is crossing the bridge and entering the village on the fire engine. What fun   All children disappear into the fire station for more gifts, candy and a visit and maybe a picture with Santa   It’s all about the kids. For adults there  may be some music and a few booths – that depends on the weather.

donated by Ace hardware

RAFFLE: Then at the end of the day, usually after 2:00, the drawing for the raffle items held at the FOPL building.  Do you have your tickets??  Buy them at the bank ($2 each or 6 for $5) or at FOPL.  Raffle items are on display at FOPL, but pictures can be seen at the bank or here on line or on the Friends facebook page.  The bank has the raffle ticket containers so make your choices and get those tickets in the can.  Be sure to get plenty of tickets, all proceeds go to Friends of Paint Lick.  This is a great way to get a wonderful gift for someone if not yourself. (5 of 10 items shown)

antique bent-wood rocker

donated by Promenade Gallery

Gift certificate included- ten visits of  pampering

GED classes again offered at FOPL!

Jeanette Aldridge and Staci Lehman, certified instructors, began holding GED classes at the Friends of Paint Lick building Monday, November 9. Four students were being tested in our upstairs classroom and another was receiving instruction in Math across the hall in the library.

This is wonderful. We are so thrilled to have classes once again in the building as this is “keeping the dream alive” of our founder, Dean Cornett, and the main reason that she received the Thousand Points of Light award from President Bush, Sr. as we mentioned in an earlier post.

Both Jeanette and Staci have many years of experience in the classroom. They are backed by Kentucky Adult Education and are from the Adult Learning Center in Lancaster where classes are held regularly. Jeanette taught GED classes for many years here in Paint Lick and is glad to be back. Having classes in this part of the county make them more readily available to students such as Louise seen with Staci and her daughters who came to enjoy the library as well.

Help us get the word out that new students can be enrolled at any time. All instruction is individual and unlike some other locations, there is instruction as well as tutoring.

 

Related post at Bluegrass Literacy

What is this thing called a Blog?

The more you know, the more you can help.

There are interested folks that are visiting our Friends of Paint Lick blog and we are really happy about that. But there are very few who are making comments, and we are very sad about that. So I guess it is about time to talk about what a blog is and how it best functions as folks like you interact with it by posting your comments in response to what is posted.

Push here,For all the world to see!

The blog (short for web-log), started out probably as an on-line journal for folks that were already experienced with recording their thoughts and activities on a regular basis. Then it became inter-active, that is it allowed for others to talk back with their responses to what you posted in your on-line diary. Well, then it began to evolve quickly along with the technology or “platforms” that supported the blogs. Not only could you have diary entries but you could add pictures or videos and links to other sites that you had gleaned something from, etc. The blogs became very personal, the most popular ones were those that had a definite purpose behind them, the main reason the person was taking the time to blog. It was limited only by one’s imagination.

The blog is not the same as Facebook. For one thing, on Facebook only your friends, those who you have accepted into your Facebook community can read your posts; the blog can be seen by the whole world and this has gotten people into all kinds of trouble- some have been fired from their jobs, some have gotten into trouble with their governments. You should take the time to read something about the history of the blog, such as the link I just added to the words “history of the blog”, go ahead click on it and read as much as you like, then come back. A blog like the Friends of Paint Link, has all kinds of links, usually highlighted in blue that will take you to more information about Friends and those who volunteer here as well as our larger Garrard County and Madison County context. The more you learn about how the blog works the more you will enjoy the ones that you choose to follow. We can and do promote oneanother’s blogs. Usually those or added on what’s called a “blog-roll” at the side.

It wasn’t long before the commercial people realized what a terrific tool blogging could be for them. I have one of the best books written for business people, in 2006, called “Naked Conversations”. No it’s not about pornography, though there is that kind of person blogging as well. It was written to show how already blogs were changing the way “buisnesses talk with their customers”. The company web page couldn’t do that- it was only one way communication and how many times have you wished you could talk to a real live person? The usefulness of the blog for business applications is only going to increase.

“Whatever happened to honesty in business? That’s what your clients and customers are asking, even if your company’s integrity is above reproach. Because, for decades, corporations have talked at their customers and called it communication. Now comes the blog- and an opportunity for your company to talk with customers and let them talk back. Using more than fifty interviews with people at all levels in all types of businesses, these experts demonstrate in a fresh and thought-provoking way how blogs can repair corporate image and rebuild lost trust. And they show you how to do it right.” (Naked Conversations, Robert Scoble/ Shel Israel)

You can imagine, once the business world got wind of what the blog could do for them, the resources poured into the blogging firms and their technologies. Our blog is on the WordPress server, and WordPress is owned by a publishing firm. They have found the blogging world a natural place to find the next budding author as well as popular ideas for what folks are reading and interested in. Well, I hope this has been more than a little informative for all the Friends of Paint Lick. Once you catch the vision of what a blog can do for say a church, or a social organization with a specific agenda, well you will get excited and want to get involved. We want you to be involved at Friends and with us here on the blog.

To comment on anything you find here, either contributing additional content or telling us your personal thought about the subject, just add a note where it says ‘comment’- you’ll have to add some identifying tag, such as your e-mail/ or your own web page if you have one or can legally use the one where you work. Add your own memories, ideas, or opinions, after-all, you have some that nobody else has and doesn’t even know exist until you put them down on paper (I mean the computer). You’re welcome to ask questions- we have some smart people around here and they may be able to find an answer or two for you.

So go ahead and comment.

The Light Still Shines

20th Anniversary of

POINTS of LIGHT AWARD

Oct 16, 2009

Don’t know how many noticed that history was being made last week down in Texas,

 In attendance at the ceremony was President Obama and former president George H.W. Bush, who have joined forces for a Presidential Forum on Service, held at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, October 16. The Forum commemorates the 20th anniversary of the vision of a thousand “Points of Light,” first mentioned in Bush’s 1989 inaugural address and which catalyzed the modern volunteer service movement. The Forum also builds upon Obama’s “United we serve” call to all Americans to help lay a new foundation for growth in this country by engaging in sustained and meaningful community service.

Our own Paint Lick “Point of Light”, Dean Cornett, was daily point of light # 182, presented by President Bush in the White House on June 29, 1990. Next time you’re in the Paint Lick Family Clinic, you can take a look at the award that is proudly displayed there honoring Dean and the Friends of Paint Lick.

But the main point of the story is that the light is still shining at Friends of Paint Lick and thousands of other places across the nation. So the next time your tempted to despair of some of the things going on, be sure to focus on the multitude of folks that are working for the good of their neighbor and nation.

see The Light Still Shines op-ed article.

“The two presidents were in College Station to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bush’s “1,000 Points of Light” speech, an inaugural challenge that inspired a nonprofit foundation that emphasizes the many twinkles of good work in every community across the country. Our very own Interfaith Ministries Inc. was recognized as a powerful Point of Light, No. 179.

“(Bush) didn’t call for one blinding light shining from Washington. He didn’t just call for a few bright lights from the biggest nonprofits,” President Obama said. “He called for a vast galaxy of people and institutions working together to solve problems in their own backyards. Twenty years later, think for a minute about the impact that he’s had.”

A real treasure in Paint Lick

A Transplanted Bodger from Wales

All our friends are special here in Paint Lick. One of my favorite transplants- those “not from around here”, has to be Don Weber. Don is always ready to help out around the Friends of Paint Lick and in the village at large. He is a highly skilled craftsman in a specialized area of wood working and he uses his skills not only to make beautiful furniture, but in promoting the old crafts to the younger generation.

From his web-site, he tells us about this passion.

“I spend a great deal of my time in the mountains tracking down Appalachian craftsmen and working in the schools to keep these traditions alive. Using traditional technology as an “appropriate technology,” I also work in developing countries and economically depressed areas, setting up projects using local materials and talent to create cottage industries with other craftsmen and women, in an ecologically and environmentally-friendly manner.”

Go on over to the Handcraft Woodworks and get to know Don and see some of his work in the Gallery.

There is a PBS special Craft in America that you might want to take a look at after seeing Don’s work. It will help you to realize how privileged we are to have Don in Paint Lick.

Fall Festival ‘09 was great fun!

Cold and Cloudy didn’t dampen our spirits.

There was a lot going on this year and something for everyone: booths of flowers, paintings, food, and crafts. Then there was lively music from a number of artists, followed by the auction and “all-you-can-eat” catfish dinner. We have some pictures that we’ll go ahead and get up and the write the stories as we

go along with the help of your comments.

The singing Blyths from Kirksville

Rita Ibershoff shares her hobby of flowers, plants, and seeds.

Musicians Ramey Taylor, Martin Overbay, Charlie Spurlock, and Earl Barns.(left to right)

Jean Issacs painting grandkids’ hair-Michael, Jessie, and Raven.

Permanent Recycling has come to Paint Lick

Now There is No Excuse!

On September 29th, we had a special dedication of the permanent recycling center in Paint Lick. I had hopes that someone who was actually present and had some pictures would write this, but alas, no one has come forward.

Paint Lick Pride

The center is located beside the Fire Station-very easy to access- I went by this morning to deposit my bag of plastics. We are thankful to the folks at First Southern National Bank for allowing the temporary placement of the recycling containers beside the bank. But the permanent location will now serve everyone with larger bens and easy access.

At Friends of Paint Lick we are all about recycling and we celebrate with the community this latest effort to keep Garrard County beautiful. Please participate in recycling your glass, cans, paper, and plastics.  Our environment is a sacred trust that we have received from previous generations, and one day we must pass on the treasure.

For more information on the recycling effort, be sure to visit the Beautify Garrard County site. Karla Sefcak and her team are doing a tremendous job in getting us all informed and involved in doing what we can.

Thanks to all for the festivities including the Sportsman”s Club, those that placed the bins, and to all who attended. A special thanks to Chris Thomason for coordinating this public service .

Our Friend the Doctor

Dr. John Belanger in front of Friends

 When Dean Cornett met John Belanger she knew God had answered her prayers; her dream of many years was about to become reality in the Village of Paint Lick. Dean had worked in social work for many years and of all the challenges that folks had none was greater than the health issue.

Yet the health issue, especially the access to the medical community seemed a major barrier for most of the folks Dean worked among. She dreamed of having a local doctor and clinic that would be much more like the family doctors of the past. Like the ones who had played such a vital role in the history of the community called Paint Lick. She recognized in John Belanger a fellow dreamer, and the more she got to know him, turns out they had the same dream.

Dr. John received a distinguished award this year and his work at Paint Lick has received recognition from far and near. Ted Cox has a very good article in this week’s Central Record that you can read at this link.  For those of you out of the area this will serve as an introduction to one of Dean’s most satisfying projects: bringing loving, affordable, and quality care to the folks she loved and served so long. This is one way to reform healthcare, and Dean and Doctor John were “all over it”.

So, from all of your patients, congratulations Dr.John and thank you for supplying the fulfillment of Dean Cornetts dream and bringing the best of heathcare back to the Paint Lick community. Our heartfelt thanks to all the team at Paint Lick Clinic.

Meet two faithful volunteers

By Katie Rollins

Longtime Residents and Faithful Volunteers.

 

 Ruth Lamb Denny is my neighbor of more than thirty years in the Lowell area of Paint Lick Ky. She and her husband Ballard Jr. live within hollering distance of my home. Ruth became a volunteer at Friends of Paint Lick long before she knew she was such and I’ll estimate that time at just around fifteen years or so. Bringing in good smelling food and delicacies that made me ashamed to say I could cook, Ruth was always way ahead of everyone when it came time to feeding the crew at ‘the building’…. and my gosh! could she cook! Ruth’s homeade cornbread salad was always a hit and her soup beans in a quart mason jar with a chunk of onion and squares of baked cornbread were just more than we could take in. Really, more food that I can talk about here, was brought in by the handfuls.  

 We all love Ruth here at Friends and miss her when she don’t get to stop by but she knows that, already. This photo was taken of Ruth at The Friends of Paint Lick with her great granddaughter Melanie Durham lying across her lap. Melanie is probably all of two months old here and is the proud first daughter of Mike and Jodie Durham and the granddaughter of Joe and Debbie Denny who all live on The Old Railroad Grade, just a little over a mile from Friends.

 

Bertha McQuerry also of The Old Railroad lives just down the road from me a little over a mile. I cannot really recall how long Bertha has been with us here at Friends but she’s usually waiting whenever we open the door and it’s not unusual to find her with a sack of big red tomatoes from the garden that she still tends down over the hill at her house and a big garden it is. too. Bertha saved seeds for me this past year for the Mr. Stripey Tomato and come time for planting, I was giving plants away. She loves our long adventurous road trips to the outreach centers for overloads of clothing. Bertha is always willing to help others, especially her friends at The Senior Citizens Center of Lancaster She is one very busy lady and we all love her at Friends.

So you see, while our volunteers are working, they’re also eating and always happy when visitors drop in, especially the young ones. 

Bertha holding Helena Stauffer Todd

Turkey Calling Contest

Deborah Messenger of Paint Lick Sportsman Club w/ Champion and runners-up

Congratulations to Deborah Messenger and the Paint Lick Sportsmans Club for the 1st Annual Turkey Calling Contest, held in Lancaster, September 12th. Mark Hurte is shown with the winners, but you will have to read the story to see who the Champion was (in case you didn’t attend). Go here to read full story on Sportsmans Club blog.